Ever wished you could stay connected no matter where your travels take you? Imagine sending texts seamlessly even when you’re halfway around the world. Well, that’s exactly the kind of global connectivity Dean from Alpharetta, GA is after. He wrote us telling us he is traveling in the near future and wants to be able to text while abroad. Here’s what he had to say:
We struggle with what we can do traveling internationally with our iPhones. We just want text. We have a trip to Italy ahead and a Mediterranean cruise as well. How do we set our phones up to let us text free. Verizon is our carrier. Thanks
-Dean, Alpharetta, GA
Thanks, Dean, for writing to us. There are a few options for both iPhone and Android when it comes to completely free messaging, as well as a few options that will cost you a low price with more flexibility.
Making free WiFi calls on your phone
First, when you’re traveling internationally, there are several apps we list below which allow you to stay connected for free by harnessing the power of WiFi. Note, you may have to pay for access to WiFi and you should be careful of free public wifi.
If you would like to try this without incurring cellular costs, your phone must be in “airplane” mode, or it could revert to cellular, and you’ll then be charged.
Here’s how to enable WiFi calls on your phone and turn on airplane mode:
How to make WiFi calls on your iPhone
- Click on “Settings”
- Click “Cellular”
- “WiFi Calling”
- Switch “WiFi Calling on This iPhone” on
- Click “Enable” WiFi Calling”
To turn on airplane mode on an iPhone:
Open Control Center on your iPhone or on your iPad and then tap the Airplane Mode button turn it on.
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- iPhone X and later (including iPhone 13): To open the Control Center, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen12. To close the Control Center, swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap the screen.
- iPhone SE, and iPhone 8 and earlier: To open the Control Center, swipe up from the bottom edge of any screen. To close the Control Center, tap the top of the screen or press the Home button.
How to make WiFi calls on your Android phone
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Click on “Settings”
- Click “Networks & Internet”
- Click “Mobile Network”
- Click “Advanced”
- Click “WiFi Calling”
- Toggle on “WiFi Calling”
To turn on airplane mode on an Android: Swipe down from the top of your home screen, tap Airplane Mode to turn it on.
How to make WiFi calls on your Samsung phone
- Click the “Phone” icon
- Tap the “More Options” (three vertical dots)
- Tap “Settings”
- Tap “WiFi Calling” and then toggle the switch to the right to turn the feature on.
To turn on airplane mode on a Samsung: Slide up to the phone’s apps screen and tap on the Settings app, go to the Connections option in the Settings menu, Scroll down to the Airplane mode selection and tap the slider and when it turns blue, you have turned on Airplane mode.
How to get free messaging with these apps when traveling internationally
To access free messaging when traveling internationally with Facebook Messenger, connect to WiFi or use a local SIM card with data to send messages and make calls without incurring additional charges from your mobile carrier.
Facebook Messenger
iPhone: 4.1 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.1 stars (at time of publishing)
Facebook Messenger is great for instant messaging, allowing you to send text messages, photos, videos, and audio recordings to your contacts. This real-time communication feature enables you to maintain ongoing conversations with your loved ones, regardless of the distance between you. Facebook Messenger does require access to a WiFi network if you don’t want to pay anything. It relies on an internet connection to send and receive messages, make voice and video calls, and access other features.
iMessage
To get free messaging when traveling internationally with iMessage, connect to WiFi or use a local SIM card with data to send messages and make calls without incurring additional charges from your mobile carrier.
iPhone: 4.1 stars (at time of publishing)
This option is only handy when it comes to messaging between iPhone users like Dean, but it is completely free to use. If you and the person you’re texting both have an iPhone, you can use the Messages app that you already use to text. If you didn’t set up an international plan with your phone carrier, iMessage will only work while you’re on WiFi, and you’ll be able to tell because your texts send as blue bubbles instead of green ones.
Be sure you have iMessage turned on by following these steps:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Messages
- Make sure the button next to iMessage is toggled on.
If you want to avoid any potential charges for international SMS messages, on the same Messages page of your Settings, be sure Send as SMS is toggled off.
To get free messaging when traveling internationally with WhatsApp, connect to WiFi or use a local SIM card with data to send messages and make calls without incurring additional charges from your mobile carrier.
iPhone: 2.7 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.3 stars (at time of publishing)
WhatsApp is a popular messaging app that allows you to send messages over WiFi or data connection. It works across iPhone and Android, so anyone can use it to message friends or family. You’ll need to download the app and have an internet connection, and you can follow the steps to connect your cell phone number to it.
- Download and Install WhatsApp on your smartphone
- Once the installation is complete, tap on the WhatsApp icon on your home screen or app drawer to open the application
- On the welcome screen, you’ll be presented with the WhatsApp Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Read through them and tap “Agree and Continue” to proceed
- WhatsApp will prompt you to enter your phone number. Make sure to enter the correct number associated with your cell phone. Select your country code from the drop-down menu and enter your phone number. Then tap “Next”
- WhatsApp will send a verification code to the phone number you provided via SMS. It will attempt to automatically detect the code, but if it fails, you can enter the code manually. If you don’t receive the SMS, you can request a voice call with the verification code instead
- After verifying your phone number, WhatsApp will prompt you to set up your profile. You can choose to add a profile photo and enter your name. You can also add a status message if you like. Tap “Next” or “Skip” to proceed
- WhatsApp will ask for permission to access your contacts. Granting this permission allows WhatsApp to sync your contacts and identify people from your address book who are already using WhatsApp
- Once the setup is complete, you’ll be taken to the WhatsApp main screen. You can now start using WhatsApp to send messages
Remember, WhatsApp requires an active phone number to function. Make sure your phone is connected to a cellular network or has a working SIM card to receive the verification code during the setup process. Be sure to have a good WiFi connection to be able to send messages over WhatsApp for free.
MORE: 10 WAYS TO TRAVEL LIKE A PRO FOR A WORRY-FREE TRIP
Signal
If you’re looking for a way to stay connected and enjoy free messaging while traveling internationally, Signal can be a great option.
iPhone: 4.8 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.5 stars (at time of publishing)
Signal is a privacy-focused messaging app that prioritizes secure communication. It is free and easy to use and offers end-to-end encryption for messages, voice calls, and video calls. Signal’s commitment to user privacy means that it doesn’t collect or store user data, making it a popular choice for individuals concerned about their digital privacy. The app also supports features like disappearing messages, screen security, and encrypted group chats. It is a great way to go when traveling abroad.
Telegram
Stay connected for free while traveling internationally by utilizing Telegram’s messaging features and connecting to WiFi networks.
iPhone: 4.1 stars (at time of publishing)
Android: 4.3 stars (at time of publishing)
Telegram is a great free messaging app that is particularly useful when traveling abroad. It offers reliable and fast messaging services even in areas with limited connectivity, allowing you to stay in touch with friends and family. With cost-effective communication over the internet, end-to-end encryption for privacy, and features like group chats and offline messaging, Telegram ensures seamless and secure communication while you explore new destinations.
How to stay safe when using WiFi
Ensure that you confirm the WiFi network name with the business that is allowing you to log onto their WiFI, as several locations may require a password for access.
Next, carefully browse through the available network options in the vicinity. If you come across multiple networks with identical names, inform the relevant establishment. In most instances, this situation arises due to the business utilizing a dual-band WiFi router, which generates two separate networks—one operating at 2.4GHz and the other at 5GHz.
Make sure your gadget’s operating system is up to date, along with the browser. That way, potential vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit will be eliminated.
You can also install a VPN app to encrypt your Internet connection. That way, hackers won’t be able to snoop on what you’re sending and receiving. My #1 pick for the best VPN is ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN will help protect against who can track you, who can see what you write, and what websites you visit. Benefits include:
- adds a layer of enhanced security
- prevents Internet service providers from monitoring your online activity
- offers a way around geo-fencing blocks
- can help increase your connection speeds
Sign up for 12 months of unlimited access to ExpressVPN and their ultra-fast global network, and you’ll get an extra 3 months totally free. That’s a 49% discount off the regular monthly price. Deal: Save 49% and 3 months free – $6.67 per month
For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices:
How to text wherever you are
If you don’t want to be dependent on a WiFi signal, you’ll need to add an international plan to your phone carrier. You can contact your phone carrier to find out the most affordable option for your plan. For best ways to text wherever you are using an international phone plan and eSIM & SIM cards, click here.
And before you pack your bags and jet off, be sure to check out the best travel gear of 2024 here
Kurt’s key takeaways
If you only want to send a few text messages here or there while abroad, you’ll be able to find WiFi pretty easily and will have no trouble using one of the apps I recommended. However, I do also recommend adding a cheap international plan, even if it’s a small amount of data, so you’re able to use your phone in case of an emergency in the country you’re visiting.
Have you experienced the challenge of staying connected while traveling internationally? What messaging apps or strategies do you use to keep connected while abroad? Let us know by commenting below.
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