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How to use your cell phone in the UK
You can use your cell phone in the UK. Make sure it’s unlocked for international use and get an eSIM, travel SIM card, or data roaming.
Being able to use your phone and stay connected is essential for international travel. To avoid unnecessary stress, you should make sure you’ll be able to use your cell phone in the UK before you leave for your trip.
Read on to learn more about what you need to do to prepare for your visit to the UK, complete with essential phone features and the best ways to stay online.
Get connected quicker
Buy, set up, and activate a Holafly eSIM for the UK in no more than a few of minutes.
Will my phone work in the UK?
You’ll be able to use your phone in the UK as long as it’s not locked to your local carrier. This is typically only the case if you purchased your phone directly from your cell service provider.
Check if your phone is unlocked before your trip and if it isn’t, pay a visit to your local carrier’s support center and ask for the phone to be unlocked for international use.
If your phone is locked, you will not be able to connect to a different internet network than the one you use at home. This means that the only way to stay connected is to use your carrier’s roaming in the UK, and we know that this is an expensive option.
How to use a US phone in the UK
There are several ways to use your US phone in the UK. You can check if your local carrier has an international roaming plan or opt for popular travel options such as using an eSIM, a travel SIM card, or pocket WiFi.
Let’s take a closer look at the top options for having internet access in the UK.
eSIM for the UK
eSIMs have become the go-to way to stay connected for millions of travelers over the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. They’re affordable, easy to use, and instantly accessible no matter where you are. There are also plenty of eSIM options for the UK, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs. All you need is an unlocked phone that supports eSIM technology.
The Holafly eSIM for the UK is one of the top options. It offers unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, and up to 5G speeds for as little as $1.55/day. You also get 500 MB of data sharing daily, so you can keep your travel buddies connected while being able to access unlimited mobile data yourself.
Holafly connects to local mobile networks in the UK, so you’re sure to have the best coverage and the fastest internet connection possible no matter where you go.
Travel SIM cards
If your phone doesn’t support eSIMs, using an international SIM card is the next best thing. They’re fairly easily accessible, with dedicated stands in most international airports, as well as official cell provider shops, and even convenience stores.
Simply buy a UK SIM card, insert it into your mobile phone, and you’ll be able to use your chosen plan’s mobile data.
The main issue with using a prepaid SIM card is that, unless your phone has dual SIM capacity, you have to remove your primary SIM card to use it. This means that you won’t be able to use your regular phone number as an emergency form of contact or to simply make calls and send messages.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi is a niche option, mostly used by groups of travelers nowadays. You can either rent or buy a pocket WiFi device and use it to create your own portable WiFi network. The main advantage is that you can connect up to 10 devices at once, though the limit may be lower depending on the pocket WiFi device you have.
That said, pocket WiFi is less convenient than eSIMs or traditional SIM cards, and it’s also significantly more expensive. A week of renting a pocket WiFi device can easily cost more than $100, and that doesn’t even include additional costs such as delivery and insurance. It also adds an extra device to carry around and keep charged at all times.
Free WiFi in the UK
Some travelers seem to think that only using free WiFi is a good way to stay connected in the UK. However, public WiFi access in the UK isn’t the best. You can get it in cafes of restaurants, but then you’d be paying for a meal or coffee instead.
Not to mention a lack of security, as man-in-the-middle attacks, fake hotspots, and numerous other cybersecurity threats are linked to free WiFi networks.
Use free WiFi as an emergency way of accessing the internet, but not as the primary way of staying online.
Will my local internet work in the UK?
What if you don’t want to buy a new service just to be able to use the internet in the UK? Data roaming is always an option. However, you should really weigh the pros and cons of using it.
Some international roaming plans can be decent, but pay-as-you-go roaming charges tend to be astronomical and you might end up paying more for mobile data than the rest of your UK trip combined.
Let’s take a look at two of the top cell service providers in the US, and the roaming services they have to offer for those visiting the UK.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile offers Go5G plans aimed at frequent travelers that offer free roaming in the UK and a number of other countries. However, these cost more per month and only make sense if you travel abroad a lot.
If you don’t have one of these plans, you can get one of three different roaming plans.
| Duration | Price (USD) | Data limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $5 | 512 MB |
| 10 days | $35 | 5 GB |
| 30 days | $50 | 15 GB |
The plans are fairly pricey considering how little cellular data you get for them, as you can get an unlimited eSIM plan cheaper depending on the duration you need.
T-Mobile states that you should buy a data plan for international travel and doesn’t specify pay-as-you-go costs.
AT&T
AT&T takes a more traditional approach, offering both day passes and pay-as-you-go options. The international day pass costs $10/day, which grants you access to the same amount of data, minutes, and texts as on your regular plan.
Pay-as-you-go roaming in the UK costs $2.05/MB, so you definitely don’t want to spend too much time online with this service. Otherwise, the phone bill at the end of the month might shock you.
What’s the best option for using a cell phone in the UK?
At the end of the day, the best option is the one that you feel suits your needs the best. However, when it comes to convenience, price, and ease of use, nothing can beat an eSIM.
You can get an unlimited data eSIM from Holafly and get connected within minutes. You’ll never have to worry about your data consumption or losing connection, and you’re backed by a knowledgeable 24/7 customer support team in case things go wrong. This provides complete peace of mind during your time abroad, at least as far as internet connection goes.
Avoid hidden data costs
Get the full price upfront with a Holafly eSIM for the UK. Enjoy unlimited data at no extra cost.
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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.
