How to Set Up Your Phone for Long-Term International Travel
Before my first long-term trip, I spent a weekend setting up my phone. Three years later, I've refined that setup across 15+ countries and it takes me about 30 minutes. Here's the full process.
This isn't a tourist guide. This is for people who are going to be abroad for months, need their phone to function as a daily tool, and can't afford for things to break at the wrong moment.
Step 1: eSIM and Dual SIM Setup
This is the foundation. Get this right and everything else is easy.
Physical SIM slot: Keep your home country SIM. Put it on the cheapest plan that keeps the number active. You need this for:
- Bank verification SMS
- Tax office and government services
- Family and friends who have this number
- Any service that sends SMS to your home number
eSIM slot: Install a travel eSIM. I use GOAN because it covers 105+ countries, includes a real phone number, and costs $29/month for 20GB.
Data settings: Set the eSIM as your default for mobile data. Keep your home SIM as default for calls (so incoming calls to your home number still ring). Both SIMs stay active simultaneously.
The GOAN install process takes about 60 seconds. Do it at home before you leave.
Why this matters: With this setup, you have two working phone numbers (home + travel), data through the eSIM, and no gap in connectivity when you move countries. Your home SIM stays active for verifications, and your eSIM handles everything abroad.
For more on why having a real phone number on your eSIM matters, read my guide on eSIMs with phone numbers.
Step 2: Essential Apps
Communication
- WhatsApp: Default in most of the world outside the US. Make sure your number is verified before you leave.
- Telegram: Backup messaging and great for nomad community groups.
- Google Voice (US users): Free US number for receiving calls and texts over data.
Navigation
- Google Maps: Download offline maps for every country you're visiting. Do this on Wi-Fi the night before travel days.
- Maps.me: Better for hiking trails and offline navigation in remote areas.
Transport
- Grab (SEA), Bolt (Europe/Africa), Uber (Americas/Europe), inDrive (Latin America): Install the ride-hailing apps for your destination. Most require a phone number to verify.
- Rome2Rio: For figuring out how to get between cities (bus, train, flight, ferry).
Finance
- Wise: Best exchange rates, multi-currency account, local bank details in multiple countries. The nomad banking app.
- Revolut: Similar to Wise. I use both.
- Your home bank app: Keep it installed and logged in. You'll need it more than you think.
Language
- Google Translate: Download offline language packs for every country you're visiting. The camera translation feature (point at a menu, see English) is genuinely life-changing.
Security
- VPN (I use Mullvad): Essential for public Wi-Fi. Auto-connect on any network that isn't your cellular data.
- Authy or Google Authenticator: Two-factor authentication. Back up your codes before you leave home.
- Password manager (1Password or Bitwarden): You'll be logging into things from new devices and networks constantly.
Step 3: Security Settings
Turn Off Carrier Roaming
Go to Settings > Mobile Data > your home SIM > turn OFF Data Roaming. This prevents your home carrier from charging you for background data when you're abroad. All your data will route through the eSIM instead.
Enable Find My Phone
If your phone gets stolen (it happens), Find My iPhone or Google Find My Device lets you locate it, lock it, or wipe it remotely. This requires data, which is another reason your eSIM should always be active.
Set Up SIM PIN
Add a PIN to both your physical SIM and eSIM. If someone steals your phone and removes the SIM, they can't use it in another device.
Two-Factor Backup
Before you leave: screenshot your 2FA recovery codes and store them in an encrypted note or password manager. If you lose your phone, you'll need these to get back into your accounts. I've heard horror stories from nomads who lost their phone and couldn't access their bank, email, or work accounts for days.
Step 4: Cloud Backups
Photos
Enable automatic cloud backup (iCloud or Google Photos). Set it to upload over Wi-Fi only to save your eSIM data. Every night when you connect to hostel or hotel Wi-Fi, your photos sync automatically.
I lost a phone in a Grab in Ho Chi Minh City. Every photo was backed up. If they hadn't been, I'd have lost 3 months of memories.
Documents
Upload copies of these to a cloud folder (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox):
- Passport (photo page + visa pages)
- Travel insurance policy
- Flight itineraries
- Accommodation bookings
- Emergency contacts
- Bank customer service numbers
Access these from any device if your phone is lost or stolen.
Enable WhatsApp backup to cloud. Your chat history, contacts, and media are your social network on the road. Losing them means losing connections with people you've met.
Step 5: Data-Saving Settings
20GB is plenty for a month, but you can stretch it further with these settings:
- Disable auto-play videos on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok
- Set app updates to Wi-Fi only (Settings > App Store > turn off Mobile Data)
- Disable background app refresh for apps you don't need updating constantly
- Download Spotify/podcast playlists on Wi-Fi instead of streaming over data
- Use Google Maps in "Wi-Fi only" mode and rely on offline maps where possible
I typically use 12-15GB per month with normal usage. The remaining 5-8GB is buffer for hotspotting my laptop when coworking Wi-Fi fails.
Step 6: Pre-Departure Checklist
Do all of this the day before you fly:
- eSIM installed and tested (make sure data works)
- Home SIM on minimum plan (number active, roaming OFF)
- Offline maps downloaded for first destination
- Translation language packs downloaded
- Cloud backups running
- VPN installed and configured
- 2FA backup codes saved
- Important documents in cloud folder
- Banking apps logged in and working
- Ride-hailing apps installed for destination
- Emergency contacts saved (including local embassy)
The 30-Minute Setup
Once you've done this once, subsequent trips take about 30 minutes:
- Check eSIM is active and has data (2 min)
- Download offline maps (5 min on Wi-Fi)
- Download language packs (3 min)
- Update apps (5 min on Wi-Fi)
- Run a cloud backup (5 min)
- Check banking apps work (2 min)
- Install destination-specific ride apps (5 min)
- Review checklist (3 min)
Done. Your phone is a fully functional international tool.
For the physical gear side of this (chargers, power banks, bags), check out my remote work setup guide.
