How to

iPhone settings for international travel

Setting up your iPhone correctly for international travel will help you stay connected without spending too much. Learn with us how to do it.

If you’re planning a trip to another country, ensuring your iPhone is set up correctly for international travel is crucial. An incorrect configuration or a phone you cannot use abroad could leave you without a way to stay connected when traveling.

Follow along for a detailed list of essential iPhone settings for international travel, as well as the best options to get internet abroad in order to avoid spending more than you need to.

In this article

Make sure your phone can be used overseas

While most iPhones can be used anywhere, some devices can be carrier-locked. This typically only applies if you purchased your iPhone from your cell service provider together with your cellular plan.

That said, you should check if your iPhone is unlocked before your trip to avoid any unexpected issues. Here’s the quickest way to do it:

Open the Settings menu.
Scroll down and open the General settings menu.
Tap the About option.
Locate the Network provider lock option. If you have an unlocked iPhone, it should say No SIM restrictions.

If your iPhone is locked, you must contact your carrier to unlock it before you can use it in another country.

How to check if your iPhone is unlocked for international travel.

How to set up your iPhone for international travel

Once you’ve made sure your iPhone can work abroad, it’s time to set it up for use abroad. One of the first things you should do is figure out where you’ll get mobile data. Data roaming on your primary card is easily accessible, but roaming charges can rack up quite a phone bill.

Using an eSIM is the best alternative to data roaming, as it’s easy to set up and use and much cheaper. Here’s how you can set up your iPhone for either data roaming or for use with an international eISM.

Set up data roaming on iPhone

Open the Settings app.
Tap Cellular/Mobile Service.
Tap on your Primary SIM card.
Make sure that both the SIM card and data roaming are enabled.

Set up international eSIM on iPhone

The steps below only cover the settings you need to use an eSIM that already has been installed. Check out our guide on setting up an eSIM on iPhone if you’re yet to activate your eSIM.

Open the Settings app.
Tap Cellular/Mobile service.
Tap on your Primary SIM card.
Make sure that the Primary SIM card is turned on but the roaming is turned off.
Go back and tap on your eSIM profile.
Make sure that both the eSIM and data roaming are enabled.

By doing so, you’ll still be able to use your primary SIM card for phone calls or SMS messages while getting mobile data from the eSIM and avoiding excessive roaming charges.

Set up your eSIM and primary SIM card for international travel

Download apps that you can use offline

If you want to reduce your cellular data usage, try downloading apps that you can use offline before traveling on your home WiFi network. For example, Google Maps allows you to download maps, which you can then use to find your way around without an internet connection. You can also download music with Spotify Premium or movies on Netflix to watch them later.

Turn off iMessage and FaceTime

iMessage and FaceTime consume data, so turning them off can help you save money. You can always turn them back on when you’re back home.

To turn off iMessage and FaceTime, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app.
Tap Messages.
Turn off iMessage.
Tap FaceTime.
Turn off FaceTime.

Enable low-power mode

If you’re going to spend a lot of time moving around without knowing when you’ll be able to charge your phone, put it in low-power mode. This will prevent the battery from draining too fast and you won’t lose connection at the worst time. It’s best to do so while the battery is still full, as that will maximize your use time. Here’s how you do just that:

Open the Settings app.
Open the Battery settings menu.
Toggle Low Power Mode on.

Enable WiFi

To minimize using mobile data with data roaming, make sure to keep your WiFi turned on and look for free WiFi hotspots whenever you stop for lunch, coffee, or when you’re spending time at your accommodation. Use WiFi for the most data-heavy activities while keeping data roaming for bare necessities.

None of the data-saving tips are needed if you use Holafly. All Holafly eSIM plans include unlimited data, so you can FaceTime and iMessage all you want while keeping the map apps on and Spotify playing.

eSIM vs. data roaming for staying connected abroad

Using an eSIM is the only mobile internet option that can compare with roaming in terms of convenience, all while being much cheaper. Frustrating and fiddly physical SIMs, expensive pocket WiFi devices, and unstable free WiFi just won’t cut it in 2025.

eSIMs are a completely digital product. This means you can buy and activate your eSIM online and get online within minutes.

All iPhones starting with the iPhone XR and XS support eSIM technology. So unless you have an iPhone X or earlier model, you shouldn’t have any issues using international eSIMs.

Holafly is one of the most popular eSIM providers in the world. With over 50,000 reviews on Trustpilot and an average rating of 4.6/5, it’s the most trusted eSIM by users as well. All Holafly plans include unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, giving you peace of mind during your travels, knowing that you’ll never lose connection.

With more than 200 destinations to choose from, you’re sure to get coverage no matter where you’re traveling. Get a local plan, such as the eSIM for the USA if you’re only visiting one country. If you’re exploring several countries, have a look at Holafly’s regional plans, such as the Europe eSIM, which covers the entire continent with a single plan.

Stay connected with Holafly

Don’t worry about having to save data or racking up a crazy bill for international roaming. Holafly includes unlimited data in all eSIM plans and has 24/7 customer support in case you encounter any issues. Simply buy your eSIM plan, activate it in a couple of minutes, and enjoy non-stop connection throughout your travels.

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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