Taking iPhone to the USA - help and advice

I really don't want to be bothered with sorting out a bundle with O2 or unlocking my phone and then getting another sim and working out calling/data plans so I was planning on just turning off mobile data / data roaming and then just relying on connecting to wi-fi when on my travels.

Is that the way to do it?

Most of the people I 'talk' to on a regular basis use iMessenger so wi-fi would work for that (and for whats-app too for that matter for voice calls)


If anyone actually phones me I'll either just ignore it or send it to voice mail - that would still be free for me and the caller wouldn't it or would the system detect I'm in the USA and charge them for an international call?

I'll put a message on saying send an email or a text and then just pick up the messages when I get back to blightly.

If someone does text me would it still get through if my phone is set to wi-fi only?

Does the USA use 4G or would setting my phone to 3G be better?


Is this practical? I'm not missing anything obvious am I?

Ta.

When I have been to the U.S. With my iPhone I have left it in flight mode and then turned wifi on and that works.

If your phone is on in the USA any calls to voicemail or to the handset will be charged .
Unlocking an iPhone is easy these days . O2 unlocked mine without any fuss very quickly . I bought a 3 Feel at home payg for my trip to Spain ( USA is also covered) last month and it was great - plenty of minutes and texts and reasonable data allowance ( plenty for me anyway) with a 30 day window for use once the sim is activated ( for £15) . Dragonbaby also used her 3 Feel at home sim without problem in Hawaii and the USA back in April.
DL

o2 do an app that uses wifi to make/receive calls - so you dont need to use what app

most phone operators do an app

[Neil]

o2 do an app that uses wifi to make/receive calls - so you dont need to use what app

most phone operators do an app

Yes, o2 do an app called TuGo, it works over wifi, but if you use that you can make calls and send text messages as part of your package after a very small initial connection fee.

Also look at apps like whatsapp and as you have an iPhone you have FaceTime and FaceTime audio which is another good way to make calls.

I never get a special bundle and use my phone plenty while away without getting any high charges.

Neil

Go into Settings, go to Cellular, and turn Data Roaming off. Make sure WiFi is on.

Doing this prevents charges for any data usage, and then it is your choice whether to receive calls - only when you're connected will you be charged.

If you want to speak to people you could of course add Skype as another option.

I just turn my phone off when I get on the plane, outward bound and back on again when I clear immigration and customs back home.
I'll use Skype on the laptop once or twice while I'm on holiday.
Then I'll photoshop any pictures of the apartment and remove any sign of a phone so I don't get, "I thought you said you weren't on the phone?" from MIL when she sees the holiday snaps.
Having spent the vast majority of my life without a mobile I find life much easier and more pleasant without it while I'm away.
Dick D

o2 do an app that uses wifi to make/receive calls - so you dont need to use what app

most phone operators do an app

Yes, o2 do an app called TuGo, it works over wifi, but if you use that you can make calls and send text messages as part of your package after a very small initial connection fee.

Also look at apps like whatsapp and as you have an iPhone you have FaceTime and FaceTime audio which is another good way to make calls.



I never get a special bundle and use my phone plenty while away without getting any high charges.

Neil

FaceTime audio? How does that work? Does it need to be to another I-device, as with FaceTime????

I'm with Vodafone and can have all my UK plan minutes and data for £5 per 24 hrs if I want. However my iPad and iPhone share a data plan and I was told it wouldn't apply to my iPad. With my hotel not offering free wifi I opted to rent a mobile wifi gizmo, which I've done in Japan a couple times. I paid more here in US than Japanbut it's been worth it. I have data roaming switched off and just use the wifi dongle. Paid £53 for 8 days including delivery to my hotel. The dongle is 4G.

Go with a network that gives unlimited data and no roaming charges (for many destinations, inc. USA): 3 Mobile, basically.

Despite some momentary issues, on the whole they are brilliant, of course being with O2 means you possibly will have a closed phone. Might be worth checking though?

[mitchja]

FaceTime audio? How does that work? Does it need to be to another I-device, as with FaceTime????

Yes is the same, the other person needs to be also using an iPhone, iPad or a Mac to use FaceTime video or audio.

It would be good to know from the OP what network his mobile and his home telephone are on.
As others have stated there are numerous ways to keep in contact with incurring roaming costs, getting a WiFi signal is you main aim.
I am lucky that my company provides me a UK and a US mobile SIM card to use when I am out and about however I am pretty sure I have not used the US SIM to make a call back to the UK for well over a year.
WhatApp and Facebook all give you the option to make free calls now (provided you have wifi)
Telco companies over here now have Apps for the Smart Phones that allow you to dial as if from your own home phone in the UK when abroad.
Finally, as others have mentioned the old favourites like Skype etc will always give you the ability to contact loved ones.

Another vote for a Three Mobile sim card. 15GBP for unlimited data in the USA.

Thanks for all the comments.

Will go to a 3 shop and have a chat with them.

Another vote for a Three Mobile sim card. 15GBP for unlimited data in the USA.

Unless it's changed in the past few weeks data is capped for use out of the UK .

DL

It's capped at 25GB. I don't use that in a year so I guess that is a moot point for some. But it's always nice to know these things.

FaceTime audio? How does that work? Does it need to be to another I-device, as with FaceTime????

Yes is the same, the other person needs to be also using an iPhone, iPad or a Mac to use FaceTime video or audio.

Mmmmm, that makes sense. But, just for the hell of it, I've also now tried calling both my landline and my husband's mobile, which is a Samsung. Both work!

+1 for the phone unlocking and trying a Three SIM option. I got one for each of the kids to go to Italy and it worked okay (although the bit they were in was 2G only for most of it!).

Last time I was in the US though, I got a SIM from a company called Straight Talk (bought through Walmart.com and delivered to the hotel). That worked fine and had a decent coverage and data allowance. Although, that was nearly three years ago.

Think you'll be okay with an iPhone on 4G - I'm sure I remember some comments about it being setup to suit the US, with the rest of the world as an afterthought, although I'll admit that could be Android fans having a bitching session. ;)