iPhone overseas

[NutmegCT]

For you iPhone users - will an iPhone purchased in the US a couple years ago, work for calls and messaging in the UK?

Thanks.
Tom M.

 

[JPSmit]

I don't think the issue is the phone but the SIM. we took our phones to England last fall and certainly recharging isn't an issue with a USB connector.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks JP. What's the issue with the SIM? What did you have to do on your England trip?

 

[waltesefalcon]

I have WhatsApp that I use to talk to my cousin in the Netherlands. We started using that when she first moved there about four years ago. She keeps her American phone for her semi frequent trips back home and so far using WhatsApp when she is in Europe seems to work well.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks Walt. Did you need to change a SIM card to use your phone, when you made your recent trip to SA?

oops - that should say "when you've made trips outside the USA".

oy

 

[Gliderman8]

Thanks Walt. Did you need to change a SIM card to use your phone, when you made your recent trip to SA?

I made a recent trip to to SA with stopovers in London and absolutely no problem with my iPhone. iMessages are free and as long as you can get a wifi signal calls can be made.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks Elliot. So is a stock iPhone already set to be used in UK and Europe?

 

[Gliderman8]

Thanks Elliot. So is a stock iPhone already set to be used in UK and Europe?

I had absolutely zero problems with using my iPhone. By the way, my provider is T-Mobile which gives me cell service in over 200 countries.
You might check with your provider to see what plans they have for travel outside the country.

 

[Popeye]

You might want to call your carrier. We used to use Verizon, and our iphones worked overseas but use was expensive. (Knowing we had a lifeline in case of emergency was good enough.) Since about 2020 we use T-Mobile, and their plans seem to work worldwide without fees - for data. Calls are sometimes included or not; sometimes $0.25 / minute - still happy to pay a few bucks to make a hotel reservation.

 

[BigGreen]

First, what type is your iPhone

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Do you have a plastic simm or an e-simm (software version)

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discussions.apple.com

Be aware of roaming settings and costs

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www.iphonelife.com

 

[Brooklands]

I have never had a problem with using my phone in the UK over the years. Just make sure you know what your provider will charge you for calls and texts. I too use T-Mobile.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks Dave. So you use an iPhone? no adjustments needed when you go to the UK?

 

[Brooklands]

Peg and I both use iPhones with no problems at all. We were last in the UK in February 2025.

 

[waltesefalcon]

Thanks Walt. Did you need to change a SIM card to use your phone, when you made your recent trip to SA?

oops - that should say "when you've made trips outside the USA".

oy

I haven't been out of the country in a day or two. It's my cousin who moved to the Netherlands. We use WhatsApp to talk because it connects over wifi and doesn't use a cell network. She can still use her American phone to stay inntouch with us stateside without incurring any extra costs when talking to someone over here.

 

[JPSmit]

When we went to England in the fall I used a company called Saily.

https://saily.com/

In Canada roaming charges are expensive - $15 dollars or so a day each. I think I paid $20 for the whole time we were there.

Back in the day you would have to physically remove and replace the Sim Card to use the phone in another country. Now most (newer) phones use an e-sim. In my case I ordered it online - downloaded the app and when we got to England we just switched over.

It worked great - though we couldn't use our number in England (which you could if you paid for raoming) So basically you have data and text.

Whats App/ Messenger are two of the apps that you can use to communicate with people in the USA or elsewhere. I don't use Whatsapp but I think you can make calls. Certainly you can call or facetime with Messenger.

I actually found it to be a rather painless process.

 

[waltesefalcon]

WhatsApp does allow you to make calls and it uses your number. So, in that regard is very convenient.

After successfully using it with my cousin, I put it on my mom and daughter's phones when I sent them to Paris. The calls from France were clear and the texts all seemed to go through.

I also have a good friend who I stay in touch with via Messenger and when she was in Europe we had no problem communicating. The only downside to it is that it doesn't use your number but rather your Facebook friends.

 

[Bristol401]

First thing I do after arriving in the UK is go to a local phone shop and get a new SIM card £20 gives me unlimited calls and data. This also works for new phones with ESim only. I usually go to a Vodaphone shop.

 

[Popeye]

Peg and I both use iPhones with no problems at all. We were last in the UK in February 2025.

Exactly. Any time I arrive in a foreign country, I get a text from T-mobile explaining my included and additional cost data and phone fees.

Sometimes the message says "the first xxGB (I have no idea how many) are free high-speed, after that data is still free but slower" (they use more intelligent terminology). Sometimes "calls are 0.25/minute", or "unlimited calls are included in your plan".

Phone always has worked without a hitch.

Again, I'd call your provider - good luck with the AI agent who transfers you to Timbuktu, etc. (Sorry!!)