Can I limit how much data my phone uses abroad?

IOS and Android devices include settings to limit how much data apps can use in the background. This prevents apps quietly hoovering up data while you’re not using your phone. How to turn on Low Data Mode on IOS Turn on Data Saver on Android Depending on your device, you may notice that apps don’t refresh in the background, streaming video quality could be lower, or images only download on messaging apps when you tap to open them. But wait! Data saver alone won’t save your bacon (pardon the pun).

What are the best apps for getting around?

Obviously, Google Maps and Apple Maps are easy choices, but we recommend looking at other options as well, particularly if you want to keep data usage low: CityMapper: we love this app for navigating around cities on foot, by public transport or with ride-sharing services. Clear, clean interface and excellent instructions on public transport. Get it for iOS or Android. HereWeGo: European alternative to Google Maps, with all the functionality and fewer ads cluttering up your screen. It’s also easy to download maps in advance, saving your data while you’re abroad. Available on Android and iOS. GPS My City gives you access to thousands of walking tours in cities around the world. Great for seeing the sights, or check out tours to introduce you to hidden gems or themed aspects of a city (best boulangeries in Paris, anyone?) What3Words makes it easy to share precise location details: great if you’re arranging to meet friends. The mobile apps are also perfect for groups to set meeting points. Lastly, Flush is what you need if you’re caught short far from home. iOS users can find nearby public toilets, with information about accessibility, price or whether you need a key.

Is it safe to use my phone abroad?

Sadly, tourists have always been targets for thieves, pickpockets and scammers, and mobile phones are particularly attractive. Our advice: Keep your phone out of sight unless you need to use it. Put your phone in an inside pocket of a bag and make sure the zips are properly done up. Don’t walk around with your phone in your hand – thieves love to target victims who are distracted by hilarious videos on TikTok Leaving your phone in the back pocket of your jeans is an invitation to pickpockets Be particularly aware of your surroundings in busy or crowded areas. Keep phones out of sight in busy metro stations, for example, where you may have less personal space than in other areas. Don’t let your phone distract you when navigating around busy cities, especially when crossing roads. In some countries, cyclists are very intolerant of pedestrians who blindly wander into cycle lanes because they’re staring at Google Maps.

Mobile phones abroad | Blue Stamp Travel

Mobile phones

To many people, travelling without a mobile phone nowadays is almost unimaginable. Our mobile devices have freed us from the faff of carrying paper airline tickets and boarding passes, tedious trips to bureaux de change to exchange travellers’ cheques for cash, and mapping apps allow us to find our way around foreign cities with ease. However, there are some precautions you should take before you travel to avoid expensive pitfalls. In this article, we share our advice on using your phone in the EU, how to avoid extra charges while roaming, which apps you should install before heading away, and what to do if you lose your phone abroad.

Can I use my mobile phone abroad?

Check your plan. Some plans include free roaming, while others may charge for it. You may also need to change your phone settings to allow roaming abroad.

Since Brexit, travellers from the UK can no longer expect free roaming in the EU. Many plans include some free data – but less than is included in the UK. Check your plan carefully so you know exactly how much data you can use for free abroad. Data charges can get very expensive very quickly, so make sure you know your limits before you travel.

It depends on your plan. If your UK mobile plan doesn’t include any free data abroad, you might find an eSIM is a more cost-effective way of using data outside the UK.

How can I avoid roaming charges while abroad?

IOS and Android devices include settings to limit how much data apps can use in the background. This prevents apps quietly hoovering up data while you’re not using your phone.

How to turn on Low Data Mode on IOS
Turn on Data Saver on Android

Depending on your device, you may notice that apps don’t refresh in the background, streaming video quality could be lower, or images only download on messaging apps when you tap to open them.

But wait! Data saver alone won’t save your bacon (pardon the pun).

Android devices allow you to set warnings when you have used a certain amount of data each month. We recommend checking the free data on your roaming plan and setting warnings at appropriate points. For example, if your plan includes 2GB of roaming data, set a warning at 0.5GB, 1GB and 1.5GB.

iOS does not include a built-in function to warn you about data use. We recommend setting the phone to Low Data Mode.

Uninstall data-hungry apps before you travel. Social media apps – particularly video-heavy services such as TikTok, SnapChat and Instagram – can chew through data at an alarming rate. Given how addictive these apps can be, the best approach might be to uninstall them while you’re travelling abroad.

Instead of streaming, why not download some playlists before you travel, or pick an audiobook to keep you entertained while you’re waiting at the airport?

Having a bit of a digital detox comes with the added benefit of freeing up headspace to really enjoy being in a new country.

Using WiFi for data-intensive tasks takes the strain off limited mobile data. However, you should be very careful when connecting to public WiFi networks – the last thing you want when you’re far from home is having to deal with credit card fraud because someone hacked your device when you used free WiFi in a cafe.

We recommend the Lloyds Academy course on using public WiFi safely. It contains a lot of helpful advice for identifying and managing risks.

Most hosts in homestay accommodation will let you connect to their WiFi. However, please be respectful and considerate. Don’t access inappropriate content, and think of others when using data – do you really need three different UHD 4k streams going all at once on three different devices?

What are the best apps for travel?

Obviously, Google Maps and Apple Maps are easy choices, but we recommend looking at other options as well, particularly if you want to keep data usage low:

CityMapper: we love this app for navigating around cities on foot, by public transport or with ride-sharing services. Clear, clean interface and excellent instructions on public transport. Get it for iOS or Android.
HereWeGo: European alternative to Google Maps, with all the functionality and fewer ads cluttering up your screen. It’s also easy to download maps in advance, saving your data while you’re abroad. Available on Android and iOS.
GPS My City gives you access to thousands of walking tours in cities around the world. Great for seeing the sights, or check out tours to introduce you to hidden gems or themed aspects of a city (best boulangeries in Paris, anyone?)
What3Words makes it easy to share precise location details: great if you’re arranging to meet friends. The mobile apps are also perfect for groups to set meeting points.
Lastly, Flush is what you need if you’re caught short far from home. iOS users can find nearby public toilets, with information about accessibility, price or whether you need a key.

Even the most confident traveller can sometimes find themselves flummoxed by a particularly arcane term or unfamiliar expression. For those moments, a translation app can be very helpful. Our favourite translation app is DeepL, which is much more reliable and robust than Google’s offering. Available for mobile operating systems with functions such as text to speech, alternative translations, and translations of photos you snap with your phone.

Emergencies abroad

Dial 112 to summon the emergency services. This number works even in countries which also use other numbers for the police, paramedics or the fire brigade.

Before you travel, check how to lock your phone if you lose it. The Google Find Hub contains a lot of useful advice for Android users. For iOS users, go to Find Devices on iCloud to make sure you can access your account while abroad in case the worst happens.

We also strongly advise getting a police report if you lose your device. If your mobile is covered by travel insurance, you may be required to submit a police incident reference to make a claim.

Lastly, keep paper copies of essential documents such as your boarding passes and train tickets.

Sadly, tourists have always been targets for thieves, pickpockets and scammers, and mobile phones are particularly attractive. Our advice:

Keep your phone out of sight unless you need to use it.
Put your phone in an inside pocket of a bag and make sure the zips are properly done up.
Don’t walk around with your phone in your hand – thieves love to target victims who are distracted by hilarious videos on TikTok
Leaving your phone in the back pocket of your jeans is an invitation to pickpockets
Be particularly aware of your surroundings in busy or crowded areas. Keep phones out of sight in busy metro stations, for example, where you may have less personal space than in other areas.
Don’t let your phone distract you when navigating around busy cities, especially when crossing roads. In some countries, cyclists are very intolerant of pedestrians who blindly wander into cycle lanes because they’re staring at Google Maps.