‘Help, I’m crossing the border with my smartphone. But I don’t want high internet costs.’ Read our tip and you can travel the world with peace of mind.
What is roaming?
You probably use roaming without realizing it. If your own provider is not available, your device will look for other providers. For example, if you are out of reach of KPN on Texel, you can call and use the internet via T-Mobile. The providers have mutual agreements about the use of each other’s network. This use is called roaming. This will not cost you anything extra in the EU Member States, but outside the EU it will.
Different roaming
Providers make a distinction between calling and texting roaming and data roaming: simply put, the use of mobile internet. There is an important difference between these two forms of roaming. You cannot accidentally call or text anyone. But unnoticed internet is possible! All kinds of apps automatically connect to the internet. For example, the Mail app that checks for new messages. This way your smartphone happily continues to surf across the border. That’s why you can turn off data roaming: regular roaming will always be available so you can call and send text messages.
Turn off data roaming on Android devices
The steps below apply to a Samsung Galaxy S device from Android 4.3. If you have another Android device, the steps may be slightly different.
- Tap on apps > Institutions.
- Tap the tab Connections.
- Tap on Mobile networks.To do this, first tap More networks.
- Remove the check mark or make sure the slider is to the left behind roaming.
Turn off data roaming on iPhone (iOS 9 or later)
- Tap on Institutions
- Tap on Mobile network.
- Tap on Mobile data options.
- If the slider behind ‘Data roaming’ is green, then data roaming is on. Tap the slider to turn off data roaming.