220-1101 Mobile Devices Practice Question
A user reports that their smartphone cannot detect any Bluetooth devices. The technician has verified that Bluetooth is enabled in the settings, and the other Bluetooth devices are powered on and in discoverable mode. Which of the following should the technician check next?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that toggling Bluetooth on in settings guarantees the radio is active, when in fact Airplane mode can silently override that setting and disable all wireless communications.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Whether the smartphone is in Airplane mode
Airplane mode disables all wireless radios, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular. Even if Bluetooth is toggled on in settings, enabling Airplane mode overrides this and prevents the Bluetooth radio from transmitting or scanning, so the smartphone cannot detect any Bluetooth devices. The technician should verify that Airplane mode is off before proceeding with other troubleshooting steps.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Whether the smartphone is in Airplane mode
Why this is correct
Airplane mode, also called flight mode, activates a global radio disable that shuts off the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth transceivers. With the Bluetooth radio powered down, the device cannot initiate an inquiry scan or respond to discovery requests, so it will not see any nearby Bluetooth peripherals. Even if the Bluetooth toggle appears enabled, the system-level Airplane mode can still suppress the radio unless the user explicitly re-enables Bluetooth after entering Airplane mode.
- ✗
Whether the SIM card is inserted properly
Why it's wrong here
The SIM card authenticates the device to the cellular network and stores subscriber credentials, but Bluetooth discovery and pairing work entirely on the local radio layer using pairing keys and link manager protocols. Bluetooth doesn't require cellular identity, network registration, or a SIM, so an improperly seated SIM cannot prevent scans for Bluetooth devices.
When this WOULD be correct
A user reports that their smartphone cannot make calls or send texts. The technician has verified that the phone is not in Airplane mode and has sufficient signal strength. In this case, checking whether the SIM card is inserted properly would be the next step.
- ✗
The condition of the charging port
Why it's wrong here
The charging port is a wired interface for power input and USB data transport; it has no connection to the Bluetooth radio, which relies on an internal antenna and baseband controller. A damaged port might affect wired connections or charging, but it cannot stop the Bluetooth radio from transmitting inquiry scans. Bluetooth functions remain available even if the charging port fails.
When this WOULD be correct
A user reports that their smartphone won't charge or connect to a computer via USB. The technician should check the condition of the charging port for debris or damage.
- ✗
The brightness of the screen
Why it's wrong here
Screen brightness only changes the backlight output of the display panel, which is controlled by the display driver and doesn't interact with the Bluetooth stack. The Bluetooth antenna and radio circuitry are separate hardware operating in the 2.4 GHz band, and their operation is unaffected by visual settings. Brightness won't stop the device from scanning for Bluetooth peripherals.
When this WOULD be correct
A user reports the screen is unreadable outdoors; the technician should check if auto-brightness is enabled or if the brightness setting is too low.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Whether the smartphone is in Airplane modeCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Airplane mode, also called flight mode, activates a global radio disable that shuts off the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth transceivers. With the Bluetooth radio powered down, the device cannot initiate an inquiry scan or respond to discovery requests, so it will not see any nearby Bluetooth peripherals. Even if the Bluetooth toggle appears enabled, the system-level Airplane mode can still suppress the radio unless the user explicitly re-enables Bluetooth after entering Airplane mode.
✗Whether the SIM card is inserted properlyWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The SIM card is used for cellular network connectivity and has no role in Bluetooth functionality. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that operates independently of the cellular radio.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A user reports that their smartphone cannot make calls or send texts. The technician has verified that the phone is not in Airplane mode and has sufficient signal strength. In this case, checking whether the SIM card is inserted properly would be the next step.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may incorrectly associate all wireless connectivity issues with the SIM card, or think that Bluetooth requires a cellular connection to pair with devices.
✗The condition of the charging portWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The charging port condition is unrelated to Bluetooth connectivity; Bluetooth is a wireless radio function, not dependent on physical charging hardware.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A user reports that their smartphone won't charge or connect to a computer via USB. The technician should check the condition of the charging port for debris or damage.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse hardware issues affecting charging with those affecting wireless functions, or think that a damaged port could impact overall device performance including Bluetooth.
✗The brightness of the screenWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Screen brightness affects display visibility but has no impact on Bluetooth radio functionality or device discovery.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A user reports the screen is unreadable outdoors; the technician should check if auto-brightness is enabled or if the brightness setting is too low.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse general troubleshooting steps (like checking obvious settings) with Bluetooth-specific issues, or mistakenly think screen brightness could affect power or connectivity.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1101 exam.