How to Preserve Mobile Data While Traveling

Staying connected while traveling has become a major priority for travelers who prefer to post their every move to their Instagram stories, but, without a local SIM card, it can be difficult to maintain these social duties. Once you nabbed a SIM card, it’s likely you’ll have a limited data supply. Here are the best ways to keep a sufficient amount of data while in a new country.

Buy a pre-paid phone. Depending on how long you plan to stay in your new location and your addiction to your mobile apps, you can purchase a cheap pre-paid, local phone to use temporarily, sans apps. This is an especially good idea if you’re traveling to a country where pickpocketing is rampant and you don’t want to risk losing your expensive smartphone.

Rely on WiFi hotspots. WiFi is easy to find especially in larger cities. Connect in your hotel room and bring up Google Maps to ensure access to offline maps when wandering the streets without data. If in a bind, stand outside a McDonald’s or Starbucks and poach their free WiFi.

Close apps and limit streaming. If you caved and purchased a local SIM card, keep your data use low by closing apps and avoiding streaming functions like music and video apps.

Turn off your phone. The best way to save data is to not use it. Spend your time engaging in your surroundings and the new culture. Use a traditional camera for photos, and save the editing and posting for when you return home.