How to Use Your Phone Internationally Without Charges

In a world where we’re often attached to our phones from the moment we roll out of bed until we go to sleep at night, it can be tempting to use international travel as an excuse for a total digital detox. But the reality is our phones are what keep us connected to everything, and while ditching the phone might sound luxe in theory, phones can actually make travel abroad a whole lot easier.

The only problem? International roaming fees.

Roaming is what allows us to call, text, and access data while traveling outside of our normal phone provider’s coverage area—it keeps us connected, but it’s an expensive option that can be avoided. Wondering how to use your phone internationally without charges? GoAbroad is here to break it down for you so you can stay connected without breaking the bank.

How much does data roaming cost?

You can use data roaming while you’re traveling, but opting for other methods of staying connected will help you save.

International roaming is quite simple in the way it works. Your phone is attached to a service plan from your mobile provider (like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) that costs you a monthly fee. When you’re outside of your coverage area, your phone has the ability to connect to a local network instead.

This way, you can still access data and use your phone as usual—to text, make calls, and access the internet without Wi-Fi. However, most carriers have roaming agreements that mean you’ll pay an extra fee to use it.

So how much does data roaming cost? Well, that depends on your phone provider and your mobile plan, as well as your provider’s agreement with foreign providers, which is often influenced by currency conversion and international tariffs.

To put it simply, data roaming charges can vary, but most will have you paying a premium rate that can skyrocket into the hundreds and thousands quickly.

Can I use my phone overseas without roaming?

If you’re curious about how to avoid roaming charges, one of the easiest options out there is to simply turn off international roaming. While turning off roaming means you won’t be able to call, text, or connect to the internet anytime you want, you can still use your phone overseas without roaming when connected to Wi-Fi. You’ll just be limited to using apps only.

Can you get roaming charges in airplane mode?

A part of learning how to avoid international phone charges is exploring the best phone settings for international travel to avoid data usage. Airplane mode is one of the safest settings you can choose to avoid roaming charges.

You can set your phone to airplane mode before arriving at your destination and keep it there while traveling abroad so that your phone doesn’t use data. You’ll just have to manually connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth if you’d like to use these options while abroad.

Should I turn mobile data off when abroad?

In addition to using airplane mode, you can also turn off international roaming and mobile data before you go. With this option, you can still use Wi-Fi, as well as some offline navigation apps, like Google Maps, CityMaps2Go, Maps.Me, and HERE WeGo.

Can I use my phone overseas with Wi-Fi?

It’s easy to find Wi-Fi just about anywhere you travel these days.

The good news about international travel is that Wi-Fi is readily available in most locations. Most hotels, accommodations, restaurants, and other public places have free Wi-Fi you can connect to, which allows you to still use your phone while abroad.

While Wi-Fi won’t allow you to send texts or make phone calls, you can still use messaging apps, like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, as well as video calls through FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or even other social media apps.

Best phone settings for international travel

If you want to save yourself the stress, it’s essential to learn how to avoid international phone charges before embarking on your trip abroad. Some international travel phone settings help by switching off things in the background, allowing you to save data while abroad. Take note of some of the best phone settings for international travel to save you data and money.

iPhone settings for international travel

• Turn off international roaming: Settings → General → Cellular → Data Roaming → Toggle Off
• Turn off apps that aren’t in use: Settings → General → Cellular → Scroll down and Toggle Off the apps you don’t need to use
• Turn off automatic downloads and updates: Settings → ‘Your Name’ → iTunes and App Store → Use Cellular Data → Toggle Off
• Turn off calendar, mail, and contact updates: Settings → Mail, Contacts, Calendar → Toggle Off
• Reset data tracking to see what you use while traveling: Settings → Cellular → Scroll down to the bottom and tap Reset Statistics

Android phone settings for international travel

• Turn off international roaming: Settings → Mobile Networks → Data Roaming → Toggle Off
• Turn off apps that aren’t in use: Settings → Data Usage → App Data Usage → Tap the app you want to turn off → Toggle Off
• Turn off automatic downloads and updates: Google Play → Hamburger Icon (Top-Left) → Settings → Auto-Update Apps → Do Not Auto-Update Apps
• Reset data tracking to see what you use while traveling: Settings → Wireless and Networks → Data Usage → Billing Cycle → Reset

How to set up your phone for international travel

Set your phone up before you travel internationally so you can stay connected while you're on the go.

If you want to learn how to avoid international phone charges, it’s important to explore the various options out there. First step—call your phone provider and ask about international plans.

Most providers will offer options and advice for how to use your phone internationally without charges that are astronomically expensive. For example, some may offer a daily add-on that gives you a limited amount of data to use each day while abroad, and typically averages about $15 USD per day.

Get an eSIM or be prepared to purchase a local SIM at the airport

Another excellent option if you don’t want to stick to airplane mode and limited Wi-Fi is purchasing an eSIM like Jetpac or Nomad, or local SIM card. Another great option is World eSIM, which offers 20% off on any plan that best suits your travel needs. For this option, you’ll need to check with your provider that your phone is unlocked and able to work with another SIM card (most are these days).

If it is, you can purchase a cheap SIM card before you go or even at the airport on arrival for access to a local phone number, data, calls, and texts at domestic rates. If you’re going for the eSIM option, it works the same as a normal SIM, but it’s connected digitally to your phone so you don’t have to keep track of multiple SIM cards.

How to avoid international phone charges

GoAbroad’s top tip on how to avoid international phone charges is just to not use data if possible. Turn off roaming, pop your phone on airplane mode, and connect to Wi-Fi instead. And if you’re the type of traveler who likes to stay connected at all times, make sure you chat to your phone provider about a daily roaming plan, or purchase an eSIM or local SIM to keep your phone charges at a minimum.

READ NEXT: A Guide to Cell Phone Plans for Traveling Abroad

Get familiar with your settings app and airplane mode before you go abroad!

Knowing how to use your phone internationally without charges can take the stress out of traveling!

A total digital detox isn’t always necessary when traveling abroad. After all, our phones keep us connected in more ways than we realize—they can be handy in helping us navigate new cities and public transportation, act as translators in our back pocket, and keep us in touch with family and friends at home as well as new friends we meet along the way.

You don’t have to ditch the phone altogether, you just have to be smart about how you use it. Get familiar with your phone settings to avoid expensive fees, and make airplane mode and Wi-Fi your new best friends. Staying connected while traveling abroad can be as simple as that.

Explore International Data Plans & SIM Cards