Our smartphones make our daily lives so much easier, providing us with a constant flow of communication and knowledge at our fingertips. Abroad, your phone can be an equally powerful tool for maximizing your trip and staying connected with loved ones back home.
There are some best practices to keep in mind so you can stay safe and connected while traveling. Here are our top tips for using your phone abroad.
Recommendation: Turn off data roaming.
Before you board your flight (or train) to leave the country, turn off both roaming and mobile data on your phone. This will prevent your device from connecting to towers or networks throughout your journey, resulting in your service provider incurring expensive roaming charges.
At least…in theory. Some third-party apps , especially those with automatic data synchronization (like Google, iCloud, and Dropbox), can automatically turn on cellular data and roaming. Review your app list while 'reorganizing' to ensure you've uninstalled or restricted data access for these types of apps.
While you're doing that, reset your data usage statistics before you leave and monitor the graph while you travel. If something is still using data even after you've turned everything off, it will show up immediately.
Don't: Based on Airplane Mode.
Airplane mode doesn't actually turn off cellular data and roaming. One family learned this the hard way when they returned home with $13,470 in bills thanks to apps silently updating software and refreshing ads in the background ("offline").
Airplane mode will turn off all of your phone's wireless connections (cell, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi), but apps that don't require an internet connection will continue to use data. The best way to avoid expensive roaming charges is to turn off data roaming or — even better — use a prepaid data plan .
When you check your roaming bill...
Recommendation: Get a prepaid data plan
Passionate travelers often opt for a local SIM card or simply remove their SIM and rely on Wi-Fi hotspots, but there are better options. If your phone supports eSIM, you can access convenient, inexpensive on-demand mobile data plans from a marketplace like Airalo .
Depending on where you're going, a mobile data plan can be a great gift. Whether you need maps or connections to local resources, a well-functioning phone can make the difference between a frustrating and a happy trip.
If your phone was manufactured after 2018 and 'isn't a budget phone, then it's very likely it supports eSIM. Here's a list of devices that have it.
Don't rely on Wi-Fi.
Don't expect Wi-Fi to be available everywhere you go. Relying on Wi-Fi for international travel is common advice for budget travelers, but only about 59% of the world has internet access. While that number is significantly higher in developed countries and tourist hotspots, it doesn't say anything about connection stability or speed.
A better option is to have readily available data access. With a prepaid eSIM plan, you can connect to data no matter where you are in the world. It's as simple as downloading and activating a data plan and topping up as you go. That means no more weak Wi-Fi and instant internet access.
Recommendation: Refresh your phone's security settings.
If there's one thing you're most likely to lose on a trip, it's your phone. Research shows that smartphones are the most frequently lost and stolen devices while traveling. Prepare for this by reviewing your phone's security measures before you leave.
We recommend that you:
- Update multi-factor authentication steps to 'be accessible if you can't' receive calls or messages.
- Get a VPN when you reconnect to public Wi-Fi abroad.
- Use a password manager.
- Check for security patches or updates before you leave.
- Set up a phone tracking app in case your phone is lost.
Don't: Leave your phone case behind.
Electronic data security is important, but so is physical security. Don't leave home without a sturdy phone case and maybe a screen protector (if you're adventurous, you'll thank us!). Your phone is easily slipped out of your hand or pocket when you're climbing the next hill or sprinting to catch the next train. Protecting your device in every way will save you the stress (and tears) of a cracked screen or loose components.
Recommendation: Back up your phone.
Backing up your phone to the cloud keeps your data safe while you travel. To maintain your privacy, you should also consider performing a factory reset to erase your personal information from the device.
There are two main reasons for this. First, border and customs agents can track your phone – both at U.S. and foreign borders. Some reports suggest that certain countries, such as China, may install tracking software on phones to download your data, messages, and even social media activity.
Secondly, airport WiFi is increasingly attracting hackers due to its open (unsecured) nature and the crowds waiting to connect to it. Even if you're using a VPN, you don't know who might be eavesdropping on your connection.
If you don't want to perform a factory reset before leaving, be sure to do so when you return. You might encounter suspicious WiFi connections while abroad, so assume your device has been compromised and take proactive steps to mitigate that threat.
Don't: Trust open Wi-Fi connections
Don't turn on automatic Wi-Fi when you travel. Obviously, we shouldn't trust open connections at cafes or hotels, but you don't even need to actively connect to a network for your data to be stolen.
To turn off automatic Wi-Fi connection on your iPhone:
- Go to "Settings"
- Click on “Wi-Fi”
- Select “Request to join the network”
- Turn on the switch
On Android:
- Go to "Settings"
- Click on “Network & Internet”
- Click on “Wi-Fi”
- Click on “Wi-Fi Options”
- Turn off “Connect to open networks”
You can absolutely use your phone abroad to stay connected and on track with just a little preparation. From knowing your mobile data options to securing your device—from hardware to operating system—make sure you're laying the groundwork for a fun, connected, and stress-free vacation.
Need mobile data while traveling? You're in a good position. Check them out at the Airalo marketplace .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is data roaming?
Data roaming is a feature that allows you to connect to a mobile network outside of your service provider's coverage area. While data roaming allows you to continue accessing mobile services, doing so is significantly more expensive than using data within your home network.
Should data roaming be turned on or off when traveling abroad?
It's best to turn off data roaming when you're abroad to avoid incurring roaming charges from your service provider. However, if you have an eSIM or data roaming plan, you may need to turn data roaming on to continue accessing your mobile services overseas.
Can I use my phone abroad without roaming?
Yes, you can use your phone abroad without roaming by leveraging eSIM, a local SIM card, Wi-Fi, or an international plan. For example, you can use an eSIM to add a local or international plan to your phone without physically changing your SIM card. This allows you to use mobile services abroad without worrying about unexpected roaming charges from your provider.
What is airplane mode?
Airplane mode is a feature available on many electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, that allows you to quickly disable wireless communication functions. When airplane mode is activated, it disables the ability of your device to transmit radio frequencies, including cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The purpose of airplane mode is to ensure that the device does not transmit signals that could interfere with the aircraft's communication and navigation systems during flight.
Does airplane mode use data?
No, airplane mode does not use data. When you activate airplane mode on your device, it turns off all wireless communication functions, including cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. While you can manually turn Wi-Fi on after turning on airplane mode, the device will not use cellular data unless you turn airplane mode off or turn cellular data on separately.
Does the in-flight mode prevent roaming charges?
Yes, enabling airplane mode can help avoid roaming charges when you're abroad. When you turn on airplane mode, it disables all wireless communication functions on your device, including the cellular network. This means your device won't connect to any cellular network, and you won't incur roaming charges for voice calls, text messages, or mobile data.
Can I use Wi-Fi in airplane mode internationally?
Yes, you can use Wi-Fi in airplane mode internationally. When you activate airplane mode on your device, it turns off cellular networks, including voice, data, and text messages; however, it doesn't turn off Wi-Fi. You can manually turn Wi-Fi on in airplane mode, allowing you to connect to available Wi-Fi networks without incurring international roaming charges.