Talk with Your Carrier About Travel Plans/Unlocking
Since iPhones tend to be locked by their carriers, you might need to ask about unlocking your phone before an international trip. Essentially, unlocking means the ability to use your iPhone on a foreign network with the permission of your carrier. If you’re leasing your iPhone, and hope to use a foreign SIM card once you get to your destination, you might not be in luck.
Every carrier has different rules and different costs associated with this process. However, Verizon and AT&T, for example, offer travel passes via their own networks that may be a very effective alternative to unlocking.
Alongside choosing travel data plans or arranging to unlock your phone, make sure to find out if you’ll need an international SIM card as well. Travel passes generally let you keep your original SIM card, but when unlocking your phone you should learn if you need to buy (or rent) a new one. Factor in these costs, and buy an international version ahead of time if possible. Oh, and learn how to replace your SIM card safely.