Tips for Safeguarding Your Mobile Phone While Traveling Internationally

This summer, while traveling to Asia, I have decided to leave my iPhone behind. Instead, I will be taking an alternate phone that doesn’t have essential apps like Instagram, Slack, Signal, and others. It won’t even access my work email.

To clarify, I’m not aiming for a digital detox. My personal device holds sensitive information that I prefer to keep private, particularly from entities like US border officials. Hence, I’ve opted for a burner phone for my travels.

For over ten years, the federal government has had the authority to conduct border searches on travelers’ personal electronic devices, including phones, laptops, and tablets. These searches have been on the rise, yet only a minor percentage of travelers experience them upon entering the US.

Last year, the US Customs and Border Protection Agency reported conducting roughly 43,000 electronic searches, which is an increase from about 38,000 earlier.

I may come off as particularly cautious due to my profession as a journalist, always striving to protect sensitive sources. Thus, the burner phone seems like an extreme but necessary measure for some.

Recently, travelers have faced denial of entry into the US due to data on their phones, including social media content. Posts related to protests have also been scrutinized.

“A significant concern is the government’s ability to select individuals for searches,” explained Esha Bandari, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union. “There are instances of more intense searches at the border, affecting not just ordinary travelers but also lawyers protecting client confidentiality and those perceived as dissenters.”

While the rules for entering the US remain unchanged, the enforcement frequency may be increasing. Both leisure and business travelers need to be mindful of the data on their devices.

There’s no universal solution; the best strategy is contingent on your lifestyle and profession. Here’s how to navigate this.

Evaluate Your Risk

Cybersecurity expert Jeremiah Grossman suggests starting by evaluating who you are, your professional role, and how you use your devices.

For instance, if you’re a retired US citizen with holiday pictures or casual texts with friends, your data might not pose a significant concern. However, if you’re a visa student involved in government protests, your phone might contain information that could lead to complications.

“If law enforcement has full access to your phone’s contents, is it detrimental to you?” Grossman questioned.

From there, judge whether the risk is high or low to determine your strategy.

Low Risk: Use a Passcode and Remove Some Apps

If you’re slightly apprehensive about data searches, disable biometrics like fingerprints and facial recognition and rely solely on your passcode for unlocking your device.

For iPhones, go to the Settings app, tap Face ID & PassCode, enter your passcode, and turn off Unlock iPhone.

For Android devices, the steps may vary by model, but generally, you can find the option to turn off face unlock and fingerprints in the Settings menu.

Using only a passcode is a smart strategy for US citizens, as it can make it legally more challenging for officials to compel you to unlock your phone, Bandari noted.

While citizens can refuse to share a passcode, visa holders and tourists could face entry denial if they refuse compliance, so it’s wise to uninstall apps with sensitive information, like Instagram, Signal, and others.

Medium Risk: Backup and Purge Data

If you suspect a moderate likelihood of a government search, consider backing up all your data and cleaning your device before heading back to the US, Grossman advises.

For convenience, back up your data to an online service, like iCloud for iPhones or Google Drive for Android devices. This ensures that you can easily restore your data later by logging in to your account.

To back up your iPhone data to iCloud, go to the Settings app, tap on your name, then iCloud, select iCloud Backup. Enable Back up this iPhone and then tap Back up now. To erase iPhone data, use the Settings app, tap General, select Transfer or Reset iPhone, and tap Erase All Content and Settings, then follow the prompts.

For backing up your Android device to Google, go to the Settings app, tap on Google, and then select Backup. To purge data from Android, the steps will vary based on your phone model, but you can typically find the option for Factory Reset in the Settings.

After erasing the device and crossing the border, you’ll be able to restore the device from your backup during setup by entering your account credentials. (Make sure to note your password securely.)

High Risk: Use a Burner Phone

If you believe there’s a significant chance that US border officials will request to see your phone, the safest route is to leave your personal device at home and travel with a burner phone designated solely for your trip.

Here’s my plan:

• I will bring an inexpensive Android smartphone loaded only with travel-related apps, such as navigation and transportation apps.

• I’ll log into a separate email account created specifically for the trip to keep my itinerary and other travel information.

• Upon arrival, I’ll use eSIM technology to connect to a temporary mobile plan on a local network, which can be set up via apps like Nomad, Airalo, or Gigsky. (I’ve previously written a guide on using eSIM technology.)

After returning home, I’ll transfer all my vacation photos from the burner phone to my iPhone and stash the burner away until my next journey.