When I was in Europe visiting, I found that my carrier: T Mobile did not charge me for data or text at all. I use an iP6s at that time and found it very useable with my US number...
If you have an unlocked phone, a third choice would be to use a SIM from one of the 'travel phone' firms such as Roam Simple, Cellular Abroad, Call In Europe, Telestial, Mobal, EuroBuzz, One Sim or Max Roam. In 2018, Apple made it easy people looking for an unlocked iPhone XS that works on their carrier. In 2018, Apple introduced only a single unlocked iPhone XS model for carriers in the USA: A1920. The unlocked US variant makes it dead simple to figure out which unlocked iPhone XS is compatible with your wireless carrier. Europe - Europe sim card for unlocked iphone - I will be in Europe for 7 weeks & plan on taking my unlocked iphone 5 with me & buying a sim card once I arrive in Europe (I arrive in Munich, Germany). Here's a guide on what you need to do to travel with your iPhone to Europe — followed by some applications that should be helpful for your trip. Jailbreak and unlock your iPhone.
I was on the GSM towers with T Mobile and since they are partners with other country's GSM - no charge - was a nice surprise when I got home with no extra charges....
It's a shame that the new iP 7 does not do both GSM and CDMA like the 6 and 6s did.
BTW: Other carriers - they charge a lot for use of your US number in Europe - my GF was charged $40 for international data use on her ATT phone! So just do what others have done - go get yourself a data SIM card when you land in any European country and use texting and data for pennies.... Of course it will not be a US number...
Sep 22, 2016 10:09 AM
How To Use Unlocked Iphone In Europe Pro
By Rick Steves
While using your American phone in Europe is easy, it can get expensive. And unreliable Wi-Fi can make the reality of keeping in touch via a service like Skype more frustrating than it should be.
If you anticipate heavy phone or data use, consider traveling with a mobile phone fitted with a European SIM card. This gives you a European mobile number and access to cheaper rates than you'd get through your US carrier, even with an international plan. Generally with a European SIM card, it's free to receive domestic texts and calls, about 2–20 cents/minute to make domestic calls and calls within the EU, and 5–15 cents to send a text within the EU. For the best rates, buy a new SIM card every time you arrive in a new country.
To get a European SIM, you'll need to do the following:
1. Make sure you're equipped with a proper phone. You'll need either a European phone or an unlocked phone in order for a European SIM card to work (some phones are electronically 'locked' so you can't switch SIM cards). Check with your carrier — it's possible the phone you have is already unlocked, as this feature is becoming more common in newer models. Otherwise, you can try asking your provider if they'll unlock it for you. Remember that as long as you have a European SIM in your own phone, you won't be reachable at your regular US number.
If it's not possible to unlock your phone, you can buy an unlocked phone either before your trip or at your destination (it's around $40 for a basic unlocked phone). It's also possible to buy an inexpensive mobile phone in Europe that already comes with a SIM card. While these phones are generally locked to work with just one provider (meaning you couldn't switch to another European SIM if traveling to other countries), they may be even cheaper ($20 or less, and often with enough prepaid calling credit to make the phone itself virtually free). If shopping for a phone in Europe, use the European term 'mobile' (pronounce it the way Brits do — rhymes with 'smile') or 'handy' (common in German-speaking areas).
Finally, you may already have an old, unused mobile phone in a drawer somewhere. It's probably locked, but your provider may be willing to send you a code to unlock it.
2. Shop around for a SIM card. SIM cards are sold in Europe at mobile-phone shops, department-store electronics counters, some newsstands, and even at vending machines. Costing about $5–10, they usually include about that much prepaid calling credit, with no contract and no commitment. Certain brands — including Lebara — are reliable and provide cheap international calls, including to the US.
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If you have a smartphone, look for a SIM card that also includes data. Expect to pay about $15-30 for a SIM that includes one month of data within the country you bought it. Be aware that many smartphones (especially iPhones) use smaller micro-SIM or nano-SIM cards. Make sure you get the right size card for your phone.
Before buying a SIM card, ask the clerk about rates for calls within the country; to and from other countries you'll be visiting; and, if you plan on calling home, to the US and Canada. Also check the rates for data use and for sending/ receiving a text message (called an 'SMS' in Europe). Make sure you get rates for data and texting both within and outside the card's home country. Rates can vary wildly from brand to brand and store to store.
3. Set up your SIM card. Once you buy your SIM card, ask the clerk to insert it, set it up, and make a test call to be sure it's working properly. Turning on the phone, you'll be prompted to enter the SIM PIN, which you may be asked to enter every time you start up the phone. If text or voice prompts are in another language, ask the clerk whether they can be switched to English. Also find out how to check your credit balance (usually you'll key in a few digits and hit 'Send'). Remember to record your new phone number so you can pass it on to friends and family.
Note that many countries require you to register the SIM card with your passport as an antiterrorism measure. If that's the case, it may take an hour or two after submitting the information before you can use the phone.
4. Top up your SIM card. When you run out of credit, you can top it up at newsstands, tobacco shops, mobile-phone stores, or many other businesses (look for the SIM card's logo in the window). Tell the clerk how much credit you want. You'll either get a voucher with instructions (in most cases, to top up credit, you'll punch in a long string of numbers on your phone), or the clerk will send the credit directly to your phone. Some providers let you top up online.
How To Use Unlocked Iphone In Europe
Tips: Be aware that most European SIM cards expire after a certain period of inactivity (typically 3–12 months), so use up the credit or hand it off to another traveler. Also, be sure to save your contacts' phone numbers in the phone itself, rather than on the SIM card; otherwise, you'll lose access to them when you switch SIMs. When storing phone numbers, include the plus (+) sign and the country code to ensure that your calls will go through, regardless of where you're calling from.