Travelling? Here are some phone settings to save you from theft

The one item that many people cannot do without when travelling abroad is their mobile phone.

Heck, many cannot do without their smartphones even when not travelling.

As smartphones become essential travel companions, adjusting your phone settings before departure can protect both your device and personal data.

Smartphones

Whether you’re catching a flight for business or leisure, your smartphone likely holds everything from boarding passes and hotel bookings to banking apps, personal data, and photos of your loved ones to keep you company while you’re away from home.

If you have a smartphone and are travelling abroad, the essential travel phone settings checklist is a must to stay safe, connected, and cost-efficient abroad.

From preventing theft to avoiding data roaming charges, this simple pre-travel setup guide helps travellers secure their phones and personal information before heading overseas.

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Tips when travelling

Travel exposes you to new digital threats, both physical and online. A few quick changes to your settings can save you from financial headaches, identity theft, or losing irreplaceable data.

SmartMove shared six tips on how to set up your phone for a safe, smart, and theft-proof holiday:

Disable Control Centre access from the lock screen

Thieves often exploit quick-access settings to turn on aeroplane mode or disable data, making your phone untraceable. Prevent this by locking down your control centre from the lock screen.

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Turn off mobile data and Roaming

International roaming charges can rack up fast. Disable roaming and turn off mobile data unless you’re using a travel-friendly plan or SIM.

Authenticator App Instead of SMS for 2FA

Use an authenticator app instead of SMS for two-factor authentication (2FA)

Text-based 2FA may not work abroad and is vulnerable to SIM-swap fraud. Apps like Google Authenticator provide safer and more reliable alternatives.

Enable Remote Tracking

Features like “Find My iPhone” or “Find My Device” let you locate, lock, or wipe your phone remotely if it’s lost or stolen.

Back up

Ensure all important contacts, documents, and photos are backed up to the cloud or an external drive.

Auto-Connecting to public Wi-Fi

Disable automatic Wi-Fi connections to avoid insecure networks, and consider using a VPN when accessing sensitive apps.

Breaches

Tech expert, Jes Johnson from SmartMove said many people pack their passports but forget to ‘pack’ their digital defences.

“A lot of theft and data breaches abroad are preventable. In fact, your phone is only as secure as its settings.

“Opportunistic theft is still a top threat, especially in tourist-heavy areas. A stolen phone can be wiped and sold in minutes if it’s not properly secured. Disabling access to settings like airplane mode from the lock screen is one of the most overlooked but crucial steps,” Johnson said.

Hidden costs

Travellers should also take note of the hidden costs of travel, particularly around data usage.

You might think you’re safe just by turning your phone off or leaving it on silent, but background apps can still sync. One accidental tap and you’re facing a hefty bill.

Before you board the plane, treat your phone like a second passport: protect it, secure it, and plan for what you’d do if it disappeared.

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