It’s easy to imagine not having cell phone service while traveling to Canada, Mexico, and actually anywhere internationally since most U.S. companies primary work within the U.S. There are solutions though. In today’s world, internet access is abundant and there is usually a free wi-fi network that you can use to stay connected to people back home. There are also many free apps that are designed to keep you connected while traveling internationally.
Wi-Fi Calling and Texting
Wi-Fi Calling and Texting allows you to make and receive calls and text messages using a Wi-Fi network with your existing Twigby phone number. This feature works within the range of your router, and you do not need a cell signal. With this feature enabled, a Wi-Fi signal allows you to send texts, make calls, and start video calls without using cell service. At Twigby, Wi-Fi Calling and Texting is included with every plan for free. This feature is perfect for when you are travelling overseas or if you are travelling in a rural area with unpredictable service. To learn more about Wi-Fi Calling and Texting and how to enable it, click here.
International Calling
When you have Wi-Fi Calling and Texting enabled and connected while traveling, you can also use our International Calling feature to stay in touch. If you are traveling to a country where Twigby offers International long-distance calling, it can be helpful when making calls to your hotel, a taxi, or even restaurants. You can also use International Calling to reach your friends and family in other countries around the world. Click here to learn what countries are included in our International Calling and how to use it.
Other Apps
If for some reason you didn’t enable Wi-Fi Calling and Texting before you got to your destination, you can still stay in touch by using a free messaging app that uses Wi-Fi. At Twigby, we did our research and found the best free messaging apps that can keep you connected while traveling anywhere in the world.
iMessage and FaceTime For iPhones
If you are an iPhone user and traveling internationally, iMessage and FaceTime are your means of staying connected to your friends and family who are also iPhone users. If there is a wi-fi connection available that you can connect to, you will be able to stay in contact with other iPhone users. When your iPhone is connected to wi-fi, text messages and picture/video messages can be sent to other Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc) using iMessage. You can also call people using FaceTime audio or FaceTime video. FaceTime audio would be used to make a phone call while FaceTime video would be for video calling. Click here to see how to turn iMessage and FaceTime on or off.
Google Messages
Google Messages is essentially Google’s version of Apple’s iMessage. It is Google’s official universal messaging platform for the Android ecosystem. With Messages, you can text anyone from anywhere across all your connected devices. The app offers great features that make communication, organization, and safety a priority. You can send texts over Wi-Fi even if you don’t have cell service. Starting a video call from a conversation is also quick and easy and doesn’t require you to switch between apps. Click here to learn more about Google Messages.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp Messenger is a free messaging and calling app that uses your phone number as an identifier. The app is available for both Android and iPhone. WhatsApp will work over a wi-fi network to let you message and call friends and family who also have WhatsApp Messenger downloaded on their phone. Switch from SMS to WhatsApp to send and receive message, calls, photos, videos, documents, and voice messages. Call or message your friends and family even if they’re in another country. There is no extra charge! Download WhatsApp Messenger on your Android or your iPhone.
Messenger
Messenger is an app that allows you to send messages and make calls for free when connected to wi-fi. Initially, Messenger started out as app for Facebook users, but you don’t need a Facebook account to use Messenger anymore. If you aren’t on Facebook, you can use Messenger by creating an account with just your name and phone number. If you are on Facebook, you can use Messenger by logging in through your Facebook account. Message, call, or video chat your friends and family near and far. Don’t forget that the people who you will want to stay in contact with using Messenger will need to have the Messenger app as well. The Messenger app is available for both Android and iPhone.
Whether you are traveling for business or you’re on a cruise to tropical islands, we hope you have a better understanding on how to keep in touch with your friends and family while traveling internationally. Wherever you go, making sure that you are still connected is easy and free.