For some trips abroad, an international SIM is the right call. But if you're spending most of your time in places where you can easily find Wi-Fi, you probably don't need to research, buy, and set up a new SIM just to stay connected or avoid roaming charges.
Wi-Fi is everywhere nowadays: Hotels, cafes, airports, Airbnbs, etc. And with the right phone settings set before you leave, your phone runs almost everything you need without touching your carrier's network at all—making it entirely possible to travel without an international plan.
In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to set up your phone before you travel with just three quick steps. After you're set up, you can land abroad without a risk of roaming charges.
Turn off cellular data
Turning off cellular data prevents your phone from using your carrier's network for internet traffic. This step means you won't have accidental background syncing, apps quietly pulling data when you don't want them to, or surprise charges on your bill when you get home.
| Device | Steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings > Cellular > toggle off Cellular Data |
| Android* | Settings > Connections > Data usage > toggle off Mobile data |
*These exact steps may vary slightly from device to device, but they generally remain the same for all Android devices.
Once you've shut off your cellular data, your phone connects to the internet only over Wi-Fi. And while that may sound limiting, in practice, you'll barely notice the difference anywhere there's a decent connection.
Turn off data roaming
Turning off cellular data is a good start, but it doesn't tell your phone to stop looking for foreign networks. Your phone can still latch onto a carrier abroad for calls and texts, and depending on your plan, that alone can trigger roaming charges. Turning off roaming closes that door completely.
| Device | Steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > toggle off Data Roaming |
| Android | Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > toggle off Data roaming |
Once you turn off data roaming, your phone won't even try to look for a foreign network.
For iPhone users who want to cover all their bases, we have a full rundown of iPhone settings to change before an international flight.
Use airplane mode with Wi-Fi on
If you've turned off cellular data and data roaming, you're already well protected. So this step is for travelers who want a hard guarantee with no settings left on by accident and no chance for a foreign network slipping through. But if you want to be even safer, consider using a VPN just to be sure your personal details are safe.
Turning on airplane mode cuts your phone's cellular connection entirely. But the trick most people miss is that you can manually turn your phone's Wi-Fi back on right after. On both iPhone and Android, swipe into your quick settings, turn on airplane mode, then tap the Wi-Fi icon to re-enable Wi-Fi. Your phone will connect to hotspots or in-flight Wi-Fi like normal—it just won't have a cellular signal for a foreign network to grab onto.
It's an extra step, but for a long trip where even one surprise charge could cost you, it's worth the extra 10 seconds.
What still works without a data plan
Going Wi-Fi only doesn't mean your phone becomes just a camera that also plays Spotify. A lot still works. You just need to know what to lean on:
- iMessage and Google Messages: Thanks to RCS messaging, both apps now work over Wi-Fi and can send messages across platforms. iPhone users can text Android users and vice versa without needing a cellular connection, as long as both devices use a Wi-Fi connection.
- Wi-Fi calling: Many carriers let you make and receive regular phone calls over a Wi-Fi connection. Check which carriers support Wi-Fi calling before you travel to see if you have this option while traveling.
- Google Maps (offline): Download your destination before you leave home and your Google Maps app will continue to guide you even without a connection—Wi-Fi or cellular.
- Email, streaming, social media: Anything that runs on internet data works the same on Wi-Fi.
For a full breakdown of how Wi-Fi and cellular data compare, see our Wi-Fi vs. cellular guide.
Is Wi-Fi only the right move for your trip?
It depends on where you're going and what you need. If you're spending most of your time at hotels, cafes, and tourist spots, you'll find Wi-Fi often enough to make it work. But if you're road-tripping through rural areas or need reliable navigation, a travel SIM or international plan is probably worth the spend.
If you decide you do need a data plan for your trip, here are our picks for the best international cell phone plans available right now:
|
T-Mobile
Experience More
$85.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
|
|
Mint Mobile
5GB Data Plan
$10.00/mo
$30.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $10.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
Google Fi Wireless
Unlimited Premium for 1
$32.50/mo
|
If you want to see how these plans actually stack up against each other, our best phone plans for international travel guide breaks them down side by side so you can find the right fit before you leave.
Use your phone on Wi-Fi only while traveling: FAQ
What works on Wi-Fi only?
Most data-based apps work fine, including iMessage, Google Messages, WhatsApp, email, streaming, Google Maps (if you've downloaded offline maps), and Wi-Fi calling (if your carrier supports it). Standard SMS texts require a cellular connection, so those won't go through without using a cell network.
Can I use my phone internationally with Wi-Fi only?
You can use your phone internationally on Wi-Fi only, and it will work normally for anything that runs on internet data: messaging, email, maps, streaming. The main tradeoff is that you'll be offline in areas without a hotspot, so plan ahead by downloading maps and any other content you might need before you head out.
Does airplane mode stop roaming charges?
Airplane mode will stop roaming charges because it disables your cellular connection entirely, so there's nothing for your carrier to charge you for. You can switch Wi-Fi back on while staying in airplane mode without any worry.
Can I text on Wi-Fi while traveling?
You can text over Wi-Fi using apps like iMessage, Google Messages, or WhatsApp. Thanks to RCS, iMessage and Google Messages both support cross-platform messaging, so iPhone and Android users can text each other over Wi-Fi without a cellular connection. WhatsApp works the same way with anyone, regardless of device. Otherwise, SMS is the only thing that won't work since it still requires a cellular connection.
Is it cheaper to use Wi-Fi only or buy a travel SIM?
Using your phone on Wi-Fi only won't cost you anything extra unless you need to pay for Wi-Fi at a hotel or someplace similar. If you're dependent on finding your own places to hotspot, a travel SIM gives you data coverage anywhere there's local service, usually at a flat daily or per-gig rate. If you're traveling somewhere with spotty Wi-Fi or you need constant connectivity, a travel SIM gives you more reliability from a wider cellular network.
Scott Houghton
Jr. Staff Writer
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