international travel airplane mode

How to Use Your Phone Internationally With Minimal Charges

5 strategies to help you connect in other countries without paying a bundle.

If you travel to another country and use your smartphone as you would in the States — to access maps, check email, text the kids, many times a day — you could end up with hundreds of dollars in fees. To connect abroad affordably, you need a strategy. Here are your easiest options.

1. Put your phone in airplane mode to avoid charges

Aside from features such as the camera, only use the phone when you can connect to Wi-Fi. Some phones and apps automatically download data when the phone is on and connected, leading to charges — even if you aren’t using the phone for calls. To make calls, use apps such as WhatsApp (which is also great for texting photos to friends), FaceTime, Skype, Google Voice, Viber and Facebook Messenger.

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2. Get an international phone plan

Every phone carrier offers its customers international plans, which vary. If you use T-Mobile, for instance, your monthly plans include unlimited overseas texting and data, at no extra charge, and 25 cents per minute for phone calls. But, again, you can avoid those fees by switching to airplane mode. (See tip No. 1.) For Verizon customers, overseas options include a TravelPass plan that costs $10 per day for unlimited calling, texting and data. AT&T’s International Day Pass is also $10 per day with the same benefits. Google offers a wireless phone service called Google Fi: The plan covers texting and data, whether you’re at home or abroad, though you’ll pay 20 cents a minute for overseas calls. The Federal Communications Commission maintains a list of select service providers and how to contact them about their international plans (click on “Web Resources: Service Providers”). Most carriers offer cheaper options if you’re visiting Mexico or Canada.

3. Buy a prepaid SIM card to use your phone in another country

This is a slightly more complicated option: A SIM card stores your subscriber data in your phone. When you’re traveling internationally, you can replace it with one that gives you a local phone number. The first step: Ask your carrier to “unlock” your phone (a “locked” phone will only work on your carrier’s network). The unlocking process varies depending on the phone and the carrier; some new phones are unlocked by default.

You can buy a SIM card before you leave. Amazon, for example, sells SIM cards for Europe ranging from around $20-$50, typically for 30 days of use. (Before you buy, research the most used networks in the country you’re visiting and buy that brand of SIM card. In France, for example, the largest mobile company is Orange, followed by SFR and Bouygues Telecom.) The cards vary based on the amount of data, minutes and texts, and the number of countries where you can use it. You can install it after you land by following instructions that are included with the card.

Another option is to buy a SIM card at your destination — such as from a mobile provider at the airport or a local department store. The upside of buying it when you arrive: A store employee can help you choose the right data plan, install the card and make sure it’s the right one for your phone. (Older iPhones, for example, have different SIM cards than newer iPhones, which might not have SIM cards.)

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4. Try an eSIM card in your phone

Most new phones have what’s called an eSIM card . Unlike the physical SIM card that you can remove from a phone, an eSIM is a microchip embedded in the phone’s hardware. That eSIM can be useful when you’re traveling internationally. Instead of replacing a SIM card, you can add a plan to your eSIM from a local provider in the country you’re visiting, or purchase data through eSIM providers such as Airalo, Flexiroam, GigSky and Nomad. Apple maintains an online list of wireless carriers and service providers that offer eSIM service. You also can find information online about eSIMs in iPhones and Android phones (including which ones support eSIMs, since Android phones vary depending on the manufacturer).

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5. Mix and match options while traveling

It’s OK to choose more than one of these options. Seattle-based travel writer Mary Jo Manzanares, 68, uses Airalo for data but makes calls with WhatsApp. Andy Gibson, 54, an IT specialist in Virginia who recently traveled to Germany, used T-Mobile for its free data but also used WhatsApp for calls. A combination of strategies can help you save money.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Aug. 20, 2019. It's been updated to reflect new information.

Ken Budd has written for National Geographic Traveler , Travel+Leisure , The Washington Post Magazine and many more. He is the author of a memoir, The Voluntourist.

The Dos & Don’ts of Using Your Phone Overseas

Our smartphones make our everyday lives much easier, providing us with a constant stream of communication and knowledge at our fingertips. Overseas, your phone can be an equally powerful tool to maximize your travels and stay connected with loved ones back home.

There are a few best practices to keep in mind so you can stay safe and connected while you travel. Here are our top tips for using your phone overseas.

Do: Turn Off Data Roaming

Before you get on that plane (or train) to leave the country, turn off both data roaming and cellular data on your phone. This will prevent your device from connecting to towers or networks along your journey, leading to pricey roaming charges from your carrier.

At least…in theory. Some third-party apps , particularly those with automatic data syncing (like Google, iCloud, and Dropbox), can turn cellular data and data roaming on by themselves. Comb through your app list while you’re packing to make sure you’ve uninstalled or restricted data access for these types of apps.

While you’re at it, 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’ll show up right away.

Don't: Rely on Airplane Mode.

Airplane mode doesn’t actually turn off data roaming and cellular data. One family learned that the hard way, returning home to a $13,470 bill thanks to “offline” apps quietly updating software and refreshing ads in the background (yikes!).

Airplane mode turns off all your phone's radio connections (cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi), but apps that don’t require an internet connection will continue to use data. Your best bet 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...

Do: Get a Prepaid Data Plan

Avid travelers typically opt for local SIM cards or else just remove their SIM cards and rely on WiFi hotspots, but better options exist. If your phone has eSIM support, you can access cheap, convenient mobile data plans on demand from a marketplace like Airalo .

Depending on where you’re going, a mobile data plan can be a godsend. Whether you need maps or to connect with local resources, a functioning phone may mean the difference between a frustrating and blissful trip.

If your phone was manufactured after 2018 and it’s not a cheap burner phone, there’s a chance it has eSIM support. Here’s a list of devices that have it.

Don't: Rely on Wi-Fi

Don’t hope that Wi-Fi is available everywhere you go. Relying on Wi-Fi for international travel is a common bit of advice for travelers on a budget, but only about 59% of the world has internet. While that number is substantially higher in the developed world and tourist hotspots, it says nothing about connection stability or speed.

A better option is to have data access at the ready. 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 pack and topping it up as you go. That means no more spotty Wi-Fi and instant access to an internet connection.

Do: Refresh Your Phone's Security

If there’s one thing you’re most likely to lose on your trip, it’s your phone. Research shows that smartphones are the most commonly misplaced and stolen devices during travel. Prepare for this by revisiting your phone’s security measures before you leave.

We recommend that you:

Update multi-factor authentication steps so they’re accessible if you can’t receive calls or texts.
Get a VPN for when you’re connected to public WiFi abroad.
Use a password manager.
Check for security patches or updates before leaving.
Set up a phone tracker app in the event that your phone goes missing.

Don't: Leave Your Phone Case Behind

Electronic data security matters, but so does physical security. Don’t leave home without a solid phone case and possibly a screen protector (if you’re the adventurous type, you’ll thank us!). It’s easy for your phone to slip out of your hand or pocket while you’re climbing the next peak or sprinting to catch the next train. Protecting your device on all fronts will save you the stress (and tears) of a cracked screen or dislodged component.

person using smartphone to take a travel photo in Europe

Do: Back Up Your Phone

Backing up your phone to the cloud keeps your data safe while you’re traveling. To maintain your privacy, you should strongly consider performing a factory reset as well to remove your personal information from the device

There are two main reasons for this. First, border agents and customs can search your phone – both at the US border and abroad. Some reports suggest that certain countries, like China, may install tracking software on your phone that downloads your data, texts, and even your social media activity.

Second, airport WiFi is of increasing interest to hackers, thanks to open (unsecured) WiFi and waiting crowds connecting to it. Even if you’re using a VPN, you have no idea who may be eavesdropping on your connection.

If you don’t want to perform a factory reset before you leave, then definitely perform one when you get back. You will likely encounter questionable WiFi connections while abroad, so assume your device has been compromised and take proactive steps to minimize that threat.

Don't: Trust Open Wi-Fi Connections

Don’t leave automatic Wi-Fi connectivity on while you travel. It might seem obvious not to trust open connections in cafes or hotels, but you don’t even need to be knowingly connected to a network for your data to be stolen.

To turn off your automatic Wi-Fi connection on an iPhone:

Go to “Settings”
Tap “Wi-Fi”
Choose “Ask to Join Networks”
Switch it on

On an Android:

Tap “Network & Internet”
Tap “Wi-Fi Preferences”
Switch off “Connect to Open Networks”

Using your phone abroad to stay connected and on track is entirely possible with a few preparations. From knowing your options regarding mobile data to securing your device from hardware to operating system, make sure you’re laying the groundwork for a fun, connected, stress-free vacation.

Need mobile data while you travel? You’ve got options. Check them out in 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 carrier's coverage area. Although data roaming allows you to continue to access mobile services, doing so is significantly more costly than using data within your home network.

Should data roaming be on or off abroad?

It's best to turn data roaming off when you are abroad to avoid incurring roaming charges from your carrier. However, if you have an eSIM or data roaming plan, you may need to turn data roaming on to continue to access your mobile services abroad.

Can I use my phone overseas without roaming?

Yes, it is possible to use your phone overseas without roaming by taking advantage of eSIMs, local SIM cards, Wi-Fi, or international plans. For example, you can use an eSIM to add a local or international plan to your phone without physically changing your SIM card. This enables 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 turns off your device's radio-frequency transmission capabilities, including cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The purpose of airplane mode is to ensure that the device does not transmit signals that could potentially interfere with the communication and navigation systems of an airplane during flight.

Does airplane mode use data?

No, airplane mode does not use data. When you activate airplane mode on your device, it disables all wireless communication functions, including cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. While you can manually enable Wi-Fi after turning on airplane mode, the device won't use mobile data unless you disable airplane mode or turn on mobile data separately.

Does airplane mode prevent roaming charges?

Yes, activating airplane mode can help prevent roaming charges while you are abroad. When you turn on airplane mode, it disables all wireless communication functions on your device, including cellular networks. This means that your device won't connect to any mobile network, and you won't incur roaming charges for voice calls, text messages, or mobile data.

Can I use Wi-Fi on airplane mode internationally?

Yes, you can use Wi-Fi while in airplane mode internationally. When you activate airplane mode on your device, it turns off cellular networks, including voice, data, and text messaging; however, it does not disable Wi-Fi. You can manually enable Wi-Fi while in airplane mode, allowing you to connect to available Wi-Fi networks without incurring international roaming charges.

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A Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad: For Dummies

This complete guide to using your iPhone* overseas includes comprehensive details, such that even the least tech-savvy people will be able to use their smartphones abroad by following the instructions below.

This post contains affiliate links.

In this guide, we’ll go over:

1. How to use Airplane mode and Wifi 2. How iMessage and FaceTime work overseas 3. Best apps for texting overseas 4. Using international SIM cards with your American iPhone 5. Locked vs unlocked phones 6. Must-have travel accessories for your iPhone 7. Freezing your existing cell phone plan 8. Adding international service to your existing cell phone plan 9. Keeping your US phone number even if you cancel your service 10. Overview of the best cell phone plans for travelers 11. Dumbphones: Buying a cheap international cell phone 12. International Hotspot: Global Wifi Device

*Android users, while your exact Settings instructions will vary a bit from the iPhone’s Settings instructions detailed in this post, the ideas are exactly the same.

Read it, save it, pin it , share it. Help me help you and your friends to be smart with your cell phone bill when you travel.

First, What Type of Traveler Are You?

If you have no idea what you should be doing with your iPhone abroad, start here to identify which parts of this guide apply directly to you.

A – Short-Term Traveler: You’re going on a one-time short trip (less than a month) and you want Wifi capability to keep in touch with family and friends or check Facebook, email, post to Instagram, etc., but you don’t necessarily need an international SIM card or international data. Pay attention to sections 1, 2, 3, 6.

B – Relocator: You’re going abroad for at least a month to one location or region and would like an international SIM card to have all the regular calling and data capabilities of your smartphone abroad. Examples: Study abroad students, working or volunteering abroad, or moving abroad. Pay attention to sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9.

C – Convenience Traveler: Trip length doesn’t matter so much to you, you just want to be able to add international service to your already existing plan, so that you can easily use it in multiple places without having to think twice. Pay attention to sections 3, 6, 7, and 10.

D – Nomad: You’re peacing out without a long-term plan, you need all the data in all the countries. You’re hoping to not switch SIM cards all that often, or at all if possible. Pay attention to sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.

1. Using Airplane Mode and Wifi

This section will help you completely avoid international charges on your iPhone bill.

Why is this important? If you don’t freeze your account (Section 8) and your phone happens to pick up service in foreign countries, you might be tempted to use apps or answer calls, and that will skyrocket your bill.

SKY. ROCKET. Your bill. International charges will be applied to your account, and the sight will not be pretty.

Avoid international charges, yet still enjoy the apps on your phone by connecting to Wifi.

You don’t need to do anything special to your phone before you go abroad. After you arrive in your destination country:

How to Turn on Airplane Mode and Use Wifi at the Same Time (Yes, you can)

Swipe down from the home screen to access your control center:

As long as Airplane Mode is ON, you won’t be charged for data. To double triple make sure you won’t be charged for data, do this:

Settings –> Cellular –> turn Cellular Data OFF

Any apps that function on Wifi (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Mail, Voxer, etc.) are accessible as long as you are connected to Wifi. Go to town.

Turning off Airplane Mode and Cellular Data essentially turns off your phone number and the data you normally pay for.

This means you cannot receive or place regular phone calls or SMS messages (iMessage excluded, see next section). Also, you can’t access anything that needs Wifi to function if you’re not connected to a Wifi signal.

No Control Center? Using Airplane Mode and Wifi for Dummies:

Step 1: In your Settings, turn Airplane Mode ON (make sure the little airplane icon is highlighted). This ensures you will not use any data or incur any unexpected international charges.

Step 2: In your Settings, select Wifi, and turn your Wifi ON. Airplane Mode automatically turns Wifi OFF, so you will want to go in and turn it back ON.

Your only chance to use your phone’s Wifi-capable apps and functions will be when you are connected to Wifi. If you aren’t picking up any free signals, you’ll want to head to a coffee shop or your hotel to find one.

Step 3: To connect to a Wifi signal, go into your Settings, select Wifi, and select a network. If your hotel or a restaurant provides Wifi that takes a password, you’ll need to get the password from them, then select that network and type in the password to connect.

2. Using iMessage and FaceTime Overseas (for free)

Sorry Android, this is for iPhone only.

Connect your iPhone to Wifi, with iMessage and FaceTime turned ON and activated:

Settings —> Messages —> make sure iMessage is ON
Settings —> FaceTime —> make sure FaceTime is ON
If you have been switching SIMs and phone numbers around recently and iMessage isn’t activating on your iPhone, restart your phone and try again.

iMessage and FaceTime work through your Apple ID if they can’t use your affiliated phone number. Meaning, that in your Settings —> Messages —> Send & Receive, you will see all options you have to reach people through iMessage.

Your email address will be one option when your phone number is frozen or unavailable (i.e. perhaps you switched out your SIM). Friends at home might see an email address instead of your phone number when you send a text, but it still works.

As long as Airplane Mode is ON, or if your Cellular Data is OFF, you won’t be charged for using these services. If Airplane Mode is not on, and your Cellular Data is turned on, FaceTime will charge as Data, so be careful.

Using iMessage and FaceTime for Dummies

FaceTime: A nice way to chat with family and friends back home as long as they have iPhones and are awake at the same time as you! (Mind the time zone!)

Open your Contacts, select the person you want to FaceTime, and hit the video icon in your options.

Alternatively, open your FaceTime app (looks like the green one in the photo above), on the top select Audio or Video, then type the name of the person you’d like to chat with and they should show up in a list. Then tap their name to place the call.

If they don’t have an iPhone, this won’t work.

iMessage: Yes, iMessage functions on Wifi (between iPhones only), so you can text all you want with others who also have iPhones and iMessage, even overseas!

You don’t have to do anything special to make iMessage work (it should already be turned on in your Settings), your phone already knows what to do.

Simply text anyone else with an iPhone. If you aren’t sure who has one, you can look back in your texts. Anyone that you text with blue text bubbles has an iPhone, anyone with green text bubbles does not.

3. Best Apps for International Texting and Calling (for free)

All of the following listed app functions are free on Wifi. Please note that it is necessary for each user to communicate through the same app. For example, you can’t send a WhatsApp message or place a call to someone who doesn’t have WhatsApp.

Most popular app outside the US for texting and phone calls.

Download it and activate your phone number with it. Even if you freeze your phone number or switch out the SIM, you can still opt to continue using WhatsApp with the original number that you connect to it.

The only time this won’t work is if you give up your number and someone else starts using it. (Avoid that with Tossable Digits , read more about saving your phone number while you travel here).

Functions: texting, sending images and videos, voice messages, video calls, audio calls.

Refer to the previous section.

Functions: texting, sending images, and videos from iPhone to iPhone only.

Functions: audio and video calls from iPhone to iPhone only.

Facebook Messenger

Messenger has come a long way.

Functions: texting, sending images and videos, and placing voice and video calls.

One of my favorite apps for keeping in touch with my best friends and family. It’s like a walkie-talkie app .

Functions: texting, sending images and videos, voice messages up to 15 minutes long.

4. Using an International SIM Card with an American iPhone

aka How to get a foreign phone number with data .

SIM Cards for Dummies

A SIM card is essentially your cell phone number and whatever data you pay for, while the actual phone is just the machine that makes it all work.

This means you can take out your SIM and insert it into another (unlocked) phone and make a phone call, and the person you are calling still sees your name on the caller ID.

It also means you could take out your SIM, and still use your same phone with Wifi to access any apps, you just wouldn’t have your phone number or any data connected anymore.

Taking out your SIM essentially does the same thing as turning on Airplane Mode or turning off Cellular Data. Your phone just becomes a Wifi device.

So, getting a foreign SIM means getting a foreign phone number and data. This is ideal for people moving to one place overseas for longer than a month.

Before you do anything else (like leave the country), make sure:

Your phone has a SIM card slot. See the photo below if you don’t know what this looks like.
Your phone is unlocked. See next section for more about unlocked vs. locked cell phones.

Having an unlocked phone is important if you want to be able to use your own phone once you get abroad. If your phone is locked, you will have to buy a local phone rather than use your own.

Unlocking your phone gives you the ability to use an international SIM card .

As long as you have an unlocked phone with a SIM card slot, you should be able to purchase a SIM overseas, or pre-order a SIM card , with data, calling, texting, whatever you need. Then slip it into your phone, and have a fully-functioning local phone.

How to Install a SIM Card

After you arrive in your destination country:

Step 1: Purchase a SIM card. There are three different sizes of SIM cards: regular, micro, and nano.

Newer iPhones use nano-SIM cards, but most SIM cards for sale will come in a “one size fits all” format, with perforations in the plastic such that you can punch out the size you need to fit in your phone’s SIM card slot. Be sure to check before you buy.

Getting one might be as easy as purchasing one from a vending machine like the one in the photo below from London Heathrow Airport (I’ve never done this!). In most cases, however, you will need to locate a store where they are available for purchase This I have done a ton of times.

SIM cards are cheap. You can get a SIM with a decent amount of data and calling for under $20 just about everywhere, then you just “top up” when your data gets low.

You may want to do a bit of research on the best carriers in your destination country before you choose one.

When purchasing an international SIM card, keep in mind:

If you purchase it from a cellular carrier, you may be required to show your passport, so bring it with you.
Some SIM carriers have better coverage or offer better pricing than others. If you have a chance, ask around to see which carrier the locals prefer before you commit.
Some SIM carriers might simply be a better option because they exist in more than one country. For example in Italy, you could go with an Italian SIM carrier, like Tim, or a general European one, like Vodafone, that will recharge your data or minutes in more countries than just Italy. This is a good thing to keep in mind if you’ll be traveling through multiple countries.
Make sure it is the right size and will work for your phone, whatever phone you decided to buy it for.

Step 2: Purchase any extra credits or data that might not have come included on your SIM card. These will be available in the same store where you buy your SIM card. Many convenience stores also sell them.

They come in the form of cards with scratch-off codes or it may be an automated system that the store clerk can do for you.

Your SIM card provides your phone number, while credits and data provide your service. It is pay-as-you-go with SIM cards, so once you use up your credit, you will need to buy more. Don’t worry, you will still have all your apps on your phone, switching out the SIM is simply switching out the phone number.

Step 3: Insert the SIM card into your phone. For iPhones, make sure your phone is off, take off any case you might have, and find the tiny slot on the side with a little hole in it. Use a paper clip to push into the hole (push hard), and that little tray will slide out. Remove your SIM card associated with your account in the States (be very careful not to lose this!) and replace it with your new international SIM card. Turn your phone back on to set up your new SIM.

Tip: tape your home SIM card to a card in your wallet for safe keeping. For additional security, store that card in a room safe if you have one.

Step 4: Add any credits/data that you purchased. If you’re using a card with a scratch-off code, just follow the instructions on the card. Usually, you dial a number, and a recording tells you what to do, entering your scratch-off code to activate your credit.

Be careful if you are in a country that speaks another language, perhaps ask someone else to help you load your credits to make sure nothing gets lost in translation.

Once you have activated your credit, you should be good to go! You will have a local phone number, and you should be able to use everything on your phone just as you would in the States.

Buy an International SIM Card Online

If you want to pre-order an international SIM card for iPhone and have it topped up and ready to go for immediate use, try one from SimOptions.

It’s a bit more expensive than an international plan like T-Mobile or Sprint, and also more expensive than a local SIM, but it is super convenient and guarantees you’ll hit the ground abroad with service. Plus, you can easily top up your data online.

You can get a Europe SIM card easily. Check out all your international SIM card options at SimOptions.

Learn more about pre-ordering international SIM cards .

5. Locked vs. Unlocked Phones

aka How a US iPhone works overseas

When a phone is “locked,” it essentially means it will only operate with the carrier through which you have a contract and, most likely, a monthly payment for the phone.

Carriers do this so you won’t jump ship and start using another carrier. If you bought it through a specific carrier, like at a Verizon store, chances are it came locked.

However, US cell phone carriers will unlock your iPhone for international use if you just ask them. “Unlocking” is a software issue, not hardware, so your carrier can unlock your phone remotely. This will enable your iPhone to be compatible with SIM carriers in other countries.

Unlocking your phone basically means you could go abroad, purchase an international SIM card, put it in your iPhone, and use your iPhone abroad with that carrier as explained in the previous section.

It sounds simple, and sometimes it is, but it requires action on your part, and it’s different for every carrier (if you purchased through a carrier). Click here to find out how to unlock your iPhone with your carrier and use it overseas.

iPhones purchased direct from Apple and paid for in full are always unlocked.

6. Must-Have Travel Accessories for Your iPhone

1. pop socket.

Before they were super popular, one of the top five questions I got asked anywhere was “WHAT is that THING on your phone???”

That “thing” is the cheapest insurance policy I’ve ever bought. That “thing” is a pop socket . Since I bought it, I haven’t dropped my phone while taking photos, texting, or other.

It acts as an extra grip on the slippery iPhone, plus it provides leverage so that I can reach the entire screen with one hand (iPhones are getting so big these days). It also acts as a stand so I can prop up the phone to watch videos, and it really helps if I’m lying in bed and holding my phone above my face so I don’t drop it on myself.

I got it brand new with the case I mention next, stuck it on in March of 2017, and it has not budged at all.

I’m not convinced there is much else out there that is more worth your next $15. I am completely unaffiliated with them and completely in love with their product.

Expert tip: Do NOT purchase a generic version, the stickiness is not guaranteed to be strong. Saving a couple of bucks is not worth losing your iPhone which cost several hundred dollars if the sticky part gives. Stick with Pop Socket 😉

Update 2022: I’m now happily using a PopWallet+ from PopSockets so I can keep my ID and credit cards with my phone without worrying about finding a credit card iphone case that works, because honestly I couldn’t once I bought the iPhone 12. I’m now using an Otterbox case with my PopWallet+ and it sticks just fine and has served me well.

2. Hidden Credit Card iPhone Case

I’m not a purse girl. I love having my ID and credit card ready with my phone; however, I DON’T like it when everyone else can SEE my credit card just hanging out on the back of my phone. Especially if I pass my phone to someone to snap a photo of me.

Look at that photo above one more time. You’d never know there is a hidden credit card slot.

This brilliant little baby is by Spigen , and I swear by it for my iPhone 6.* It is a little worn, but I used it from March of 2017 through December 2018 without breaking, nor did my phone get any dropping damage whatsoever with this case on (I rarely drop it because of the grip of my Pop Socket).

For the ultimate credit card phone case stealth mode, I highly recommend it.

*Update 2022: If this amazing Spigen case fits your phone, get it. If you don’t have an older phone, don’t get it because the new Spigen cases are NOT as good.

I’ve upgraded my phone and am now happily using a PopWallet+ from PopSockets so I can keep my ID and credit cards with my phone without worrying about finding a credit card iPhone case that works. I’m now using an Otterbox case with my PopWallet+ and it sticks just fine and has served me well. I still use this tempered glass screen protector .

3. Waterproof Case

This is a simple waterproof phone case by Joto, sort of like a dry bag for your phone for those of us who don’t have Lifeproof cases. It has smart material so you can operate the screen through plastic. For $8, another great insurance policy for the active traveler.

4. Anker Charger

I can’t get through any packing list or iPhone post without mentioning my absolute favorite mobile USB phone charger. No matter which one you get, go with one from Anker , they are a great brand and make powerful batteries.

I’ve had mine since the summer of 2015 and it still charges my phone up to 7 times on one charge. I never leave home without it.

7. Freezing Your Existing Cell Phone Plan

aka How to not pay money for services you aren’t using.

If you are leaving for at least a month and not going to be needing your US cellular service at all during that time, I suggest that you put your service on hold. You should be able to do this online or by calling your carrier’s customer service.

For Verizon, you can freeze your service online in your MyVerizon account. In my experience in the past, if you call customer service and ask them to do it, they charge a $15 fee, so be smart about how you do it.

On one trip to Mexico in 2014, I waited until I arrived, then I did it online and it took effect immediately. Upon arrival back to the States, you can go back online and have them reactivate your service immediately as well.

Even if your carrier charges a small fee to keep your line “alive” while it hibernates, it could still save you a significant amount of money that would otherwise be wasted.

Note: You will not be able to receive regular SMS texts or phone calls while your service is on hold. Your phone becomes a Wifi device without an active SIM card (you can still use iMessage and FaceTime with your AppleID).

Because I switched to T-Mobile , I do not have to do this anymore. This is for people who want to keep everything about your regular account the same, but you’ll be leaving for long enough to put it on hold for a bit.

The other option would be using Tossable Digits to keep or save your number while traveling , but cancel your plan completely for now (see section 9).

8. Adding International Service to Your Existing Cell Phone Plan

This part is a little tricky for me to write about because there are many different cellular carriers within the US, and each carrier’s services and rates are going to vary. Not to mention the fact that they seem to constantly change.

I wrote a post comparing cell phone plans for travelers , check that out to see what your carrier/plan includes.

Verizon International Service

Verizon has an option to activate a Travel Pass for $5/day in Mexico and Canada and $10/day in over 130 countries worldwide. For short-term trips, this can be a great option. For long-term trips, $10/day = roughly $300/month. Please don’t be that dummy.

Also, remember to activate your Travel Pass BEFORE you travel, otherwise, you’re screwed.

See more about Verizon’s international travel solutions here .

AT&T International Service

AT&T has the same idea as Verizon, but they call it the International Day Pass and it starts at $10/day.

Some of AT&T’s existing plans already cover talk and text in Mexico and Canada, so be sure to know what you’re already paying for before you purchase coverage.

See more about AT&T’s international travel solutions here .

T-Mobile & Sprint International Service

T-Mobile is leading the movement that has made this girl ONE HAPPY TRAVELER. The T-Mobile ONE plan gets you unlimited (2G) data in more than 140 countries worldwide. Sprint is catching on and implementing similar plans.

All you have to do to use it is overseas is make sure your roaming is turned ON:

Settings —> Cellular —> Cellular Data (ON) and Cellular Data Options (Roaming ON)

While you’re in Settings, turn on your FREE Wifi calling:

Settings —> Phone —> Wifi Calling ON

Times have changed. Even Montana has T-Mobile now, which was my biggest problem with the carrier until 2018.

Read more about the best cell phone plans for travelers .

9. How to Keep Your US Cell Phone Number When You Travel

Guess what! You don’t have to say goodbye to your precious cell phone number that you’ve had for years just because you’re going abroad for a while.

You can cancel your existing, expensive cell phone plan AND keep your number, even having calls and texts forwarded in the meantime, and reactivating it with a new service at home upon your return.

How? Use Tossable Digits . You essentially turn your existing number into a virtual number by porting it to Tossable Digits (don’t do this until you’re abroad and ready to cancel your existing cell phone plan).

You only pay for the forwarded texts and calls that you use, and you can cancel any time. Lots of people have found this to be a massively helpful solution when it comes to phone numbers and travel.

Check out everything you need to know to save your phone number while you travel .

10. Overview of the Best Cell Phone Plans for Travelers

I have a whole post dedicated to comparing cell phone plans for travelers , but here is a quick summary:

T-Mobile : Best for the frequent traveler or nomad who skips around a lot but still has a home base in the US.

Sprint: Same offering as T-Mobile, not great coverage in the US.

Verizon: Best coverage in the US, has a Travel Pass for short trips, so it is still a great option for frequent but short-term travelers. Not ideal for any long-term travel.

AT&T: Same idea as Verizon.

Project Fi: Consider Project Fi if the Wifi aspect makes sense in your area (and you’re willing to give up your precious iPhone), or stick to what you have.

Click here to read the full post.

11. Dumbphones: Buying a Cheap International Cell Phone

A “dumbphone” is what I call the opposite of a smartphone. It still has a flip screen, qwerty keyboard, or… just buttons. Remember those?

You won’t be able to use your dumbphone abroad unless it is SIM card-compatible, and even then some countries are strict about what phones will work with their networks. Check behind the battery to see if there is a SIM card in there.

Most dumbphones in the US are not SIM-compatible, but don’t worry, because your destination country is bound to have many international cell phones for you to choose from for cheap. The phones will already be SIM-capable and some might even come packaged with a SIM card and credits included.

This means that you do not need to have a smartphone overseas, you can still have a regular phone, but the ones overseas will be SIM-capable, and that is the key to using it abroad.

You will simply need to purchase a new phone, and in most cases, this won’t cost you much. I have paid as little as $10 (Brazil) and as much as $65 (Italy) for a phone abroad.

Refer to Sections 4 and 5 above for help with using SIM cards in dumbphones.

12. International Hotspot: Global Wifi Device

An international hotspot is a portable device that connects to local data and produces a private Wifi signal just for the owner of the device to use (and share with friends or family).

You do not need a SIM card for it, but it will only work where there is cell service. For example, in Germany it might connect to Telekom, in the US it might connect to AT&T, etc., but if there is no cell service for it to connect to, it won’t magically provide a Wifi signal.

With a portable global Wifi device, you don’t need to buy SIM cards or find public Wifi for your phone, you can simply turn on your device, connect to its signal with your phone and laptop, and you are charged for every 24 hours that you use.

I don’t consider this a better option than SIM cards if you’re going on a long-term trip, because the charges will add up quickly. But if you’re traveling somewhere for a short time that has good connectivity (i.e. don’t bring this to Patagonia and expect a signal), this would be a good option if you need to stay connected, especially if you’ll be using the internet on your laptop.

Here are a couple of options to get started with international Wifi devices:

Skyroam : Skyroam’s device is called Solis. It works as a portable 4G LTE Global Wifi device AND a power charger at the same time. It costs about $9/day. Use promo code BMTWIFI to receive a discount!
Tep Wireless : Tep’s device is called Teppy, and you can rent it for a trip and return it by mail. It also costs about $9/day.

Conclusions

Tell me, have I forgotten anything?

To read more about using your iPhone abroad, check these out:

How to Unlock Your iPhone and Use and International SIM Card
Using Your iPhone Abroad with Wifi and Airplane Mode
How to Set Up a Telcel SIM Card in Mexico
Portable iPhone Charger: Anker Review
Best Road Trip Apps For Your Next Adventure
Comparing Cell Phone Plans For Travelers
Global SIM Card Magic: I Switched to T-Mobile and I’m Not Looking Back

Also, now it’s your turn! I would love to hear about your experience taking your phones abroad. It helps others reading the comments if YOU share successes and failures with phones abroad.

What did you do right? Is there something you wish you knew before you left? Can you add anything else to the information here? Please share in the comments!

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Tags airplane mode , international cell phone plans , international phone number , international sim card , iphone , iPhone apps , study abroad , t-mobile , unlocking iPhone , wifi abroad

111 replies on “A Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad: For Dummies”

Thank a lot for posting this. I am the Dumb phone Users: Buying a Cheap International Cell Phone”. I normally carry my basic cell phone purchased in Trinidad and Tobago, get a SIM card and phone card at the airport upon arrival. This way I can call locally and internationally. Any tips on a workable camera for under $200-$25USD, would be helpful? Thanks again for the detailed information, I learned a lot about my Iphone which I am not taking on this vacation. 🙂

Glad you found it helpful! As for cameras, I stopped carrying them a while ago, I just use my iPhone and my GoPro, but I am a big fan of Canon cameras when I have them!

[…] Related: A Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad, for Dummies […]

Thanks for the great article! I was researching how to use a current phone and adding an international number. Have you had any experience with using your phone in Cuba? My plan was to unlock an old iPhone 4, buy a SIM card for it and use it as our Cuba phone so our friends could get in touch with us and we could use it to make and confirm appointments. After reading your article, I think just unlocking our current iPhone 5 and buying a SIM card there for it is the way to go. Your thoughts?

I’m sorry I don’t have experience with Cuba specifically. I imagine the best way to go would be to buy a SIM once you get there if you can. Just try to unlock and use your own phone. Good luck!

Cuba is a blacklisted country in the terms of buying a prepaid SIM card, very difficult to buy unless you’re a local resident, roaming data as well as local data is very expensive as well. http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Cuba

[…] Related: A Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad: For Dummies […]

[…] A Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad, for Dummies […]

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[…] Related: A Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad: For Dummies […]

Great post—thanks for the rundown! I’d love to hear/see a post on cyber security while traveling. Using wifi at hotels and public places can compromise devices and data. My understanding is that it’s extremely easy to siphon off data sent over an unsecured network—passwords you might send while logging in to your bank account or checking your email, etc. I use a VPN (virtual private network), which is easy enough to plug in to my iPhone’s settings (General->VPN) and also have a credit freeze. I was considering trying a wireless travel router for an added layer. I’d love to know how people handle this. Unfortunately identity theft is the petty crime of our era. Thank you for the great travel inspiration!

I agree, and that’s why I’m working on a post about using VPNs while traveling! Stay tuned.

I’d suggest that you all check with your US mobile providers first. A coworker told me that her T Mobile account has free unlimited international service for everything but phone calls (.20/min). We checked with Sprint and have the exact same thing! They just turn it on & we are good to go. Apparently the competition between providers has made this very common. I hope you have the same experience. Good luck!

Going to europe for 2.5/3 months and based off your info, option B seems to be best. If I choose option B and take out my regular sim card will my iMessage and FaceTime be a different email/number when I talk to people or will it still be my same email/number I had with my regular sim in the phone? Wondering if there is a difference between using iMessage/Facetime versus texting/calling with a different sim card.

Yes, it you take out your SIM, you will not have that number associated with your iMessage and FaceTime anymore. Instead, it will be your apple ID that shows up, so be sure that in your settings, you choose to send and receive from your Apple ID instead of your phone number. That way it doesn’t matter which SIM card you have in your phone.

Niall… we’re going to Belize for ten days with iPhones 6. Is there any advantage to buying a SIM card for that period. We’re told we can just dial direct to US or buy a $40 plan. Thanks

Unless you really need to be on your phone, don’t worry about a SIM for just a 10-day trip. You will have plenty of access to WiFi and you can make calls for free using today’s technologies (Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook..) I only recommend a SIM if you’re going to be in one country long-term.

Yes because iMessage works with your Apple ID when it doesn’t go through your phone number. Just check your iMessage settings and make sure you can send and receive from your Apple ID, you might need to be on WiFi for this to work, as I’m not sure what your Argentinian SIM will include. I recommend getting WhatsApp and using that for messaging. Have fun!

so, i’m not that tech savvy, and i learned how to install the sim card to my iphone5s. I’m going to Spain and Portugal. if i understand correctly i can buy a sim card when i get to spain and install it. i have Verizon. so what does it mean to me? verizon has a plan that charges 10.00/day for use, another that is 80.00 flat rate. how does having a sim benefits me? thanks for your response.

Getting a SIM means not using Verizon. It means getting a local phone number and paying locally for data and usage, etc. I recommend getting a local SIM if you plan to be traveling for a while, but for a short trip it’s probably not worth it if you don’t use your phone that much, you can just get by using WiFi in places. If you’re only going for a few days and you want service and don’t want to mess with SIM cards, it could be worth it to just pay Verizon the $10/day, but that gets very expensive if you’re going for a long trip.

Hi Kirk – Okay, this makes sense, I’m going to try to answer this the best I can, but you may consider asking someone at an Apple Store or calling Apple to get the full answer. The reason your devices connect is because they are all associated to your Apple ID. SO, I think that as long as your phone number is still activated (you cannot freeze your account and expect this to work), it makes sense to me that even if you take your SIM out, the other devices should still work at least for texting because they are all still associated with your Apple ID. I am not certain this will work for phone calls. Do you get ALL text messages to your other devices, or only iMessages? Because if it’s only iMessages, then I don’t think it has to do with your phone number at all, we’re only talking about your Apple ID here, which you technically will always have, regardless of which phone number you use. I think you should call Apple and ask them exactly what will happen. And when you find out, I would love to know! Please come back and tell us how it went. I hope that is helpful in some way! Good luck!

I’m going to call APPLE….. BUT…just to test things, I went and purchased a Trac Phone Sim Card ($1)…and I bought a $19 plan just for fun. I plugged it in and as soon as I did….my computers and my iPad and all my devices LIT UP and asked me if I wanted to associate this “NEW NUMBER” with my apple ID….again….just for fun, I said NO! As a result, my other number disappeared…..all text messages coming to the old number STOPPED….all phone calls STOPPED….. Then I made a few calls with the new Sim Card and a few text messages….took it out and put in my OLD sim card…the REAL one….the one that is my regular number……and again all my devices LIT UP asking if I wanted to associate THIS number with my apple ID…I said YES…..and bingo……my voice mails started coming in….my text messages…etc. Just as info…..

Hi. Do I have to unlock my iPhone if I’m just going the wifi/ airplane route?

[…] For short (under 3 months) trips, learn how to freeze your plan, get an international SIM card, or use WiFi and airplane mode in my Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad. […]

I always bring with me a cheap unlocked T-Mobile or AT&T phone and buy a sim card there when traveling to Europe. It’s inexpensive, there are no hidden charges and some cards are very generous when it comes to calls to the US (gotta check around when you get there). Moreover, you can always refill your card at a convenience store or a supermarket.

I went to England and purchased a local SIM card. Now I am back in the U.S. And have put my American SIM card back into my phone but I’m not receiving any of the texts I missed while out of the country.

I found this so helpful, thank you! I’m traveling to Peru for 11 days, and I was wondering whether it would be better to freeze my service and use the Wi-Fi or to leave it as is and just set it on Airplane Mode and use the Wi-Fi.. what would you recommend? I have an iPhone and a plan with Cricket Wireless.

Don’t worry about freezing your service, that’s only really helpful when you’ll be gone for an entire billing cycle (1 month) or more. Just use Wi-Fi and airplane mode! Have FUN!!

You can remove and insert SIM cards whenever you want to. It does no harm to the phone, it’s just a matter of whether the SIM card will work in your current location or not.

If I’m understanding your question correctly, then I’d say yes to buying an iPhone that uses a SIM card, because that means it can be unlocked (or it comes unlocked) and used overseas. You must have a slot for a SIM card to do this (obviously), but Verizon also is able to put a SIM card in your phone for use in the States. This is why purchasing from a third party vendor (like a cellular store or a kiosk at Target) is a better idea than purchasing through Verizon because they won’t automatically give you a phone that uses SIM cards. I hope that helps!

Very helpful even from the 2016 point of view, thanks 🙂

You are welcome! 🙂

Why is that you have to wait until you reach your destination country before turning on airplane mode? Just curious. Thanks in advance.

Hi Anna! You don’t have to wait, you can put your phone in airplane mode at any time. 🙂

[…] A Complete Guide To Using Your iPhone Abroad […]

Mobile phone is very useful when you travel to different places or in any other countries, just be sure that your phone is open to accept different sim card networks to work well or else it’s useless.

I am going to Mexico in 16 days. I called up Verizon and was able to add a Canada/Mexico plan that gives me 500 minutes, 500 sent texts, unlimited received texts, and 1GB of data for only $25 extra. That’s really good for when I’m out and about and I won’t have WiFi. When I do have WiFi I use WhatsApp to text and I don’t make phone calls much (but have 500 minutes if I do need to call). But the peace of mind of being able to have some data for google maps and what not is nice.

Great post. I kept my iPhone 4S when I upgraded to a 6. It is already unlocked. I plan to buy a Telcel Sim card and data when I am in Baja this winter. And the big hope, and I think it is completely possible, is to hook up the phone as a modem, like I do with Verizon in the US. Any knowledge on the subject?

I wrote the guide on setting up data with Telcel, and yes you can use a prepaid Telcel SIM card in your iPhone 4s as a wifi hotspot, just follow the guide I wrote for adding data https://www.thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/how-to-set-up-a-mexican-telcel-sim-card-with-your-iphone/

Yeah, Alvin! Thanks.

One caveat–be sure to text back to Telcel with the code for the plan you bought when you add $$–or the $$ will be used by the minutes instead of the plan. (That detail that I learned after burning through my data in 2 days was a $60 Spanish lesson.) I learned my mistake from a call to Telcel requesting English speaker.

I recently went to Greece for two weeks and swapped out my iPhone 6 SIM card for a prepaid one and it was great! However, now that I’m home and have my real SIM card in, my iPhone is weird. The name of my phone is back to “iPhone,” iTunes thinks it’s a new phone, all of my saved wifi passwords are gone, and even though Location services is on and apps that use it are configured correctly, I can’t seem to use apps that need locations. Is this a common side effect of swapping SIM cards? I’m wondering if loading a backup from pre-Greece will solve the issue?

That is strange! I have not had that issue so I wouldn’t say it’s normal. It’s definitely good that you backed up your phone before swapping out the SIM, and it probably wouldn’t hurt to restore it to your backup. You can always take it into the Apple store if you have one to have them do it or ask questions to feel safer about it. Let us know how it goes!

My boyfriend and I have Verizon and he is in Korea right now! He got a Korean SIM card for his phone and I just wanted to make sure the SIM card would still work even if his services with Verizon are frozen.

Yes! Your Verizon account is only associated with your Verizon SIM, not your actual phone. As long as your phone is unlocked, it can take any SIM.

This was very helpful – thank you. I am moving to New Zealand this winter. I owe Sprint $480 on my current Samsung Note 4 but have no contract with them otherwise. My phone just broke down on me after 6 months so I have an $800 gift card from my best buy warranty. I have 2 options and would love advice/input. 1. Pay off Sprint. Purchase an iPhone w my gift card and sign up with Verizon. Suspend service when we move and purchase a sim card in nz. 2. Keep my contract with Sprint. Use my gift card to buy an unlocked phone from Best Buy. They carry two brands – blu and some other that I can’t remember. I’d suspend my contract with Sprint upon move and purchase a sim card in nz. I’m leaning towards option 1. Any thoughts?

Just keep in mind you can only suspend your account for a few months max, check into that before you sign up for Verizon. It may be worth looking into T-Mobile, I just made the switch and I’m loving the international data plan. You could always wait to cancel with Sprint, then just cancel when you leave instead of starting with Verizon before you go. Use a NZ SIM while you’re there, and then get a new contract (if you must) when you return.

Option 1, If you are moving to NZ permanently, then buy the unlocked GSM iPhone at full price, if you plan on moving back to the US in the next year, then purchase the Verizon version of the iPhone at full price, sign up with Verizon on a no contract plan until you move to NZ.

If I purchase and use the SIMS card after unlocking my phone would I still be able to use airplane mode and not use the SIMS card and use WIFI in certian situations?

Yes! You can always opt to just use WiFi by turning off the data or switching to airplane mode.

If you insert a local prepaid SIM card with data in your phone when you get to your destination, you’ll be able to use your phone like you would at home with no fear of an expensive phone bill when you get home, no need to put your phone on airplane mode unless you are roaming outside of the country you bought the SIM from.

“Sorry Android”? Not hardly. Skype, Hangouts, Voxer, WhatsApp, Facebook, and others all offer free WiFi calling and video calling on Android. I prefer Hangouts because you can call landlines, and use it on your laptop.

This is all true! There are many options for Android, but not iMessage or Facetime, which is what I was referring to.

Hangouts is an awesome wifi/data app that works across devices and acts as both facetime and iMessage. It can also show up on your laptop/PC when you have messages if you allow it. Overall a very good app.

Hi! This might be a silly question, but if you swap out your sim card and have a local number, what happens to any text messages or phone calls people send to your regular number while you are using the international sim card? I am traveling to Australia for 2 weeks and I am wondering if it is even worth it to try and use an international sim card. But I also want to make sure that I do not miss any important texts or calls while i am away. Thanks!

It’s a great question! You will NOT be able to receive any texts or calls to your regular number in real time if you switch out the SIM. Voicemails may still come through when you put your SIM back in, and you should still be able to check your voicemail (calling from another phone) even while your SIM is out (because your account is still active), but I wouldn’t count on catching everything that comes through. On an iPhone, you can change your iMessage settings to use your apple ID (your email address) instead of your regular phone number, that way you can still communicate with people via iMessage on your new SIM (just don’t forget to change it back when you put your normal SIM back in). This reply is getting long but I have another idea too – if you have one or two people that you really don’t want to miss anything from, text them from your new SIM as soon as you get it, that way they know you have a new number in case they need to get ahold of you. I hope this helps..

Thank you! That helps a lot. Changing the iMessage setting to your apple ID is a brilliant idea!

Yes your phone will update timezones whenever it connects to WiFi as long as it is set to “set automatically” in your settings, which it probably is already. As long as your time is up to date, your alarms will work normally. If you can’t connect to WiFi, simply go into your settings: General > Date & Time > and turn off “set automatically” so you can choose your own timezone. Then your alarms will also work just fine. Hope that answers your question!

I have an iPhone on a Pay Monthly contract with O2. Annoyingly, I cannot ‘freeze’ my contract, despite the fact that I will be leaving the country and living in Spain for nine months. My only answer is essentially, to purchase their O2 Travel Bolt-Ons, which charge you a flat rate of £1.99 a day if using data overseas. Not bad, really. However, my best option is to — like you recommend — keep my phone firmly on Airplane Mode (if simply to conserve battery life!), and log in to any available Wi-Fi spots that I can. I’m also going to encourage my family and friends to install Skype onto their PCs for free video calls.

Interesting, I wish I knew more about O2 to help you. I’m actually about to leave for about 9 months or so myself, I use Verizon and I think I’m just going to cancel my contract, eat the fee, and figure it out from there. I’m considering T-Mobile since it has $50/month unlimited data worldwide, or something crazy like that.. Or I’ll just get SIMs as I go. Let us know how you end up!

Hey Jess- I’m not sure if you can suspend your plan for less than a month, you’ll have to check with your carrier. But if you can’t, don’t worry about it (just continue to pay for it), if you take your SIM out, you don’t have to worry about data charges to your US plan, at that point your phone simply becomes a vessel for WiFi, and then you can put any SIM in it that you want to get local phone service and data (in Europe) and you’ll put credit on that SIM, it will have nothing to do with your US account. I hope that helps!

I am curious that if you suspend the account that all the messages will be lost of people who are trying to call you. I will be going abroad for 40 days. I was thinking of keeping my phone on airport mode and using Viber in wifi for calls. The sims sounds much better but my concern that I will not receive important calls. Any issues?

You are correct – when you suspend your account, your phone number is essentially deactivated for that period of time. It cannot accept calls, nor allow anyone to leave voicemails. If you need to accept phone calls, do not suspend your account. You can always use Skype or another service to call yourself to check your voicemail for important messages (make sure you have a passcode for your voicemail to do this). That’s what I do.

Hi Sarah- it depends on his plan. It may still charge him to accept texts, but if it’s the US phone number that he is still using, I would imagine it wouldn’t charge YOU to text him. I can’t promise though! It really is going to depend on the plan that he got and what number he is using. Here is an idea for both of you- just download Voxer and you can text and talk all you want for free! (And no, they don’t pay me to say that) 😉

A few months ago I found out about Republic Wireless. It’s no contract and allows you to pick one of four plans that are as little as $5/month. That plan strictly uses WiFi for calls, data, and texts, so it can be used internationally without additional fee. We chose to go for the $10 plan that uses WiFi and cell towers for calls and texts while still relying on WiFi for data. They also let you switch plans mid-cycle so you could drop down to the $5 plan while abroad without penalty. The only downside is that you have to purchase one of their phones which are all on the Android operating system. That being said, the phones are very reasonably priced and we are very happy with the service.

You used to have to call to get it unlocked, but it only took a few minutes, now they save you a phone call!

I Jackie, I hope this question hasn’t been asked yet. I scrolled through the answers trying to find out & I don’t see the answer, so……If I buy an overseas SIM card & install it in my unlocked phone, will I be able to text and/or call back to the US on it? (affordably) Thanks.

Hi Cathie- Yes, you will be able to use it internationally to call/text whatever country you want, with international charges according to whoever the SIM is through (the local carrier). You will just have a new (local) phone number.

I’m sure you can order an international SIM through a company that specializes in that, but I’ve never done it. I always just get it on the ground. That being said, yes, you can always get WiFi on your smartphone and use it whether it’s unlocked or not. As long as there is free WiFi at the airport you will be fine to use any app on your phone that works on WiFi.

Hi Amberly! I have not heard of this new SIM card yet but I’m intrigued, thank you for bringing it up, I’ll try to look into it!

Very helpful, thank you so much for sharing! Traveller B is definitely going to be my option, since I will travel to Asia for almost three months. Really wish I had seen this sooner…Wasted a lot of time trying figure things out with Verizon customer service people—all of them were trying to put me on an international calling&texting bundle added to my existing domestic plan (very expensive after accounting for everything), instead of recommending a simple account suspension and purchasing local SIM card. Guess money always comes before customers’ real needs and convenience.

So glad you found it helpful! Enjoy your trip!

If you are going to the UK first, get a Vodafone SIM, great roaming program for the EU. http://www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/pay-as-you-go/travelling-abroad/

So I will be traveling with school for about a month and wanted to “freeze”, put my service on hold (essentially Traveler A). Do you recommend just doing the whole airplane mode process or calling AT&T and putting my account on hold for the time being- or am I suppose to do both? When I called AT&T to ask about putting my account on hold (they called it suspending it), they said it would just be $10 a month and I would not be able to take or make calls but could operate my applications on wifi (such as vibe, Facebook, etc…). I would do the airplane thing, but I’m just afraid it would accidentally turn on. Also if I suspend my account through AT&T, will I still be able to use IMessage or FaceTime when I’m connected to Wifi? Thank you for your help!

If you’re going to be gone for a month, I would do both! Freeze your account just before you leave the US, and then just don’t take your phone off of airplane mode while you’re gone. All airplane mode does is essentially allow WiFi only on your phone, so it’s like an extra security blanket. And yes, you will still be able to use iMessage and FaceTime, I suggest getting Voxer as well. There is SO much you can do with WiFi, who needs phone calls anymore 😉 Have a great trip!!

Be careful as placing a non ATT SIM card in your phone will delete your voicemail!

The SIM cards will work in all those countries, BUT you will be charged roaming fees so get a SIM from the country that you’ll spend the most time in, and prepare yourself with plenty of credit so you don’t have to worry about running out in a place where you can’t buy more credits. I would look for Vodafone, or do some research about which SIMs are available in all those countries and get the one that shows up in the most countries. Hope that helps!

Here is a video showing an unlocked iPhone 6 swapping SIM cards. Hopefully this gives you an idea of how it works. Don’t worry about the special tool that he uses to swap SIM cards, a paper clip bent open works fine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_ispNVHmQY

Does this still work if you are using a Verizon iPhone 6? I read a post about having to call Verizon to have them unlock my phone before going overseas. Do I need to do that, or can I just switch out the Verizon SIM card with an international SIM card once I am in Europe?

You still need to make sure your phone is unlocked. It only takes a few minutes to make the phone call, so I would recommend calling to make sure. The worst would be to get overseas, switch your SIM, and find out your phone is locked. Also, make sure your Verizon iPhone has a SIM card, many don’t, which is why it’s also a good idea to get your phone through a 3rd party company.

The apps and music get stored to your phone (or the cloud), not your SIM card. Therefore when you switch it out, it shouldn’t matter, unless there is a strange glitch everything should be there. However, I would recommend making sure everything is backed up regardless. I do this before every trip anyway just in case anything were to happen to my phone.

Exactly what Jackie said, I perform the iCloud backup before I leave and backup every night when I get a new SIM card and connected to wifi at my destination, don’t wait a few weeks to backup your phone while traveling, especially if you take a lot of photos. Backup your photos to iCloud or dropbox when your phone is plugged in and connected to wifi for the night.

Thanks for sharing all of the options to suit different travelers. I usually opt to use Wi-Fi, but I’m considering other options for longer visits, so it’s nice to know what’s out there and what might best fit me!

Happy to help!

This was EXACTLY the post I needed. I haven’t traveled internationally in a couple of years, and wasn’t sure what was now the suggested way to use cell phones overseas. I have a few school trips coming up (none exceeding a month at a time) and it seems like using WiFi exclusively is the way to go. Quick question though: instead of turning airplane mode ON, is there any difference with just turning off “Cellular Data” and “Data Roaming”? Thanks!

Yay! Glad you found it helpful. I don’t think there is a difference between turning Airplane Mode on or those two things off. I guess just simplicity. It’s like a security blanket, seeing the Airplane is your ticket to FREEdom 😉 and you don’t have to double check your settings.

FYI – The newer iPhones use nano SIM cards, not micro (as mentioned in this post). Please see this helpful reference from Apple. http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT5554

Wonderful, thanks for sharing!

we go to Mexico twice a year for the past 3 years.,I have called verizon each time about the best way use the phone. I’ve gotten a totally different answer each time. I’ve paid for the “Mexican plan.” 3 times, it’s never worked and one time got an international bill from a Mexican provider, a lot of money. The last 2 times we turned everything off but wifi. We had no problems, it,s easy to use. We pay about $10 a week for the service from the resort, well worth it. Last trip a small family emergency came up and I needed to call home. Checked with the resort and it only cost 75 cents a call, what a deal. I highly recommend the wifi plan.

This is great, thanks for sharing, Rod!

I fall under Traveler B, I have an unlocked GSM iPhone 5 that was originally locked to T-Mobile. Two months after I got it, I paid off the full balance of the iPhone and was quickly approved for the unlock, once I got the confirmation from T-Mobile, I connected my iPhone 5 to iTunes via my laptop and performed a backup and restore and got the “Congratulations, your iPhone is now unlocked” message and restored my iPhone from iCloud. I have a Telcel Mexico SIM card that I used in my old unlocked iPhone 3GS and had it cut down to fit the nano SIM and installed it in my newly unlocked iPhone 5 and it recognized it as a Telcel carrier. A few weeks later I was in Spain, during a layover in Madrid I went to an electronics store in the terminal and bought a Orange SIM card with 1GB of data for €15 and added an extra €15 for voice and text credit. I was in Spain for over a month and was able to use my iPhone like I would at home without the fear of outrageous charges on my phone bill. I traveled to the Philippines earlier this year for a month and bought a SMART SIM for P45 ($1) and month of unlimited data (hotspot too) for P1000 ($21) and added P500 ($11) for voice and text credit. After I got back, I travelled to Mexico and used my Telcel Mexico SIM card and bought 1GB of data good for a week for $169.00MXN ($11 US) and extra credit for voice and texts. After too many dead spots in coverage from T-Mobile I switched to AT&T on a non contract month to month plan. That’s five different SIM cards on one iPhone with no special settings needed, I get to my destination and buy and install a new SIM card and off I go. From my experience, every foreign SIM card I have used has had free incoming calls and texts even if there is no credit on the phone. The only special items I needed to bring are the travel adapters from the Apple world travel kit that I paid half price on Ebay and a paper clip to change SIM cards. I have tested several of my friends Verizon 4G LTE iPhone 5, 5C, and 5S with my Telcel Mexico SIM card when I was in Mexico and all of them connected with no problems at all, I even helped them get their own Telcel SIM cards for their iPhones. http://www.verizonwireless.com/aboutus/commitment/safety-security/device-unlocking-policy.html I’m not a fan of buying a dumb phone when I travel, most of those phones get tossed out and added the e-waste pile that gets bigger and bigger each year. A SIM is cheaper than buying a whole dumb phone. Has anybody tried to text from one? Not fun at all. This is why I like to travel with my unlocked iPhone, I’m familiar with my device and able to use it like I would at home much cheaper than any “international plan” through a US carrier.

This is so awesome, thanks for sharing, Alvin!

What your forgetting is ” what’s app” and “bbm” will ask you to associate all contacts with this new number then reverting back to your primary card will be an issue..

Hi Cleo, Using Voxer is my absolute favorite (or in your case Viber or Skype), and you can find WiFi in so many places in Europe that this really becomes a personal preference, and you could easily get by without a SIM. It does limit your interactions to finding WiFi, but it’s free… I think if you really want to have access to phone calls and data on your phone (without WiFi or Skype, etc.) then choose the country you will spend the most time in and get a SIM card there, but make sure it’s Vodafone or another carrier that exist in multiple European countries. This way you can top up minutes and data when you need to, no matter what country you are in. You will essentially be getting a phone number for one country and then you’ll be charged the international rates as you travel through other countries. If you are sharing it could definitely be worth it because it’ll be cheap for you. Do a bit of research to find out which carriers are present in all or most of the countries you’ll be visiting and be sure to get one of their SIMs over a local carrier. Hope this helps!

Awesome post! Thank you!

Glad you enjoyed it, Katie!

Perfect example, thanks for sharing Glenn!

I also have verizon and think that the best decision is to suspend my account, like you mentioned when you went to Mexico. If I do this, will I still be able to imessage and use all of the same wifi functions?

I have not done this personally, but my sources say yes- this is when your iCloud stuff kicks in and rather than sending from your phone number, it will come across as your email address in iMessages (and this is iMessage only, so iPhones only, sorry Droids). And Wi-Fi is a for sure yes for any smartphone (just no data obviously).

So if I suspend my account and just use iMessage from the iCloud, will I still be able to receive iMessages from someone sending a text to my phone number? Or only my email address?

Check out this website to see just how iMessage works: http://www.apple.com/ios/messages/ You can activate your phone number as well as your email address (or multiple email addresses), so when one isn’t available (like if you suspend your account) the other one will kick in. Then what happens (I’m pretty sure) is that when someone tries to send a text to your phone number, the number isn’t available but your email account is, so it just sends “via” your email account instead. It even shows up on your phone as your email account rather than your phone number, but it all still works the same as far as the user experience is concerned. I know this is a confusing subject, I really hope that helps!!

I have the iPhone 4s on Verizon and spent half a year in Ireland recently. Most of the carriers there (I used Vodafone) give away the standard size SIM cards for free. You can take a pair of scissors and cut this down to the micro SIM card size. I lined up my Verizon card over the full size SIM making sure the metal contact points had the same distance to the side of the card. Use a pencil to draw the outline of the smaller card onto the larger card and cut on the line. Hope this helps! My wife and I are really enjoying your podcast. Keep it up!

That’s a great tip! Thanks for sharing, Drew!

[…] The unabridged notes for this episode can be found in the previously published blog post entitled A Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad: For Dummies. […]

This was so incredibly helpful. My husband and I are heading to France and I’ve had “phone stuff” on my list to research. I just got off the phone with verizon after reading this and they essentially repeated your instructions and have more specific pricing info. Thanks!!

That’s great, Maggie! So glad to be able to help you, have fun in France!

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5 Best Ways to Use Your Phone When Traveling Abroad

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We live in an ultra-connected world. Most Americans are now accustomed to always being online, with a majority of Americans (53%) admitting to regularly using their phone in bed before going to sleep, according to a 2021 study by Contentsquare, an analytics company. For some, the thought of disconnecting to go on an international trip may seem like a dream, but that idea might be a nightmare for others.

Those who want to stay connected have many options for data and text messages while overseas — from using international cell phone plans to getting a local SIM or eSIM card. Here are our tips on the best ways to use your cell phone while abroad.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

1. Sign up for Google Fi

Google Fi is a virtual cell phone service provider. That means that rather than owning its own towers, it partners with local cell phone providers to provide cell, data and text services. And Google Fi didn't just stop at partnering with U.S. cell phone providers. Google Fi provides service in over 200 countries, making it incredibly convenient for frequent international travelers.

When you land in an international country, you can simply turn off airplane mode and use your phone just like you do at home. You'll get unlimited free texting, and data costs the same as when you're back home and using Google Fi. The only thing that can cost extra is phone calls. You'll pay 20 cents per minute when calling overseas or traveling overseas. You'll pay this same rate whether you're calling friends or family back home or calling a hotel in the next country on your itinerary.

The downside to Google Fi: depending on the plan you choose, data prices can be quite high compared to other cell phone service options while you're in the U.S.

» Learn more: What to know about insurance for electronics

2. Get free overseas data using T-Mobile and Sprint

The budget option for staying connected while overseas is to use T-Mobile or Sprint as your cell phone provider. Many plans offered by these providers come with free text and data while traveling overseas. However, you get what you pay for when it comes to data speeds.

T-Mobile customers with can get unlimited 2G data, unlimited texting and calls costing 25 cents per minute across 210 destinations if they have the following plans:

New Classic.

Select Choice.

Simple Choice.

Don't expect to be able to do much on 2G data, as it’s only around twice the speed of dial-up internet. If you want faster data speeds, you'll need to purchase an International Pass that includes a limited amount of data and unlimited calling over a set number of days.

Similarly, Sprint customers get free text messages and 2G data and 25 cents per minute calling when traveling to more than 200 destinations. As with T-Mobile, Sprint customers can purchase data packages that allow 4G/LTE data roaming for as little as $5 per day.

» Learn more: How to find cheap things to do in any city

3. Buy a local SIM card in your destination

Seasoned international travelers may remember when getting a local SIM card was the only way of staying connected while overseas. But even now, with all of the alternatives that we have, getting a local SIM card can still be a great option. Say you're staying in a country or region for an extended period. A local SIM card might be the best option to make local calls at affordable rates.

Depending on where you go, a local SIM card could be the most economical option. For example, when I visited Vietnam in January 2019, airport vendors offered local SIM cards with unlimited LTE data for just $8. This was cheaper than paying for even 1GB of data using Google Fi. So, I alternated between using this local SIM card for data and Google Fi for text messages.

Photo courtesy of JT Genter

4. Utilize an eSIM card

eSIM cards are a high-tech solution to getting a local number without having to hunt down a SIM card in your destination. Rather than getting a physical SIM card, you can purchase and download an eSIM on your phone to connect to cell networks and get data while overseas.

Tons of providers sell eSIMs online with options and prices depending on where you're going and how much you'll need to use your phone. So, make sure to dig around and check reviews before purchasing. But, let's take a look at one provider to show you generally how it works.

Airalo sells a variety of eSIMs that cover a combined 190+ countries and regions. You can search for eSIMs by country or region, or you can purchase a global eSIM that covers 87 countries.

Say you're heading to Europe and want to have data for navigating around the cities you're visiting. Airalo currently offers six European eSIM options:

1GB of data valid for 7 days for $5.

3GB of data valid for 30 days for $13.

5GB of data valid for 30 days for $20.

10GB of data valid for 30 days for $37.

50GB of data valid for 90 days for $100.

100GB of data valid for 180 days for $185.

As you can see, you can drop the price to just $4 per GB by buying 5GB of data or just $2 per GB by buying 50GB of data. That's very affordable compared to options like Google Fi — which can cost up to $10 per GB. However, you generally won't have access to SMS text messages through eSIMs. One option is to switch between using an eSIM for data and either Google Fi, Sprint or T-Mobile for text messages.

Airalo succinctly spells out the process that you'll need to go through when purchasing any type of eSIM. Generally you'll need to:

Download the provider's app.

Purchase the eSIM.

Install the eSIM.

Then activate the eSIM once you're ready to start using it.

One major restriction to this option: you'll need to have a phone that supports eSIMs. Also, you'll want to have some technical knowhow. As I've learned from experience, setting up an eSIM can be much harder than the Airalo screenshots make it seem.

5. Pay for an international plan add-on

If you want to use your phone number to call and text while overseas — and you don't have Google Fi, T-Mobile or Sprint — you're likely going to need to purchase an international add-on to your plan. The rates and options for these types of services are going to vary between cell phone providers. Let's look at Verizon's options as an example.

All unlimited Verizon plans include free talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada. Just beware that data speeds are reduced to 2G speeds after 0.5 GB per day. For travels outside the U.S., Mexico and Canada, you have two options:

For $10 per day, TravelPass will let you use your phone like you do at home with unlimited talk, text and data in over 185 countries. Get the International Monthly Plan for $100 per month to get a package of minutes, data and text messages for use overseas.

» Learn more: How tech can help you travel smarter

If you're looking for the best way to use your cell phone abroad

The right solution is going to depend on what cell phone service you use in the U.S., where you're going and how much data you'll need. If you just want basic data to keep up on emails and search directions, using T-Mobile or Sprint can save you from having to pay when traveling overseas.

However, if you want high-speed data, you'll want to look into options like eSIMs or purchasing a local SIM card. And for those who want the simplicity of using their cell phone just like at home no matter where they go, Google Fi or an international add-on plan can be an excellent option.

How to maximize your rewards

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Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

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75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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What is Airplane Mode? What it does and when to use it

If you’ve boarded a plan recently, you probably already know how to turn on Airplane Mode , but did you know what airplane mode is? You probably know that it shut your WiFi off, that’s one of the most immediately noticeable effects, but what else does it do? In short, it is designed to turn off all of the features of your phone that might interfere with the various sensors and measurement devices your plane uses.

Using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Other uses for airplane mode, what happens when someone calls you on airplane mode.

Whether you have one of the best Android phones or the latest iPhone, airplane mode will be relatively the same. It is activated by tapping an airplane symbol in your settings and acts to shut down cellular and other signals from your phone. While there are some particulars to explore below, you will not be sending (or receiving) calls or texts while in airplane mode.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration’s 2017 portable electronic devices guidance quickly explains the need to turn off certain signals during flight. In fact, fellow phone-related organization (the Federal Communications Commission, FCC) explicitly prohibits cellular telephone usage while in flight. The waves produced are too long range. Bluetooth, however, uses short-range waves and is permitted.

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Using Wi-Fi on a plane is more of a gray area. The FAA allows Wi-Fi , but only if the plane has the appropriate hardware available onboard to make it safe. Ask your in-flight attendant or wait for guidance from the pilot before proceeding.

1. Airplane mode on a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
2. Airplane mode on a Google Pixel 3a XL
3. iOS 14 Airplane mode

Thankfully, if allowed, you can turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi back on without exiting Airplane Mode. To do so, tap the relevant icon in your notification shade by swiping down from the top on an Android device or swiping up from the bottom to access the Control Center on an iOS device.

However, the precise rules may vary depending on the aircraft, airline, or country you’re in. If in doubt, ask before you turn any connections on.

Now that you understand what Airplane Mode is, we felt it was important to mention that it can be highly convenient in a few other situations besides an airplane ride.

Save battery life

One of the best uses of airplane mode off of a plane is to simply save battery life . If you’re struggling to establish a solid connection on your phone and you’re having difficulty getting a signal, it can be helpful to switch Airplane Mode on and off again.

Give yourself personal space

The feature also operates well when you’re in a “don’t disturb” kind of mood. You can quickly turn Airplane Mode on right before you head to bed, and your phone won’t annoyingly wake you up with a text or email alert (and if you’re wondering, yes, alarms still work). When you need to increase the battery life on your phone, Airplane Mode is also an excellent technique to boost it. You can use it and save your battery as long as you aren’t expecting a call or message from someone. We encourage you to take a look at our iPhone battery tips article for more neat ideas. When you’re using Airplane Mode , you should also begin to notice that your phone charges faster when it’s plugged in.

Limiting data usage

Enabling Airplane Mode is a great way of limiting cellular data usage when traveling if you haven’t paid for international roaming . For those without roaming plans, your phones will immediately charge you international fees when it pings a nearby tower, even if you have Wi-Fi and cellular data turned off. The best way to prevent that is to use Airplane Mode , giving you the ability to use your phone without racking up fees. You can even enable Wi-Fi after Airplane Mode is on while still being assured that your cellular connection isn’t active. Airplane Mode can also be used to limit cellular data usage when you’re near home, for example, if you’re running low on data and don’t want your phone automatically downloading images and videos from WhatsApp messages or updating apps while you’re not connected to Wi-Fi.

If someone calls you on airplane mode, you will not receive the call as you phone does not receive signal. As your phone does not receive a signal, there will be no notification that your phone was “pinged” by an outside source. In effect, the call simply does not happen. However, the caller may still be able to leave a voicemail. If you have Wi-Fi calling enabled and are allowed to use Wi-Fi on your flight, you may receive calls during flights. Note that you will need to turn off data roaming as well, if you use an iPhone.

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If you're like most people, you've probably amassed a drawer of unused electronics over the years. Many of these are probably smartphones -- after all, carriers offer great promotions nowadays, giving you a chance to upgrade your device every two years without paying hefty fees. However, instead of letting your old smartphones collect dust (or worse, throwing them away), consider turning them into a makeshift security camera.

There are plenty of great iOS and Android apps available that help turn your old smartphone into a security camera. These work by using your old smartphone's built-in cameras to provide a live stream to your new smartphone. Best of all, many of these are affordable (or free) and work with just about any phone you might have purchased over the last decade.

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If you want to see the best shows on Netflix, the best way to do so would be through a Netflix free trial. But do they have one, and if not are there other ways to get the streaming giant for free? We investigate. Is there a Netflix free trial?

Netflix does not have a free trial. Netflix does not do free trials.

There are few things more frustrating than experiencing a poor signal on your cell phone. From dropped calls to messages that won’t send and streaming services that stutter and die, a lack of solid signal can cause all kinds of inconveniences.

Sadly, building towers yourself to get more bars isn’t an option — but don’t worry. There are plenty of things you can do to avoid poor cell service interfering with your day-to-day life. Take a closer look at our expert tips on how to boost your cell signal, starting with something simple you may have not even thought would have made a difference. Use a cell signal booster

How to use iPhone when traveling internationally

While preparing for your next international journey, get your iPhone ready. To be secure, connected, and stress-free, you must know essential iPhone settings for international travel. This will help you avoid receiving unexpectedly high bills upon your return. Here, I will tell you cool tips and tricks for using the iPhone while traveling abroad.

Use Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi simultaneously
Use Wi-Fi-based services and apps for international travel
Turn off Data Roaming or buy a roaming plan
Benefits of using eSIM on iPhone
Make sure your iPhone is unlocked
Reset your data usage statistics
Update the procedures for multi-factor authentication

1. Use Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi simultaneously

Using Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi ensures your iPhone bill won’t include any foreign fees. You can use mobile data or accept calls if your phone picks up service in a foreign country. Therefore, connecting to Wi-Fi may avoid paying for overseas data while using your phone’s apps.

So, how to use Wi-Fi and Airplane mode simultaneously? Here’s how to do this:

Swipe up to open the Control Center .
Tap the Airplane and Wi-Fi icons.

Also, you should turn off your Cellular Data. You can do so from the Control Centre, or you could do it from Settings:

Go to Settings. Tap Cellular Data.
Now, toggle off Cellular Data .

But this iPhone settings for international travel restrict you from making or receiving ordinary phone calls or text messages (iMessage excluded). You may use any Wi-Fi-enabled applications (such as Facebook, Instagram, etc.) as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi. Besides, add your tickets to your Apple Wallet to avoid any inconvenience.

2. Use Wi-Fi based services and apps for international travel

If you’re traveling to a location where you anticipate having access to Wi-Fi, you should use it because it enables your iPhone to operate online rather than accessing your mobile data. Besides, the best part is your iPhone already comes with several Wi-Fi-based built-in apps. With iMessage, you can send SMS via Wi-Fi (to other iPhones only).

Similarly, FaceTime allows you to conduct network-based voice and video calls. Ensure you have enabled iMessage and FaceTime in Settings . Also, you can view options for sending messages using iMessage in Settings → Messages → Send & Receive . Sometimes, our SIM switches out of network. In that case, you may use your email address to send a text.

If you are a customer of the big four carriers, another perk of using the iPhone internationally is Wi-Fi calling. Essentially, this built-in carrier function allows the native app to place audio calls via Wi-Fi when there is no cellular service. Besides, you may use other Wi-Fi-enabled travel apps for iPhone , like Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc., for calling and texting.

It will reduce your data usage, whether you purchase a local SIM card or an eSIM data plan. We will talk about the benefits of having eSIM later in this post.

3. Turn off Data Roaming or buy a roaming plan

We all know data roaming helps to access the internet in other regions. But connecting to partner networks overseas results in a hefty bill. So, should data roaming be on or off on iPhone? Well, always disable data roaming on your iPhone to avoid being charged the international fee. For that, do the following:

Open Settings .
Tap Cellular Data .
Now, go to Cellular Data Options .
Then toggle off the switch beside the Data Roaming option.

Steps showing how to turn Roaming Data off on an iPhone

Besides, to be extra secure, completely switch off Cellular Data . However, you’ll need to turn it on if you have an eSIM data plan.

In case you wish to use Cellular Data while on the go, then you may opt for an international roaming plan offered by your carrier.

4. Benefits of using eSIM on iPhone

An eSIM is a standard digital SIM supported by carriers across the globe. The iPhone XS and subsequent models support eSIM. And the US variant of the latest iPhone 14 does not allow conventional SIM cards and only supports eSIM.

While traveling overseas, there are several benefits of eSIM . Because it cannot be taken out, it is more secure than a real SIM. So, you don’t need to buy, carry, or exchange physical SIM cards. Additionally, your carrier could let you manage your eSIM plan online and may provide free international roaming with data plans.

The functionality of international roaming with an eSIM is identical to that of physical SIM roaming. Besides, you may have two active eSIM plans while using a data-only eSIM as your secondary line. You only need to change iPhone settings for international travel. To choose your data line, open Settings → Cellular → Cellular (or Mobile) Data .

5. Make sure your iPhone is unlocked

Carriers lock handsets to keep customers on their network. If your iPhone is carrier-locked, it functions just like a real SIM card and can only be used by that carrier. But you can not use local SIM cards or even eSIM services while traveling internationally. Therefore, if your phone is locked, you’ll have to use Wi-Fi or pay international roaming fees.

Besides, Apple advises contacting your carrier to have them unlock your iPhone. Frequently, just stating that you’ll be going overseas and want a local phone number may be sufficient. But if they object, there are several third-party alternatives available. But how to check if your iPhone is unlocked?

Go to Settings . Tap General .
Then tap About .
Scroll down to see if you see No SIM restrictions next to Carrier Lock . If so, your iPhone has been unlocked.

Steps to check carrier lock status on an iPhone

6. Reset your data usage statistics

It’s a good idea to monitor your data consumption while you’re on the road. Additionally, you may identify apps that consume a lot of data and stop them. To reset the app statistics before international travel, do the following.

Open Settings, then go to Cellular Data .
After that, scroll down to the bottom and click on Reset Statistics . This will allow you to see exactly how much data you use while traveling.

Steps to reset data usage statistics on an iPhone

7. Update the procedures for multi-factor authentication

Most multi-factor authentication or two-step verification send you an OTP to verify your identity and protect your accounts against fraud. However, you can lock out your email at a crucial time if you don’t have a network overseas. Therefore, update your 2FA logins to be as easily available to avoid this.

Get a Google Voice number by temporarily transferring your phone number to Google. Or install an authenticator app, like Google Authenticator or LastPass Authenticator.

So, that’s all for today, folks!

Preparing for your next travel includes setting up your iPhone as well. Knowing what to turn off on your iPhone when traveling internationally will bring convenience, save your pocket, and keep you connected on the road. Please let me know in the comment section below if you have any doubts.

Explore more about traveling with iPhone …

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iPhone Travel Guide – Accessories and travel apps
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How to Use Your Phone Internationally—Without Breaking the Bank

From the most cost-effective international cellphone plans, to wi-fi-enabled apps, hot spots, and esim cards, use these money-saving tips to stay connected while abroad..

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Woman with a backpack and typing on cellphone with a city scene in the background

Many of us would be lost without our smartphones when traveling.

Photo by Shutterstock

Let’s face it: Our phones have become an essential tool when traveling abroad. Much more than for sharing your experiences with friends and family back home (though that’s part of the fun), smartphones are crucial to be able to communicate with those in your travel group , to find hotels and restaurants, navigate new streets, and use translation apps .

Unfortunately, domestic cellphone plans don’t often include international talk, text, and data services with their monthly rates; if you aren’t prepared, you could end up spending a small fortune in added charges when using your phone abroad.

But all is not lost. Travelers have a wealth of options at their texting thumbs when it comes to staying connected while traveling internationally without having to dig deep into their savings.

From affordable international travel plans to pay-as-you-go options, downloadable secrets, and more, here are the best tips and hacks for using your phone on your next international vacation.

Consider a carrier with a free international plan

It does not have to be super complicated to get free data, calls, and texting when you travel internationally. Several wireless carriers bake free international plans right into their business model, including Google Fi Wireless and T-Mobile , to name a couple.

Google Fi Wireless allows its customers free cell, data, and text services because it partners with local cell providers in more than 200 countries. All you have to do is turn your phone on and use it exactly as you would at home. The only thing you’ll have to pay for is phone calls, which cost $0.20 per minute worldwide.

T-Mobile (which merged with Sprint in 2020) is also friendly to those who travel overseas. T-Mobile customers can get unlimited 2G data, unlimited texting, and calls starting at $0.25 per minute. The downside is that 2G connectivity won’t get you anywhere in a hurry. However, you can purchase a faster data roaming package.

Buy an international plan

Switching carriers is a huge hassle, especially for a single trip overseas. If you’ve already committed to another carrier like Verizon or AT&T , you can purchase one of their international travel plans.

Every Verizon plan includes free data, talk, and text in Mexico and Canada. If you’re going farther afield, you can use the Verizon TravelPass , which costs $10 a day for unlimited text, talk, and data in more than 185 countries. For longer trips, Verizon also offers an International Monthly Plan for $100 per month. This option is worth it if you plan to be abroad for more than 10 days.

AT&T has a similar package, called International Day Pass , which also costs $10 per day. AT&T offers a monthly option called Passport , which starts at $70 and includes 2GB of data, unlimited text, and talk for $0.35 per minute. For $140 per month, the data usage is raised to 6GB.

Both the TravelPass and International Day Pass will only charge you for the days you use them, so if you don’t need it every day, then leave your phone on airplane mode to avoid additional charges.

Phone screen showing app icons for WhatsApp and Instagram

WhatsApp is one of the most widely used Wi-Fi-enabled apps.

Use Wi-Fi communication apps

If you want to skip additional charges altogether, you can leave your phone on airplane mode for the entire trip. The good news is that today so many communication apps operate over Wi-Fi that you may not even miss having cellular data.

For iPhone users, iMessage operates on Wi-Fi anywhere in the world. But Android users fear not. There are plenty of Wi-Fi messaging apps that apply to all devices. WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps on the planet. But you also have apps like Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, and the ultra-encrypted Signal app .

Other free options include but are not limited to:

The downside to these is that they won’t work without a connection so if you’re on the road in between Wi-Fi hubs, you won’t receive any notifications.

Download before you go

But you won’t be completely cut off from the outside world on the road if you opt to work from Wi-Fi only. Downloading things you need while you’re on Wi-Fi can save you a lot of headaches for when Wi-Fi isn’t available.

You can download Google Maps to your phone so that you can navigate offline. Simply tap your profile picture in the app and go to Offline Maps. This will allow you to select the area you want to download and save the map to your phone. The downside is that it only provides driving directions, not walking directions, and it won’t reroute you if there is a slowdown or traffic.

Downloading podcasts and television shows to your phone can also be a lifesaver. Long train trip? Travel delay? Wi-Fi connectivity goes out? At least you’ll stay entertained.

If you’re headed to a country where you don’t speak the language, you can download that language to your phone on Google Translate . That way, even when you’re offline, you can still keep communication lines open to help you navigate more easily.

Overhead view of a hot spot device resting atop a laptop

Renting a local hot spot for internet access isn’t necessarily a bad idea, depending on the destination.

Rent a hot spot

This option tends to be less popular, but it has certain advantages. A rentable Wi-Fi hot spot is a small device, about the size of a cellphone itself, that creates a mobile Wi-Fi network for you and those in your travel party. You can connect everyone’s device to it when you need it and shut it off when you don’t. This is a much cheaper alternative than everyone getting their own international plan.

You can rent a mobile hot spot from most cellphone stores for as low as $7 per day. With this option, though, you’ll have to return the hot spot whenever you’re done with your travels, which means either bringing it back to wherever you got it or sending it back in the mail.

Purchase a local SIM card

Avid travelers will remember when SIM cards were a widespread thing for staying connected abroad. A SIM card was a small chip that would need to be activated and inserted into your phone in order to use it abroad with a local number and local rates. These days, it’s more common to purchase and download an eSIM in lieu of a physical SIM card. An eSIM is a downloadable digital chip that can be activated remotely.

You can find loads of eSIM providers online with a wide variety of pricing options depending on where you are going and for how long. If you’re headed to Europe, for example, Bouygues My European eSIM is a popular and cost-effective option. The eSIM costs $45 and offers 30GB of data and unlimited calls and texts within Europe. It’s also valid for 30 days, which is great if you’re doing a longer trip.

The downside to eSIMs is that you will be given a new local number depending on where the services are from. With Bouygues, you’ll receive a temporary French number.

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How to Prep Your Phone for International Travel

You’ve bought your plane tickets, booked your Airbnb, stocked up on tiny shampoo bottles. The only thing separating you from that summer jaunt to Mexico or the Bahamas or the south of France is the plane ride, and setting up your phone to come along with you.

Sure, vacation should be the time to power down, disconnect, and focus on the people in front of you. But that doesn't mean giving up the option of getting directions from Google Maps or documenting your exotic meal on Instagram. Using your phone abroad used to be complicated, expensive, or both, but it's getting easier and easier. Here are a few options for bringing your smartphone abroad.

__Level 1: Go Wi-Fi Only __ Good news: You can go "off the grid" and still update your feeds by using your phone in Wi-Fi mode. Just toggle off cellular data or leave your phone in airplane mode from the moment you board the plane. Then, just practicing asking: " Excusez-moi, quel est le mot de passe pour le Wi-Fi? "

Level 2: Take Your American Plan Abroad If you need better connectivity to, say, hail a Lyft from the Acropolis, simply add a global package to your current service. It's shockingly easy. For example, AT&T offers a service called Passport , which gets you 200 MB of data and unlimited texting in more than 200 countries for just $40 tacked onto your current monthly plan. (Calls abroad still cost a buck a minute, so talk quickly.) Verizon offers a similar service, Travel Pass , that costs $5 a day to extend your plan to Mexico and Canada and $10 per day for service in more than 100 other countries. How much data you need depends upon how active you plan to be online. Posting 30 photos to social media costs about 10 MB; each web page you visit costs about one. Downloading apps like Whatsapp lets you send texts and make calls without racking up minutes, and disabling "automatic refresh" on email and other apps helps avoid blowing through your data allowance.

__Level 3: Talk Like the Locals __ Flexing that unlimited vacation policy and staying abroad for more than a week or two? Consider replacing your SIM card and using a local service provider. First, make sure your phone is unlocked. You can do this by swapping your SIM card for another one and confirming that your phone still works, or simply calling your service provider. The FCC requires that providers unlock all devices so you can use them on any network, so simply ask your provider for an unlock code. One caveat, though: That rule doesn't apply if you're locked into a contract or you haven't paid for your phone in full.

A local SIM usually replaces your domestic phone number with a local one, so apps like Whatsapp or WeChat remain the simplest way to talk with friends back home without the whole "new number, who dis?" routine. You will, however, be able to call the local pizza place for a delivery or add your new international friends on Facebook without spending the extra coin on calls, texts, and data usage.

Luckily, almost all smartphones will work plugged into outlets between 100 volts and 240 volts, so you probably don't need a voltage converter to charge your phone. (If you’re not sure, you can find the voltage printed on the bottom of the phone.) All you need is a simple plug adapter to power up just like you would back home. Just make sure you have enough battery for all those travel foodstagrams.

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How and when to use Airplane Mode on iPhone

Using Airplane Mode on your iPhone isn't reserved just for flights.

Airplane Mode is more than just a way to comply with flight attendants' requests to disable your device during a flight. It can actually be used as a preventative measure while roaming, or a way to let your child safely play a game on your iPhone , as well as a means to help you save battery life.

Enable Airplane Mode

With iOS 7, Apple introduced Control Center, putting device settings such as Airplane Mode a swipe away. From any screen on your iPhone, swipe up from the bottom to reveal Control Center and tap the airplane icon. Doing so will turn off all wireless connections -- Wi-Fi, cellular and Bluetooth -- on your iPhone. Meaning, text messages, phone calls, emails and even your Apple Watch will stop receiving notifications until Airplane Mode is turned off.

Besides the obvious scenario, there are other situations when Airplane Mode is useful.

1. Time to unplug

As we just discussed, when Airplane Mode is turned on, all connections to your iPhone are turned off. This is a great way to unplug, to spend some time with your family, or just to take a break from the beeps that seem to control our lives sometimes. With the demand of constantly being connected, it's easy to get in the habit of checking your email with every ding .

Putting your iPhone in Airplane Mode puts you back in control. You may be surprised how quickly you forget that your connection is turned off, and how peaceful your night can be. This is also a great way to silence your phone during important meetings. Don't worry, all of your messages will be waiting when you turn Airplane Mode off.

2. While traveling internationally

Traveling across borders can be an expensive affair for you and your wireless carrier; international roaming charges aren't cheap. One way to help avoid the extra roaming fees is to activate airplane mode on your iPhone and only use Wi-Fi hot spots while you travel.

You won't receive text messages or phone calls, but you will still be able to check your email, use messaging apps, and browse the Internet over a Wi-Fi-only connection.

3. While your kids play games or watch movies

If you have kids, you likely are thankful for the distraction the iPhone can provide. You also probably know that kids will start pushing and tapping on anything they see on the screen, including accidentally dialing phone numbers.

If you are going to let your kids play games or watch a movie on your iPhone, turn on Airplane Mode before you hand your iPhone over to them. This not only prevents them from calling anyone, but it also stops push alerts from interrupting their gameplay or movie.

4. Save battery

We have all been in a situation where we suddenly have a low battery and no opportunity to recharge. One way to help slow down battery drain is to turn Airplane Mode on.

When your iPhone is on, even with the screen off, it is constantly searching for and monitoring data connections. Turning those connections off through Airplane Mode will save battery, allowing you to make calls when you absolutely need to.

5. Prevent a message mishap

Ever hit the Send button in the Messages app, only to realize there's an embarrassing typo or you're sending a personal message to the wrong contact? The next time it happens, enable Airplane Mode as quickly as possible. If you catch it in time, the message will fail to deliver.

Editors' Note: This article was originally published in 2011, and has since been updated to reflect new features.

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How to Prep Your Phone for International Travel

January 06, 2020

International travel is exciting, but it can also cause a lot of anxiety, especially if it’s your first time abroad. One of the things people often worry about is whether or not they’ll be able to use their Android phone or iPhone internationally , and, if so, how much it will cost. A little planning can ease these concerns so you can focus on the fun.

Will your phone work?

The first step in your journey is to make sure your Android or iPhone settings for international travel will work in the country you’re visiting. While cell phone technology is rapidly changing, there are still two competing standards (CDMA and GMA) that may impact your phone’s compatibility during your travels. The good news is that you don’t need to understand the technology to figure it out. Check your provider's website or contact them, tell them where you’re traveling, and ask them:

If your phone is compatible.
If they have any special packages for international use.
To activate your mobile roaming plan for the countries you plan to visit.
To email you the rates you can expect while away.

Bring a compatible plug

Electrical outlets around the world aren’t a standard shape or the same voltage. While your phone charger is likely capable of handling the change in voltage, you may need an adapter to plug your phone charger in. Travel adapters are inexpensive and sometimes include several attachments so they can work across the globe. Bring multiple adapters if you tend to use several items at a time, such as your phone, laptop, and hairdryer.

Save money along the way

International phone use is notoriously pricey, but there is no reason it should break the bank. A little knowledge and smart planning can go a long way. These four tips will help you save:

Turn off mobile data. The best money-saving tactic is to turn off your mobile data. Most newer phones have an easily accessible button in settings that toggles data use on and off. If not, look under Network & Internet settings for the option. Turning off your mobile data prevents your phone from updating apps, downloading email, and sending messages beyond basic SMS texts. You can also turn off roaming data access , which specifically blocks access to data on networks other than your home network. Don’t worry about being completely off the grid — WiFi will keep you connected.
Airplane mode. Airplane mode is not just for airplanes. On most phones, it quickly disables WiFi, data, and incoming/outgoing calls and texts. You can typically turn WiFi on while leaving the rest of your device in airplane mode. Before you leave home, check that your airplane mode is behaving as intended by enabling it and calling your phone from another line.
Make use of free WiFi. From cafes, to hotels, to museums, WiFi is readily available almost everywhere. Take advantage of free WiFi to make WiFi calls , send emails, browse the web, and send messages via WiFi-based apps like iMessage and Google Hangouts. Keep in mind that public WiFi is not secure , so don't handle your banking or other sensitive matters. It may also be slow, so plan ahead if you’d like to upload photos or video.
Look for other available discounts. For example, Xfinity Mobile offers a Mexico & Canada Call Pass . It’s just $10 a month per line for unlimited calls from the U.S. to Canada or Mexico. Your family can call you all they like for one low price if you provide a local number. Additionally, stay connected while traveling abroad with Xfinity Mobile and Global Travel Pass . Get over 500 MB of LTE data each day, so you can browse online and access your apps with no added fees.

These cell phone international tips can help ensure you can stay connected while keeping costs down, but none of them will matter unless you do your homework in advance. Reach out to your provider, double check your power adapter, and get to know the settings on your phone.

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Using data plans outside Canada

If you use your Canadian cellphone, mobile device or computer in another country, or even if you don’t – smartphones use data intermittently even if you are not actively using them – you may receive an unexpectedly large bill for your data usage, known as “bill shock,” from your wireless provider after you return home. This is the result of the exceptionally high international data roaming fees charged by Canadian wireless providers to keep you connected to a wireless network while you are outside the country.

International data roaming

International data roaming is a service that allows a customer of a wireless network in one country to receive multimedia messages, email and the Internet on his or her wireless device from a wireless network in another country.

When you use the Internet on your wireless device while you are abroad, your connection is established through a local wireless network, which then transmits your data through an intermediary international transit service to your Canadian network.

The high rate you pay for international roaming charges is determined by your Canadian wireless provider and is based on various wholesale and overhead costs plus a retail markup.

Here are some tips to help you avoid roaming charges while you are abroad:

Bringing your device with you

Cyber security.

If you travel with your cellphone, mobile device or computer, be aware that cyber-based threats can significantly increase when you are travelling and devices can easily be compromised and stolen. Protect yourself by being cyber aware .

Check your carrier's website

Roaming charges will be applied when you use your Canadian cellphone anywhere outside your plan's coverage area – even within Canada. Take the time to go through the fine print in your contract on your carrier's website or over the phone with a customer service representative.

Check whether your Canadian network’s toll-free number will work from your destination country. If so, keep it with you so that you can reach customer service from abroad without long-distance charges.

Compare Canadian and foreign data options before you leave home

Ask your wireless provider about roaming fees for both phone and data use before you leave. Some providers offer travel packages for U.S. and international destinations that offer a bundle of minutes or megabytes for a fixed price.

If your phone is locked, meaning that you can’t change its SIM card for one from another network, you can leave it at home and purchase a GSM-enabled phone in Canada or when you arrive at your destination. GSM is the most popular international standard. Then you can buy a local-network SIM card when you get to your destination and buy a prepaid plan for a minimal price. Telecommunications companies are local, so do some advance research on the Internet or on travelling forums to find the name of a reliable carrier in your destination country.

Enable airplane mode

Airplane mode should be turned on before your departure flight and remain on until you have returned to Canada. When airplane mode is enabled, both voice and data cellular services are turned off, as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and other location services.

You can manually re-enable Wi-Fi to connect to secure wireless spots, as many hotels and public places offer free or cheap Wi-Fi service. Bluetooth can also be turned on during airplane mode to exchange files between devices.

Remove or switch your SIM card

Make sure you store your SIM card in a safe place if you decide to take it out, as any information saved on it – contacts, photos and text messages – will be lost if you misplace it. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be enabled without a SIM card.

If your device is or can be unlocked from its home network so that you can use a foreign SIM card, you can purchase a SIM card at your destination to use a 3G or GSM network at a reasonable rate. If you want to unlock your device, your provider may remove the lock for a fee, you can use free or fee-based software and websites to unlock it yourself or you can take it to a local independent mobile phone store.

Use Wi-Fi and applications

You can save a lot of money by turning off data roaming on your cellphone and logging into Wi-Fi hotspots to get an Internet connection. If you purchase a subscription to Skype, Google Talk or iChat, you can call landlines and cellphones through the Internet for a very low fee.

Rather than running Internet searches to find directions, use a GPS app such as CoPilot, Sygic or Navigon that does not require data usage.

There are also applications such as Onavo that will compress data and let you do up to 5 times more with your current data plan without additional fees. They reduce your roaming charges by providing a leaner version of the Internet. They will also provide you with a breakdown of your mobile data usage, showing you how much data is being consumed by each app and allowing you to make better informed data usage choices.

Go to mobile-friendly websites

An increasing number of websites now have specific sites where the pages are specially optimized for mobile phone, so they use fewer megabytes. Most mobile websites have an address that is very similar to their desktop site. Try replacing the “www” with “m” or “mobile” or replace the “.co.ca” or “.com” with “.mobi.”

Set up a MiFi

If your phone can't be unlocked and you are travelling with your family or a group of people you can create your own personal secure Wi-Fi hotspot with a MiFi device, a wireless modem that emits a Wi-Fi signal that will allow you to run up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices from that point.

Check your bill when you get home

It is difficult to monitor your real-time usage and compare it to the limit of your plan, so your monthly bill is the next best tool. Report any surprise charges on your bill to your carrier. Carriers may give first-time offenders a break by waiving or reducing the roaming charges.

Cyber security while travelling

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There is a sure fire way to avoid international data charges -- and it isn't Airplane Mode

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- You know to put your phone on Airplane Mode when you get on a plane. But when you are traveling internationally, keeping Airplane Mode on is not always the best solution to avoid mobile data charges.

"It's very easy to accidentally turn off the Airplane Mode icon," said Jessica Dolcourt, CNET Section Editor.

RELATED: San Jose family billed $13,470 by T-Mobile for half-hour of iPhone internet

Dolcourt said that Airplane Mode is just a temporary solution while you are on a plane for several hours. For international trips, she recommends a better way that will avoid mistakes that could result in expensive international data roaming charges.

"A safer bet if you know you don't want to use any data at all while you are traveling, to go into the settings and to turn off your cellular data and/or your international roaming data," said Dolcourt.

On an iPhone, you can turn off cellular data by selecting the Settings app and clicking on the Cellular icon. There you can turn off Cellular Data, or click on Cellular Data Options to only turn off voice or data roaming.

For Android phones, go to Settings, select Connections and then click on Data Usage. You can then turn off Mobile Data.

On both systems, you should turn on WiFi to restore internet access and receive emails when connected to a WiFi network.

Both operating systems also allow you to check the data usage of each app. If you want to keep your phone from using data while you are not using an app, it is recommended you turn off background data usage.

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How to Use Your Phone Internationally Without Charges

If you’re going to travel, you need to know how to avoid international roaming charges. There are so many sneaky things our phones are doing in the background that can rack up data usage and create hundreds of dollars in roaming charges. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

It can feel really daunting and complicated to figure out how to use your phone internationally without charges. It’s tempting to throw your hands up and resort to not using a phone at all while abroad. You start trying to rationalize it by thinking things like, “It’s ok, I can just use my camera to take photos and upload a month later”, or “I’ll have email to connect to people when I’m on my laptop”, and “I’ll get really good at using those big paper maps if I can figure out how to fold them.”

While those are totally viable options (we believe in you), it doesn’t have to be that way. Let’s face it, we all want access to our phones abroad. How else are we going to let our loved ones know we arrived safely, post stunning pics of our travels, or have a lifeline in case of an unexpected or murky situation?

The best way to avoid international roaming charges may technically be to lose the phone altogether, but it doesn’t have to come to that. We have some tips that will teach you how to avoid roaming charges overseas so you can keep us up to date on that Insta story while abroad. ?

How to avoid international roaming charges FAQ

1. does mobile data cost money abroad.

Yes, it sure as heck fire does! And it can cost way more than your typical bill if you’re not careful due to international roaming fees. But don’t worry, there are ways to work around exorbitant data charges.

You may be wondering, “Should I turn off mobile data when abroad?” While that’s not a bad idea, you have to remember that you won’t be able to use your phone unless you connect to WiFi. However, if you are willing to rely on only WiFi for phone use, just turn off that data and don’t worry about it.

If you’re trying to figure out how to avoid data charges abroad, you should look into your cellular carrier’s options for international travel. Some carriers have specific international plans you can add on, while others, like T-Mobile, come equipped with international ability with certain domestic plans .

TL;DR: Mobile data DOES cost money abroad, but it’s possible to cut the cost with an international plan or by avoiding data usage altogether through airplane mode.

2. How much does data roaming cost?

Quick lesson in mobile technology: When you get a cellphone, you also have a service plan. You have a contract with a carrier like Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint, and you essentially pay to access a certain amount of data each month.

When you are using your phone outside a provider’s coverage, it latches onto a local network and uses that instead. Major carriers have roaming agreements so that you can still tap into that sweet sweet data, but you have to pay an extra fee for that right to use it. Here’s a helpful blog about Data Roaming by Lauren Hannula .

It definitely adds up when you’re traveling because the networks aren’t the same overseas. In the US, you may have a plan with Verizon. But as soon as you land in India, Vodafone is the top dog and Verizon is nowhere to be seen.

So how much does data roaming cost? It really depends on the carrier and your plan. It’s very possible to be charged hundreds of dollars for mobile roaming charges. There was a man who was charged $62,000 because he downloaded a movie abroad . Pro tip: Don’t do that.

TL;DR: Data roaming can cost boatloads. Learn how to avoid roaming charges overseas so you don’t get a hefty bill!

3. Should I turn off mobile data when abroad?

A lot of people are asking the question “Should I turn off mobile data when abroad?” Simple answer, yes. If you don’t want to mess around with changing your cell phone plan or getting a local SIM card abroad, just turn off mobile data when abroad and use your phone as a mini computer via WiFi.

Just get used to the fact that you won’t be able to make calls, use apps, or do… most anything without WiFi. But never fear! There are ways to use your phone without data.

If you’re not using data, you can still text and call on WiFi. Use apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, or Google Voice to connect with friends and family while abroad.
There are a surprising number of apps that work without any type of connection (data or WiFi). Look for conversion apps, translation apps, and maps that work offline. Google maps has an option to download sections of maps, but CityMaps2Go, maps.me, and HereWeGo have more options.

TL;DR: If you’re wondering how to avoid international roaming charges, just don’t use mobile data. Boom. Done. If you’re still confused and want to know, “But like… why does mobile data cost money abroad?”, see #2.

4. If my phone is on airplane mode will I get roaming charges?

Nope . Definitely the best way to avoid international roaming charges while abroad is to simply switch to airplane mode. Don’t freak out when WiFi and Bluetooth stop working, you just need to switch them back on manually.

TL;DR: Really? No way was that too long. If you want to know how to avoid data charges abroad just turn on flight mode, yo!

5. Are there any special Android or iPhone settings for international travel?

If you’re planning on learning how to use your phone internationally without charges seamlessly, you’re going to need to dive into the settings. There are some things your phone does in the background that you can switch off the save data while traveling abroad. There are subtle nuances between Android and iPhone settings for international travel when it comes to navigating the device, but the end result is the same.

When you’re using Airplane or Flight mode, you don’t need to worry about data use. So before you even get off the plane, make sure these settings are turned on (or off). Even if you decide to get a local SIM card, these tips will help you out by saving data abroad.

iPhone: Settings > General > Cellular > Data Roaming > toggle off/white.
Android: Settings > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming > toggle off/white
iPhone: Settings > General > Cellular > Cellular Data > scroll down and toggle/white apps you don’t use
Android: Settings > Data Usage > App Data Usage > tap app you want to turn off > toggle background data off/white
iPhone: Settings > [your name] > iTunes & App Store > Use Cellular Data > toggle off/white. Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > toggle off/white
Android: Google Play> Hamburger icon top-left > Settings > Auto-update apps> do not auto-update apps
iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Scroll to bottom and tap Reset Statistics
Android: Settings > Wireless & Networks > Data Usage > Billing cycle and tap reset

TL;DR: If you still don’t know the answer to “Should I turn off mobile data when abroad?”, go back and just read. It’ll help your wallet and your travel anxiety, we promise.

6. What is the best way to avoid international roaming charges?

Hands down best way to avoid international roaming charges is to not use data abroad. But like we’ve gone over before, that just seems silly. Instead, set yourself up for success by learning how to avoid data charges abroad before you go.

If you want to use data abroad instead of relying on WiFi, first thing to do is call your carrier and see if they have any good deals for international plans. It’s typically a daily add-on where you pay $5-$20/day (depending on your carrier) and have a bit o’ data to work with. That way you can just use your phone as you normally would; just pay attention to how much you use so you don’t go over your limit.

Another option is to use a local SIM card. Most smartphones have the ability to function globally, as long as they are unlocked and set up to function with Global System for Mobiles (GSM) . Here’s an article about the difference of CDMA and GSM .

Most phones these days are set up to work globally, so you shouldn’t have to worry about this. Just call your carrier and ask two things: “ Is my phone unlocked?” And, “ Will it work with another SIM card? ”. In some countries you’ll only pay $10 to $20 for a decent amount of data (like in Southeast Asia), so think about how much you want to pay to use data abroad.

Avoid roaming charges overseas—use FundMyTravel!

Just because you know how to use your phone internationally without charges doesn’t mean travel is free. Does mobile data cost money abroad? Yes. Do you need to pay extra for it? Nope! Use FundMyTravel to alleviate some of the global mobile fees you’ll run into . Raise some extra cash to buy a local SIM, get an international plan, or for juuuuust in case you use a little more data than had you planned to.

Now you know how to avoid data charges abroad

That’s right, now YOU are the expert! When your friend asks you, “How much does data roaming cost?” you can tell them the horror stories of people being charged hundreds, even thousands of dollars. But you also know exactly how to avoid roaming charges overseas, so as long as they listen to your sage advice, they won’t need to worry about that.

Our phones are amazing tools that help us connect with people, navigate the world, and learn new things. If you’re ready to go abroad, you’re going to need to get that baby ready, too! Sift through all those pesky Android or iPhone settings for international travel, call your carrier, and get your show on the road.

For more tips and tricks on how to save and raise money for your adventures abroad, go to our homepage and sign up for the FundMyTravel Newsletter !

This article was written by Rebekah Glebe .

Comments (4)

very good advice, well written and most useful for Novice/s who need to learn fast. Thanks.

wow.. it’s just fantastic ideas to avoid data charges via international calling. Using these tricks, we can do internationally calls without any data roaming. I will surely try these tricks. Keep sharing your ideas!

Hi there this is a very helpful article for me Thanks

Thank you for this. One less stress to worry about especially in this time of financial challenges.

What Actually Happens If You Don't Put Your Phone In Airplane Mode On A Plane

W hen it comes to air travel, you have to follow a long list of regulations, ranging from clear-cut mandates to unspoken rules. For starters, flight attendants hate when you pretend that your seatbelt is fastened. You must buckle up at all times, except for brief breaks. Taking your shoes off on a flight is frowned upon , and being extra mindful of others is appreciated when reclining your seat. Oh, and putting your phone on airplane mode is also required. It's even outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration (pdf) and Federal Communications Commission rules that using phones during flights is prohibited, subjecting rulebreakers to potential fines or "suspension." However, devices set to airplane mode are exempt from this rule under most circumstances. But do you really have to toggle your settings?

The short answer? Yes, if you don't want to defy FAA regulations -- especially if a crew member tells you to do so. The rule exists in the first place to minimize the "potential interference to wireless networks on the ground," as noted by the FCC . As it turns out, phones can emit signals that disrupt a plane's navigational systems. A single phone not in airplane mode may not be powerful enough to cause a distraction, but imagine the chaos when everyone on board decides they're the exception. As former Boeing engineer Kenny Kirchoff explained to CNN , "It's not necessarily that a phone can bring down an airplane ... The issue is interfering with the airplane and causing more work for the pilots during critical phases of flight."

Read more: Unsettling Reasons You May Want To Avoid Taking A Cruise

There's Conflicting Evidence Regarding How Phones Affect Flight Safety

Aviation rules aren't just plucked from the ether, despite how it sometimes feels when dealing with many of them. When the FAA and FCC restricted the use of phones on flights in the 1990s, it appears that the decision was grounded in genuine concerns for flight safety. Over time, however, the perception of this rule has evolved, leading some to deem it antiquated.

In 2012, an FAA study (pdf) found "no confirmed occurrences" of phones causing safety hiccups. Two years later, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency , which is practically Europe's FAA, started allowing the use of mobile devices during flights following a "safety assessment process," albeit leaving the final decision to airlines. Interestingly, as far back as 2005, FAA associate administrator Nicholas Sabatini said in a congressional testimony that because of technological advancements, phone flight bans "may not be needed."

Pilots, too, have stated that smartphones are rarely a threat these days. In the subreddit r/flying for pilots and aviation professionals, one user claimed that a "static-like noise" used to be a common concern but has since become a rarity. Another user claimed they didn't use airplane mode while flying. "Cell phone interference doesn't exist, it's basically a myth at this point," they opined. "The worst interference you'll get is a hint of static on the radio or your compass moving a couple degrees from electro magnetic interference if you slap your phone on top of it."

But It Doesn't Hurt To Put Your Phone On Airplane Mode Anyway

With smartphones being advanced enough not to create serious disruptions or safety risks, inadvertently failing to switch your phone to airplane mode during a flight likely won't spell disaster. Then again, it also doesn't hurt to cling to the habit. As with all things aviation, it's always better to err on the side of caution. "Whilst systems have improved, the industry regulators take a cautious view because of the safety implications," a spokesperson from an international airline told CN Traveler .

However, if you must take your phone off airplane mode, avoid doing it during landing, arguably the most crucial part of any flight. "Where it really counts is upon landing, especially when we're doing an instrument landing," Shawn Pruchnicki, a professor at the Center for Aviation Studies at Ohio State University, explained to USA Today . "Those signals are very, very precise, and the autopilot flying those signals is also very, very precise. This is not the time when you want any variability at all, especially when you have terrain considerations."

That said, the chances of your phone sabotaging a flight are incredibly low, but they're never zero. But don't fret; the rules may change soon, as evidenced by the European Commission's 2022 ruling allowing 5G, data, and calls on certain aircraft. Until then, maybe give that airplane mode toggle a tap on your mobile and streaming devices . And make sure you listen to crew member instructions to avoid potentially being charged with a federal offense.

Read the original article on Islands

How-To Geek

Bill shock: how to avoid $22,000 or more in international roaming fees.

Roaming data can cost as much as 300 times the price of domestic data, leading to bill shock.

Quick Links

Disable data roaming, use airplane mode, avoid calls and texts, check rates ahead of time, purchase a roaming plan, buy a local sim card, reduce the amount of data you use, dispute roaming charges.

Roaming data can cost as much as 300 times the price of domestic data, leading to bill shock. Some of the more extreme examples of roaming bills have been for tens of thousands of dollars.

Carriers have to negotiate roaming contrasts amongst each other, and they're generally free to add as much markup as they like when negotiating roaming rates. If you're travelling with a smartphone , beware of roaming fees.

The best tip for travelling with a smartphone is to avoid using roaming data entirely. Disable roaming data on your mobile phone so you won't use it while travelling. If you need an Internet connection, find a Wi-Fi network and use that.

Disabling roaming data will ensure you won't be charged for data, but you may be charged for incoming texts and voice messages -- even if you don't answer them. If you arrive in a foreign country before putting your phone into airplane mode, your phone will be associated with the local carrier. When you receive a phone call, that call will be routed to your current location. If you don't answer it, it will be routed back to your home country where the caller can leave a voicemail. Thus, the local carrier may charge you roaming fees even if you don't answer the call. (This may vary depending on your carrier, your plan, the country, the agreements involved, and so on -- it's a mess.)

So even if you have your phone in airplane mode and don't answer any calls, you may still be charged for roaming voice calls and text messages. If you want to avoid this entirely, put your phone into airplane mode before you leave home and leave it there for the entire trip.

You may be able to contact your carrier and disable roaming entirely -- your phone's data, voice, and text messages won't work outside the country, but you won't be at risk of incurring roaming fees.

If you do want to use roaming data -- or even just calls and texts -- be sure to check roaming fees ahead of time. Your cellular provider probably has a website with this information. You can check to see whether the roaming fees are reasonable or completely over-the-top and adjust your usage accordingly.

Many carriers offer special roaming packages that you can add to your current plan. These passes may be worldwide or only valid for certain countries. If you know you'll be roaming and using your phone, you'll often save money by purchasing a roaming pass ahead of time instead of paying the fees afterwards.

Roaming fees can cost so much more than domestic data -- so why roam? Assuming you have an unlocked phone, you can purchase a local SIM card and insert it into your current phone. You'll have a number and plan with a local carrier and you'll be paying the standard domestic rate, not the rates reserved for gouging foreigners.

This often works well with prepaid carriers, as you can put some money on a plan without signing a contract or paying a monthly fee. If your current phone is locked to your carrier's network , you can probably just purchase a cheap phone -- even one that only supports calls and texts, if you just want an emergency phone.

Note that, if your phone is locked, your carrier may unlock it for you if you ask and tell them you'll be traveling. Not all phones will work with all networks -- for example, CDMA phones from Verizon and Sprint won't work in most countries, which use the GSM standard (used by AT&T and T-Mobile phones in the US). Some phones (such as a few in the Motorola Droid line) have "global" modes, which means Motorola has put both a CDMA and a GSM radio inside, but that's a little further down the rabbit hole than we want to go in this article.

If you have decided to purchase a roaming plan or deal with the roaming fees, you will still want to use as little data as possible. Be sure to disable app updates and reduce the amount of data your phone uses in the background. Set apps that use background data to work on Wi-Fi only, and be careful about the apps you open and use with a data connection.

If you do get stuck with a bill for tens of thousands of dollars because you used roaming data, you don't have to quietly accept it. Contact your carrier and dispute the bill. With any luck, they'll reduce the charges for you, especially if you've been a longtime customer. Standard tips for dealing with customer service employees apply -- don't be a jerk (no one wants to help a jerk). Don't be afraid to escalate to someone higher-up.

This seems to work -- in most cases of extreme bill shock, carriers reduce insanely high charges for customers who complain. In the case of a Canadian whose son used 700MB of data on a trip to Mexico , a bill for $20,000 was reduced to $2,200 as soon as the customer complained. The customer continued to fight the charges, escalating his complaint to the president of the company, and his bill was eventually reduced to $200.

If you're the next person stuck with a bill for tens of thousands of dollars and your carrier won't help you, don't be afraid to take your story to the media -- sometimes that's all that seems to work.

The cost of roaming fees is ridiculous, but it's something you'll have to think about when travelling with a cell phone. Sadly, it may be some time before we live in a world where we can travel and be charged reasonable fees without having to micromanage our phones and research these fees ahead of time.

Image Credit: Sean MacEntee on Flickr , Richard Eriksson on Flickr

A beginner’s guide to travel eSIMs: How to use eSIMs for travel

Table of contents, what is a travel esim, and why do i need one.

One of the latest innovations in travel tech, eSIMs are digital SIM cards embedded directly into the processors of mobile devices. Compatible devices come pre-equipped with an eSIM, so there’s no need to buy and install a card manually.

While eSIMs can be used at home, there are notable advantages to using eSIMs for travel. It’s super easy to switch between carriers and plans, which minimizes service interruptions while you’re globetrotting.

Additionally, there’s no need to visit a store in person to get a new SIM card or buy online and wait for it to be shipped to your home. eSIM cards can be purchased online and activated immediately using a QR from your carrier. Plus, there’s a huge range of plans offered by many different providers, giving you plenty of control over how much you pay based on the travel data you think you’ll need.

Are there any drawbacks to using an eSIM for travel?

Not all carriers support eSIMs, and not all devices are eSIM compatible. However, eSIM usage is growing dramatically, so mobile users can expect to see these limitations decline in the coming years.

Where can I buy a travel eSIM?

Airalo (200+ countries, regional plans available)
Flexiroam (200+ countries and territories, regional plans available)
Nomad (165+ countries, regional plans available)
GlobaleSIM (150+ countries, regional plans available)
Ubigi (200+ countries)
Maya Mobile (190+ countries, regional plans available)
BNESIM (200+ countries, regional plans available)
eSIM2Fly (100+ countries, regional plans available)
GigSky (190+ countries, regional plans available)
RedteaGO (100+ countries, regional plans available)

How to deactivate your regular SIM and activate your eSIM for travel

Before activating your new eSIM card, deactivate your regular SIM card. This will protect your personal data and help you avoid getting hit with unnecessary roaming charges.

Deactivating a SIM card is pretty easy. Here’s how it works:

Back up your phone, including contacts, messages, and any other data.
Notify your mobile carrier about your travel plans and ask that your SIM card be temporarily deactivated. Your carrier will guide you through the process.
Once deactivated, remove your SIM card from your phone and store it in a safe place.

Activating an eSIM for travel is even easier than activating/deactivating a physical SIM card. Usually, you’ll need to contact your travel plan carrier and get a QR code. Scan this into your phone to activate the eSIM.

The following tips may help if you’re having trouble knowing how to use an eSIM when traveling:

Make sure your device is eSIM compatible
Check your wireless connection. Restart your phone if necessary.
Re-scan your carrier’s QR code
Contacting your carrier for help

Check your network coverage and device compatibility

With travel eSIMs, you can stay connected almost anywhere in the world. Many new cell phone models are eSIM compatible. If you have an old phone, you may need to upgrade to a newer model to begin using eSIMs for travel. Check out a list of eSIM-compatible devices here .

eSIM plans piggyback on domestic carriers’ networks. To find out where you can get service in a given country, visit the network provider’s website or contact the network provider directly. If you’ve already landed, apps like OpenSignal (Android and iOS), LTE Discovery (Android), and Network Cell Info Lite (Android) provide info on network strength in your area and surrounding areas.

How much travel data do I need?

To get the most out of your travel eSIM, you’ll want to strategically plan your data usage. Up to 5GB of data is good if you don’t use your device often, while moderate users might want to be safe and go for a 10GB travel data plan. Look for higher data plans if you’re an active online gamer or stream a lot of high-quality videos.

Here are a few tips for minimizing your data usage while traveling:

Connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible (airports, hotels, cafes, etc.). But consider using a VPN to prevent unauthorized access to your device and data.
Disable automatic device updates and limit the number of apps that run in the background. Many phones make it easy to do this with data-saving mode.
Don’t stream much music or video, or download files in advance to avoid streaming while you travel.
Use data compression apps to reduce the size of web pages and images.
Disable data roaming to avoid automatically using foreign networks.
Go on airplane mode when you’re not using your device.

How to stay safe when using a travel eSIM

Compared to physical SIM cards, eSIM cards are much harder to hack because you can’t simply remove the card from a device.

Even though eSIMs reduce the risk of your SIM card getting lost or stolen, it’s still important to safeguard your personal data while abroad. One of the best ways to protect your personal data while using Wi-Fi is with a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs create a tunnel of sorts through which you can access the internet without your personal data being visible to others using the same Wi-Fi network.

Another great way to stay safe while using public Wi-Fi is to disable file sharing and AirDrop. Doing so makes it harder for nearby devices to access your files. Also, avoid accessing non-secured websites. Look for “https://” in the URL, which indicates that data is encrypted when being transferred between your device and the server.

Can I use an eSIM internationally?

Yes. Some eSIM plans offer service in multiple countries or regions (USA & Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, etc.). Others are country specific. Before you buy an eSIM, make sure it supports your destination country.

Can I get a global eSIM?

You can’t buy an eSIM card that works in every country, but you can buy an eSIM that offers service in multiple countries or regions. If you’re planning a trip around the world (sounds exciting!), you might need to get multiple eSIM plans and activate them separately as you travel.

Can I get a travel data plan on an eSIM card?

Yes, it’s possible to buy and activate a data-only eSIM travel plan on your phone. Although, if you want to do more than just access the internet on your device, you’ll need a full-service eSIM plan that also lets you text and make calls.

Why settle with a physical SIM card, when you can get a digital SIM card that you don’t have to stand in line at a store to buy and that you can activate and manage remotely? Use an eSIM to avoid the hassle of interrupted mobile service when traveling internationally.

You can’t yet use a travel eSIM with all phones and providers. But more and more eSIM options are popping up on the market, so stay ahead of the trends and start riding the wave.

Small plane crashed at Hopkins; flights diverted on one of Cleveland’s busiest travel days

Updated: Apr. 07, 2024, 7:06 p.m. |
Published: Apr. 07, 2024, 10:34 a.m.

A small plane crashed at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Saturday, diverting planes and closing runways. The plane's passengers did not suffer serious injuries. Plain Dealer

Staff reports

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A small plane crashed at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Saturday, closing runways on one of the city’s busiest travel days.

The crash happened about 6 p.m. as the pilot, Aris Delianides, was attempting to land. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that Delianides, 64, was flying a 1981 Beech A36 fixed-wing single engine when he approached the runway. The plane touched down, bounced back up and then nose-dived, according to the state patrol.

He suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. A second person on board, Jacqeline Delianides, 62, was not hurt, the state patrol said. They are from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Hopkins said she could not comment on how the incident happened, as federal authorities are investigating.

The crash happened during one of the city’s busiest travel weekends of the year, as visitors arrived at the city for the women’s Final Four and the eclipse.

The airfield closed for about 75 minutes, from about 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., according to Hopkins’ social media. Numerous flights were disrupted.

The flight tracking website Flightaware.com showed 48 delays into and out of Cleveland Hopkins on Saturday and one cancellation. During the incident, several flights were diverted to nearby airports in Detroit and Buffalo.

Alaska Airlines’ nonstop route from Seattle to Cleveland, for example, arrived at Hopkins more than seven hours late after a diversion to Detroit.

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Use Apple Vision Pro on an airplane with Travel Mode

With Travel Mode, Apple Vision Pro adapts to give you the best experience while traveling on an airplane.

Apple Vision Pro uses an array of sensors to see the environment around you and keep the items in your view stable. If Apple Vision Pro senses that you're on an airplane, it asks if you want to turn on Travel Mode to adapt to the unique motion and environment of commercial air travel.

You can turn on Travel Mode when Apple Vision Pro suggests it, or any time in Control Center.

In some situations, Apple Vision Pro may think you're on an airplane when you're not, and prompt you to turn on Travel Mode. Remember to never use Travel Mode if you're not on an airplane.

How to turn Travel Mode on or off from Control Center

Tap Turn On Travel Mode to confirm.

To exit Travel Mode, go back to Control Center, then tap Turn Off.

Travel Mode is for use only when you're a passenger on an airplane. Never use Apple Vision Pro while operating a moving vehicle, bicycle, heavy machinery, or in any other situations requiring attention to safety. Get more tips for using your Vision Pro safely .

Keep these things in mind when using Travel Mode

Stay seated while using Travel Mode, and take off your Apple Vision Pro before you stand up.

Take off your Apple Vision Pro during taxiing, takeoff, and landing, and if the flight has turbulence.

Avoid looking out the airplane's windows, since this can affect your device's ability to track your surroundings.

Be aware of your surroundings. When you use Travel Mode, features that help you see and stay aware of your surroundings are turned off.

If content in Apple Vision Pro appears tilted or off-center, long-press the Digital Crown to re-center your view.

Restarting Apple Vision Pro turns off Travel Mode.

Availability of some Apple Vision Pro features in Travel Mode

If you have Pointer Control turned on and set to use your head as the pointer, you might not be able to turn on Travel Mode after the airplane begins moving. To use Travel Mode when your head is set as the pointer, turn on Travel Mode before you board the plane, or when you find your seat. Remove Apple Vision Pro for takeoff, then put it back on when it's safe to do so. Travel Mode will still be on and ready to use.

Persona isn't available when you're using Travel Mode.

You can’t set up your Apple Vision Pro while traveling on an airplane.

Explore Apple Support Community

Find what’s been asked and answered by Apple customers.

Contact Apple Support

Need more help? Save time by starting your support request online and we'll connect you to an expert.

IMAGES

When Will International Travel Return? Some Routes Are Flying
Airplane Mode Lets You Experience the Joys of Commercial Flights in a Videogame
Airplane Mode Is An Air Travel Simulator That Lets You “Fly” Six Hours In Real-Time
Airplane Mode is flight simulator for passengers
Global Travel Taskforce publishes framework for return to international travel
Airplane Mode

VIDEO

Airplane mode or using iPhone on an airplane
Escape the Chaos: Discover the Benefits of Airplane Mode
Access Internet in Airplane Mode
US aviation experts reconsider airplane mode after EU deems it unnecessary for 5G devices

COMMENTS

How to Use a Phone Internationally With Minimal Charges
1. Put your phone in airplane mode to avoid charges. Aside from features such as the camera, only use the phone when you can connect to Wi-Fi. Some phones and apps automatically download data when the phone is on and connected, leading to charges — even if you aren't using the phone for calls. To make calls, use apps such as WhatsApp (which ...
The Dos & Don'ts of Using Your Phone Overseas
Relying on Wi-Fi for international travel is a common bit of advice for travelers on a budget, ... 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 turns off your device's radio ...
Do you need to turn on airplane mode when traveling internationally
That means that yes, it is actually possible for you to have Airplane mode turned on, but still have WiFi and Bluetooth both turned on. That is also how you can continue to use the in-flight WiFi in modern aircraft or how you can use your own bluetooth headphones while in flight. When airplane mode is turned on on your device, all the other ...
Choose iPhone settings for travel
Open Control Center, then turn on airplane mode. Tap to turn on Wi-Fi or to turn on Bluetooth. If you turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while in airplane mode, it may be on the next time you return to airplane mode. You can turn it off again in Control Center. When you travel with iPhone, choose settings that comply with airline requirements.
A Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad: For Dummies
Using Airplane Mode and Wifi for Dummies: Step 1: In your Settings, turn Airplane Mode ON (make sure the little airplane icon is highlighted). This ensures you will not use any data or incur any unexpected international charges. Step 2: In your Settings, select Wifi, and turn your Wifi ON.
5 Ways to Use Your Phone When Traveling Abroad
2. Get free overseas data using T-Mobile and Sprint. The budget option for staying connected while overseas is to use T-Mobile or Sprint as your cell phone provider. Many plans offered by these ...
What is Airplane Mode? What it does and when to use it
Limiting data usage. Enabling Airplane Mode is a great way of limiting cellular data usage when traveling if you haven't paid for international roaming. For those without roaming plans, your ...
How to use iPhone when traveling internationally
1. Use Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi simultaneously. Using Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi ensures your iPhone bill won't include any foreign fees. You can use mobile data or accept calls if your phone picks up service in a foreign country. Therefore, connecting to Wi-Fi may avoid paying for overseas data while using your phone's apps.
Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhone
To choose your data line, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. You can continue to use FaceTime, iMessage, and other apps to make VoIP calls or send messages while you're traveling. You can also turn data roaming on and off on your home line in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. Carrier fees might apply.
How to Use Your Phone When Traveling Internationally
For $140 per month, the data usage is raised to 6GB. Both the TravelPass and International Day Pass will only charge you for the days you use them, so if you don't need it every day, then leave your phone on airplane mode to avoid additional charges. WhatsApp is one of the most widely used Wi-Fi-enabled apps. Photo by Shutterstock.
Use Airplane Mode on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and
Use Airplane Mode on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. You can use Airplane Mode to turn off the wireless features on your device while you're flying in an airplane. Turn on Airplane Mode. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPod touch, on your iPad, or on your Apple Vision Pro, then tap the Airplane Mode button.
How to Prep Your Phone for International Travel
Get Service. __Level 1: Go Wi-Fi Only __. Good news: You can go "off the grid" and still update your feeds by using your phone in Wi-Fi mode. Just toggle off cellular data or leave your phone in ...
What is Airplane Mode and When Should You Use It?
What is Airplane Mode? Airplane mode, also known as flight mode, is a setting on smartphones and portable computers that disables its wireless signal transmissions. If airplane mode is enabled on your mobile phone, that means its cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth functions are disabled. Sometimes, GPS functions are turned off as well.
How and when to use Airplane Mode on iPhone
Enable Airplane Mode. With iOS 7, Apple introduced Control Center, putting device settings such as Airplane Mode a swipe away. From any screen on your iPhone, swipe up from the bottom to reveal ...
How to Make Your Phone Work Internationally
International travel is exciting, but it can also cause a lot of anxiety, especially if it's your first time abroad. ... Airplane mode. Airplane mode is not just for airplanes. On most phones, it quickly disables WiFi, data, and incoming/outgoing calls and texts. You can typically turn WiFi on while leaving the rest of your device in airplane ...
Using cellphones, mobile devices and computers abroad
Some providers offer travel packages for U.S. and international destinations that offer a bundle of minutes or megabytes for a fixed price. ... Enable airplane mode. Airplane mode should be turned on before your departure flight and remain on until you have returned to Canada. When airplane mode is enabled, both voice and data cellular services ...
Airplane Mode or mobile data: Which is the better mode to avoid data
There is a sure fire way to avoid international data charges, and it isn't Airplane Mode. Turning off mobile data is the recommended method while traveling in other countries. ABC7 Bay Area 24/7 ...
How to Use Your Phone Internationally Without Charges
Definitely the best way to avoid international roaming charges while abroad is to simply switch to airplane mode. Don't freak out when WiFi and Bluetooth stop working, you just need to switch them back on manually. TL;DR: Really? No way was that too long. If you want to know how to avoid data charges abroad just turn on flight mode, yo! 5.
Explore Tips on Using Your Device Internationally
How to use data, talk, and text internationally. To use cellular data, make sure Data Roaming is turned on in your device settings. To call or send a message to the U.S., dial +1 followed by the 10-digit number. The "+" sign usually appears if you press and hold the "0" key on your dial pad. To call or send a message to another country ...
What Actually Happens If You Don't Put Your Phone In Airplane Mode On A
W hen it comes to air travel, ... because of the safety implications," a spokesperson from an international airline told CN Traveler. However, if you must take your phone off airplane mode, avoid ...
Bill Shock: How to Avoid $22,000 or More in International ...
Use Airplane Mode, Avoid Calls and Texts. Check Rates Ahead of Time. Purchase a Roaming Plan. Buy a Local SIM Card. Reduce the Amount of Data You Use. Dispute Roaming Charges. Roaming data can cost as much as 300 times the price of domestic data, leading to bill shock. Some of the more extreme examples of roaming bills have been for tens of ...
About cellular data roaming options for your iPhone and iPad
If you have roaming issues during international travel. If the date and time are wrong after you arrive, go to Settings > General > Date & Time. Make sure that Set Automatically is turned on. Turn on Airplane Mode for about 30 seconds. Then turn it off again and let your iPhone automatically select the best network.
A beginner's guide to travel eSIMs: How to use eSIMs for travel
Notify your mobile carrier about your travel plans and ask that your SIM card be temporarily deactivated. Your carrier will guide you through the process. Once deactivated, remove your SIM card from your phone and store it in a safe place. Activating an eSIM for travel is even easier than activating/deactivating a physical SIM card. Usually ...
JetZero: Groundbreaking 'blended-wing' demonstrator plane cleared to
NASA's experimental X-48 plane featured a blended wing design and carried out around 120 test flights between 2007 and 2012. NASA said that an aircraft of this type would "generate less noise and ...
Small plane crashed at Hopkins; flights diverted on one of Cleveland's
CLEVELAND, Ohio - A small plane crashed at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Saturday, closing runways on one of the city's busiest travel days. The crash happened about 6 p.m. as the ...
Solar eclipse travel from LAX in full swing Monday morning
Two of these special flights were available, one leaving from Austin and the other from Dallas. The Austin flight sold out in less than 24 hours, Delta said.
Use Apple Vision Pro on an airplane with Travel Mode
Tap the Control Center button to see more options. Tap the Travel Mode button. Tap Turn On Travel Mode to confirm. To exit Travel Mode, go back to Control Center, then tap Turn Off. Travel Mode is for use only when you're a passenger on an airplane. Never use Apple Vision Pro while operating a moving vehicle, bicycle, heavy machinery, or in any ...
Boeing somehow managed to get itself into even bigger trouble
Then, during the first weekend of 2024, part of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max blew off the side of the plane just after take-off, and Boeing has been in crisis mode ever since.

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