Will my phone work in the UK?

So you’re going to the UK. Good on you mate. As you plan your trip, you might be wondering where you’re going to get the best bangers and mash or find the best pub to watch the match. But in order to do all the posh things, you’re gonna need a working cell phone while you’re there. 

That’s why we’ve created this helpful blog with travel tips and trips to get your phone to (oh!) behave while you’re in the UK, whether that be England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. So if you’ve been wondering Qs like will my phone work in the UK? How will I stay connected in the UK? Do I need a local SIM? We’ve got all the As below. 

Can I use my phone in the UK?

Mind the (knowledge) gap. 

The short answer is yes. Virtually all modern smartphones can be used in the UK and are compatible with their wireless network towers. That said, you will need to purchase some form of international roaming to be able to get access to their networks and stay connected. 

Most US phone carriers offer international roaming add-ons you can purchase before or during your trip for maximum ease (some even offer them for super low rates…more on that later). We recommend researching your carrier’s options before you arrive just so you don’t have a mid-wireless crisis when you arrive. We’ll also cover your other options below.

Most carriers will alert you of the costs of calling, texting, and data once you’ve arrived at your destination, because using roaming data can get very expensive, very fast, depending on your carrier’s roaming offering. 

Some travelers prefer to purchase a local SIM card when they arrive at their international destination. Next, we’ll cover how that works and if that’s something you might want to do.

Will a UK SIM card work in a US phone?

If you’ve wondered “will a UK SIM card work in my US phone?” The answer is yes. 

Using a UK SIM card has a lot of pros to it, but there are some potential cons you should be aware of which we’ll get into below. Also, this nifty graphic should help.

Pros of buying a UK SIM

There are a few pros to buying a local SIM when you’re in the UK. First of all, most UK SIM cards should work in most unlocked US phones so that might be a good option for you. Not sure if your phone is unlocked or locked? Learn more here.

You can purchase a prepaid physical SIM card or an eSIM data plan, if your phone supports eSIM. The pro of buying a local SIM (or eSIM) is you can avoid costly roaming fees on calls, texts and data use. 

Cons to buying a UK SIM

And now for the cons of using a localized SIM.

While there are no international roaming charges on plans purchased and used within the European Union, this does not apply to SIMs purchased in the UK post-Brexit, since the UK is no longer part of the EU. So if visiting the UK is part of a multi-country European trip you’re taking, you’ll want to get a UK-specific SIM to avoid high roaming charges. 

When you purchase a UK SIM you will be assigned a localized number. That means that if your phone only has the capability to support one SIM and one phone number, people will not be able to reach you on your US number. So that could be an issue if you want to be reachable by anyone who doesn’t have your local number. However, if your phone is dual SIM compatible, you can buy a local eSIM for use while in the UK and use your other SIM for your regular number.

Tips for using a US cell phone in the UK

If you’re still undecided about the route you want to go, here are some general helpful tips to using your phone in the UK. A little pre-planning can help you minimize your data use while traveling around the United Kingdom. 

Connect to Wi-Fi when you can: Luckily these days, there’s free Wi-Fi available in tons of pubs, cafes and restaurants. Take advantage of Wi-Fi where you find it to help minimize data usage. Since Wi-Fi is often available in spots catering to tourists, there may be added risks of identity theft or hacking – make sure to follow best practices when it comes to phone network security and try to connect to secure networks whenever possible. 

Utilize Airplane Mode: As a general guideline, we recommend putting your phone on Airplane Mode as the default setting on your travels to avoid accidental data usage. Even if you have Airplane Mode on, you can still connect to Wi-Fi and use any other phone functions that don’t require cellular data.  

Download content for offline use: When you’re able to get a Wi-Fi connection, take the opportunity to download maps, guidebooks, and media that you can use later without eating into your data, and avoid additional roaming charges. 

Use Wi-Fi Calling: Most phone plans include Wi-Fi Calling as a feature (including Mint) and it’s pretty nifty. Wi-Fi Calling lets you make calls while connected to Wi-Fi at no additional cost, and can be easily turned on in your phone’s settings.

Pause auto downloads and background app refresh: Make sure things like push notifications, auto updates, and things like that are turned off while you’re abroad. It may seem like just a notification here and there, but in reality, these can slowly but surely chip away at your data – and no one wants that. Head here for a refreshmint on background app refresh. 

Become best mates with a portable battery & local adaptors: Avoid the dreaded “my phone battery is dead and so is my connection to the wireless world” by picking up a portable battery. Using your phone for photos and navigation can really drain the battery and an extra may come in handy. Also make sure you have the right adaptor to charge your US phone safely while away.

Before we say toodles, check out these other travel resources

Now you’ve got the rundown on how to use your phone in the United Kingdom without things getting dodgy, we’ve got some deeper dives in case you’re also popping by France, Italy, or somewhere else in Europe (and now we have travel FOMO). 

It’s almost time to say cheerio, but before we do, don’t forget to check out our Minternational Pass. It’s basically a passport for your wireless plan, providing you with talk, text and high-speed data to over 180+ countries. And, once you’re back in the states you can call the friends you made in the UK (perks of having free talk and text to the UK included in your Mint plan. If Minternational Pass had an actual passport, it would look something like a tattooed circus lady. 

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