Traveling to different places can be exciting but it can also mean a high roaming bill for your smartphone. Free WiFi has become more and more available, at airports, hotels, restaurants, etc., but when you are on the go, it is hard to come by, and you need to rely on your data plan to stay connected. Data roaming can add up quickly and can get expensive if you don’t have an unlimited data plan.
Here are some tips how you can reduce data usage and still stay connected on your travels:
Use an eSIM from Red Bull MOBILE eSIM
An eSIM is very much like a regular SIM – but not removable. An eSIM allows you to have two service providers on a single smartphone. Think of it as having two SIM cards in one device – your existing “physical” SIM card and a second “electronic” SIM. You can use the Red Bull MOBILE eSIM app for data connectivity when you travel to different countries and choose your own individual plan that suits your needs. That way you will avoid paying your home carrier’s roaming charges.
You can start with a smaller data package and add more data instantly if you run out of it! That way you can keep posting your amazing pictures from your travels and stay connected with family & friends.
Download your media instead of streaming
Before you start off on your trip, download your favorite music, movies, shows, and books at home. Most streaming apps like Netflix, Spotify, and Podcasts have download options. This way you will be able to play them without needing an internet connection and you will avoid high data usage and cost.
Turn off Auto-Update for Apps
By default, app update or auto-update is switched on for most iOS and Android smartphones. Whenever an app update is available, your smartphone will automatically install it, even if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi – it will use your cellular data. Turn off app update/auto-update before you travel or in general if you aren’t enrolled in an unlimited data plan at home.
Here’s how to disable this setting for iOS devices:
Open Settings>App Store
Scroll down to Automatic Downloads
Set the Toggle to the Off feature for App Downloads AND App Updates AND In-App Content
Scroll further down to Cellular Data, set the Toggle to Off
Select “Always Ask” under App Downloads; that way you will have to give permission to download apps when using cellular data.
How to disable this setting for Android devices:
Open the Google Play Store App
Tap your profile icon to access the Menu
Select Settings > Network Preferences
Tap on App download preference and select either Wi-Fi only or Ask me every time
Do the same in Auto-update apps AND Auto-play videos
Tap OK to confirm
Limit Background Data
One of the best ways to reduce data usage is to limit background data. Most apps continue to update and refresh in the background, even when you aren’t using your device. Background Data it still syncs your emails, refreshes social feeds, fetches photos and videos, etc. While this keeps your apps up-to-date, it also drains your data usage.
Here’s how to turn off Background Data usage on your device.
For iOS devices:
Go to Settings
Tap General
Tap Background App Refresh and set it to off
For Android devices:
Go to Settings
Tap Connections > Data usage
From the Mobile section, tap Mobile data usage
Select an app from the usage graph
Turn off Allow background data usage
You will have to do this in each app.
Download Maps Offline
Maybe you want to get lost in a new city and explore on your own, but it might not be a bad idea to know your way back to your hotel. Navigation apps like Google Maps let you download maps that can guide you back and make it simple to orient yourself in your new location. However, they do eat up data, especially if you are new to the area and want to use it to find all these new exciting places.
Here is how to take Google Maps offline:
Open Google Maps before you travel or while you have a Wi-Fi connection to avoid roaming.
Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
Tap “Offline Maps”
Tap “Select Your Own Map”
Move the rectangle over the area you plan to visit
Click “Download”
To access your downloaded map tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
Tap “Offline Maps”
You will see your offline maps saved there. Select your saved map and you can enter any destination within that area you saved to get step-by-step directions.
With these tips you will be able to explore, stay connected, navigate through new places, without exorbitant phone bills waiting for you back home. This way you can enjoy your travels without any worries’!
Don’t forget to get your prepaid data plan with Red Bull MOBILE eSIM. The free Red Bull MOBILE Data app has prepaid data packages for over 100 countries worldwide. Just install the eSIM, activate your data package, and you’ll instantly have a reliable local data connection.
