Roaming tips for smartphone users

Roaming tips for smartphone users

iOS · Android

For iOS devices

In case of unsuccessful automatic registration in the partner’s network, you should select the dual network mode and operator’s roaming manually in the phone settings

  • Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Voice/Data → 2G/3G, restart your phone and try manual network selection again (if necessary, repeat these steps several times)
  • Settings → Operator → Automatically → select the manual search mode, select the operator from the list that appears (try again if necessary)
  1. Connect roaming, necessary services or Internet packages before traveling abroad.
  2. Manually select the 3G/2G or 4G/LTE network mode in the phone settings.
  3. Enter the Internet access point in the APN field in the settings and enable the data transfer service as follows:

Settings → Cellular communication → Select a number → Cellular data network (APN: internet).

Settings → Cellular communication → Cellular data → Enable → Settings →Select a number → Data roaming → enable.

  1. Reset the access point settings (APN) on your phone:

Settings → Cellular → Select number →  Cellular data network → Reset settings.

Then turn on airplane mode, turn it off and try again.

  1. We recommend disabling auto-updates of mobile applications and help with Wi-Fi, as well as auto-uploading videos, images in the settings of applications such as WhatsApp, Viber, etc.

Settings → App Store → Auto-start (disable everything) and disable updates via cellular data.

Settings → Cellular connection → Help with Wi-Fi → disable.

  1. Turn on “Saving Mode”:

Settings → Cellular → Select a number → Data consumption → Data saving → enable.

This feature pauses auto-updates, photo and video synchronization in the background.

Due to the peculiarities of 4G network registration, some smartphones use up traffic even if data transfer is turned off in the settings - for example, when apps are automatically updated. This can lead to unexpected expenses.


To avoid unnecessary expenses, we recommend:

  • connect roaming package "Big Box";
  • or select in the phone settings to access the network using 3G technology or less.

 

If you are not going to use 4G/LTE when roaming or there is no 4G/LTE coverage in your country of destination, you need to select 3G/2G or 2G in your phone settings.

1. Switch off data roaming:

  • Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Data roaming → switch off

2. Switch off all updates over cellular data:

  • Settings → iTunes & App Stores → Automatic downloads (switch off all) and switch off below updates over cellular data «use cellular data»

3. Switch off Wi-Fi Assist:

  • Settings → Cellular → Wi-Fi Assist → switch off (Version iOS 9)

For Android devices

In case of unsuccessful automatic registration in the partner’s network, you should select the dual network mode and operator’s roaming manually in the phone settings:

  • Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → select dual network mode e.g. LTE/3G/2G
  • Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → partner’s network -> select the operator (if necessary, try again)
  1. Enable roaming and activate the necessary services and data packs before going abroad.
  2. Select LTE/3G/2G or 4G/LTE in the phone settings.
  3. In the APN box type internet and enable mobile data:
  • Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Access point names → New access point (name: internet, APN: internet, APN type: default).
  • Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Data roaming → enable.

We recommend turning off application auto-update to avoid unwanted data usage:

  • Google Play → Menu → Settings → Connection settings → Auto-update apps → over wifi only. 

Disable auto download of videos, images in the settings of apps like WhatsApp, Viber, etc.

  • Settings → Data and storage → Auto download → Disable.

Due to the peculiarities of 4G network registration, some smartphones use up traffic even if data transfer is turned off in the settings - for example, when apps are automatically updated. This can lead to unexpected expenses.


To avoid unnecessary expenses, we recommend:

  • connect roaming package "Big Box";
  • or select in the phone settings to access the network using 3G technology or less.

 

If you are not going to use 4G/LTE when roaming or there is no 4G/LTE coverage in your country of destination, you need to select 3G/2G or 2G in your phone settings.

1. Switch off mobile data:

  • Settings → Connections or Data usage → Mobile data → switch off

2. Switch off data roaming:

  • Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Data roaming → switch off

Menus and options may vary depending on phone model.