10 Tips to Save Mobile Data When Travelling
When you travel with an eSIM, making the most of your data means your plan lasts longer and you won’t find yourself without a connection at the worst possible moment. The good news is that with a few simple adjustments to your phone, you can save mobile data without giving up staying connected. Here are 10 straightforward tips that work on any trip.
10 tips to use less data
- Download maps to use them offline. Before you leave, download the area you’ll be visiting and you can navigate without using any data.
- Turn on your phone’s data-saving mode. Both Android and iPhone have a mode that limits background data usage by apps.
- Turn off automatic updates. Set your apps to update only when connected to Wi-Fi.
- Disable autoplay videos on social media: it’s one of the biggest drains on data and often goes unnoticed.
- Download music and series before you go. Get everything ready over Wi-Fi and enjoy it on the train or plane without using any data.
- Only back up over Wi-Fi. Uploading photos and videos to the cloud uses a huge amount of data; save it for when you’re at your accommodation.
- Reduce streaming quality. If you’re listening to music or watching video, lowering the quality makes your data go much further.
- Close apps that use data in the background. Check which ones use the most and restrict them in your settings.
- Use your accommodation’s Wi-Fi for heavy tasks: downloads, long video calls and updates.
- Keep an eye on tethering. Sharing your connection with other devices is very handy, but it multiplies your data usage.
The three habits that will save you the most data:
- Offline maps downloaded before you leave.
- Backups and large downloads over Wi-Fi only.
- Data-saving mode switched on throughout your trip.
What uses the most data (and what uses very little)
| Activity | Data usage |
|---|---|
| Messaging (WhatsApp, text) | Very low |
| Maps and navigation | Low–moderate |
| Social media with photos | Moderate |
| Music streaming | Moderate |
| Video and video calls | High |
| Cloud backups | Very high |
With these habits, even a mid-range plan tends to go much further than you might expect. And if you know you’ll be watching a lot of video or sharing your connection, it’s worth going straight for a large or unlimited data plan.
Want to travel worry-free with your data ready the moment you land? Browse Roam2Go’s data plans and choose the one that best suits your trip in the shop.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know how much data I’m using?+
Do offline maps work just as well?+
Is it worth getting an unlimited plan to avoid keeping track?+
Does data-saving mode affect call quality?+
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