Luckily, with a little planning, U.S. iPhones – in fact, most smartphones – can work just fine in European countries. Convert that smartphone for European use in two primary ways: buy a SIM card in Europe or purchase a travel plan through a U.S.-based carrier.
Locked phones can “roam” onto international networks, but without the proper service plan from your carrier, the charges for international roaming can be hefty. “Unlocked” devices are free to use other networks around the world. Most carriers will also have instructions for changing out SIM cards from your phone model.
Use an online IMEI checkerOnce you've got that code, you can go to one of the many IMEI-checking tools online and find out if the handset it's assigned to is locked or unlocked.
7 Best Mobile Phones for Travelers
- iPhone 11. Rejoice, Apple lovers.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus. This powerful, premium Android phone is the newest addition to Samsung's Note line and features a giant screen measuring a whopping 6.8 inches.
- Google Pixel 3a.
- OnePlus 7 Pro.
- Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
- Moto G7 Power.
- Alcatel 1X.
If you just got a new iPhone or Android phone directly from Verizon, you'll just need to power up your device and follow the on-screen prompts. For the next 60 days, your Verizon phone will be locked, and you can't switch the device over to a new wireless network.
Verizon: This carrier automatically locks any phone bought through Verizon for 60 days. However, after that 60-day period, your phone is unlocked—with no extra steps needed. To confirm your phone is indeed unlocked, you can dial *611 from the device or call Verizon's customer service at 800-922-0204.
If you're running into trouble with using your SIM-equipped Verizon phone on another network, you can call 888-294-6804 for assistance. Many postpaid 3G devices can sort of be unlocked without a code. There are two preset codes that you can use to unlock them — either “000000” or “123456”.
Here is the rundown on the cost to unlock a phone, approximately, with third-party services for various brands: Apple iPhone – $20-$60, up to $80 for some carriers, $120-$220 for Premium, high-guarantee unlocks.
Request an unlock codeMost Verizon phones are unlocked automatically after 60 days of purchasing. If yours isn't, you can use an unlock code to use the SIM card from your new carrier.
Unlocking your iPhone means that you can use it with different carriers. Apple can't unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier. Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone.
Are Verizon Phones Locked? Verizon phones are locked for 60 days from the purchase date. This policy applies to all customers, both new and existing, along with those on prepaid and postpaid. Note: Unlike other carriers, Verizon phones are locked even if you have paid for the device in full.
A Verizon phone unlock is free, but you'll first need to meet specific criteria. Fortunately, Verizon has some of the most lenient unlock policies in the wireless industry—the carrier automatically unlocks your phone after 60 days of service. Just make sure that: You originally purchased your iPhone from Verizon.
Standard text messaging charge of $0.20/message applies to messages sent and received in the Nationwide Rate and Coverage Area, except for International Text Messages, which cost $0.25/message sent and $0.20/message received, and which do not use messaging bundle allowances, unless you are on a MORE Everything plan
Short Answer: Yes. Any modern phone that's newer than an iPhone 4S should work in Europe. Luckily, most new phones offered via Verizon and Sprint can now connect to both GSM and CDMA networks. For example, anything newer than an iPhone 4S will work perfectly fine in Europe.
Although texting isn't included in the new packages, customers on Verizon postpaid plans can access unlimited international messaging as part of their domestic service, at no extra cost.
International Text, Picture and Video MessagingYour account is automatically enabled to send messages to more than 200 countries. International text messaging is widely supported, but international picture and video messaging is only available with select carriers.
Verizon covers countries like Japan, Bahamas, India, Mexico and Canada. So, if you plan to travel within these 40 countries, on vacation or business trips, you're good to go.
Verizon international calling costs anywhere from $. 99/minute to $2.99/minute.
Domestic wireless roaming is free on all nationwide Verizon Wireless plans. That means that your mobile device can connect to a non-Verizon network in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico at no additional cost. Check your specific roaming policy before enabling roaming on a mobile phone.
Recommended Settings
- Check your iPhone's Network configuration in Settings > General > Network.
- Make sure your settings are as follows:
- Set your iPhone to automatically update date and time.
- Set your phone to assist with international dialing.
Need to avoid roaming charges because you arrived at your destination without an international data plan? Turn off Cellular Data and Data Roaming. Open Settings and tap Cellular, or Cellular Data, or Mobile Data. Turn off Cellular Data, then tap Cellular Data Options and turn off Data Roaming.
Even if you decide to get a local SIM card, these tips will help you out by saving data abroad.
- Turn off roaming. This stops cellular data use so you won't be paying extra for a plan you don't have.
- Stop apps from sucking your data in the background.
- Turn off automatic downloads.
- Track cellular usage.
Roaming charges can get expensive, so if you're traveling outside your cellular plan's coverage area (which generally means international travel), you might want to turn off data roaming on your Android device. Don't worry about being left without internet.
If you can't get an international plan for your destination, the safest option is to turn off data roaming entirely. In iOS, the toggle switch is under Settings > Cellular. In Android, it's under Settings > Wireless & Networks > Data Usage.
How to Activate International Roaming on Android Phones
- Tap “Settings.”
- Click “Connections.”
- Select “Mobile networks.”
- Switch on “Data roaming.”
How to turn off data roaming on your iPhone for international travel, or completely turn off cellular data. It's a good idea to turn off data roaming on your iPhone if you want to avoid using data while traveling internationally. This will help you avoid roaming fees your carrier may charge while you're abroad.
International messaging: Because iMessage uses the Internet, you can message friends and family in other countries who have iPhones without the need for an international data plan. If you don't, iMessages from iPhones won't make it to your new Android phone.
(On iPhone, tap the “Settings” icon, tap “Cellular,” then turn off “Cellular Data.” On Android, tap the “Settings” icon, tap “Network & internet,” tap “Mobile network” and turn off “Mobile data.”) After turning off mobile data, you'll still be able to make and receive phone calls and get text messages.
