PAYG phone/sim for Spain

Frozen_up_north

mark_steps wrote: »

my iphone 5 is with Orange.

I dont want any bills for the phone but would prefer to use it for the camera and book reasons. Can i turn it off so it doesnt get any calls or texts or have internet access?

Firstly if you have a contract phone or SIM, it may not be enabled for international roaming. PAYG often is. So, if it's on contract check with Orange to see if it has international roaming or not. In any case ask them to disable data roaming as it costs an arm and a leg, even in EC countries. We are regular visitors to Spain and just turn on Airplane mode for the most part then turn on WiFi to use free WiFi in local coffee shops and bars. If you encourage your friends and relatives to use e-mail while you are away it means you can exchange pictures and messages for free via WiFi, rather than paying around 8p per text to send OK or Thanks, etc. In Spain Orange have a "Holiday" SIM where you pay very little to phone home and it includes a generous data allowance. The SIM cards can be purchased in places like the Carrefour store in Torrevieja. See: http://en.orange.es/mobile-service-plans/international-calls/sim-holidays/ You will need to show a passport to buy even a pay as you go SIM in Spain for cash though...

WTFH

StuC75 wrote: »

Go into settings Cellular, and (On ios 7) ensure Cellular data, enable 3g and Data Roaming are Turned off..

NFH wrote: »

Where do you see "cellular data"? This doesn't appear on my iPhone. Do you have your language set to US English?

StuC75 wrote: »

On IOS 7, Settings (Listed after Airplane Mode, Wifi & Bluetooth & Before Personal Hotspot & Carrier Settings), click Cellular, then it lists Cellular Data, Enable 3G, Data Roaming. All set to English \ United Kingdom on the international settings

My phone was bought directly from the Apple Shop and is running 7.0.2 - to avoid the glitch around the lock screen \ photo browser...

Sounds like Stu has something US about his iPhone.
My iPhone 4S is running iOS7.0.2 (no issues with it) has the following:
Airplane Mode
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Mobile
Personal Hotspot
Carrier


Edit: Found it!
General... International..
Language should be "British English", not "English".
If you're using "British English", then you're on your Mobile.
If you're using "English", then you're on your Cellular.

NFH

StuC75 wrote: »

On IOS 7, Settings (Listed after Airplane Mode, Wifi & Bluetooth & Before Personal Hotspot & Carrier Settings), click Cellular, then it lists Cellular Data, Enable 3G, Data Roaming. All set to English \ United Kingdom on the international settings

Within International Settings, your Region Format might well be set to "United Kingdom", but I suspect your Language is set to (US) "English" rather than "British English".

NFH

It is indeed confusing because "English" should mean standard international English as used by England and most English-speaking countries, and the other one should be called "US English" for the non-standard English that is used in the United States. Apple are much better about this stuff than Microsoft, but this ought to be fixed.

StuC75

+1 for Reasons to hate Apple & M$...Same Location, err Place on the Menu list though...


do reckon that as well as putting in Flight mode, turning off Mobile data (or Cellular),, that Disabling each Application from using Mobile data would also be advisable just to avoid anything 'jumping' online when you switch across to wifi mode (and happen to turn off flight mode)..

NFH

StuC75 wrote: »

do reckon that as well as putting in Flight mode, turning off Mobile data (or Cellular),, that Disabling each Application from using Mobile data would also be advisable just to avoid anything 'jumping' online when you switch across to wifi mode (and happen to turn off flight mode)..

If mobile data is turned off, you don't need to turn off mobile data for each app. The former overrides the latter. The best way to avoid any charges is to remove the SIM card.

Earthworm

NFH wrote: »

If mobile data is turned off, you don't need to turn off mobile data for each app. The former overrides the latter. The best way to avoid any charges is to remove the SIM card.

Plus by taking out the SIM you have the added protection of securing your bill in the event your phone is stolen and accessed by someone else (ie. They cant then turn calls/data on and make calls).

WTFH

If it's in flight mode, you can't send or receive calls or data (which is what the OP wanted).
Switching on or off anything else is irrelevant after that.

Taking the SIM card out means you have no way of making an emergency call, should you need to - as for getting it stolen, you can get your phone stolen anywhere - even in the UK - not just abroad.

I would suggest turning off Data Roaming (and leaving it off all the time) for anyone going abroad - that prevents nasty surprises. Turning off Mobile Data is OK, as long as you remember to turn it back on again when you return to the UK.

grumbler

WTFH wrote: »

If it's in flight mode, you can't send or receive calls or data (which is what the OP wanted).
Switching on or off anything else is irrelevant after that.

It might be different for iOS, but for Android you can switch any connection back on, e.g. 2g/3g/data, at it will be relevant.

Taking the SIM card out means you have no way of making an emergency call, should you need to - as for getting it stolen, you can get your phone stolen anywhere - even in the UK - not just abroad.

It'll just take more time to report and is likely to be much more costly when happens abroad.

WTFH

grumbler wrote: »

It might be different for iOS, but for Android you can switch any connection back on, e.g. 2g/3g/data, at it will be relevant.

Ah, no, on the iPhone, flight mode is flight mode, when it's on, everything is off with no option to override it.