Traveling abroad is a serious business, particularly when it comes to remaining connected. Your iPhone is your go-to device when traveling, serving to facilitate communication as well as navigation. In order for your iPhone to function properly when you are overseas and to avoid incurring unnecessary fees, there are a few steps to take both prior to departure and while abroad. This guide will lead you through what to do with your iPhone when traveling abroad.
1. Verify Your Carrier’s International Roaming Plans
The first step you should take prior to traveling is to ensure that your existing carrier provides international roaming. With this, you can make use of your iPhone’s standard phone number, data, and text services when abroad. You should, however, note that roaming rates tend to be quite different based on your carrier and destination country.
- Carrier Compatibility: Ensure your carrier supports roaming in your destination country. Carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T offer various international plans, but coverage can differ by region.
- Enable Roaming: Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and toggle on Data Roaming. This ensures that your phone will access mobile networks when abroad.
You should also call your carrier ahead of time to talk about their international roaming plans. Most carriers have daily or monthly international plans that can save you money on data and calls overseas.
2. Turn On International Roaming Services
After verifying your carrier’s international roaming features, enable roaming services prior to your travel. This can be achieved by using your carrier’s app, or website, or calling their customer support team. Some carriers will automatically enable roaming, while others may need to be requested manually.
When you turn on roaming, be sure to ask about the cost of calls, texts, and data. Roaming fees can be high, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into. Some carriers have travel passes or international bundles, which can give you lower rates.
3. Use an eSIM for International Travel
A growing favourite to standard roaming is having an eSIM. An eSIM is a virtual SIM that enables you to change networks without requiring a physical SIM card. Several newer iPhones (iPhone XS and later) come with support for eSIM technology, so it’s easy for tourists to use local networks without the exorbitant charges of international roaming.
Here’s how you can benefit from using an eSIM:
- Convenience: You don’t have to exchange SIM cards physically. Just download the eSIM profile of the carrier or service provider you choose, and you’re set.
- Lower Costs: eSIM carriers tend to be cheaper compared to conventional roaming offers, particularly when it comes to data.
You are able to access eSIM plans from third parties like EsimLive, GigSky, and Truphone. These enable you to download a local data plan for the country or region that you are in, avoiding costly international charges.
4. Download Offline Maps and Apps
Among the largest challenges on the road is remaining connected to the internet. To prevent expensive roaming data, download apps and maps that you can use offline. Google Maps and Maps.me are two examples of apps that enable you to download maps for entire countries or cities, allowing you to move around even without mobile data connectivity.
Also, download necessary travel apps in advance, including:
- Google Translate: Allows you to get by in nations where you don’t know the language.
- XE Currency: Lets you monitor exchange rates and convert money with ease.
- TripAdvisor: Offers restaurant, attraction, and hotel suggestions.
Having these apps offline prevents you from burning through your valuable data.
5. Backup Your iPhone Data
Before traveling internationally, it’s always a good idea to back up your iPhone data. Losing access to your contacts, photos, or documents while abroad can be frustrating. By backing up your data beforehand, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your information is safe.
Here are the options for backing up your iPhone:
- iCloud Backup: Navigate to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and enable iCloud Backup. Then tap Back Up Now.
- iTunes/Finder Backup: If you want a local backup, plug your iPhone into a computer and back up with iTunes (for Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (for macOS Catalina and later).
6. Turn on Find My iPhone
Having your iPhone stolen while you’re abroad is a nightmare, but with Find My iPhone activated, you might be able to get your phone back. You can use Find My iPhone to find your iPhone, lock it, or even wipe your data if your iPhone is stolen or lost.
How to turn on Find My iPhone:
- Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Find My iPhone and turn it on.
Ensure that Send Last Location is also turned on. This will transmit your phone’s location to Apple servers if the battery is low.
7. Set Up a Local SIM Card (If Necessary)
If you have a preference for local network access abroad and do not wish to incur international roaming fees, it is possible to buy a local SIM card. Most countries have cheap prepaid SIM cards available from airports or convenience shops. Having a local SIM card can offer you lower rates for data usage, calls, and text messages than international roaming.
Here’s how to install a local SIM:
- Unlock Your iPhone: If your iPhone is carrier-locked, call your provider and ask them to unlock it prior to traveling.
- Purchase a Local SIM Card: When you are at your destination, go to a carrier store or the airport kiosk and buy a prepaid SIM card. Ensure the plan has enough data to suit your requirements.
- Install the SIM Card: Use the SIM ejector tool to remove the tray, insert the local SIM, and follow any instructions from the carrier to activate it.
8. Prepare for Different Voltage and Plug Types
When traveling internationally, you’ll likely need a power adapter to charge your iPhone. Different countries use different plug types and voltages, so it’s essential to bring the right adapters.
- Voltage: Most nations utilize 110V or 220V, so determine if you’ll need a voltage adapter. The iPhone charger normally supports both 110V and 220V but double-checking won’t hurt.
- Plug Adapters: Buy a universal plug adapter for the nation or nations that you’ll be visiting. That way, you’ll be able to charge your phone wherever you are.
9. Look at Wi-Fi Calling
If your carrier allows it, Wi-Fi calling can be a lifesaver abroad. It lets you place calls and send texts over Wi-Fi, without needing cellular service. It’s particularly handy where cellular reception can be weak or pricey.
- To activate Wi-Fi Calling, tap Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling and turn it on.
10. Turn off Non-Essential Notifications and Apps
Global roaming tends to deplete your data rapidly, and thus it’s necessary to preserve it while you are on travel. Turn off notifications from applications that may consume your data wastefully. This can be achieved by proceeding to Settings > Notifications and deactivating unnecessary notifications.
You can also remove unused apps from your phone to spare both storage space and background data usage.
Conclusion
Getting your iPhone ready for traveling abroad is crucial so that you can remain connected without the inconvenience of excessive roaming costs or technical issues. By turning on international roaming, looking into an eSIM, backing up your data, and pre-downloading essential apps, you can have a trouble-free experience of traveling while having your phone always connected. Following these steps will help you prepare your iPhone for maximum use in new places.
