Switch cellular data on or off and control which applications use it. View call and cellular data usage as well as customize other cellular settings.
Carrier charges may apply when accessing data services abroad, so be sure to speak to your network service provider for details on data roaming costs and limitations. Disabling data roaming could help minimize unexpected usage and costs.
Turn Off Data Roaming
Use of data services while traveling overseas can incur costly roaming charges. To avoid them, switch off cellular data. Using the Cellular Settings you can also select which apps use cellular data usage as well as view call and cellular data usage as well as set other related options.
3G can load Internet data quickly, but may drain the battery more rapidly. If you plan to use data services while traveling overseas, disabling 3G could extend battery life and prolong service usage.
Many apps consume bandwidth with automatic software updates and push notifications; be sure to switch off these and other data-intensive settings before traveling abroad. Also consider disabling two-way call forwarding in your Settings for busy, no answer, and unreachable calls while roaming – this may incur extra international calling charges; to prevent this scenario from occurring simply disable call forwarding!
Turn Off Voice Roaming
Voice Roaming allows you to use the cellular data network when traveling abroad in order to access Internet services and send/receive texts; however, international roaming charges may apply when using this service. Switching it off prevents an iPhone from connecting to any foreign cellular data networks when outside its carrier’s coverage area – yet Wi-Fi access, calling, and standard text messaging functions remain available.
Some apps and settings use cellular data even when the Mobile Data switch is off; WhatsApp, WeChat, iMessage transfer data back home when traveling overseas while call forwarding for Busy Numbers/No Answer/Unreachable Calls utilizes it too.
Change these and other cellular settings on your iPhone to manage how it uses data while traveling abroad. For instance, you can toggle cellular data on and off, choose which apps utilize cellular data usage and see call time and usage stats. Furthermore, personal hotspot settings allow you to optimize performance of devices connected via it while Maximize Compatibility options limit bandwidth usage by those connected via it.
Turn Off 3G
Use Cellular Settings to turn cellular data and roaming on or off, specify which apps and services use cellular data, view call time and usage statistics, as well as configure other cellular options. When an iPhone connects to the internet via a cellular data network, an LTE, 4G, 3G, E or GPRS icon appears in its status bar; LTE, 4G and 3G service on GSM networks support simultaneous voice and data communications, but using an Internet service while talking on the phone could delay voice call conversations by data transferring through simultaneously while talking on the phone if used while talking may cause data transfer delays that will delay its voice call quality by switching data transfer off as soon as it starts downloading onto cellular data networks supporting simultaneous voice and data communications while data transfer may delay voice calls being made by making voice call-back calls.
If traveling internationally, be sure to disable Data Roaming so that you won’t incur charges from using foreign carriers’ networks. Wi-Fi remains available as an access method so you can still browse without incurring data roaming charges.
Allowing Data Roaming to remain enabled could result in unexpected charges when using apps like Facebook, Mail or Maps for extended periods. It is advised to turn it off if your plan has a low data limit in another country. Furthermore, disabling Data Roaming could improve performance of your iPhone hotspot for devices connected to it – for more information visit Settings > Personal Hotspot and disable Maximize Compatibility toggle.
Turn Off Airplane Mode
While traveling by plane, turning off airplane mode on your iPhone will prevent it from accessing cellular network or Wi-Fi connections; however, this setting also prevents receiving phone calls and texts (unless you have an international calling plan) or placing calls through public Wi-Fi networks at local rates if needed. You can turn airplane mode back on by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen or visiting Settings > Cellular data/Mobile data but remember this may incur fees depending on which provider your provider selects to connect through.
Many apps can consume large amounts of bandwidth, such as software updates, push notifications, and Maps. To prevent incurring roaming data charges and save yourself from incurring roaming data charges in roaming areas, switch these apps off or set their cellular data usage to Wi-Fi only using your Cellular settings.
Additionally to turning off data roaming, make sure that you disable the Maximize Compatibility setting in iPhone’s cellular settings. This option reduces performance for devices connected to your personal hotspot as well as interfering with features like iMessage, WhatsApp or WeChat. Low Data mode is another effective way of decreasing data consumption – make sure that after changing this setting on your iPhone that it takes effect! You’ll enjoy an easier trip abroad while saving on expensive roaming fees!