Seniors have the added advantage of being able to travel in the fall, winter and spring when their children are in school. it opens. Whether you’re traveling internationally or domestically, here are some general cellular and Wi-Fi tips to help you use technology effectively and keep your data safe wherever you are in the world.
Universal
Familiarize yourself with local cellular and Wi-Fi conditions and limitations before you travel. We know you deal with restrictions when traveling internationally, but you can also face them within your own country. Cellular service is required if you plan to drive in remote areas and plan to use navigation apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze. Check with your carrier before you head out to make sure your insurance covers you wherever you go. Be prepared to deal with no cellular service, no Wi-Fi capability, or neither.
There are two basic ways that phones communicate. One way is through cellular signaling. Another way is to access the Internet through a Wi-Fi network. They are distinct, but today’s mobile technology blurs the lines between them. Some carriers’ technology seamlessly switches calls between cellular and Wi-Fi when a Wi-Fi network is available. This allows the use of low-cost techniques where possible. Check with your carrier to find out how the service works and whether you use cellular or Wi-Fi for calls and whether you use your phone or tablet settings to check email or use a web browser. I need to see how to control it.
If you use your cellular network to surf the Internet and access websites that require passwords, you are almost always safe. No one can guarantee absolute safety. If you use a public Wi-Fi network, even one that requires a password, it’s still public and not as secure as your home network. You can add security with a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
A VPN creates a secure connection between you and the internet. When you connect to the internet through a VPN, all your data traffic is sent through an encrypted virtual tunnel. This has multiple advantages.
- Increase your anonymity on the internet by hiding your real IP address and location.
- Encryption keeps hackers and cybercriminals away, making you safer on the internet.
- By using a different IP address, you can now access blocked websites and online services.
The last benefit is useful if you are abroad and want to access subscriptions such as newspapers or entertainment services (such as Netflix) that are blocked or different from your international Wi-Fi connection. For more information about VPNs, including costs, we recommend doing some research online. One comprehensive link is https://vpnoverview.com/privacy/anonymous-browsing/hide-or-change-ip-address/.
Understand how your phone stores and backs up your photos and videos. Your device has limited physical storage space and cloud storage for additional items, but you purchase additional cloud storage. Many of you have iPhones and use iCloud. If that’s you, I recommend purchasing 50 GB of iCloud storage for 99 cents per month before you go. Google has similar pricing options and services like Dropbox that offer storage capacity regardless of the device you use. Note that deleting photos and videos from your phone or tablet also deletes them from iCloud. There are ways to get deleted items back within 30 days, but you can avoid problems by being careful about what you delete. You can avoid problems by purchasing enough storage space before your trip.
Domestic travel
If your accommodation has an accessible TV, you can keep all your electronics in the comfort of your home when traveling the US, including streaming services like Netflix. Perhaps you should just enter your username and password and start watching. The important thing is to remember to log off each service from every TV you use.
Otherwise, you’ll stay logged in on that device and the next user can watch movies and shows with your money.
If you rent a car, it may have technology that connects your iPhone or Android phone to the infotainment system. It has many advantages, such as giving directions by voice while displaying a map on a car display, which is typically much larger than a mobile phone. This is useful when navigating new places. You can also access your phone’s contacts for hands-free calling and access your music playlists. Wipe data from your car’s infotainment system before returning your car at the end of your trip.
If you’re visiting a city, Google Maps and Apple Maps can give you walking or public transit directions.
International travel
If you’re traveling internationally and not driving, you’ll most likely use Wi-Fi to check email, find information on sites you visit, and make restaurant reservations. can do. You can also use the app to download walking tour maps and refer to your phone as you follow the route. Think of it as an alternative to maps.
Consider using your Wi-Fi internet connection to take advantage of voice and text features in apps like WhatsApp, the popular service from Meta that gave Facebook. Simply put, WhatsApp allows you to make voice and video calls and send chat messages (similar to text messages) over the Internet to anyone in your contact list. In addition, the service is free except for the usage fee required for using Wi-Fi. That cost should be much lower than the cost of cellular service. Click here for more information about WhatsApp and how to install WhatsApp on your mobile device or computer.
If you’re traveling abroad, Western Europe is light years ahead of the US in terms of Wi-Fi security. However, to be as secure as possible, strong passwords and multi-factor authentication are required.
There are two options for mobile phone service abroad. One is to get his SIM card for the country you are traveling to. Especially if you rent a car. This will give you access to your GPS system, which you can call in case of an emergency or need directions. Again, in most modern countries you can buy his SIM card from the airport vendor upon arrival. They should be able to install it for you and make sure it works before you leave.Some phones have one that can use an eSIM card or a second his SIM card Some have slots for attaching Research your phone and check your options with your carrier.
International SIM cards have some major drawbacks. First, if your US SIM card is not activated, you will not be able to receive voicemails or text messages associated with your US phone number. If your phone can handle his two SIM cards, you’ll need to alternate between the two cards to get US messages and use cellular features in the country you’re visiting. I have.
We recommend the second option. Get a second phone for local use. You can buy a second phone for travel and get his local SIM card at the airport if you travel to multiple countries. It can also be kept permanently for use in frequently visited countries. You can use Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze for driving directions and get the phone features you need.
Check with your carrier for international roaming options. Some plans offer local network access as part of an available service or as a separate daily fee. Make sure you understand how the costs and charges are structured. The cost can be very high and you don’t want to be surprised when you get the bill. One way to avoid roaming charges is to put your phone or tablet in airplane mode. This allows you to use your camera to read books without worrying about accidentally using expensive data.
Travel used to be a way to disconnect from the world. Today, we rely on technology to improve travel, prevent catastrophic events, and share experiences in real time. Just like you plan your wardrobe, taking care when planning your technology can help you travel digitally, safely and happily.
