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Planning is the key to success on any trip abroad. Beyond buying plane tickets, booking hotel rooms, and planning the excursions we want to take, there are many other aspects that are just as important, if not more so, than the above, but to which we don't always give the importance they deserve. One of them is configuring our smartphone so we can use it the moment we land.
Knowing how to prepare a phone for international travel is essential to avoid unnecessary expenses and stay connected with our friends and family. In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know while preparing for your next trip.
Check Your Smartphone's Compatibility
Before flying, the first thing we should make sure is that our smartphone is compatible with the country we're visiting. Hence, you must prepare a phone for overseas trip. If we're traveling in Europe, we won't have any problems. However, when we're visiting any other continent, failing to check this aspect can completely ruin our experience.
Currently, there are two main types of technology we should be familiar with: GSM and CDMA. Most countries use the former, so it's important when purchasing a new smartphone to make sure it's compatible. However, it may also happen that we're visiting a country where CDMA technology predominates. If this is the case, we should make sure we have a smartphone compatible with it.
A few years ago, we also had to check that our smartphone wasn't tied to any carrier and that we could use it with any other. In recent years, however, this has changed, and most cell phones are now unlocked. In any case, checking it is very simple:
- If you purchased the phone with your phone provider's contract, call customer service to find out if there is any type of link.
- If you purchased it from a retailer without any link, you won't need to ask any questions, as it will most likely be unlocked.
In any case, if you have another SIM card on hand, you can always insert it and check if you can make and receive calls. This will mean the phone is unlocked and ready to use with any provider.
Learn about all the connectivity options that exist.
In recent years, technology has advanced enough to offer us different connectivity options when we travel. Four main options stand out:
- International roaming: This is one of the most widespread options; it is an internet service offered by the operators themselves in their plans. Although it is a fairly convenient option since we don't have to do anything to subscribe to it, it is also usually quite expensive and very limited, so it is not the best option if we want to be completely carefree.
- Local SIM cards: Local SIM cards are another very interesting option. They are cheaper than the previous option, but you need to go to a store that sells them and install them in the SIM slot of your device, replacing your current card. Therefore, we lose access to our primary number.
- Pocket Wi-Fi: In Asian countries, Pocket Wi-Fi is a fairly popular option. They have the drawback that they are quite bulky and have limited battery life, so we will have to carry a power bank constantly.
- eSIM: Now we come to one of the most preferred options in terms of phone travel checklist: eSIMs. It is the most modern and flexible option we can find, and it is also very affordable and does not require us to replace our SIM since the eSIM and SIM can coexist simultaneously. We will have internet at any time and, what's more, we will ensure that we are always reachable with our primary number.
One of the most interesting eSIM providers in the world is Blink eSIM, with coverage in more than 190 countries. It is also very easy to activate, and we will have internet on our smartphone from the moment we land.
Back up your data
When traveling, it's essential to back up all your data before leaving home. Currently, there are a number of cloud services that allow us to do this in just a few seconds: Google Drive and iCloud are some of the main ones, but there are many more. This way, if we lose our phone or damage it during one of the different adventures we have planned, we can always recover all the documents and photos.
As a general recommendation, remember to activate a password or PIN lock on the screen to ensure the security of all your data. Also, enable features like Find My Device or Find My iPhone and activate device encryption to protect all the information on it.
Apps you should download before traveling
Once we have completed all the previous steps, the next thing we need to do is download those apps that may be useful before embarking on our trip. These are some of the main ones:
- Google Maps: With this, we will be able to find our way around anywhere in the world very easily. Plus, if we download the maps to our smartphone, we won't need to be connected to a mobile network to find our way around.
- Google Translate: Another very interesting option is Google Translate. This way, we will be able to translate any phrase or word we want to say in just a few seconds. This app will make it much easier for us to communicate with anyone, even if we don't know the local language.
- Wallet: We also recommend that you have your credit and debit cards installed on your smartphone. This way, if you lose your wallet, you'll still have access to your money at any time.
- Banking apps: You may need to resolve any questions or carry out any transactions with your bank accounts, but your bank doesn't have a presence in that country. Download your bank's app to avoid any issues with your transactions.
- VPN: A VPN will help you encrypt all your connection information so you can't be tracked. When we travel, we often connect to public networks that aren't as secure as they should be. With a VPN, we can get extra protection.
- Travel insurance app: If you need to report an accident
All of the above apps will help you have a much more positive experience on your trip and will allow you to successfully navigate any unforeseen events you may encounter.
Buy and configure your eSIM in advance
Next in how to prepare phones for international travel is configuring eSIM in advance. If you want to avoid any connectivity issues during your trip, the best thing you can do is buy an eSIM and configure it before you leave. This way, you can be sure you'll have an internet connection from the second you land.
In the case of Blink eSIM, the entire purchase and activation process is very simple; we summarize it in the following steps:
- Visit Blink eSIM
- Select the country you want to visit. If there are several, select only the first one.
- Once you make the purchase, you will receive a QR code via email. Scan it with your device to install the SIM card.
- The activation process is very simple, as it is done through WhatsApp using an automated system that only takes a couple of minutes.
From that moment on, you won't have to worry about any charges in your home country, as the eSIM is specifically configured to incur no charges in your country and is activated from the second you land.
Also, remember that any issues or questions you may have can be resolved through the Blink eSIM team of specialists on WhatsApp. No matter the day or time, you'll find the answer you need at any time.
Deactivate roaming and adjust the settings
So far, we've explained how to activate the eSIM. However, you should also turn off roaming from your smartphone's settings. Otherwise, you could incur extra charges when you don't need an internet connection via roaming.
To deactivate it, go to your smartphone's settings menu and make sure roaming is disabled. From that same menu, you can configure which line you want your smartphone to use for data roaming: you can select the primary SIM or your eSIM. During your trip, you'll need to ensure that the data is stored on the eSIM, not the SIM.
If for any reason you don't want to use data, you can always activate airplane mode and turn on Wi-Fi so that the entire connection is made through wireless networks.
As we've seen, there are many technologies available for internet access when traveling abroad . Among them, the eSIM has become the primary technology we can rely on to ensure coverage for all our connectivity needs.
Remember to download the apps we mentioned, back up your device, and download and activate your eSIM so you'll have internet access from the moment you arrive at your destination. Check out Blink eSIM's flat rate plan to choose your next trip!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use my phone in another country without changing the SIM card?
Yes, modern devices allow you to work simultaneously with an eSIM and a physical SIM. So you can use both SIMs at any time.
What is better for traveling, an eSIM or a physical SIM card?
When traveling, an eSIM is the most convenient option. Even more so considering that with Blink eSIM, you can sign up for worldwide travel plans for €3 + VAT.
How can I avoid roaming charges when traveling?
It's important to select an eSIM as your data source and disable roaming on your smartphone. This way, you'll avoid roaming charges when visiting other hotspot countries.
