How to set up your American iPhone when traveling in Europe to avoid a billing “surprise”
So, you’re planning to use your smartphone during your upcoming trip to Europe. Great. But how can you ensure that you’re not going to accidentally blow through all of your data and come home to a $800 bill from your carrier?
For starters — read through our guide!
Using data? Get a plan.
If you’re an AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile/Sprint iPhone customer and are planning, at any point during your trip, to use a data network to access the web or use emails, you are strongly advised to get some sort of plan (unless you plan to buy a SIM card in Europe for your phone). Otherwise, it will cost you. (AT&T, for example, charges a hefty $2 per MB without a plan. Sure, that sounds like pennies, but it gets ugly quickly!)
Click through to read more about international data and phone plans for AT&T customers and for Verizon customers.
Sprint customers should first call the carrier to activate your phones for international roaming (and to make sure that your specific device will even work in the countries you’re visiting). You could then sign up for Sprint’s underwhelming international options, including their “Global Roaming” package that lowers per-minute charges for phone calls to $0.25 per minute. Data packages run $5 to $10 per day or $25 to $50 per week, depending on your destination. Note that Sprint is now part of T-Mobile as of 2020, but still currently offers its own plans and rates.
T-Mobile customers who have signed up for one of the carrier’s “Magenta” plans are in much better shape, as the carrier offers free text messaging and data use throughout Europe and phone calls for $.25 per minute. Note that T-Mobile does not have individual plans for international use. Instead, its usual “Magenta” or “Magenta Max” plans are suitable for using abroad for data, texts, and calls and are already set for international roaming.
If you are a T-Mobile customer with a Magenta plan, congrats. You don’t really need to follow the rest of this article or change the way that your phone is set up. Just know that those phone calls will be billed at an additional $0.25 per minute.
How much data do you need?
Let’s imagine that you’ve signed up a plan that comes with 1 GB of data, unlimited texting, and phone calls at $0.35 per minute. What exactly does 1 GB represent?
As I mention in this post, here are some data use estimates:
• Sending or receiving an email (without attachment): Approx. 20 KB per email; (with attachment) Approx. 300 KB per email
• Loading 1 webpage: 1 MB per page
• Streaming music: 500 KB / minute (30 MB / hour)
• Streaming video (standard quality): 2 MB / minute
I’m going to assume that we’re all steering clear of streaming music and video while traveling (when not connected to Wi-Fi), and that your data use primarily consists of checking emails, using Google Maps and pulling up an occasional web page.
If you just stick to emails (and don’t open any large attachments), you could download or send thousands of normal-sized emails with the 1 GB plan! That’s, um, quite enough for me (especially while on vacation!).
But hey, everyone’s data needs are different. Check out AT&Ts handy data calculator to estimate how much data you require. This is especially handy if you plan to browse the web or (heaven forbid!) fire up your apps.
How to set up your iPhone for international travel
Okay, you’re ready to configure your phone. The following is how I set up my iPhone 5. Note that new phone models may have different locations for some of the settings listed below. A bit of detective work may be required to find them.
Also, please note: Buying a European SIM card for your phone or an unlocked phone you purchase for travel is a relatively simple and cheaper alternative to all of this. Be sure to read our guide to this option, as well.
1. Turn off data roaming.
First things first. Turn off your data roaming to stop your phone from hooking up with a data network while traveling.
Chances are your carrier doesn’t operate cell towers in the country you’re visiting. Thus, if you need to access a data network, your phone will need to roam around and find a network with which it can work. By turning this off, you’re effectively blocking your phone from joining these partner networks.
Note: When you do want to use your data plan and access these data networks, you’ll flip this button back on. But remember, as a default, it’s best to keep this off.
Go to: Settings > Cellular > Data Roaming. Turn off.
(To make it easy, the iPhone even says “Turn data roaming off when traveling to avoid charges when web browsing and using email and other data services.”)
2. Turn off Cellular Data.
When I’m traveling in Europe, I usually turn off my cellular data, as well. Even if I’ve been assured many times by AT&T that I only need to turn off Data Roaming, I still turn off cellular data, just to make sure that my phone is blocked from using data until I want it to use data. (Apple also suggests turning both off when traveling abroad.)
By turning off your cellular data, you effectively block your phone from accessing all data networks, restricting its use to placing calls and sending SMS text messages, although you can use all of your other features (apps, email, Internet, iMessage) when you connect it to a Wi-Fi network.
Note that if you flip the order of #1 and #2 here, turning off your cellular data first, your data roaming will also turn off. You can’t roam for data if you’ve already turned off your phone’s access to data.
As with data roaming, if you want to use your data package, you’ll need to turn cellular data back on, then turn on data roaming.
Go to: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. Turn off. (Note that “Enable LTE” will also disappear as soon as you turn off Cellular Data.)
3. Cut off your apps’ cellular data connection.
Your apps can’t work without a data connection or a Wi-Fi network. Even so, you should go in through your cellular settings and manually turn your apps off to prevent them from hogging your data plan.
But wait, if you’re planning to already turn off your cellular data (by following the two previous steps), isn’t this a bit redundant? Not necessarily.
Don’t forget that many of us allow our apps to send us push notifications and to run on their own in the background. If you keep all of them activated, the moment that you turn on your data roaming in Paris to check your emails, they could kick into gear, tearing through your data allotment.
To prevent this, take a moment to scroll through your list of apps and turn off their data connection, one by one. (Note that you’ll need to do this prior to turning off your cellular data, as turning off your cellular data makes these buttons inaccessible.)
Once these apps have had their cellular data access turned off, they will still be usable over a Wi-Fi network. If you wish to use cellular data for these apps (for example, using Google Maps over cellular data, which I do all the time from abroad), simply turn them back on when you need them!
Go to: Settings > Cellular > Use Cellular Data For. Turn off apps, one by one.
4. Reset your statistics and monitor your data usage.
This one is fun and essential. At the very bottom of the “Cellular” page is a simple little link that states, “Reset Statistics”. Once you’ve arrived abroad, click this link and start tracking your international data usage. You’ll see your total data usage and your telephone usage at the top of the “Cellular” page (under “Cellular Data Usage”).
Keep track of your usage here and you shouldn’t come home to any unpleasant billing surprises, especially if you’ve purchased the right data package for your trip.
The only hiccup with this, unfortunately, is that the stats aren’t always totally up-to-date. It turns out that AT&T can have delays in reporting international data usage (as international carriers are actually providing you with the network and then, later, reporting it back to AT&T). I’d suggest erring on the side of caution here.
Go to: Settings > Cellular > Reset Statistics. Click it.
5. Turn “Fetch New Data” to “Manual” to stop automatic email downloads.
When I’m traveling, I also turn off my phone’s ability to automatically check and download emails. Even if my data roaming is almost always set to “off” (preventing me from accessing emails), I still don’t like my phone automatically fetching anything the moment I turn the data roaming to “on”.
Go to: Setting > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Fetch New Data. Switch “Push” to “Off” and click “Manually” at the bottom of the screen under “Fetch”.
Once switched to “Manually”, you’ll be able to check and send emails by turning on your data roaming and cellular data, then opening your mail program. Simple.
6. Turn off iMessage.
This one drives me crazy. iMessage has made it quick and easy to send messages to other iMessage users on Apple devices over a Wi-Fi network without being charged for sending a text. That’s great, but iMessage uses a Wi-Fi network to send and receive your messages, so if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, it won’t work. Your message will just sit out there, and not get delivered until you connect to Wi-Fi.
The solution? I choose to send old fashioned text messages (through SMS) when traveling. AT&T’s $30 “Passport” package includes unlimited SMS texting, so these texts don’t cost me anything extra to send.
To force your phone to turn off iMessage, go to: Settings > Messages > iMessage. Turn off
Note that you might still encounter iMessage problems, even with it turned off. Others might send you an iMessage, but it won’t be delivered until you connect to a Wi-Fi network. When I’m traveling and expecting a text from a friend and suspect that iMessage is to blame, I sometimes send them a text to say, “If you’re trying to text me, make sure your iMessage is turned off!”
Call home for pennies (or free) with the Skype iPhone app.
7. Paranoid? Put your phone in airplane mode.
If you’ve followed the steps above, you’ve now turned off your data roaming, cellular data, apps and email from running in the background. What’s still working?
Well, for starters, your phone! You will now still be able to make and receive telephone calls (provided that you’ve called your carrier and have activated your phone for international use). You will also be able to send and receive regular old SMS text messages (if you’ve turned off iMessage).
However, this might still make you uncomfortable. Perhaps you don’t want people to be able to get in touch with you. (Don’t forget that you’ll be charged for incoming calls and for listening to your voicemail.)
If this is you (and it was me for many years, so there’s no shame), you can place your phone in “airplane mode” and simply rely upon Wi-Fi networks to use the web, send emails, and use apps. This is a great solution if you want to place calls through your Skype app, for example, and never want to pay for a call.
Traveling through Europe on airplane mode does offer peace of mind, as it takes away any insecurity that your phone is secretly drinking up your data plan. However, it can also feel quite limiting, as you won’t be able to send and receive text messages in real time (except through iMessage or Facebook Messenger when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network), or place standard phone calls.
If this is for you, go to: Settings > Airplane Mode. Turn on.
If using your phone in Airplane Mode, note that you’ll need to then switch “Wi-Fi” to “On” and choose a Wi-Fi network.
Also in our Guide to using an American iPhone in Europe
Using an American iPhone in Europe… without Going Broke
Tips for Windows, Android and Blackberry Customers
AT&T vs Verizon: A comparison of international plans
Note: This article was updated in October 2021 with extensive new information.
About the author
any words of wisdom for Italy? especially Pisa and Florence….
So, let me define my understanding of using an ATT I Phone 5, while we are going to and cruising for 13 days.: If I turn all the apps, cellular and roaming capabilities off and place my phone in airplane mode, no data or minutes will be charged against my plan. When I do decide to use my phone (for texting only), I simply turn off the airplane mode and connect to an available WI-Fi source. Still no data or minutes will be charged against my plan.
Phillip Simmons – NO! As soon as you turn off your airplane mode, the accumulated messages, texts etc will come – an avalanche!… You need to keep the airplane mode on and just turn WI-FI on, so you can text when on wi-fi
Can I use FaceTime with my iPhone while in Airplane Mode or does that have to be turned off?
Leave the Airplane mode on, but turn on Wi-Fi ONLY
I just came back from Europe and had my iPhone 6 with me. I had my phone in Airplane Mode over there so Cellular and personal Hotspot were disabled. Since I was visiting family, I was able to use WiFi without any issues, but I still received calls while I was there (in the middle of the night). I didn’t answer any of the calls, but eventually removed the SIM card until I returned back to the US. Why did I get calls while my iPhone was in Airplane Mode? Thanks.
Worth noting that Sprint has updated their International Roaming since the article was written. Data and texting are free and unlimited at 2G speeds. You can buy faster data packages, but if you need to simply check email there is no need. Voice calls are .20 per minute. You just need to make sure you have the international plan activated. You’ll need voice and data roaming turned on and International CDMA off if traveling in Europe.
the best description of how to I came across and I read quite a lot. thank you!!
Good grief, why is this so complicated? I can’t wait for the day where you press “on” and talk/text from anywhere without any issues. Then you’re billed at the end of the month and the price is always the same. Better yet, free!
Traveling to Switzerland Austria Hungary.
Is there a universal plug adapter I can buy to recharge in all countries
Yes, I like this one from Flight 001, a hip travel store with locations in NYC and around the world. You can also buy it online. It works well and easily slips into your luggage. http://www.flight001.com/f1-4-in-1-adapter.html
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Thanks for this article. I was trying to figure out why my iPhone was using so much data while traveling and your straightforward article helped with this. Additionally I would add that I just figured out that their is a separate toggle for iCloud that turns on or off using cell data for Backups. Mine was on! I just turned that off and hope that stops the bleeding. Why they don’t put this under Cellular with all the other apps I don’t know.
icloud back up – automatically back up data such as your accounts, documents, health data, home configuration, and settings when this iphone is plugged in, locked and connected to wifi so it shouldn’t have been using your cellular data
I picked up a manufactured unlocked phone from Yippz. It’s Dual SIM. All I have to do is pick up a sim card in the country I am visiting at the airport or at a store. This way I can make local calls and call home cheaper with the plans they offer.
Hello – We are traveling to England for 2 weeks in September. I currently have an iPhone 5S with AT&T (in America). Here’s what I want to be able to do without getting an outrageous phone bill upon my return:
1. Access the GPS on my phone as a navigation tool while in England (if that’s possible).
2. Send & receive text messages (not iMessage).
3. Take pics
4. Send & receive emails – or is it easier & cheaper to use our hotels’ WiFi?
5. Is the $30 Passport Plan worth it?
Any input would be greatly appreciated as I’m flying blind at this point, thanks!
Thanks for all the advice and information regarding using my iPhone in Europe. If I put my phone in Airplane Mode can I still use my iPhone to take photos while I’m there?
Thanks, Mairead
Hi Mairead,
Yes, you can still take photos with your iPhone in airplane mode. Thanks for reading and happy travels!
Thanks for all the advice and information regarding using my iPhone in Europe.
Can I still use my iPhone to take photos while I’m there?
Thanks, Mairead
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I have AT&T and am getting the 30$ plan to go away for a week. Do those who send messages to me get charged or it goes as a normal text for them?
Hi Brianne,
It should be a normal text for them, so depending on their plan (for example if they have unlimited texting), they should not have to worry about extra charges. You might want to call AT&T just to double check though. Have a great trip!
Best,
Craig
This information is really good! I didn’t have this info when I first went with a cell phone and my bill was over $400 when I got home. Another great thing to know is to make sure your hotel has wifi.
This is really helpful, thank you! There’s one question I haven’t been able to get answered, though. I have an iPhone with AT&T, and am planning on buying the Passport plan for free texts and a little bit of data. However, it looks like I’ll still be charged $1.00 per incoming call on this plan. Is there a way to prevent incoming calls completely (not using minutes/getting charged for roaming) while still being able to send and receive texts? Thanks.
Maggie, I think turning off cellular data will prevent incoming calls but I am not sure. However, I did see something on a Mac forum about unconditionally forwarding all calls to a local (US) number or directly to your voice mail. You could also turn on Airplane Mode and turn on Wifi.
A friend of mine had her voice-mail turned off when she went overseas.
My understanding of ATT’s plan is even if the you don’t answer the phone, and it goes into voice-mail you will have to pay $1.00 per minute for the incoming voicemail, and also $1.00 per minute to retrieve your voice mail! You might try Viber. You have to use it over wifi and the other phone (cell) has to have Viber. Its free. And you can even pay for minutes ahead of time. Not sure about how this part works overseas. Good luck.
http://www.viber.com/en/#windowsphone
What about Android phones? Most people do not use Apple….
Maybe I missed it, but T-Moblie international calls in Europe on an iPhone are free as long as you’re on a WiFi connection. If you’re not on WiFi, then calls are 20 cents/minute.
If you have “Send as SMS” turned on, it will send a text message if iMessage is not available. So, you don’t have to turn off iMessage like you mention in #6.
Thank you for this super helpful email!! You answered all of my questions.
I’m headed to Europe for the next 6 months, but work remotely with a US company. I’ll need to call clients / conference / text (and be accessible to clientele as well) via a US number. Unfortunately, using a typical data plan is too pricey considering the amount of work I’ll be doing on the daily.
Have you used any tech like Google Voice or Talkatone while traveling? Any input on apps that will allow me to have a working US number without using my iPhone data?
Hi Erin,
If you need to be accessible via a US number, I’m not sure how many options you have aside from sticking with your current number and getting a good phone plan. Actually, you might want to look into switching to T-Mobile now, as they have free data and texting for American lines, and charge only 20 cents per minute for calls.
If I were you, I’d use Skype over W-Fi whenever possible, and use it to call clients in the US, into teleconferences, etc. Also, as you’re going to be in Europe for six months, you should absolutely bring along an unlocked phone and buy a European SIM card. This will give you a European phone number and you’ll be able to make and receive calls for far less than even the best phone plan offered by an American carrier.
And no matter what you do, stick to Wi-Fi whenever possible. I hope that helps!
The first thing I do when I go to a new country is buy a budget sim card that allows me to call in and from that country and add minutes as I need them–so much easier than trying to stay on a budget with my carrier.
Excellent point, Barbara. I’m going to write an article for the site about this, too.
Is your mobile phone unlocked, or do you keep an old phone unlocked for traveling purposes?
I have an iPhone 6+ from Verizon. When I went to Panama I bought a new Sim card and a data card for super cheap. Is that an option in Europe? I’d rather do that then mess around with all of the above.
Hi Kristin,
Yes — this is also an option in Europe, and quite popular with travelers who don’t want to deal with these settings or buying a package from their home carrier. However, you’ll have to make sure you unlock your phone before you leave. (However, it sounds like you already have, if you did this in Panama.)
I’ll be adding another article soon to this series about doing just this. Thanks!
Tom
Wow thanks for the fast response, Tom! I’m glad to know that is an option in Europe. I’m planning to spend some time there this winter as I’m applying for Luxembourg citizenship via ancestry. The process requires an in person application, which is totally fine with me! I think all iPhone 6’s come unlocked but I’m not 100% sure. I know they do from Verizon which is super nice!
If you have an IPhone 5 or 6 and Verizon is your US carrier, your phone is already unlocked. All you have to do is go to a service provider (Wind, Orange, etc.) and buy a sim card and install it. When returning home,to the US, I remove the European card, re-install the US card and when I land I can contact anyone waiting for me or vice versa.
Good tip, Jack.
One thing to keep in mind: Your US phone number won’t work once you’ve removed your SIM card. Just make sure to share your new number with your family and friends!
Of course if you are a customer of T-mobile and have one of their data plans you can use your data in Europe without doing any of those data-limiting steps. Though you will still pay a higher price for cell calls (.20/min, I believe).
Excellent point. I’m updating the articles today to add information for T-Mobile users. They offer a much better deal!
1) Buy a 1 month package in Europe for European phone use. 9 Euro can get you unlimited internet.
2) 2) For calls to the US use Vonage mobile. It is free from Wi-Fi and if you have the internet package.
3) I go to Europe two to three times a year. I generally spend less than $30.00 on phone and internet services
Also, if you have Wi-Fi phone service at home, (Vonage for example), just take the device with you. I use a small phone (land line) and just plug it in. Voila!
Look into renting a Tep mobile Pocket MIFI.
I have down this twice on trips to Paris and Germany. Yes, set up that Skype account and App on your phone and call the usa for pennies per minute. Definitely shut off your Data. Set up your e mail service app on your phone and check and send e mails this way. You only need a WiFi connection.
Never mind Skype to non Skype users. Use Vonage mobile. It is free.
Also, if you get a European Sym card ( I use T-Mobil). incoming calls are free. If you have a Wi-Fi land line at home, have it forwarded to your mobile phone in Europe, and return calls with Vonage mobile.
Sometimes, I just buy a discount data plan in Europe, plug in my device and all calls are free from my regular phone.
Try g3wireless. G3 is based in Toronto and offers competitive rates to over 70 countries at the moment. Just make sure you have an unlocked 3G phone. The SIM card costs $30 and includes $10 of free airtime credit. Plus you can choose between a US or Canadian phone number. https://www.g3wireless.com
Thanks for the great tips. I have one question, my iPhone 5 has the option to turn off the cellular data. The description for this says “Turn off cellular data to restrict all data to Wi-Fi, including email, web browsing, and push notifications”. Has anyone tried this, it sounds like it would do the same thing as putting the phone in airplane mode and turning on the Wi-Fi. If you have tried it, is my assumption correct and does it work like the other method suggested?
Thanks
Hi Tealen,
The advantage of switching off your cellular data is that you can keep your phone active. Remember, if you switch it into airplane mode, the phone won’t work.
With your cellular data turned off, people can still call you and you can make calls out. Your email won’t be able to be downloaded and you won’t be able to use the internet, however, without connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
I hope that helps!
I hade it done this way:
1) buy a cheap andeoid cellphone (i use samsung galaxy y for about 95eur)
2) buy a local prepaid sim card, put it in android cell phone and fill it with noney and let them in the shop activate the data plan
3) activate on the android call phone the provate hotspot/wifi
4) connect your iphone with this hotspot
Now you have data on the street without to search always a free wifi spot
Give your friends at home this local number and they can call you cheaper on this number then your original number (whith roaming bills for you)
If you use android with sim card in the US, just get an European sim card and exchange. Incoming is free.
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What kind of charger/converter do I need for Spain and is there a danger of ruining the iPhone or iPod? I have the plugs that convert but am not sure if I can just plug it in ?
Instead of using airplane mode can you use the do not disturb feature with the same results? I know you can create groups to allow calls from.
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The Viber App, would it work in Wifi to make calls? just like Skype or does it require a data plan?
Thanks
Yes, I have used Viber in many countries. Just need a wifi connection….
Thank you so much for the detailed information needed to use my smartphone overseas without incurring debt! Exactly the information and step-by-step procedure I was looking to find.
what kind of converter do I need to recharge my iPhone? Traveling in France and Germany.
thanks for the tips!!!
I use textplus. It sends a text to someone like a regular text. Just remember on your first text to tell them who it is cause they will have no idea. With wattsapp you both have to have it.
so if i am to understand this craziness… if i put my iphone in Airplane Mode- and get the whatsapp….. i can text and not get any charges? i am with verizon…..and then if i am in a free wi-fi area- still stay in airplane mode and use skype? has anyone used google voice? a girl at verizon says she uses it to talk to her family overseas… is she in airplane mode when she is using it? love any and all input- headed to germany for 2 years!
For all you wireless users as recommended by Tom- great article thanks- best texting app is whatsapp and it’s definitely in use in western Europe as I communicate with my family there using it all the time…
HI
I am traveling to Rome Sunday and on a cruise for a week and will have the data plan for my I4S and I know the cost for texting and using the phone but am curious to know if I receive emails do if I don’t open them am I charge for them? Also, if I don’t have my phone in airplane mode if I don’t answer the calls am I charge for them?
Traveling to Spain and on a Sprint plan. Will put phone on airplane mode and WiFi but does anyone know about an International data plan? thanks 🙂
Text with What’s App in wifi
I am headed for Spain with my family and we have 5 iphones between us. We don’t need to receive calls from the US and can get email in a wifi zone. What we need is to be able to keep track of and call each other while in Spain. What is the cheapest way to accomplish this? Thanks for your help.
Tom – thank you for a set of well documented, useful, and humorous articles, and thanks too to fellow readers for insightful questions and comments. I had not understood purpose of Airplane mode before. I plan to purchase a limited data plan with AT&T and will let you know if the data usage is prorated, and will check out EuroCheapo for my next trip abroad.
Can I still use Google Translate in Airplane Mode?
As long as you have wifi connected you can use the Internet.
Can I just forward my phone so that all incoming calls go to my home phone? Wouldn’t that take care of the “surprises”, along with the proper email and roaming settings?
Okay, so I understand the whole Wifi data connection – use airplane mode. I don’t want to use my 3G to make telephone calls. I can get my emails when in wifi. What about texting? If I want to text, can I?
I just tested some of these statements with a family member who will be travelling and one other pointer is: if a message ever pops up saying that a function is only available if you “Disable Airplane Mode,” do NOT press “Disable!” Press “Cancel.” You must stay in Airplane mode.
My experience with traveling in Europe with the 3GS was that if I kept the phone in Airplane mode from the time I got into the plane stateside to the time I landed back in the States, I was not charged for any “surprises.” Furthermore, though the WIFI mode gets turned off when you turn Airplane mode “on,” whenever you are in a free WiFi area, you can go to settings and turn WiFi “on” and use SKYPE or Viber to make or receive phone calls. You can also check email, FACEBOOK, etc. for free, as long as you are in a free WiFi zone. What I am not entirely clear on is whether you need to turn WiFi back off again when you leave that zone. I always tried to remember to turn it off but sometimes forgot and was not charged anything when I got home so I THINK you do not have to turn it off again when you leave the free WiFi zone.
Now I have an iPhone 4Gs (or 4S or whatever it is called) and I am not sure whether iMessaging and FaceTime are free whenever you are signed into a free WiFi. If someone could answer this and the question of whether you need to turn WiFi “off” when leaving a free Wifi zone.
The main thing for international travelers to know is that if you keep Airplane mode “on” from the time you take off stateside to the time you land back in the states, you should be in good shape. If your battery dies or you turn your phone off while it is in airplane mode, it will restart in Airplane mode (no worries unless they have changed something). I should point out that I use AT&T.
Both iMessage and Facetime are free whenever you are signed into wifi. Thanks so much for the tips in regards to airplane mode, they are most appreciated!
Hi! When you put the iphone in ‘airplane’ mode, do you also need to turn off the roaming?
Hi Laura,
You won’t need to turn off the roaming, because once you put it on airplane mode, the phone won’t be able to send or receive data through any phone or data network. It will only be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks.
Thomas, thanks much!!!
Hi all,
Do you think the iMessage feature work on a wireless connection? I had planned to keep my phone in Airplane Mode, and hoped to be able to communicate with family members through iMessage, and have them not count as text messages.
I have the iPhone 4gs (AT&T) with the latest iOS.
Your thoughts are appreciated!
Hi Cheryl,
That’s a good question. I just tried to send a message using iMessage with my phone on airplane and it didn’t work. Every time I tried to send something, my phone told me to “turn off airplane mode to send a message.”
But I’m not convinced — does anyone else have any advice?
Hi all —
YES you CAN you iMessage in Airplane mode with Wi-Fi turned on. Just make SURE you turn off the “send as an SMS feature when iMessage is not available.” I tried airplane mode and texting through my house Wi-Fi and it worked. It DID tell me to disable airplane mode, but click CANCEL! You can text through airplane mode, wi-fi on to another iMessage user. Just make sure you stay in AP mode!
Hi Tom, in France there is a new service which should be available shortly. You can book a portable wifi modem that connects to 3G for calling and navigating with your own mobile device anywhere in France. That would be a great thing even for those who got a European plan like me (roaming costs are devastating!)
Hi Michele,
I had heard about this and was wondering whether the wi-fi cards are available. I have a friend who travels quite a bit and has one. We started to talk about it last night, but were diverted.
Can they be mobile wi-fi cards be purchased in Paris? If so, where and for how much? I have an apartment there, so have wi-fi available a lot of the time. I also have a cheap cell phone that I bought there, but I would much prefer to use my iPhone.
Thanks a lot!
I’m not sure which iphone model you are referring to but my 4S (carrier: AT&T) disconnects from both wifi and network coverage whenever I turn on airplane mode. Will using all of the steps except for this one protect me from absurd overage charges when I go overseas? I plan on buying the lowest priced international data plan in case of emergency (I have also heard of AT&T fabricating charges in this area, so I am being extra cautious.) However, I am still curious as to how you were able to use airplane mode and still connect to WiFi and which iphone model you were using.
Hi Andrea,
I’m using the iPhone 3GS. And yes, when I turn on airplane mode, initially the Wi-Fi goes off. However, then I click into “settings,” then “Wi-Fi” and turn it back on.
This should work for you, too.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the tip, I will definitely be setting my iphone to airplane mode when I travel to Europe this summer! Ingenious, I say!
What about Sprint users? When I called Sprint they told me to buy a throw-away phone in France. Not very helpful.