The iPhone hacks you need to know before your next trip
1. Translate using your phones camera
- Newer phones (16 and on) have the option to hit the side button and a camera will come up. Then you take a picture from here and then hit translate. This was a life saver for us this summer when we were traveling all over Europe, specially in the more remote areas of Italy that did not have English menus & noone really spoke English.
-If you have an older iPhone or not an iPhone you can still do this. You would pull up google on your web browser or the google app if you have it. Then just simply search translate. When you get here you can simply type text in but if you are trying to translate a menu or sign you just click the camera symbol and take a picture from there.
📱You can watch a video we made on How to Translate ANY menu or sign just by taking a photo.
2. Convert any currency using your calculator app
Steps:
-Go into your calculator app
-Click the bottom left of the screen that shows a calculator
-Then click “Convert”
-Tap the currency to change what you want to convert it to
📱Watch our video on how to Convert any currency amount in real time in the calculator app.
3. Paying in the local currency when in another country
When you use a credit card or debit card abroad, many payment terminals or ATMs ask: “Would you like to pay in your home currency or the local currency?”
That choice determines who handles the currency conversion:
Local currency - RECOMMENDED: Your bank or card network like Visa, Mastercard, or Amex does the conversion.
Home currency: The foreign merchant or ATM does the conversion — this is called Dynamic Currency Conversion - where they can charge whatever conversion they want
Why You Should Choose Local Currency?
You get a better exchange rate:
-Card networks like Visa & Mastercard use near-market exchange rates — much closer to the true mid-market rate.
-Dynamic Currency Conversion, on the other hand, typically adds a hidden markup of 3–10% to the rate.
✅ Example:
Bill: €100 in Paris
Pay in euros (local) → your bank converts at €1 = $1.08 = $108
Pay in USD (home) → DCC converts at €1 = $1.15 = $115
That’s a $7 difference — for the exact same purchase.
Watch our video on What credit card mistake not to make when traveling internationally!
4. World Clock
The World Clock feature, in the clock app, lets you track the current time in cities around the world. It’s especially handy if you:
Have family, friends, or colleagues in different time zones
Travel frequently
Schedule meetings or calls across countries
Want to know what time it is in your next destination
You can add multiple cities and quickly see the local time difference relative to yours. This has been so helpful when traveling
5. Download google maps ahead of time
Downloading Google Maps ahead of time is one of the smartest things you can do before traveling — especially when you’re going somewhere unfamiliar or where you might not have reliable cell service.
👉🏻You can navigate without internet or data
Once a map area is downloaded, Google Maps works completely offline — meaning you can: Search for places, get turn-by-turn driving directions, see landmarks, street names, and routes.
Note: Walking, cycling, and public transport directions may be limited offline — driving directions work best.
👉🏻You save on roaming and data costs
When you have offline maps saved, Google Maps doesn’t need to download map tiles as you move. That means you’re not burning through expensive international data or limited mobile plans.
👉🏻It’s safer when exploring new areas
If your phone loses signal, you won’t suddenly lose navigation. You’ll still see your blue GPS dot, follow your route, know where the next turn is. You’re never stranded guessing which direction to go.
👉🏻 You can save restaurants or other landmarks you want to see and have it all saved in one place
🗾 How to Download a Map (Step-by-Step)
Open Google Maps while you have Wi-Fi.
Tap your profile picture (top right).
Choose Offline maps → Select your own map.
Zoom and drag to fit the area you want (e.g., a city, region, or island).
Tap Download.
You can also tap on a city name → three dots (⋮) → Download offline map.
6. Whatsapp
You maybe have heard about this free messaging app if you ever traveled abroad or met someone from another country. If you are traveling outside of the U.S. this will be a huge help to have downloaded even before landing. WhatsApp is the default messaging app in most of Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Locals often don’t use iMessage or SMS at all — so if you want to reach: Tour guides, Airbnb hosts, Drivers (taxis/ubers), Restaurants, or new friends they all most likely message through this app.
-WhatsApp messages, calls, and shared media are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one (not even WhatsApp) can read or listen to them.
-Voice and video calls are crystal clear, even across continents - just connect to Wi-Fi or use a local SIM/eSIM with data.
-FREE
7. Turn Off Data Roaming
This can be very confusing for people who have not gone out of the country before but is very important to know so you don’t get hit with unexpected charges from your cell phone carrier. You want to turn Off Data Roaming, but Keep Internet on with eSIM or Local SIM.
Still use internet through your eSIM or local SIM.
Turning off “Data Roaming” only stops your home SIM from roaming.
You can still:
Keep mobile data ON for your local eSIM
Use the internet, maps, WhatsApp, and calls as usual — just through your new local data plan
So you’re still fully connected, but at local rates (much cheaper).
Get an eSIM with data from apps like: Airalo, Holafly or Nomad
You can use WhatsApp, iMessage, email, etc., without using your home carrier’s expensive roaming.
