If you’re taking your phone with you on holiday to Greece, discover how to optimize your phone for travel before you go.
Preparing Your Smartphone For Travel
If your phone is as essential to you as it is to me, there’s no way you’re leaving it behind when you travel. In fact, the chances are it’s right up there along with your passport as the most important thing to take with you!
Whether using it for navigation, translation, banking, or perhaps even to talk to people (!), a smartphone is an everyday tool that it's difficult to get by without. How else are you going to take cheesy photos like this one?
One concern though, is racking up a nasty surprise phone bill while you’re away.
Don’t worry! There’s a few practical things you can do in advance of a trip to avoid that, and make the best use out of your phone.
As I write about Greece a lot here on Dave’s Travel Pages, I’ve put together this guide with Greece in mind when preparing your phone before you travel. That said, these guidelines can apply to anywhere in the world.
Making the most of your smartphone when traveling
Sure, some of these will come across as obvious, but perhaps there’s a few less obvious things to consider as well. You never know, this five minute read could give you an idea that either saves you money, enhances your vacation, or both!
1. Optimize Your Phone's Storage
Greece's beauty is truly photogenic, so you'll want to have plenty of space on your phone for all the photos and videos you’ll take. Start by deleting unused apps and clearing out the cache. Back up your existing photos and videos to a cloud service like Google Photos or iCloud to free up storage and decide if you want to remove the originals from your phone.
When I travel, I use a combination of Google Photos and Dropbox to backup my photos and videos which works out pretty well. If you already use those or similar services, see how close you are to the limit as you might want to upgrade before you leave.
2. Download Offline Maps
I use Google maps almost exclusively (except when using Komoot on my cycling trips), so can only really comment on Google Maps. Anyhow, I think it’s one of the most essential apps you can have on your phone.
Not only can you pre-mark places you want to visit and eat on Google Maps, but you can also download offline maps for areas you’re interested in. This means you can use the maps when you are offline (for example if you decide to put your phone in airplane mode).
The navigation doesn’t work offline (at least I don’t think so), but it’s still good to have specific areas of Greece, whether it’s the entire island of Santorini or just the city of Athens.
3. ChatGPT or Claude
AI is here with us today, and has a multitude of uses. Two of the leading companies are OpenAI and Anthropic (Claude).
Some people use these large language models to put together itineraries. Personally, I think they are a little generic and you should use a travel blogger’s itinerary – a little like my 2 day Athens itinerary for example!
What they can be very good at though is translating text from photos, describing objects from photos, and coming up quickly with background information. If you’ve not played with AI yet, maybe give it a go before your next trip!
Related: Will AI kill travel blogging
4. Set Up International Service
Stay connected throughout your trip by setting up your phone for international use. Contact your carrier to inquire about international plans that offer data, calls, and texts in Greece.
Alternatively, consider purchasing an eSIM for easy activation once you arrive. If you prefer the flexibility of a local SIM card, make sure your phone is unlocked beforehand to allow for seamless switching. This might mean you need to unlock your phone before you go.
Take a look here about: How to buy a SIM card in Greece
5. Secure Your Phone
Protect your device and personal data before you embark on your journey. Set up a strong passcode or use biometric locks like fingerprint or facial recognition to secure your phone.
Enable “Find My Device” on iOS or Android so you can locate, lock, or erase your phone remotely if it’s lost or stolen. Lastly, install a reputable VPN app to ensure safe browsing on public Wi-Fi networks during your travels.
6. Install Essential Apps
I’ve mentioned ChatGPT and Anthropic Claude, but there are always other apps to install that are more country specific.
When traveling to Greece, look for the Ferryscanner, Welcome Pickups, Free Now, and maybe even e-Foods apps!
7. Maximize Battery Life
With so many stunning sights to capture, the last thing you want is a dead battery. Enable your phone’s power-saving mode to extend battery life throughout the day.
Carry a portable charger, especially if you’re planning long days out exploring. Additionally, use airplane mode when you don’t need connectivity to save power and reduce unnecessary data usage.
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8. Learn About The Phone’s Camera
Your phone’s camera can help you preserve the breathtaking scenery of Greece. Take the time to learn about your phone’s camera features, such as night mode for capturing evening scenes, panorama for sweeping landscapes, and HDR for handling the bright Greek sunlight.
For more creative shots, experiment with time-lapse videos during sunsets or in bustling markets. Oh, and don’t forget to take plenty of photos of the lovely Greek food you’ll be eating!
9. Stay Organized
Keep all your travel details organized and easily accessible on your phone. Use your phone’s wallet app to store mobile boarding passes for flights or ferries.
Store all your reservation details in apps like Google Trips or TripIt so that you have everything at your fingertips. It's also a good idea to set up a note with emergency contacts, important addresses, and key Greek phrases.
10. Protect Your Phone
Greece’s stunning beaches and outdoor adventures can pose risks to your phone, so take steps to protect it. Use a rugged case to prevent damage from accidental drops, especially during hikes or on rocky terrain.
A waterproof pouch is essential for beach days, protecting your phone from sand and water. Finally, apply a screen protector to guard against scratches from sand and other elements.
Related: Tips for keeping valuables safe at the beach
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– Dave BriggsDave is a travel writer from the UK, currently living in Greece. He created this travel blog back in 2005 to document his travel adventures around the world. In addition to these travel tips on preparing and using your phone when traveling, you'll find hundreds of other guides and itinerary suggestions on Dave’s Travel Pages. Follow Dave on social media for more Greece travel ideas:
Brilliant advice, helpfully explained, just perfect. As you said even if we think we know about our phones there’s things in your blog that I’d not have thought about! Two weeks today we’ll be on our way!