10 ways to beat rip-off roaming charges abroad

When travelling abroad, the last thing you want is to be hit with hefty roaming charges. Wondering how to avoid data roaming charges abroad? With a bit of pre-planning and smart strategies, it’s easier than you think. In this article, we’ll explore how to limit roaming charges overseas. From tips on how to reduce your data usage to the benefits of a prepaid eSIM, read on to find out more.

One of the most effective ways to avoid data roaming charges abroad is by switching to an eSIM. An eSIM lets you connect to a local network without changing your physical SIM card.  This ensures you enjoy local rates and save big on roaming fees. Buy your eSIM here.  Firstly make sure you have a compatible phone, a full up to date list of all eSIM compatible phones here.

To be completely sure, you can disable data roaming on your mobile phone entirely. This setting prevents your smartphone from browsing the internet on a foreign network. It ensures you only use data on Wi-Fi and avoid high data roaming charges.

iPhones:
Go to Settings > Mobile Service > [select main SIM] > Data Roaming

Android:
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Data Roaming

Samsung:
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Data Roaming (Jim to fact check)

Before your trip, download maps, translation apps, and entertainment content for offline use. This way, you don’t need to rely on mobile data to access vital information or entertainment on your travels.

Google Maps, available on iOS and Android, allows you to store maps for offline use. Since data isn’t required for the GPS function on a smartphone, you can navigate around the place you’re visiting without paying roaming charges, as long as you have downloaded the offline maps.

Prevent your operating system and apps from consuming data in the background by disabling automatic updates. Set your smartphone to update only when connected to Wi-Fi to reduce data usage.

Turn-off App updates. Some mobile applications use mobile data in the background while closed. For example, your social media platform could be running in the background to detect new notifications. Background activity is important but can consume significant data. You can turn it off while abroad to cut down roaming charges.

iPhone:
Go to Settings > Mobile Service. You’ll see the list of all your apps and can toggle the button on and off. Any app you switch off can’t access mobile data until you purposely switch it back on.

Android:
Go to Settings > Network and Internet > SIMs > tap an active SIM > App data usage. You’ll see your application list and can toggle background data off or on for each one.

Samsung:
Go to Settings > Network and Internet > SIMs > tap an active SIM > App data usage. You’ll see your application list and can toggle background data off or on for each one.

Turn-off operating system updates
You can also switch off automatic system updates for the duration of your trip. It may seem trivial, but the data your smartphone uses for automatic updates can be steep while roaming. Turning off automatic downloads cuts down your bill.

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Make the most of Wi-Fi hotspots available at hotels, cafes, and public areas. Connecting to Wi-Fi networks reduces your reliance on mobile data. This, in turn, helps you avoid data roaming charges abroad.

But be careful of the security risks of using public WiFi or a hotspot.

On both Apple and Android devices, you have the option to enable data-saving modes. This effectively reduces your data consumption. Enabling these modes will alter your app experience when Wi-Fi is unavailable. For instance, certain features like backups and automatic downloads will be temporarily halted.

iPhone:
Go to Settings > Mobile Service > [select SIM] > Data Mode > select ‘Low Data Mode’.

Android:
Go to Settings > Network and Internet > Data Saver > select ‘Use Data Saver’

Samsung:
Go to Settings > Connections > Data Saver > toggle to ‘Use Data Saver’ Jim to fact check.

Apps like WhatsApp and Facetime allow you make calls without receiving voice roaming charges. This is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family if you are connected to WiFi or have switched your data roaming to an eSIM.

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Before you activate a roaming service, always confirm the rates you expect to pay from your mobile network provider. Also, confirm the coverage because your network provider won’t support roaming in every country.

You can visit your mobile network provider’s website to confirm their roaming charges. If you don’t find the information, call the customer service line and ask about the roaming charges. A customer service representative should be able to explain all you need to know about roaming.

Checking the rates beforehand is the first step to reducing your roaming charges. After all, you’ll only figure out how to reduce the bill if you get a good hint beforehand. Heading to another country without checking ahead could result in Bill Shock!

At sea, your device may unknowingly link to a ‘maritime’ network or a neighbouring country’s network. This can result in higher charges. To avoid this, consider using onboard free Wi-Fi or limiting your phone usage if you’re unsure about the network your device connects to.