What should you turn off on your phone when abroad?

Tips for Optimizing Your Phone’s Data Usage Abroad

Traveling internationally can be an exciting experience, but it can also be a time of uncertainty for your phone’s data usage. To avoid unexpected charges and ensure seamless connectivity, here are some crucial steps you should take before embarking on your adventure:

1. Disable Cellular Data:

The most effective way to prevent your phone from consuming excessive data while abroad is to switch off cellular data. This will prevent your phone from constantly searching for and connecting to networks, reducing the risk of accumulating roaming charges.

2. Activate Airplane Mode:

If you don’t need to make or receive calls, activate airplane mode. This disables all wireless connections, including cellular data, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. By doing this, you can rest assured that your phone will not access the internet or make any network-related connections.

3. Avoid Automatic App Updates:

Automatic app updates can consume significant amounts of data, especially if you have several apps installed. To prevent this, disable automatic updates in your phone’s settings before traveling abroad. You can manually check for and update apps once you have a stable Wi-Fi connection.

4. Disable Background App Refreshes:

Background app refreshes allow apps to fetch new data and update content in the background, even when you’re not actively using them. This can stealthily consume data without your knowledge. To prevent this, disable background app refreshes in your phone’s settings.

By following these simple steps, you can optimize your phone’s data usage abroad, minimizing unexpected charges and ensuring you have ample data for essential tasks like navigating, communicating, and capturing precious memories.