How To Prepare Your Phone For International Travel

Before wheels up, here’s how to prepare your phone for travel abroad.

You got your airline ticket, you booked your hotel and you’ve even added travel insurance to take care of anything out of the ordinary.

But have you figured out your cell phone situation?

Save Emergency Numbers in Your Phone

In the United States, 9-1-1 is the obvious go-to for emergencies. But these emergency numbers will vary outside the U.S. based on your destination country or region. Take a look at the Department of State’s list of emergency numbers from around the world, and consider saving the necessary numbers to your contacts.

It’s also not a bad idea to add the nearest U.S. Embassy’s emergency line as well as the number of your travel insurance, just in case.

If a situation ever occurs that requires official assistance – like an evacuation or a lost passport – you’ll have these important numbers at your fingertips.

Prepare Apps and Downloads before Departure

Download apps like WhatsApp as well as any movies/TV shows on your Wi-Fi at home in order to avoid draining your battery and hiking up your data plan while on the go.

Pro Tip: You could even grab an app for language translation, as well as downloadable maps and destination guides. Check out the websites of the cities you’ll be visiting to find the top local public transportation apps.

You won’t always have access to Wi-Fi, so it’s a good idea to have all of your music, audiobooks, and other entertainment set up before you leave.

Power Banks, Adapters and Cables

Keeping a portable phone charger, adapter, and necessary cables in your carry-on luggage in case of a delay, lost luggage or cancellation can be clutch. There are all kinds of power sources and nifty options for power banks these days, including solar charging. Shop around to find the best fit for your travel needs.

Set Up Cloud Services

To avoid losing your data if you ever lose your phone, be sure to back up your mobile device to a cloud service. That way all of your photos and videos, app settings, or new contacts will be saved. Some cloud-based options include iCloud, Google Drive and Google Photos, and Dropbox.

Just make sure you adjust the backup settings according to the access you’ll have to Wi-Fi while traveling.

Take Photos of Important Documents

Along the same lines - it can be a life-saver to have an extra copy of important documents like your passport and driver’s license. Take a photo to keep on your phone, add a copy to your cloud service, or print out a physical copy. That way you’ll have reserves in case anything gets lost or stolen.

Turn Off Automatic Modes

Unless you set your phone to manual, your phone will continually roam to find data. So it’s a wise move to turn off automatic updates for all apps and email so you don’t burn through data.

When you get to a location that has free Wi-Fi, go ahead and manually update. Always check to see if the Wi-Fi is truly free, or if there’s a fee involved.

Also, make sure your smartphone is unlocked so it can be used on other cellular networks as you travel abroad.

Have a Plan for Data

Of course, you have to figure out a data plan for your upcoming international travel.

While some companies offer unlimited data overseas, others only allow for a certain amount of data. Beware of going over your data plan abroad – your bill will not be pretty – especially if you activate multiple phones.

The good news is you have options: You can upgrade to an international plan, spring for unlimited data, invest in a native SIM card, and even pick up a portable Wi-Fi device for backup.

Please note: If you rent a SIM card native to the country you’re visiting, it will give your phone a new number, so be sure to tell friends and family to contact you via email or a chat app if this is the case.

Check with your service provider regarding international policies and services, confirm your phone will work in your chosen country, what your current contract allows, and cost options for roaming functionality. When you get home, be sure to cancel any add-on plans you may have activated for your trip.

With a little prep, you can efficiently stay connected while traveling abroad.

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