7 Simple Ways To Prepare Your Phone For Traveling Abroad

Did you pack your sunscreen, book, clothes, and passport? Great! But before you celebrate, make sure your phone is ready for your trip abroad. A phone without internet for last-minute accommodation changes, enough storage for photos, or a backup plan if it’s lost, can really dampen your vacation.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to prepare your phone for travel. This includes a mobile data travel guide, as well as security measures and more.

Phone Travel Tips

1 Make a Data Backup

Our phones have become essential travel companions. They take amazing photos, store contact details, and keep us connected anywhere. Because they’re so versatile, many travelers skip bringing separate cameras and rely solely on their phones.

However, using your smartphone for everything is risky—losing it means losing all your data. Thankfully, there are two easy ways to safeguard your important information and cherished photos while on the go.

2 Check Your Phone Plan

Your network provider might not cover the place you’re traveling to, and even if they do, you could face high charges for sending texts or checking email. Here are a few alternatives:

• Check for limited data and international roaming packages from your provider.
• Buy a SIM card abroad when you arrive.
• Use the internet in cafes and bars to make calls via WhatsApp (but note that some countries, like the United Arab Emirates, don’t allow WhatsApp calls).

But keep in mind that some services may not work in the country of your arrival. VPN from a well-known provider, such as VeePN, will be necessary to resume the service. Moreover, VPN for China travel will be mandatory, otherwise you will not be able to use most of the usual applications and websites. But in other countries there will be many surprises, and VPN eliminates them.

3 Check Charges

Roaming charges can be confusing since they vary by provider and destination.

In some areas, roaming might not cost you anything extra. Providers like Giffgaff, Smarty, Tesco, and O2 offer free EU roaming. However, other providers charge extra for using your usual calls, texts, and data abroad.

If your provider doesn’t offer free roaming or you’re traveling to a non-covered destination, expect to be charged per minute, megabyte, or message.

4 Use Free Wi-Fi Only

To avoid daily charges, use your phone only when connected to Wi-Fi or off the network. Switch your phone to Airplane Mode and turn Wi-Fi back on. This also helps conserve battery life.

5 Free Up Some Space

Nothing ruins a perfect photo moment like the dreaded “not enough storage” message. Avoid this frustration by freeing up space on your phone before your trip.

Here’s how:

• Delete Some Items: Remove unwanted photos, message data, large attachments, old music, or unused apps. For an average number of vacation photos, having 5-15GB of free space should be enough.
• Invest in Cloud Storage: If you love taking photos, consider cloud storage. It can hold thousands of pictures, ensuring every precious moment is safe. Plus, if anything happens to your phone, your photos are securely stored in the cloud.

6 Install eSIM

eSIMs are a great alternative to expensive roaming plans and the hassle of finding a local SIM card when traveling. Instead of dealing with a physical SIM card, you can download an eSIM before your trip and connect to cell networks as soon as you land. This way, you can use data without worrying about high phone bills.

Airalo offers a wide range of affordable eSIMs that work in over 200 countries and regions. You can search for eSIMs by country or region, or get a global eSIM that covers 87 countries. If your travel plans change and you need more data, you can easily purchase or top up your eSIM from anywhere.

However, before buying an eSIM, check if your phone supports eSIMs. Some phones don’t allow the use of an eSIM alongside a regular SIM. Make sure your device is compatible before you make a purchase.

7 Download Offline Everything You Need

Life is unpredictable, and that includes your Wi-Fi connection. Even with the best data plan, streaming Netflix on the go isn’t always practical. Before your trip, download music, movies, and TV shows to your phone. You’ll be thankful for the entertainment during long waits at train stations or budget flights without in-flight movies.

Concerned about getting lost or using up your data on navigation? Download maps before you go. With Google Maps, you can save maps of the areas you plan to visit, ensuring you can find your way even without Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

Your phone is an essential travel companion, and with a little preparation, you can ensure it serves you well throughout your trip. From backing up your data to checking charges and downloading offline content, these simple steps will help you make the most of your smartphone abroad. So go ahead and enjoy that vacation – and don’t forget to take some amazing photos while you’re at it!