How to Disable an iPhone While on Vacation
By Randall Blackburn
Disable the calling and data services on your iPhone while you're on vacation to save money on roaming charges. International roaming charges can mount up quickly when you're traveling abroad. Fortunately, you can disable the Data Roaming and Cellular Data features to stop your iPhone from checking your email and accessing the Internet when traveling. To disable only the iPhone’s ability to make and receive calls and text messages, place the device in Airplane Mode. Of course, you can always turn off your iPhone while on vacation to completely unplug and rejuvenate.
Step 1
Tap the “Settings” icon in the iPhone home screen to open the Settings app.
Step 2
Tap the“Cellular” option. The Cellular settings menu opens.
Step 3
Slide the “Cellular Data” toggle to the “Off” position.
Step 4
Slide the “Data Roaming” toggle to the “Off” position. Data services are now disabled.
Step 1
Press the “Home” button to return to the iPhone home screen.
Step 2
Tap the “Settings” icon in the home screen to launch the Settings app.
Step 3
Slide the “Airplane Mode” toggle switch to the “On” position. Airplane mode is enabled.
References
- Apple: iPhone and iPad (Cellular Models): Understanding Cellular Data Settings and Usage
- Apple: iOS: Using Do Not Disturb
- Sprint: Enable/Disable Mobile Data on Your Apple iPhone 5
- YouTube: Can I Use My iPhone 5S on a Plane (iOS 7)
- YouTube: Smart Handset How-Tos: iOS 7 - Turn Off / On Data Roaming Services
Tips
- To silence calls, and disable notifications and alerts, enable Do Not Disturb mode in the Settings menu. Your phone is still active in this mode, but all audible alerts, rings and tones are silenced.
- Airplane mode disables all cellular data and calling services, but leaves Wi-Fi and Bluetooth available for in-flight use.
Warnings
- Information provided in this article applies to the iPhone 5 running iOS 7.0 and above. Instructions may vary slightly or significantly for other versions of iOS.
Writer Bio
Randall Blackburn has worked for several Fortune 1000 companies as a technical writer over the past seven years. He has produced a wide variety of technical documentation, including detailed programming specifications and research papers. Randall has also acquired several years' experience writing web content. Randall lives and works in Austin, TX.