Your phone, laptop, and tablet are your travel essentials – if something happens to them, your trip can unravel fast.
The good news: a few simple steps before and during your trip can keep your tech safe, your data secure, and your holiday stress-free.
Before you go
1. Back up
Knowing your data is backed up means you’ll recover quickly from a device disaster. Much less crying.
For phones, make sure iCloud backup is running (Settings → Apple account at the top → iCloud → iCloud backup) or Google Drive for Android.
For computers, make a fresh Time Machine backup before leaving, or make sure your important files are stored in OneDrive or Dropbox.
2. Turn on “Find My Device”
Apple’s Find My iPhone and Google’s Find My Device let you track a lost phone. With this turned on, you can locate it, mark it as lost (putting your contact details on the lock screen), or even wipe it remotely. Super useful if you leave it in the seat-back pocket on the plane. (No, this has NEVER happened to me.)
3. Add extra login protection
Your phone PIN should be at least 6 digits (or use a strong password). Don’t let people see you type it in, and reduce your auto-lock time so it locks quickly. On iPhone, enable Apple’s Stolen Device Protection in your settings – it can help protect your account if someone sees your PIN and steals your phone.
While travelling
1. Be careful with public Wi-Fi
Avoid logging in to important accounts on public Wi-Fi. If you can, use a VPN before logging into secure sites.
2. Keep devices close
Put your phone, tablet, and laptop in your carry-on, not checked luggage. When out and about, be aware of your surroundings – phone snatching is on the rise in many cities. A teenager once told me to hold my phone by wrapping my fingers around the top and sides, ensuring a firm grip. Noted.
For extra peace of mind
Even if you’re tech-savvy, these small extras can save a lot of trouble:
- Keep photos of your ID in 1Password, where they’re encrypted and easy to access
- Store your flight booking reference number (or PNR) in your calendar. Often, it’s all you need to check in.
- Bring a small portable charger so you’re never caught without power.
- If using a hotel safe, test it before trusting it with your laptop or passport. Don’t let a child change the combination. (No, this has NEVER happened to me.)
If disaster strikes
- Lost or stolen device? Use another device (friend’s phone, hotel computer, etc.) to log in to your Apple ID or Google account and mark the phone as lost (activates lock and tracking).
- Change your most important passwords as soon as you can, start with email and banking.
- If you’re on your own, buy a cheap temporary phone and local SIM card so you can still be reached.
Keeping your tech safe while travelling doesn’t have to be complicated. A few minutes of prep before you leave can save hours of hassle later.
If you need help with anything mentioned above, get in touch and we’ll walk you through it.
