Travelling locally or abroad brings its own challenges and your smartphone is the one piece of technology that you will most likely have with you on your journey.
There are a few things to consider which may be the very things that help your travel experience to go smoothly.
Software and applications:
Before you leave to go on your trip, make use of the Wi-Fi at home and check that the latest operating system is installed on your phone. Once that is done, go to the application store that your phone uses and update existing apps. Check your itinerary, destinations, hotels, car rentals and flights for any apps that you may need to download and install. Make sure you are logged in and that your credentials are up to date. Check that you have enough storage available on your phone for your images etc. If not, back up and delete so that there is plenty of storage available.
Maps:
If you are using Google Maps or Apple Maps, you are able to download a map for the area you are travelling to and use it as an offline map. No Wi-Fi or data needed unless you need a traffic update, want to see if a business is open, or need to track an Uber ride. The GPS (Global Positioning System) will, however, still work as your phone connects to satellites for location tracking regardless of internet or cellular connection, but the GPS tracking might be slower than usual. The downloaded map is stored on the internal storage or SD card of the phone, depending on the phone you use. An important thing to note is that before you depart to your destination, make sure the map you download is updated so that the most recent route changes etc. appear on the map.
eSIM:
Avoid excessive roaming data costs from your local network and switch to an eSIM for the trip. An eSIM is a virtual SIM card which you can buy for the area you are travelling to and install it onto your phone. You do, however, need to check if your phone is compatible and unlocked.** Some phones have a dual SIM function allowing you to use both your original SIM and the eSIM at the same time, using the normal SIM for text etc. and the eSIM for data. The eSIM also provides additional security as it is best to avoid public Wi-Fi, which does not necessarily have strict security measures in place.
**Check with your network provider whether your phone needs to be unlocked for international travel. Also make sure that the correct settings are applied so that roaming data is switched off.
Language translation:
Some smartphones have a built-in language translator while others will require a separate app. Language translators help to overcome some of the basic language barriers you may encounter.
It is also a good idea to learn a greeting in the language of the country you are visiting to be able to start a conversation. For example, good morning is Guten Morgen in German, Bonjour in French, Buongiorno in Italian or Bom Dia in Portuguese.
Backup your data:
Always keep a backup for all your travel documents. Print copies and have a paper backup of your documentation, keeping it separate from your day-to-day travels. Make a digital backup using platforms such as Google Docs, Apple iCloud and Dropbox to name a few. Also have a backup with family or friends who can access your information should you need it. If you are using your phone for taking photos or videos while travelling, consider backing up your images daily to the cloud.
Charging your phone:
Make sure you pack your own charger and cable for your phone when travelling and avoid using public spaces to recharge your phone. Purchase the correct wall adaptor for your charger to suit the country you are visiting, or look for a multi-adaptor should you be travelling to more than one country or region. Also consider having a portable charger, which can be used for additional power to your phone during longer trips.