Top Tips for Managing Your Mobile Data While Abroad

If you’re going abroad this year, it’s important to know the best ways to manage your mobile data. This will help you avoid any unexpected or high charges while staying connected – minus any stress.

Your Essential Pre-Travel Setup

Turn Off Automatic Updates
Updates usually consume a lot of data, so it’s always best to restrict them to Wi-Fi anyway. To ensure they don’t try to update using your mobile data while you’re travelling, you can turn them off completely.

• For Android – go to the Google Play Store and tap your profile picture, then go to Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-Update Apps. Select ‘Don’t auto-update apps. Then for software updates, go to Settings > System > Software Update, and turn off the automatic download and install option.
• For iPhones – go to Settings > App Store and toggle the ‘App Updates’ switch to ‘off’.

Download in Advance
Before you set off to travel, you can download offline maps, translation dictionaries and key apps. This means you have everything to hand without relying on mobile data

• Google Maps– open the app and tap your profile picture or initial. Go to Offline maps and tap ‘Select your own map’. Adjust the map according to the area you want to download, then tap ‘Download’.
• Google Translate – open the app and tap your profile picture or the icon. Tap ‘Downloaded languages’, find the language you want and tap it, then tap ‘Download’.
• Key apps – check any others you may need, like your airline app, accommodation booking app and transport booking apps. Make sure they are downloaded, installed, and up to date.

Set Mobile Data Usage Alerts
This will help you keep within your mobile data limits, and not go over unexpectedly.

• For Android – go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet > Settings > Data warning & limit. Enable ‘Set data warning’, then enter the desired data limit (check your plan to find out what your limit is). You’ll receive a notification when your data usage reaches this limit.
• For iPhones – iPhones don’t have a feature that flags data usage, but you can see your current usage in Settings > Mobile Service. Scroll down to see how much you’ve used.
• With your mobile phone carrier – some companies allow you to set limit alerts in their own app. Usually in Settings > Usage alerts or similar, you can set an alert to let you know when you’re near or have reached your mobile data allowance.
• Download an app – several apps that offer the option to set limits and alerts, like My Data Manager and Datally.

Choose the Best Connection Option

Use Local SIM Cards or eSIMs
When you arrive at your destination, it’s usually possible to buy a local SIM card. It’s a great option if you’re staying in one location as it uses a local network, which means it will be cheaper to use data. Or you can buy an eSIM online before you travel, which allows you to roam in multiple destinations.

Use MobileTopUp
Making it easy to top up your data, MobileTopUp offers a variety of local and international prepaid top-up options. So whether you have a local SIM, an eSIM or are using your usual SIM, you can swiftly add credit. This also helps you keep track of what you’re spending on data.

Find Trusted Wi-Fi hotspots
Depending on where you’re staying, your accommodation may have a secure Wi-Fi connection you can use. Use this as much as you can to avoid using mobile data when you’re out and about. Coffee shops, restaurants and public attractions can also offer Wi-fi, but the connection may not be secure – so only use it for non-sensitive information and emergencies.

Use MobileTopUp Gift Cards for Easy Mobile Data Top-Ups

MobileTopUp is a simple and secure way to instantly top up your mobile data, no matter where you are. It works globally, so whether you have a local SIM or not, you can add data to your device. It’s fast, secure and ideal for those who love to travel. You can download the easy-to-use app in advance, too.

Stay Safe While Using Wi-Fi

Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities
Your accommodation may have a secure Wi-Fi connection, which it’s recommended you use for any sensitive activities, including payments or filling in personal information. If using public Wi-Fi, ensure any site’s address starts with ‘https://’ and shows a padlock in the address bar (or in the drop down).

Use a VPN When Connecting to Unknown Networks
You’ll need a reliable VPN provider. Once you’ve selected one, subscribe to their service, then download and install the VPN app on your phone. Any time you want to use an unknown network, log into the app and connect to a server first. This will make sure your internet activity is encrypted and safe.

Track and Limit Your Mobile Data Usage

Monitor Apps That Consume the Most Mobile Data
Usually apps that stream video like YouTube, Netflix, TikTok and Instagram use the most data. Google Maps and other apps that use live tracking, like Uber, can also use significant data. Try to limit usage of these apps to Wi-Fi only, or download videos and shows in advance.

Set Mobile Data Limits
It can help to set yourself daily or weekly usage limits while you travel. You can do this on some Android phones so it will alert you, or download an app designed to track mobile data and send notifications. Or, keep a manual track yourself by keeping an eye on your usage.

More Travel Mobile Data Hacks

• Utilise Wi-Fi – send messages over Wi-Fi using WhatsApp or iMessage, and make sure you don’t send or download images or videos using your mobile data.
• Turn off mobile data – when you don't need it, keeping your data turned off means you won’t use it accidentally.
• Keep key items offline – download useful tools like maps, translations, booking confirmations and tickets, so you can easily access them without using your mobile data.

Travel Smart, Stay Connected

There are multiple ways to manage your mobile data when you travel abroad. Make the most of secure Wi-Fi, download everything you may need before you go, and make sure you don’t accidentally use data. To make sure you don’t spend more than you mean to, grab a MobileTopUp mobile gift card before your trip, and download the app so you have direct access to mobile phone top up wherever you are.

Buy mobile gift card