As summer is fast approaching, we've got a roundup of tricks, tips and apps to get your devices ready and keep them running throughout your holiday.
1. Register with a phone finding service
This not only gives you more peace of mind, but will save you running laps round the pool/bar/mini golf course an hour before you leave. iPhone users can use the Find My iPhone app to locate their handset, Android users should download the Device Manager. If your phone has battery, you can find it's location, make it beep or wipe it remotely.
2. Check your roaming agreements
When you use your mobile abroad, you connect to a network which is overseas (aka, roaming). This means everything you do is routed through an overseas network provider, usually at a crazily high cost. Here's a great list of the roaming agreements in each country, the add ons available from UK network providers, and tricks to avoid that huge bill at the end of your holiday. Skype and Whats App are your friends.
3. Back up, back up, back up!
Getting insurance on your devices is all well and good, but no amount of money is going to bring your photos and videos back if you drop your phone in the pool/the sea/your drink. Back up before you leave, and if you've got free WiFi at any point think about running another. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Here's how to do it on an iPhone, and here's how to do it on an Android.
4. Download some apps
Downloading apps abroad will eat up your data, so better to hit the app store prior to leaving. A currency app and a map might be the top of your list, but there are some great apps for translating your dietary requirements, finding reviews for restaurants and bars in the area and providing a torch for when you drop your keys.
5. Buy a travel adapter
If you don't know that you're going to be able to plug your phone into the wall when you get there, pick one of these up. They are only ever a couple of quid and it saves you desperately trying to conserve battery life throughout your holiday. If you're heading to the US think about downloading this app which tells you where the nearest powermat is, so you can recharge on the move.
