The safest way to avoid roaming charges is to turn on Airplane Mode, reconnect to Wi-Fi manually, and keep cellular data roaming turned off. If you need mobile data abroad, use an international plan from your carrier or a local travel eSIM instead of pay-as-you-go roaming.
The choice usually comes down to two decisions: whether you need cellular service and how you want to pay for it.
| Your goal | Recommended setup | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Avoid cellular roaming charges | Airplane Mode plus Wi-Fi | Normal cellular calls and texts will not work |
| Use hotel or café Wi-Fi | Turn off Data Roaming | Calls, SMS and voicemail may still create charges |
| Use mobile data with predictable costs | Buy your carrier's international plan | Check destinations, limits and daily or monthly fees |
| Use affordable local data | Use a local SIM or travel eSIM | Your phone may need to be unlocked |
1. Check Your Carrier's International Policy Before Travelling
Do not assume that an unlimited U.S. plan includes unlimited international use. Domestic allowances may not apply abroad. Carriers can charge separately for calls, texts, data and voicemail.
The Federal Communications Commission recommends checking international rates and travel options before leaving the United States.
Before you leave, check:
- Whether your destination is covered
- The cost of data, calls and text messages
- Whether incoming calls or voicemail are charged
- Whether your plan includes Canada, Mexico or other destinations
- Whether your carrier offers a daily travel pass or monthly international plan
- Whether your phone is unlocked for a local SIM or eSIM
A carrier travel plan is often the simplest option if you need regular calls, texts and mobile data. A travel eSIM or local SIM may cost less on a longer trip or when you expect to use a lot of data. Your phone must support the SIM or eSIM and, in many cases, be unlocked.
Google recommends prepaid international eSIMs as one way to avoid roaming charges on compatible Pixel phones.
2. Turn Off Data Roaming Before You Leave
Turning off Data Roaming stops your phone from using a foreign cellular network for mobile internet.
On an iPhone
Go to:
Settings > Cellular or Mobile Service > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming
Turn Data Roaming off. If you use Dual SIM or Dual eSIM, select your home number first and change the setting for that line.
Apple recommends disabling Data Roaming to help prevent roaming charges while travelling.
You can also turn on Low Data Mode. It limits automatic updates and background activity when you are not connected to Wi-Fi.
On Android
Menu names vary by manufacturer and Android version. On a Google Pixel, go to:
Settings > Network & internet > SIMs or Mobile network > select your SIM > Roaming
Turn roaming off. Google says this setting controls whether the phone sends data over another carrier's network when it leaves its normal coverage area.
Turning off Data Roaming does not block every possible charge. Depending on your carrier, voice calls, SMS messages, picture messages and voicemail may still be billed separately.
3. Use Airplane Mode for the Most Protection
If you want to prevent cellular roaming, turn on Airplane Mode before the aircraft departs. You can then turn Wi-Fi back on manually and connect to trusted networks.
Airplane Mode stops the phone from connecting to foreign cellular towers. Apple says it can help reduce roaming charges, and the FCC recommends using Wi-Fi instead of a foreign mobile network to avoid data roaming costs.
With Airplane Mode on:
- Wi-Fi apps can still work
- Downloaded maps and travel documents remain available
- GPS can generally still work
- Normal cellular calls and SMS messages will not work
- Wi-Fi Calling may have carrier-specific charges
Wi-Fi Calling is not automatically free abroad. AT&T, for example, says Wi-Fi calls made outside the United States to destinations other than the U.S. may be billed according to the line's international roaming feature. Check your carrier's rules before using it.
4. Use a Travel eSIM or Local SIM for Mobile Data
A travel eSIM provides mobile data through a separate international provider. A local SIM works in much the same way, but it uses a physical card and may provide a local phone number.
This setup can keep your home carrier from charging data roaming fees, but you need to configure it correctly:
- Install the travel eSIM before departure or after arrival.
- Set the travel eSIM as the line used for mobile data.
- Turn off Data Roaming on your home SIM.
- Disable automatic switching to mobile data on the home line.
- Turn off the home line if you do not need calls or SMS messages.
On a Pixel phone, you can temporarily disable a SIM through Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network > select the SIM > Use this SIM.
A local SIM or eSIM is useful for longer trips, frequent navigation, video calls and other high-data activities. Check that your phone is unlocked, compatible with the destination's networks and able to use the required SIM format.
5. Download Important Content Before Travelling
Download these items while you are connected to your normal home Wi-Fi:
- Offline maps
- Boarding passes and hotel reservations
- Translation packs
- Music, podcasts and films
- Airline and transport information
- 2-factor authentication backup codes
- Copies of travel insurance and identification documents
Disable automatic photo backups, app updates and cloud synchronisation unless you are connected to Wi-Fi. Background apps can use data without an obvious action from you.
The FCC advises travellers to disable automatic downloads and stop phones from connecting automatically to international networks.
6. Check the Costs of Calls, Texts and Voicemail
Roaming charges can apply to more than mobile data. Depending on your carrier and plan, you may be charged for:
- Making calls
- Receiving calls
- Sending SMS messages
- Sending picture or video messages
- Checking voicemail
- Receiving voicemail-related call forwarding
- Using visual voicemail
The FCC warns that international charges can apply to outgoing and incoming calls, voicemail, texts and internet use.
For lower-cost communication, use messaging or calling apps over Wi-Fi or through your travel eSIM. If you need ordinary phone calls, check the carrier's international rate first.
7. Take Care on Cruises and Near International Borders
A phone on a cruise ship may connect to the ship's cellular network instead of a land-based network. Cruise connectivity can have separate pricing from standard international roaming. Use Airplane Mode unless you have deliberately purchased a cruise plan.
Near an international border, your phone may connect to a foreign network even when you are still on the home side. Keep Data Roaming off and check the network name shown on your phone.
The Safest Pre-Trip Checklist
Before leaving:
- Check your carrier's international rates and destination coverage.
- Choose a carrier travel plan, travel eSIM or local SIM if you need mobile data.
- Turn off Data Roaming on your home SIM.
- Turn on Airplane Mode if you want to block cellular roaming.
- Re-enable Wi-Fi manually when needed.
- Download maps, tickets and entertainment for offline use.
- Disable automatic updates, backups and downloads.
- Confirm whether Wi-Fi Calling, voicemail and incoming calls can create charges.
For maximum protection, use Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi. For predictable mobile access, use an international plan or a separate travel eSIM, and keep roaming disabled on your home SIM.