International Calling: How to Optimize Your Phone While Traveling

International calling can be a challenge, but there are plenty of ways to make international calls for free and roam with your phone without incurring damaging charges. With pent up demand for travel after years of restrictions, international travel plans are gaining popularity and so are the needs for international calling and international data downloading. As a quarter of Americans with travel plans plan to travel internationally in the coming months, here are six tips to make international calling and international roaming easy on the wallet and patience.

International Calling:

Check Your Plan:

Before leaving on an international trip, determine how much you plan to use your phone and prepare for any unexpected usage. Then, check with your carrier about international calling plan options for our destination and to ensure your phone is compatible with global travel. In addition to offering plans that include calls, text and data while traveling in Canada and Mexico, many U.S. cell service providers offer affordable international day passes and monthly plans to meet a variety of travel needs.

Get a Messaging App:

If you want to stay in contact with friends and family at home, have everyone download an app such as Skype or What’s App so you can send messages or video chat in a variety of countries. These apps aren’t tied to your phone number and allow you to connect securely and make international calls using Wi-Fi if you don’t want to use your mobile plan.

Download Maps:

If you are planning to walk, bike or drive to unfamiliar locations and are unsure of your connectivity, you can download maps on to your Apple or Android device and access them offline using Google Maps. After you download an area, use the Google Maps app just like you normally would, and the offline map will guide you to your destination as long as the entire route is within the offline map.

Speak Their Language:

Going to an area where residents don’t speak your native language? Google Translate helps you communicate in hundreds of languages by typing or speaking words or phrases into the app. Similar to Google Maps, you can also download languages you need for offline use.

Avoid Unintended Usage:

One way to avoid unintended app usage and potential international calling and data charges is to turn off data roaming in your phone’s settings. It’s also a good idea to disable any apps that run in the background, turn off notifications and limit automatic app updates.

Stay in “Airplane Mode:”

According to a Booking.com survey, 53% of people say phone and internet connection at their destination is essential, but you may want to relax without interruption. An easy way to ensure you aren’t bothered – but still have it for emergencies – is to keep your phone on Airplane Mode upon arrival.