With reports of travel restrictions opening up and another travel season approaching, don’t forget to restrict your data usage while traveling. Many mobile plans charge much more when traveling outside your regular network, especially to other countries. Protect your mobile phone budget by adjusting your data usage while traveling.
Note: The steps below may vary somewhat for different versions of Phone Operating Systems
If you do not want to receive your email automatically:
Disable your device’s auto-check functionality. You may wish to use Wi-Fi to supplement Phone Data Plans to download and manually check email. Free Wi-Fi is available in many domestic and international airports, hotels, and restaurants.
- iPhone Users:
- To turn off the auto-check functionality, tap on Settings>Mail, Contacts, Calendars>Fetch New Data.
- Toggle “Push” to “OFF,” and under “Fetch,” select “Manually.”
- Android Users:
- Select: Settings > Accounts and sync > Manage Accounts.
- Un-check “Auto-sync” to cancel all auto-sync functions (email, weather, stock quotes, etc.) or select the specific account and uncheck sync options.
- Users of Other Devices: Consult your user guide.
If you want to place calls but not use data
The setting for international data roaming will typically be in the “OFF” position. To verify the settings on your device before traveling abroad. Turning data roaming “OFF” will block email, browsing, visual voicemail, and downloads, but it will NOT block text messages. International roaming rates apply when traveling outside of the United States when you send text or picture/video messages.
- iPhone Users:
- Tap on: Settings>General>Network> Data Roaming (toggle to “OFF”).
- Android Users:
- Tap on: Settings>Wireless and network>Mobile networks>Data roaming (uncheck it).
Information
What is a ‘Push’ Email?
Email that is ‘pushed’ or downloaded automatically to your device.
Why would you turn Email Push off?
Email Push can be disabled to prevent unwanted data roaming charges while traveling.
If I turn Email Push off, when will I receive my email?
By turning this feature off, you will only receive an email when you launch your email application.
Tip: For large files, save by opening your email app until you’re on Wi-Fi to download.
Returning from Vacation
- iPhone Users:
- To turn on the auto-check functionality, tap on – Settings>Mail, Contacts, Calendars>Fetch New Data.
- Toggle “Push” to “On,” and under “Fetch,” select “Every 15 Minutes.”
- Android Users:
- Select: Settings > Accounts and sync > Manage Accounts.
- Check “Auto-sync” to allow all auto-sync functions (email, weather, stock quotes, etc.) or select the specific account and check sync options.
- Users of Other Devices: Consult your user guide.
This article was originally posted on July 5th, 2017. Additional information was added on January 21st, 2022.