Questions tagged [cellphones]

Issues with taking your mobile phone with you, and buying a phone, SIM card, or cellular data plan in another country.

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How to choose an eSIM for China + Hong Kong?

For a trip to China and Hong Kong, I'm planning to purchase an eSIM so I can use mobile data with my device. During my research, I've found a pretty large variation in prices for my options (as much ...
Wing's user avatar
  • 594
4 votes
1 answer
171 views

What's the best China mobile SIM card operator to use long term for a foreigner?

I'm planning to come to China and buy a SIM card. I'll use it mainly for receiving OTPs because I'll try to open a bank account and will be using it outside of China as well to receive the OTPs. I'll ...
Fredric's user avatar
  • 141
1 vote
0 answers
88 views

Why SIM in Japan for traveller is data only? [duplicate]

When I arrived at Japan, I tried to find a SIM which would allow me to make and receive call. However, SIM was data only. Why is this? For examples: I can not make / receive calls (Travel SIM/WiFi) ...
mon's user avatar
  • 1,660
9 votes
5 answers
5k views

Is there a way to keep my SIM card but use my phone in Japan besides international roaming?

I live in the United States, and have an American phone carrier. At the end of this month, I will go to Japan for about a year. I want to register my phone with a Japanese network. However, I do not ...
Kyle Lin's user avatar
  • 201
3 votes
1 answer
539 views

Trouble accessing internet and MMS with T-Mobile prepaid SIM card in my EU phone

I recently purchased a T-Mobile prepaid SIM card for my trip to the USA, and I'm encountering difficulties accessing the internet and sending MMS messages on my Motorola G22. Back home, my phone ...
Richard's user avatar
  • 33
32 votes
7 answers
4k views

How to ensure two-factor availability when traveling?

It's been about 10 years since I've traveled out of the US. In that time, it's become more and more common for various services (including basic things like email) to (randomly or systematically) ...
BrenBarn's user avatar
  • 719
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0 answers
50 views

Best phone plan (ideas) for travelling in France from the United States [duplicate]

Excuse the specific nature of this question. Hopefully it somewhat applies to a more general audience. I live in the United States and I'm travelling to France this summer for 2 months. I use to ...
Dave's user avatar
  • 451
4 votes
1 answer
246 views

How do I purchase a Turkish SIM card as a tourist and not run afoul of cell phone registration laws?

I am a tourist visiting Turkey for the first time. I am a regular tourist, not intending to stay in the country longer than my visa permits, and as such, I do not possess a residence permit and do not ...
intelfx's user avatar
  • 141
0 votes
0 answers
186 views

Need alternative to US Cell phone provider for short codes

Has anyone found a good alternative to T-Mobile for foreign travel to the Philippines with short codes? Shortcodes are the two step authentication that you get from Google or your bank. Capital One ...
Skycaptain681's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
182 views

Can't receive text on Vodafone Indian number abroad

I have an Indian Vodafone number and I am unable to receive any text Messages on it, I can receive calls thou. Any help would be appreciated.
Himanshu's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
190 views

Help with Australian ETA app in Japan

An elderly relative of mine in Japan is planning to visit Australia soon and needs to apply for a Class 601 Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Unfortunately, some genius bureaucrat has decided to ...
lambshaanxy's user avatar
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0 answers
24 views

Can we get a SIM with 1gb data per day for 7 days on Airport in Dubai? [duplicate]

I am travelling to Dubai and worried about wifi and data internet. Will I be able to get a SIM with around 1gb of data per day in the airport in Dubai? Thanks
Mr.SsS's user avatar
  • 219
6 votes
2 answers
583 views

Can you reactivate a previously expired data plan when travelling to Australia?

My wife has previously held an Aussie phone number with Amaysim. Can she reactivate that number but with a different provider, with different data plan etc, or does she have to go with Amaysim to re-...
Mark Mayo's user avatar
  • 159k
4 votes
1 answer
527 views

Problem with roaming in EU (European operator)

I have a Swedish phone provider and use roaming when traveling in EU. I have noticed that it is slow to connect when turning off airplane mode, often without 4G as default. As I have a budget/low cost ...
SN082 traveller's user avatar
2 votes
8 answers
6k views

Can I use a UK iPhone charger with my US iPhone in the UK, or do I need to use an adapter and my US charger?

I live in the US and will study abroad in England this spring. I'm wondering if I can just buy a new iPhone charger once I arrive there or if I need to carry around an adapter with my current charger? ...
leftclique's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

How can I use cellular phone in Istanbul airport?

Suppose, I am traveling from India to Munich. My friend is traveling from Warsaw to India. Both of our transit is in Istanbul. We arrived at Istanbul airport, and we want to talk via mobile phone. How ...
user366312's user avatar
  • 1,097
10 votes
3 answers
1k views

Getting a SIM for a foreign phone in the US

I am staying in the US for 3 months, and I want to have a cheapest possible mobile data plan for it. I think it makes no sense and is a waste of resources to buy a new phone just for that phone, so ...
Bubaya's user avatar
  • 201
3 votes
1 answer
255 views

Do you know a 100+GB SIM in Spain?

I'm going to work remotely in Spain for one week and I wanted to know if there was a large (80-100 GB, ideally unlimited) data SIM plan with no engagement available in Spain? My current SIM card give ...
Alexandre's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is a cheap & effective option to get basic cell phone coverage while visiting the UK? [closed]

I will be travelling very soon in the UK (London first for a couple of days then up north to Scotland for the greater part of the trip). I live in Canada. I was wondering if there is a cheap & ...
ereOn's user avatar
  • 463
1 vote
0 answers
56 views

Resources discussing best data SIM card in Morocco [closed]

I will travel to Morocco soon and I am considering buying a SIM card. I am mainly looking for data, but if cost is similar, I might buy data+voice. Additional information like where to buy, is welcome....
nsn's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
112 views

How to approve a new phone model in Ecuador?

A few weeks ago, I bought a SIM from Claro Ecuador to use in a fairly recent cellphone. I had several Claro SIMs over the years when traveling around Ecuador in different phones and they never ...
Itai's user avatar
  • 44.2k
4 votes
1 answer
160 views

Drawing a path on a map and having a navigation software on my phone following it

I plan to drive in a city. I would like to decide to decide my exact route by drawing it on a map, then have a navigation software help me navigate to make sure I follow the route. Which solutions ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
119 views

Buying + activating Google Fi in the US but not a US resident? [duplicate]

I'm currently on a 3 week trip in California, visiting mostly in and around the major cities and I've been looking into buying a Google Fi 'simple unlimited' plan for a month for my data/calling/...
Siege's user avatar
  • 11
6 votes
2 answers
1k views

SIM for travel in both Germany (Berlin + Dresden) and Czech Republic (Prague) [duplicate]

Title more or less says it all. We are flying into Berlin, taking the train to Dresden then train to Prague. We'd like to be able to make calls (local) and have data access (email, maps, browsing, etc)...
Jason Reljac's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
317 views

Sending a 'blacklisted' phone from Kos to England, will there be any issues with customs etc.?

When visiting Kos, Greece, recently, my travel partner lost their phone at the hotel. When we returned home, we contacted our mobile network provider. They have 'blacklisted' the phone. We contacted ...
Xnero's user avatar
  • 19.8k
1 vote
0 answers
1k views

Is there any way to buy Google Play money in Taiwan without a credit card?

I've seen Google Play "gift cards" on sale in convenience stores in several nearby countries, but for some reason I don't see them in Taiwan. Convenience store displays show cards for Apple'...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 1,152
8 votes
4 answers
662 views

Worldwide phone number

So, I travel and what to be able to be reachable by phone wherever I am. What I want is to have a single phone number that I can give to everybody (people and services like banks or WhatsApp or Uber) ...
RiaD's user avatar
  • 255
1 vote
1 answer
231 views

Getting Short code SMS texts to US VoIP number from Panama

I am a non-techie, and I can't fix this myself. I use Amazon pharmacy for getting my prescriptions and they are using short texts to verify my phone number, which, of course, isn't working. Are there ...
Celeste Mendelsohn's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
384 views

Activate Verizon SIM Card While In Canada

I am in the middle of a long term trip in Canada (~6 Months). Until now I have been using a Verizon plan which allows me to roam on Canadian networks free of charge. I recently lost my phone and have ...
HenryPrickettMorgan's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
347 views

How do I activate my Vi sim in UAE?

I moved to UAE 45 days ago and i missed on activating the roaming pack on my Indian sim card. Though i would do a online recharge when in UAE, but now i see there is no network and iam not sure if i ...
user126847's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is there a way to get a US phone number in Europe that allows one time code texts from banks, etc.?

I live between Europe and the US, but spend the majority of my time in Europe. I still have several accounts in the US that require a one time use code texted to me every time I sign in (even if I ...
user9442769's user avatar
19 votes
2 answers
517 views

Can I travel to Dubai without a smartphone?

The United Arab Emirates is currently open for tourism, subject to certain COVID-19–related rules, which are set out on the government's travel website and which vary slightly from emirate to emirate. ...
Psychonaut's user avatar
  • 1,967
0 votes
0 answers
108 views

Calling foreign phone number that happens to be in the same country [duplicate]

I am French but currently living in the US. I have a French cell phone number (+33XXXXXXXXX). Would someone calling me from the US be charged an international call (the +33 prefix being more important ...
Nestor Demeure's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
7k views

Can I use a personal satellite phone/Internet connection as a passenger in a plane?

I am reading some contradictory statements regarding the use of a personal satellite phone/Internet connection in a plane. E.g.: https://www.bluecosmo.com/satellite-phones Hardened structures, ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
886 views

Is it ever useful to allow access to phone data when connecting one's phone to an airplane USB plug?

If not, then why is the USB plug configured to ask to access data, which is typically the case?
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
213 views

International Cellphone Network Coverage Map/API

Query: I am trying to find a map, or database/API, which shows the cellphone network coverage given an arbitrary point for anywhere on the planet. This is in the context of planning a hypothetical ...
Steve's user avatar
  • 141
3 votes
1 answer
302 views

How can I know whether some parts of a path are not covered by cellular network?

Given a path on some navigation program such as Google Maps or Waze in the United States, how can I know ahead of time (= before driving) whether some parts of the path are not covered by cellular ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
154 views

Forwarding a Canadian number abroad?

I have a Canadian and French phone number. Soon, I may also have a US phone number. I'm looking for the cheapest way to keep all my phone numbers and have their calls and SMS forwarded to whatever ...
donkey's user avatar
  • 137
2 votes
3 answers
1k views

Buying a sim card for two weeks (in the UK) for Australia

I am travelling from UK to Australia and my UK cell-phone provider (giff-gaff) doesn't support roaming. I will be quarantined in a hotel for two weeks and need to have a sim-card during the quarantine....
user3639557's user avatar
17 votes
5 answers
7k views

How to 'save' my U.S. mobile phone number over a year of inactivity (out of US)

I want to save my U.S. phone number, so I can use it again next year. And by 'save' I mean to keep the number but no service. I have a Verizon prepaid plan and would need just to keep my number. This ...
stephanmg's user avatar
  • 643
1 vote
1 answer
284 views

Is it possible to buy a SIM card in a transit zone of Doha airport?

I am traveling to the UK with a transit flight that stops in Doha (Qatar capital) and I need to buy a SIM card in the transit zone of the airport.
Ariyan Sharifi's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
3k views

Do I need to register my phone in Turkey if I'm using a UK SIM card?

In Turkey, people are required to register their mobile devices they brought from abroad. If a new device is not registered within 120 days, its IMEI number is blocked (official source in Turkish). I'...
user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
208 views

Are all prepaid SIM cards referred to as Tourist SIM cards in Thailand? Or are there some prepaid SIM cards "for locals"?

Are all prepaid SIM cards referred to as Tourist SIM cards in Thailand? Or are there some prepaid SIM cards "for locals"? I'm asking as all prepaid SIM cards I was shown (because it's behind the ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
331 views

Can you "withdraw your application to enter" in the USA without a permanent black mark on your record, even in air travel?

To my understanding, thanks to the US's uncomfortably lax privacy laws, immigration officers are allowed to demand you to let them search your phone. If you have fingerprint unlock they can just ...
naiveai's user avatar
  • 233
2 votes
0 answers
125 views

Traveling to Korea with special entry procedure because of COVID-19 [closed]

According to the Korean government, a special entry procedure has been set for travellers from 5 European countries including The Netherlands. As an extension to some Asian countries. More info ...
Jordi Kroon's user avatar
  • 1,147
40 votes
9 answers
18k views

Risk of not turning Airplane Mode on, on a mobile device while in the air?

When travelling from the UK-Portugal, my travel partner and I were both told the usual message: “Turn airplane mode on for your mobile devices” My partner accidentally only turned their phone ...
Xnero's user avatar
  • 19.8k
0 votes
1 answer
94 views

Phone Service while a student in Israel [closed]

US student going to study abroad for 5 months in Israel. The current phone service, an iPhone on Verizon network, will work there for a $10/day charge. It functions well, as the phone maintains its ...
JTP - Apologise to Monica's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
303 views

Does the Entel mobile network cover the entire Easter Island, Chile?

My understanding is that the Entel network is the only one that serves Easter Island, Chile. Does the Entel mobile network cover the entire Easter Island, Chile? If not, is there any coverage map ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
74 views

Why do Claro vendors give out already pre-registered SIM cards for free in Peru?

I read on https://prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com/wiki/Peru (mirror): In spite of this, visitors can't help notice there is still a very visible black market on many market streets of Lima, Cusco ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
122 views

Does any shop at Lima airport (Jorge Chavez International Airport, LIM) sell SIM cards at a similar price as outside the airport?

I read on https://travelingwithsunscreen.com/how-to-get-a-sim-card-in-lima-peru (mirror) that one of the SIM card shops at Lima airport (Jorge Chavez International Airport, LIM), namely the Claro ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar

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