There is a common issue that many travelers face, which is not understanding how to prepare their phones for international travel. It all begins with asking the question: Can I use my existing phone overseas – what are the things that would work, and what wouldn’t? 

If you are ill-prepared, it’s not fun when you realize upon reaching your destination that certain apps and services do not work as expected. 

Whether you are on a brief vacation or a work trip, the shock of unpreparedness can be both inconvenient and stressful. A lack of preparedness can lead to a ruined trip.

From the pitfalls of international roaming to the nuances of app functionalities abroad, let’s better understand our phones. We shall look at the common pitfalls to avoid and apps/services you would need abroad, so as to keep your phone working seamlessly with minimal disruption.

Using Your Existing Phone Overseas

First, let’s assume you did absolutely no prep work before traveling overseas. What happens if you continue using your phone in your destination country?

International Roaming: A Convenient But Costly Option

International roaming is the most straightforward way to use your phone abroad. It allows you to use your existing SIM card and phone number while accessing local networks in the destination country. All you need to do? Simply turn on data roaming in your phone settings and continue using mobile data for internet access. 

Before you do this, know that international roaming charges can quickly add up. It’s essential to be aware of data, call, and text rates while you’re overseas. While you can receive messages and calls in most cases, sending texts and calls will likely be very, very costly. Hence, this option is generally a bad idea.

To solve the problem of sending messages and calls affordably, you can send them via Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) services like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Telegram, by getting internet via one of three other methods: buying an international data plan, connecting to public WiFi networks, or using local SIM cards.

Internet options

International Data Plan

Instead of using data roaming, you should check out the international roaming options and rates provided by your mobile carrier before traveling, and purchase a suitable international data plan. Most carriers offer specific international plans that may provide more reasonable rates than standard roaming charges.

Yet, for extended stays or frequent international travel, alternative options may be more cost-effective.

Wi-Fi: Staying Connected on a Budget

A more cost-effective approach is to connect to WiFi networks. There’s no difference between how you connect to WiFi in your home country and networks overseas at hotels, cafes, and airports. 

Yet, there are two things you should be aware of. 

First is that relying on WiFi is rather impractical for constant connectivity. If you work digitally and free WiFi is your only option, you are bound to be frustrated (unless you stick to one or two trusted, reliable cafes). Only do this if you don’t need constant access to mobile data, and are willing to tolerate times of poor or no connectivity.

Second, you need a VPN. While your phone can work overseas with WiFi, you do not want to risk connecting to unprotected networks. Frequently connecting to unencrypted networks without a password places your data at risk. If you occasionally access sensitive or banking information while overseas (which you likely do), having a VPN set up and ready to go would put you at ease.

Local SIM Cards

One of the most economical and flexible options for using your phone abroad is to get a local SIM card.

When you arrive at your destination, purchase a SIM card from a local mobile carrier. This allows you to use a local number and access data, calls, and texts at local rates, often much cheaper than international roaming.

However, before leaving for your trip, ensure that your phone is unlocked. Some carriers lock phones to their network, preventing the use of other SIM cards. If your phone is unlocked, you can simply replace your existing SIM card with the local one. If not, contact your carrier to request an unlock before you travel.

What Should Work Abroad

Once you tackle internet access, the next step is looking at how critical apps and services can continue working on your phone in a foreign country.

Several features of your smartphone should work seamlessly abroad:

• Automatic Time Zone and Date Settings: Your phone should automatically adjust to the local time zone and date.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 2FA services typically work internationally, be it SMS-Based, mobile app-based, or using a hardware security key.
• Location Services: GPS and location-based apps function as usual, aiding navigation and location-based services.
• Software and App Updates: Your phone can still receive updates, ensuring you have the latest security patches and app features. However, ensure that automatic software and app updates are disabled on mobile data, so they only occur via WiFi and do not eat up all your data.

This article was originally published on unboundist.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.

Using Your Phone Internationally: Potential Issues

Even if you solve the connectivity puzzle, certain apps and services may still encounter issues. How well your phone works, and the apps you are able to access, depend on your destination – the country/city/region you are traveling to.

VoIP Services

In certain countries or regions, Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) services like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Telegram may either be blocked completely or have certain features blocked. 

For instance, in certain Middle East countries with Internet censoroship, voice and video calls tend to be blocked in such apps (while texts are usually allowed).

These countries may do it for a number of reasons:

• Internet censorship is a huge reason. 
• Another somewhat related reason is to maintain control over communication channels and protect the interests of local carriers. VoIP services like WhatsApp might be viewed as a threat to local carriers in these countries, and are thus restricted. 

VoIP services also heavily rely on internet connectivity. In regions with poor internet infrastructure, call quality may suffer, making communication challenging.

Hence, it’s key to do your research before visiting a new destination, even if it’s just for 1 or 2 days. In some cases, using a VPN will bypass such geo-restrictions and enable you to utilize your preferred VoIP service as per usual.

Streaming Services

Video and music streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, or local streaming platforms may have region-specific content libraries or licensing agreements. 

This affects the availability of various shows, movies, or songs when accessed from abroad. Some content may not be available, or you may only have access to a subset of your usual library.

E-Hailing or Ride-Sharing Apps

Local ride-sharing apps or apps like Uber may have limited availability or different features in certain countries. Some regions may have alternative or local ride-sharing services.

Do your research before visiting a new destination. For instance, in Southeast Asia, Grab is prevalent and widely used for getting around a city.

There are also e-hailing apps that you’ll never need until you visit that specific country. These apps may be specific to an individual country, like Bolt in Thailand or Be in Vietnam. Download them anyway, as they can be valuable in providing alternatives and saving you time or money when getting a ride.

Banking Apps

Some banking and financial apps may have security features or restrictions that prevent full functionality when used from a different country. 

Banking apps may have security measures that restrict access from foreign locations. For instance, when a user attempts to access their account from a different country, it may trigger security alerts, as this activity could be indicative of a compromised account. Banks may restrict certain functions to prevent unauthorized transactions.

If you foresee any disruptions, you should notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid potential issues with accessing your accounts.

Social Media Platforms

While most social media platforms work globally, some countries restrict or monitor social media usage. 

Similar to internet censorship, authorities in certain countries may engage in content censorship and control. Certain countries might block or limit access to services that they believe could facilitate the spread of undesirable content or opinions. 

China’s Great Firewall is a well-known example – the Great Firewall restricts access to popular global social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Voice Assistants (AI Speech Recognition Apps)

Depending on the language settings and regional availability, voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa may have limited functionality or language support in different countries.

For example, Indonesian is not currently supported by Siri at the time of this writing. 

Further, voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant rely on internet connectivity for optimal performance. In areas with poor connectivity, their functionality may be limited.

Contactless Payments

While contactless payments are becoming more widespread, acceptance can vary internationally. It also varies within a country and within parts of a large city. Do not assume that any given coffee shop or cafe will accept Apple or Google Pay.

It’s good to be flexible with your payment methods. When in doubt, always carry local cash.

Be prepared with alternative payment options and ensure your payment methods are compatible with local systems.

Local Services Apps

We’re talking about all sorts of everyday services here.

Local apps offering services such as food delivery, transportation, or language translation would have varying availability and features, depending on the country you are in. 

For instance, some countries may have a ton of delivery apps that you may not hear about till you arrive. Others may have NO local bus/train apps so your best bet for getting around would be e-hailing or renting a car.

It’s practical to research local apps and alternatives in advance.

Summary

All in all, using your phone abroad requires careful consideration of connectivity options and potential issues with specific apps and services. By understanding these challenges and planning ahead, you can make the most of your smartphone while exploring new destinations.