10 Tips on How to Prepare Your Devices Before You Travel — Stay connected, secure, and powered up wherever your journey takes you.
Before you set your out-of-office and disappear into a sangria-soaked holiday, spare a thought for your devices.
Prepping your tech for international travel might not be glamorous, but it’s essential. From securing your data and updating software to swapping out your SIM for an international eSIM, a little digital forethought can save you a lot of real-world hassle.
It’s not about packing cords and crossing fingers. It’s about making sure your phone, laptop, and everything in between are ready to keep up with your adventures without getting hacked at the airport or running out of battery power halfway to your Airbnb.
Here’s how to prep your devices for seamless, secure, and smart travel abroad.
1. Get Connected with an International eSIM
Skip the airport scramble for a new SIM card and forget the stress of outrageous roaming charges – set up your international eSIM before you even leave home. With an eSIM, you activate a local data plan digitally, no fiddling with SIM trays or risking your primary SIM card. As soon as you land, your phone connects to a local network. You get better data rates than traditional roaming, and the whole setup usually takes just a few minutes. No shops. No queues. No panic, Googling in airport Wi-Fi dead zones. Just instant, seamless connectivity right from the start of your trip.
2. Update All Software Before Takeoff
If you’re not overly tech savvy, you might overlook the importance of updating software. It’s easy to keep delaying updates when life gets busy, but the truth is that outdated software is a security risk. It can also lead to app and device glitches, which often happen at the most inconvenient times.
One of the most important steps in how to prep your devices before you travel is making sure your operating systems, apps, browsers, and antivirus programs are fully updated. You might not have reliable Wi-Fi abroad, so don’t put this off.
Checklist:
- OS updates on phones, tablets, and laptops.
- Antivirus and malware software.
- Travel apps like Google Maps, Uber, Airbnb, or language tools.
3. Back Up Your Data
Losing access to the data on your device is rarely something to panic about – until it happens! Many people have suffered the same regret! You can lose access to data if your device is damaged, someone steals it, or the phone simply stops working while you’re mid-vacation. Back up your photos, documents, and settings to the cloud or an external drive. While it’s bound to be disappointing if something happens to your device, at least you won’t have the stress of losing all your data.
Backup methods:
- iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox.
- External SSD or flash drives.
Travel rule of thumb: If losing it would ruin your trip, back it up.
4. Strengthen Security: Passwords and Protection
Going abroad means using unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks, public charging stations, and shared hotel devices. Now is the time to lock things down.
Steps to secure your devices:
- Set strong passwords or use a password manager.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Turn on biometric login (face or fingerprint ID).
- Enable remote tracking and data wipe tools (like Find My or Google Find My Device).
5. Install a VPN and Safe Browsing Tools
Public Wi-Fi is a gift and a curse. Statista shows us that as of February 2023, 25% of surveyed US adults had their data compromised using Wi-Fi in restaurants and cafes. Airports are listed second, with hotels coming in third for the least secure public Wi-Fi connections.
Wi-Fi lets you check your email from a sunny piazza, but also makes you vulnerable to hackers. Consumer advice from the Federal Trade Commission provides some tips on how people can ensure their devices are safe while using public Wi-Fi, such as looking for the little lock image in the URL bar.
Download these before you go:
- A reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet traffic.
- Secure browsers or browser extensions (like HTTPS Everywhere or DuckDuckGo).
- Ad blockers to avoid malicious pop-ups.
These tools help ensure safe browsing and peace of mind while sipping that overpriced airport cappuccino.
6. Download Offline Maps and Language Tools
When the mobile signal disappears, so does your sense of direction. As part of how to prep your devices before you travel, be sure to download offline tools like maps, translation apps, and travel guides. That way, you’ll still have what you need—even without a connection.
Must-have downloads:
- Google Maps (download offline maps of your destination).
- Google Translate or other language apps with offline mode.
- Local transport apps (some cities have their own offline tools).
7. Bring the Right Chargers and Power Adapters
You can’t prep your devices without thinking about how to keep them alive. Countries vary widely in plug types and voltage.
Checklist:
- Universal power adapter.
- Voltage converter if needed.
- Power bank with high capacity (especially for long sightseeing days).
- Charging cables for all your devices.
Keep one charger in your carry-on and one in your suitcase in case of delays or lost baggage.
This is the adapter I use and recommend. It is compact and has multiple USB ports.
8. Enable Roaming
Even if you’re using an international eSIM, keep roaming enabled on your primary SIM as a backup. You can disable data, but still receive texts or calls if needed.
It’s also a good idea to:
- Check your carrier’s international rates.
- Turn off data roaming if you’re not using it to avoid accidental charges.
9. Declutter and Delete What You Don’t Need
Free up space, improve performance, and reduce distractions.
What to declutter:
- Unused apps.
- Old screenshots and photos.
- Downloaded Netflix episodes you watched months ago.
10. Prep Your Digital Wallet
Make sure your payment apps are up to date and working abroad, including contactless payment options and digital travel passes.
Apps to check:
- Apple Pay / Google Wallet.
- Banking apps (with international support enabled).
- Currency converters.
- Airline or train apps.
Now You Know How to Prep Your Devices Before You Travel
While most people prefer travel to be about spontaneous and unique experiences, tech trouble can really throw a spanner in the works. That’s why following the steps in how to prep your devices before you travel is always a good idea. Whether you’re working remotely on a beach in Portugal or planning a backpacking adventure through South America, keep your digital life just as ready for adventure as your suitcase is.
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