How to stop calls and texts on international travel: My wife and I are going out of the US for a trip to Costa Rica. We don't want to spend additional money for international plans...

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

My wife and I are going out of the US for a trip to Costa Rica. We don't want to spend additional money for international plans with our mobile carrier but rather just use Wi-Fi where we are staying. I can't seem to find on the web how to stop calls and texts from being received on my Android phone until I start using Wi-Fi. When I have called my mobile phone carrier, I get someone outside the US that really doesn't understand my question. Can someone point me in the right direction on how to accomplish this goal?

Ruthlessrider

Put it in airplane mode.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I didn't think phone calls can go through WIFI.
When we went to Iceland I left my phone in Airplane mode once we left the airport in the states.
I used WIFI at the hotel and on the tour bus, but no celluar during the trip.

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

Did you have to turn off Airplane mode to access Wi-Fi?

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

I switch to airplane mode which switches off the Wi-Fi connection too. Then just connect the Wi-Fi back on and leave airplane mode on. I also use the WhatsApp for messages and free phone calls to friends and family who have WhatsApp. They can also ring you free of charge.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Zaydewise wrote:

Did you have to turn off Airplane mode to access Wi-Fi?

No, they are two separate functions, independent of each other.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

I'm not sure about Androids but on an iPhone you just go into setting and turn off cellular and/or cellular roaming. Airplane mode might shut off the wifi transmitter as well.

Good luck.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Mike D. wrote:

I'm not sure about Androids but on an iPhone you just go into setting and turn off cellular and/or cellular roaming. Airplane mode might shut off the wifi transmitter as well.

Good luck.

WIFI works on my Android when the phone is in Airplane mode.
I can also turn off WIFI, separately.

WIFI is a <very> local transmission and 4/5G is a few miles.

RightOnPhotography Loc: Quebec,QC

Zaydewise wrote:

My wife and I are going out of the US for a trip t... (show quote)

On Android device turn on the Flight Mode and turn off Mobile Data.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

RightOnPhotography wrote:

On Android device turn on the Flight Mode and turn off Mobile Data.

Mobile Data being different than WIFI..... (Mobile Data)

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

My granddaughter just left for Spain for a couple months as an exchange student. She's smart!

When I asked, she explained that when you travel to other countries, you buy a throwaway "SIM Card" for your phone.

ChristianHJensen

bsprague wrote:

My granddaughter just left for Spain for a couple months as an exchange student. She's smart!

When I asked, she explained that when you travel to other countries, you buy a throwaway "SIM Card" for your phone.

Yes you can do that if your phone is unlocked. Or maybe your carrier has a reasonable travel/foreign plan?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Many carriers, including mine, allow cellular calling using WiFI when out of cellular range, but you typically need to have the carrier activate WiFi calling plus enabling that option on your phone. At least that’s true on IPhones - YMMV.

ChristianHJensen

TriX wrote:

Many carriers, including mine, allow cellular calling using WiFI when out of cellular range, but you typically need to have the carrier activate WiFi calling plus enabling that option on your phone. At least that’s true on IPhones - YMMV.

That typically is only within the usual coverage area - most plans do not cover VOIP abroad. But you can do VOIP by using Skype or other VOIP apps

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Sylvias wrote:

I switch to airplane mode which switches off the Wi-Fi connection too. Then just connect the Wi-Fi back on and leave airplane mode on. I also use the WhatsApp for messages and free phone calls to friends and family who have WhatsApp. They can also ring you free of charge.

This works well!