Lost Phone. Dead Battery. Roaming Shock. How to Avoid Travel Tech Disasters

Technology experts encourage travellers to take a few precautions before leaving home to protect their devices, avoid expensive roaming charges and stay connected while abroad.

Speaking with CTV's Your Morning, tech expert Avery Swartz shared several tips that can help travellers avoid common technology-related problems during their trips.

One of her top recommendations is setting up an eSIM before departure. According to CTV News, Swartz said Canadian carriers often charge international roaming rates that can reach $20 per day, while many eSIM plans can provide connectivity for a week at a significantly lower cost.

An eSIM functions similarly to a traditional SIM card but is downloaded directly onto a compatible device before travel.

"When you get to your destination, you just turn your phone on, and it works," Swartz told CTV.

Swartz also recommends creating digital backups of important travel documents, including passports, flight confirmations and hotel reservations.

According to CTV News, she suggests storing copies both on a traveller's phone and in a secure cloud-based location that can be accessed from another device if necessary. Sharing copies with a trusted family member or friend can provide an additional layer of security.

"If you're at the consulate, it's the middle of the night, you don't have your passport, at least you could bring up a picture of it," Swartz said.

Travellers are also encouraged to ensure their device-tracking features are enabled before departure. CTV News reports that Apple's Find My feature and similar Android tools can help locate a misplaced or stolen device and allow owners to remotely lock their phones if necessary.

Another recommendation is downloading content before leaving home. Travellers should save maps, podcasts, movies and television shows to their devices in advance, particularly for destinations where mobile data access may be limited or expensive.

Offline maps can be especially useful when navigating unfamiliar destinations without an internet connection.

Finally, Swartz reminded travellers that lithium-ion batteries, including portable power banks, should never be packed in checked luggage.

According to CTV News, many airlines now require power banks to remain in carry-on bags, and some carriers are also restricting their use or storage in overhead bins during flights.

Some airlines limit the use of portable chargers during flights, making it important for passengers to fully charge their devices before boarding.

Additional Travel Tech Tips

• Use public Wi-Fi cautiously. Avoid accessing banking apps or entering sensitive information on unsecured public networks. Consider using a VPN for added security.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Adding an extra layer of security to email, banking and social media accounts can help protect them if a device is lost or stolen.
• Update devices before departure. Install software and security updates before leaving home to reduce vulnerabilities and avoid large downloads while travelling.
• Pack the right charging adapters. Research your destination's electrical outlets and voltage requirements to ensure devices can be charged safely.
• Turn off Bluetooth when not in use. Disabling Bluetooth in crowded airports, hotels and tourist areas can help reduce unauthorized connection attempts and preserve battery life.

 

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