Using a mobile phone abroad

[Flute56]

I I am travelling abroad and I don't know what is the best thing to do about using my mobile and usually I just go into a shop or a restaurant or a cafe and hook up to the Wi-Fi so I can use my phone to WhatsApp but if there is an emergency and I'm in the Streets I cannot use my phone because I'm not a resident of that country and my phone will be a British mobile so and you suggestions as to what I can do

Erm just pay for data roaming?

If your phone takes two SIM cards, buy a local one when you get there and put it in the second slot.

I buy a local SIM and in my settings, apply that one just for data, and tell family to use WhatsApp to message and call me.

I've tried eSims, but with mixed results, so I prefer a physical SIM.

Depends where you're going and what network/plan you're on. I'm on o2 and I get free data and calls abroad same as at home.

Depends on your tariff, mine covers me for 5gb of data and I can stoll connect to WiFi networks.

Make sure roaming is enabled and pay for a bundle to cover the time you are away.

Check that your current contract doesn't include roaming. I am now with O2 and get free roaming within the EU. I was with Vodafone until recently and didn't get it automatically, I used to have to buy a bundle to stop it becoming horrendously expensive.

exactly- just see what your current plan is and add to it! Most contracts have “home away from home” countries which are places in which you pay the same rates/get the same freebies you do in the UK.

Depends on where you're going and who your provider is. I get free data roaming within the EU with EE.

data roaming can sting cost wise depending on the company, most cafes , supermarkets have wifi so for me id patch into those

Roaming or get an eSIM (I use Holafly), whatever is cheaper

Just pay for data roaming. I'm with Vodafone and do it when I'm abroad, it's £14 for 8 days in European countries. I'm sure other providers have something similar.

Same here.

I'm with EE and pay £2:47 per day to use my phone abroad in a long list of countries. I can then use my phone as I would at home. It's an "add on" they offer for free.

This.

Holafly is brilliant. Far better and cheaper than adding data from your existing phone service provider.

Dont need WiFi either. You buy a plan with data, job done.

I'm currently in Amsterdam and both me and OH have it included in our usage at no extra cost. I'm with talkmobile and he's with lebara. We didn't have to buy anything extra or do anything. Check your providers website.

@Flute56 There might also be a setting on your phone where you can use wifi calling, so your calls would connect through whatever wifi you're using.

I spoke to my phone provider which is EE and they said if I pay 25 pounds I can get free roaming and Limited in the country I'm going to which means I can go call anywhere without having to hook up to Wi-Fi and if I'm in a situation where I'm not near Wi-Fi I can still use the phone so it would be the same as using the phone in the UK

F

Getting a SIM is a bad idea because if you buy a SIM for the country you are in it changes your phone number to a local number and if people from the UK tried to contact you on your original number they will not be able to get through

Most smartphone have two SIM slots. Then you manage them in settings.

I link the local SIM for data, and my home SIM to receive calls from home. But my family use WhatsApp to call me anyway, and it doesn't matter which SIM or WiFi you use, WhatsApp with your home number will still work.

Same applies for an eSim. That only works for data, so you'll still use your home SIM for phone calls.

Can you tell us what phone you have @Flute56 ? Then we can tell you what will work in it. Some take an extra physical SIM, some take an e SIM. Some don't take either.
Also who is your provider and where are you going to? All those things are relevant to our advice

Mine is included in a lot of countries in my package with O2.
But if it's not I'd just pay for it or get another sim etc and factor that in on the cost of the holiday

Or just let whoever might call you have the temporary number.
Unless it's chilcare / pet / elderly relative in hospital etc, i wouldn't be answering anyway

Airalo app, eSIM.

Flute56 · Today 10:29

Getting a SIM is a bad idea because if you buy a SIM for the country you are in it changes your phone number to a local number and if people from the UK tried to contact you on your original number they will not be able to get through

I mostly work abroad and used to spend long stints in Egypt. I'd buy a SIM and then text everyone I might contact, to let them know it was my local number. I'm with ID (used to be Carphone Warehouse) and get free calls and roaming in the EU and a total of 50 countries.

You havent done your research.

Holafly uses an eSIM. You dont have another number or physical sim card.

Your UK number stays the same - the eSIM uses/supplies the data from the local networks without you needing to use your own providers data/costs.

Suggest you look into it before making erroneous statements about local sims, because thats not what Holafly eSIMs are.