Are you off on an international trip and want to prepare your smartphone? Here are all the tips for a smooth holiday.
Our phones are integral to our daily lives, often staying in our hands from the moment we wake up.
We spend countless hours texting, snapping photos for Instagram, posting on Facebook, tweeting, and sharing Snapchat stories.
In the modern world, living without a phone seems nearly impossible (how did we manage without Google Maps?).
But when travelling abroad, how can you safeguard your phone and personal information?
We are ready to help you prepare your phone for international travel to prevent various difficulties and improve your experience as a traveller.
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How to Set a Phone for International Travel
Preparing before you take off on your trip will not only have you ready for any scenario, but you won’t have to mess around once you get there, instead you can just enjoy your holiday.
Make a Backup of Your Data and Contacts
Our phones do it all – take amazing photos, store contacts, and keep us connected wherever we go. Because of this, fewer people bother bringing separate cameras and devices when they travel.
Before you set off on your next adventure, make sure all your phone and WhatsApp contacts are backed up to your Google account. Not sure how to do this? Don’t worry, this guide will help you out.
While smartphones are perfect for travelling light, there’s a risk—if you lose your phone, you lose everything. Fortunately, we’ve got two easy ways to keep your important information and precious photos safe while you’re away.
Be Careful With Disclosing Personal Information
Any personal information can be used against you by attackers. This can be documents, knowledge of geolocation, information from social networks and even just an IP address.
You can even look at the basic iPhone IP settings, but it is better for you to protect yourself and use a rented IP address. It is provided by VPNs, one of the best in this niche is VeePN.
Prepare Free Space
Don’t miss capturing that incredible Icelandic geyser because of storage issues!
Before you board your flight, transfer your photos and videos to another device to avoid frustration and make room for more memories.
Check Your Phone Plan
Your network provider might not operate where you’re traveling, and even if they do, you could face high costs for texts or checking email. Here are a few alternatives:
- Check for limited data and international roaming packages from your provider.
- Set up an eSIM before you go with someone like Airalo (see more below)
- Buy a local SIM card when you arrive.
- Rely on Wi-Fi in cafes and bars and use apps like WhatsApp for calls (but research first—some countries, like the UAE, don’t allow WhatsApp calls).
Download Important Apps
Every country has different cell services, which can be slow and unreliable when you first arrive. Poor service can make it difficult to download essential apps, like ride-hailing or travel apps.
Google Maps is crucial, especially when you’re travelling abroad. It’s essential to have it on your phone to help you find your way in a foreign country.
Similarly, a travel app that shows hotels and tourist spots can be very helpful.
These apps can be invaluable in countries where you don’t speak the language, as you can use them to communicate your destination or find what you’re looking for.
Consider Unlocking Your Smartphone
Avoid hefty roaming charges with an unlocked phone! With an unlocked device, you can use any SIM card without restrictions, making it perfect for travel.
If you can’t unlock your own phonec, consider buying a used, unlocked Samsung Galaxy A11 or iPhone 13 Pro Max before your next trip.
Most new smartphones come unlocked, but you should confirm with your carrier if your device will work with other networks.
If you’ve paid off your smartphone, ask your carrier for an unlock code to free up your phone for any SIM card.
Save IMEI Number of Your Smartphone
If someone steals your phone, you might find yourself in a tough spot.
However, if you have your phone’s unique IMEI number written down (somewhere other than your phone), you can identify yourself with your network, who can then block any misuse immediately.
To find your IMEI number, simply dial *#06# on your smartphone. You can also see it in your About section in your settings.
Turn On Your Phone’s Tracker
Phones can easily slip out of pockets or get stolen if you’re not careful. Before you travel, ensure your phone’s tracking feature (like Find My Phone, SmartThings Find, or Find My Device) is activated.
These apps show your phone’s exact location on a map in real time, but you’ll need another device, like a laptop, to view it.
Tracking tags, such as Tile and Apple Airtags, might seem helpful, but they only work within about 30 feet. They’re handy for finding your phone in a messy hotel room but not as useful if it’s lost in a moving taxi.
Use eSIM
eSIMs offer a hassle-free alternative to expensive roaming plans and the inconvenience of finding local SIM cards abroad.
Instead of dealing with physical SIM cards, just download an eSIM before your trip and connect to local networks as soon as you arrive. This way, you can use data without worrying about high phone bills.
Airalo provides a wide range of budget-friendly eSIMs that cover over 200 countries and regions.
You can easily search for eSIMs specific to your destination or opt for a global eSIM that works in 87 countries. If your travel plans change or you need additional data, topping up your eSIM is simple, no matter your location.
Before purchasing an eSIM, ensure your phone supports it and check if you can use an eSIM alongside your regular SIM card, as not all phones have this capability.
Find out Roaming Conditions
If you want to avoid the hassle of buying and installing a foreign SIM card, consider getting a roaming plan from your carrier. By paying an international roaming fee, you can use your local phone number wherever you go.
However, roaming charges can be expensive and vary by carrier.
Travelling is exciting, but it can be frustrating without access to your smartphone. Since we’re all so dependent on our phones—even at home—it’s crucial to ensure your device is ready and functional before you head abroad.
What more tips for your travels? Read these next
How to get Foreign Currency for your Travels
Should I Tip?
What to Expect at the Airport
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Find flights – I always use Skyscanner as my starting point when searching for flights. One search will give many options including airlines I may not have thought of. This means I can find the best possible flights to suit my needs
Book accommodation – my go to is always Booking.com for the best places to stay. It’s not just hotels anymore, but hostels, apartments, B&Bs and more. I love that the bookings are usually cancellable, and that I can book now and pay later.
Hire a rental car – RentalCars.com is my go to here. It allows me to do just one search and it finds cars from many of the different supplies, so no checking multiple websites to compare.
Get travel insurance – you would have heard by now that saying “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. If we’ve learnt anything from the last couple of years it should be how essential travel insurance is. I use CoverMore for my insurance.
Pick up an eSIM – I tried an eSIM on my last trip and it was fantastic. I set it up before I went so it was ready as soon as I landed, and I still had access to my home number for emergencies. Get your own eSIM at Airalo.
Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator and Get Your Guide tend to be the first places I look. In Asia, Klook often has more options, and in Australia it’s Experience Oz.
Manage your money – the best way to manage your different currencies is with an account from Wise. You can hold money in many different currencies, and use them with the ATM card or from your phone.
