---
title: Preparing Your Devices and Accounts Before International Travel
description: What to sort out with your phone, laptop, and accounts before you fly, so a lost device or frozen card doesn't derail your trip.
category: travel
tags: [travel, digital-security, international-travel, device-prep]
version: "1.0"
updated: 2026-08-26
sources:
  - name: U.S. Department of State — Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
    url: https://step.state.gov
  - name: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
    url: https://www.cisa.gov
  - name: Electronic Frontier Foundation, Border Search guidance
    url: https://www.eff.org
---

Getting your phone, laptop, and accounts ready before you leave saves you from dead batteries, locked-out logins, and frozen cards in a country where fixing it is a lot harder than it would be at home. Work through this a week or two out, then again the night before you fly.

## A Week or Two Before

- [ ] Check your phone's international roaming plan or buy a local eSIM `{when: planning-to-use-data-abroad}`
  Roaming without a plan can run up huge charges fast.
- [ ] Back up your phone and laptop fully `{essential}`
  A full cloud or external backup means a lost or seized device isn't a lost life.
- [ ] Update your phone, laptop, and apps to the latest software
  Closes known security holes before you're on unfamiliar public wifi.
- [ ] Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for email, banking, and social accounts
  Use an authenticator app or physical key over SMS where possible, since SMS may not arrive on foreign networks.
- [ ] Download and save your 2FA backup codes somewhere offline `{essential}`
  If your phone is lost, stolen, or won't get signal, these are often your only way back into accounts.
- [ ] Write down or securely note account recovery emails and phone numbers
  You'll need them if you get locked out.
- [ ] Check your destination's rules on encryption or device inspection at the border `{when: traveling-to-country-with-tight-digital-controls}`
  A few countries restrict or scrutinize encrypted devices; look this up if traveling somewhere with tight digital controls.
- [ ] Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel dates and destinations `{essential}`
  Skip this and a fraud-detection system may freeze your card the moment you use it abroad.
- [ ] Confirm which cards have no foreign transaction fees and bring at least two from different networks
  e.g., Visa and Mastercard, in case one is declined.
- [ ] Order any currency or emergency funds you want on hand `{when: want-physical-cash-before-landing}`
- [ ] Buy a universal power adapter (and a converter if voltage differs)
  Check your destination's plug type and voltage; frying a laptop charger on the wrong voltage is a real risk.

## A Few Days Before

- [ ] Remove or lock down sensitive apps and files you won't need on the trip
  Especially work data, financial apps, or anything you wouldn't want exposed if your device is searched or stolen.
- [ ] Set a strong screen lock (PIN/passcode, not just biometrics) on all devices `{essential}`
  Border agents in some countries can compel a fingerprint or face unlock but have a harder time compelling a memorized passcode; know your rights before you land, not after.
- [ ] Turn off auto-fill for saved passwords in browsers on devices you're carrying
  Reduces what's exposed if a device is inspected or stolen.
- [ ] Enable "Find My Phone" / device tracking and remote wipe `{essential}`
  This is your only way to protect data or recover a lost device once you're overseas.
- [ ] Save digital and printed copies of your passport, visa, and ID `{essential}`
  Keep one copy in cloud storage and one offline (email to yourself or a trusted person too); losing your passport abroad without a copy massively slows down replacement at an embassy.
- [ ] Screenshot or save your hotel, flight, and insurance confirmations offline
  Don't rely on needing wifi to find them.
- [ ] Set up a VPN if you plan to use public wifi regularly `{when: plan-to-use-public-wifi-regularly}`
  Recommended for protecting logins on hotel/airport networks, but check whether your destination restricts VPN use.
- [ ] Register your trip with your government's traveler program `{essential}`
  It's how your embassy reaches you in an emergency or crisis.
- [ ] Share your itinerary and a way to reach you with someone at home

## The Night Before / Day of Departure

- [ ] Charge all devices and portable battery packs to 100%
- [ ] Pack chargers and adapters in carry-on, not checked luggage
  Checked bags get lost; you don't want your only charger in one.
- [ ] Turn on airplane mode reminders / check international roaming is actually active
  So you're not stuck with no signal on arrival.
- [ ] Double check 2FA backup codes are accessible without your phone
  Printed or on a second device, in case your phone doesn't survive the trip.
- [ ] Log out of accounts you won't need and remove saved passwords for sites you don't plan to use `{when: worried-about-device-inspection-or-theft}`
  Worth doing if you're worried about device inspection or theft; skip if it's not a concern for your destination.
- [ ] Confirm your phone's SIM/eSIM is set to activate on arrival `{when: bought-travel-sim-or-esim-in-advance}`

## After You Land

- [ ] Test that your banking and email 2FA actually work on the new network
  Before you need them urgently.
- [ ] Avoid logging into sensitive accounts (banking, work email) on hotel business-center or shared computers `{essential}`
  These are common targets for keyloggers and leave your credentials exposed.
- [ ] Keep devices on you or in a hotel safe, not left visibly in a room