How to maximize your phone service abroad
Worried about phone service aboard? These tips will help you save money and make sure you have everything you need to maximize your phone service abroad.
The Basics: A few things to note before traveling
The first thing you should check for is if your destination uses different outlets than that of your home country. If it does you will need to purchase an adapter. This simply allows you to use your devices with their outlets. You can get them, like everything else during this pandemic, on Amazon. To be on the safe side I recommend buying one that has multiple adapters.
The next thing you need to ask yourself is: What phone plan am I going to use? Are you using your phone company’s international plan? Or is a local plan/SIM card going to be better for your budget and duration of travel? Many phone companies offer international passes for a day or month.
Before you decide on using a different SIM card, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise you bought a SIM card for no reason because it will be incompatible with your phone service abroad. This happened to me in London 😢.
How to Limit Data and Find Your Device
If you want to stay connected, use social media apps to make calls to avoid calling fees. Not only is it free but if you are on WiFi it won’t cost you data. Another tip to consider, often on excursions agencies will share photos via group chats on WhatsApp. WhatsApp has a setting where photos that are shared in group chats automatically save to your phone’s camera roll. Make sure to change your settings to fit your preference.
Limited data? Turn off cellular data for all or some of your apps in Settings. Even if you have unlimited data your speed will slow down after a certain usage. I explain how do this in the photo above.
Regardless of your phone type there is an app for you to find your phone. In the event that you lose it you want to double check its activated. Make sure Find my iPhone is ON! or if you have an Android you can download the app Find My Device.
Unlocking phone, Wifi & Restarting
There is a waiting period for unlocking your phone. This is something I had to learn the hard way when I had service with AT&T. First, you can only unlock your phone if you’ve paid it off fully. Then there is an approval process after paying any remaining balance of the phone. Make sure you are aware how many days your carrier takes to fully unlock your device.
Use Wifi, like it’s free candy, and have your phone remember the networks. Even if you have unlimited data you should save it for when you really need higher speeds.
If your phone has no bars/service when you land try restarting it completely, not just turning it off and on. Sometimes it needs a full reboot to connect to the current locations cell towers.
Recommended Phone Service Plan
I’ve had the Magenta Plus plan with T-Mobile for almost two years now and its my favorite. Two of the reasons I love it is because there are NO HIDDEN FEES, and you get unlimited data in over 200 destinations. Check out if this plan is right for you.
Happy snapping and calling! – Ex
