Using My Phone In Mexico
I have the Samsung Galaxy S III 16G and am going to Mexico in a couple of weeks. Just curious how much it would cost per MB or GB. For example, if I wanted to JUST upload a picture on Instagram and do nothing else how much would that cost with roaming and everything.
It is free. It uses the internet. I guess unless you are using free internet someone has to pay for the internet service but other than that it is free yes
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How to use your Global ready phone in Mexico.
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Traveling Abroad in Mexico with a Verizon Phone
How to Use a Verizon Global Ready Phone Abroad
So your planning a trip to Cancun Mexico and want internet/cell service with out paying Roaming fees to your U.S service provider here is what you need to know to have access to Facebook, Vonage, Google maps, email and other apps while abroad.
I will cover two bases one for your Global ready/Unlocked phone and the other for a personal Hotspot in your room or wherever your laptop will be this is only If you plain to purchase or have semi-free WiFi service from the Hotel.First I will cover your smartphone:
The phone I used and test this with was mostly on my Razr Maxx from Motorola from the Verizon network. This can also worked with a Iphone 4S (You need to call Verizon First before traveling) please check out this thread to use your iPhone Unlocking Iphone for International Travel
Note: you only have to do this once per-iPhone after that it is global ready as long as you own it.
For a Android phone they are Global ready phones no need to call Verizon it is already ready. Popular Android phones that are Global ready ie. Razr, Razr Maxx,plus both HD versions also, The Samsung GS3 and GS4 are Global ready.
For those who don't know, All Verizon 4G phones carry a sim card inside. They can be replace with a non-U.S carrier sim.(Make sure you insert the sim in the right way or it will not work.) If you try to use a none Verizon sim in the U.S it will be blocked by The Verizon network.
Verizon runs off of both GSM and Cdma networks but while aboard you have a option to change these features.
By pressing the menu button click System Setting> More / Wireless & Networks>Mobile Networks>Network Mode.
Step 1.
Most important leave your phone in airplane mode once you reach your destination you can still use WiFi while your phone is in this mode. While in Mexico or any country aboard you will need a local sim from any carrier that is GSM. A prepaid sim works great, some/most company's will make you pay a fee for the sim and they will not provide any help with setting your phone up to there services.
Here are a two reasons why. #1 You did not buy it from them. #2 They really don't know your Verizon, AT&T and T-mobile phone setup, Yes it is different then the same phones they sell on their own network. So buying a prepaid sim card is your best option then paying roaming fees to your U.S carrier.
After you have you sim you purchase the Data amount you think you will need you I got 1GB which was way more then enough for 5 days. I was consistently using my phone checking in on Foursquare etc.. you will also receive a local phone number too. I used a telcel sim card In Cancun The Telcel company is located in the Hotel Zone # 2 Blvd Kukulcan Km 12.5 77500 Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Telcel is the best for 4g and internet service.
Mexico cellphone company's
http://www.telcel.com/portal/home.doTelcel: Excellent coverage, You'll have to present your passport. It took no time set up the data service. (You need to know their APN settings for data service I will cover this below. I used The Vonage app to Talk to friends and family in the U.S for free they were able to call and text me while using the Vonage app on their smart phone and toll free numbers work with Vonage but not with the Mexico number.(I will cover how to set up Vonage before your travel below). There are other cheaper company's but none with the same coverage as Telcel. It worked everywhere compared to the company below.
http://www.movistar.com.mx/Movistar: The underdog. Cheaper per-month. It is what The other phone used.I wanted to test both networks. The rate to call the USA from Mexico was only 2 pesos per minute (15 cents) but there are other options to call the U.S for free as stated above. Coverage is not great at all, but it wasn't to terrible either. It was really spotty while on the beach unlike Telcel. Traveling out of Cancun on a excursions there was next to none cellular service at all. A lot of the small towns didn't have Movistar coverage. You will end up roaming on a different network it will roam on the Telcel network instead yeah that's right I said Telcel.
Prices
Everyone wants to use their Android phone or iPhone for checking emails, translating Spanish and occasionally consulting Google Maps while lost. It is easy to setup data on your phone once you have a SIM card and money on the account. If you don't explicitly buy data you can still use data on your device, but it will be taken out of your account balance at a very expensive rate. The best thing to do is to sign up for a package deal. Movistar is $200 pesos ($15) for 1GB which expires in 1 month. If your stay is not long Telcel offers the same 1GB data service for 10 days.
To sign up for one of these packages after you have added money to your Movistar account you send a text message to a special number and money is automatically taken from your account balance to pay for your data package. For example, to sign up for 1GB over 30 days, a $200 peso plan, you send a text message to 100 that says "30 dias". $200 pesos will be removed from your Movistar account and you'll have a gig of data to use.
Telcel works in a different way but you don't not need to text any special number( if your purchase from their main Store) after you add money to your account. it is automatically applied only when you use any OXXO convenience store to refill your mobile service then you will need to text a special number which will be provided . I prefer going to Telcel company just in case of a language barrier.
Note: That all Telcel prepaid plans are currently referred to as "Amigo". Click Here for Telcel Rate Rates are in pesos not dollars
Your sim card good and can be reused up too 1 year after money runs out or time expires.
Current Exchange rate $1 USD = 13.2408 pesos.
Step 2
Lets get your internet service running :
After you have your sim and paid for data you need add the APN setting to your phone. I did have to add the APN to my Razr Maxx for 4G/3G coverage, As Same for the iPhone 4S to acquire the 3G data service. Insert your Telcel sim go to the one of the link below, click your phone software link. its free no need to pay a company which will take you minutes to do. If your phone is running any Android you click the android manual setup for Iphone the Iphone manual setup. Here is Telcel APN setting for Cancun, Mexico . Here is Movistar APN settings
Note: If you have a fully unlocked smartphone that is not locked to any specific carrier in the United States, Canada or any other country you may not have to enter the APN setting manually.
How to Call and Text to the U.S and Receive Calls and Text from the U.S while abroad at no Charge.
I have used Vonage for a while to me its the best. I have used on trips to Europe and it has always work without any problems.
When setting up Vonage you must do it before your trip abroad because it will asked for your current U.S number for authorization and activation this number will not change once you use a foreign sim since your account is linked to your U.S number not your carrier.
You can add money to your Vonage account if you are planing on calling land lines or a smartphone with out the Vonage app attached to that smartphone number. (I notice a few times I used Vonage from Mexico to call a mobile phone that did not have Vonage, I was able to call them for free, which was a bonus). You can Call, send SMS and MMS threw Vonage at no additional charge to any smartphone with the Vonage app.
There are other apps out there that do work the same way as Vonage. Viber, Call and Text any Viber user for free. Whatsapp a texting app only no calling is available (yet).
These apps will use the data service you have purchase while abroad or if you have WiFi enable on your phone if WiFi is available they will use the WiFi Data instead of Cellular Data. Almost every Hotel in Cancun makes you pay for WiFi. If you are at a hotel that offers free WiFi you are in luck but the service may be spotty in some areas in your hotel.
Note to reader: The Hotspot for Verizon Wireless did not work it will look for Verizon servers. I will update this article when I find a Hotspot for Telcel. I also know The Foxfi app did not work either even the paid version.
Thanks for reading !!
Enjoy your trip.How to turn your computer into a Virtual (Personal)Router.
Our hotel the Grand Oasis Cancun provided internet for only 36 hours and you could only use it on one device which comes to my next option as using your Laptop as a Personal Router to broadcast WiFi to any devices near your computer. Our room was on the Second level of the Pyramid at Grand Oasis and I was able to access it while at the VIP lounge below our room. Before our supposedly free internet service ended.
I attempted using the hotel next door since I was getting a good signal from the Omni Hotel. They offered complimentary 24hr internet access using your browser as a way to track your use. Once you find the signal of the Omni it will open your browser I used Google Chrome, after it opens you go threw a few simple steps and your ready.
I learned that after the 24 hours are up all you have to do is disconnect from their network, just run Ccleaner(free program) then find the Signal of the hotel and you will be given another 24 hours. What Ccleaner(<--download there) does is clears anything attached to your browser ie cookies temp files etc. it cleans your browser history giving you a way of not paying for the hotel fee of internet and giving you free WiFi. this is only if you are next to the Omni hotel :).
What you need to download to turn your computer into a hotspot need to say is this little easy to use program Virtual Router. Once it has download test at your home to make sure it works with you devices. This will work with Tablets, Phones and other computers that cant find the Omni WiFi signal. Your welcome. To use it, is simple. Open program>make a password>select WiFi and start VR. -
Living in Mexico, but want to be able to use our phone in the states.
We are living in Mexico, but, when visiting the states, we want to be able to use our phone and have a US number. If we buy an unlocked IPhone and have it activated with a Mexico plan and number, can we change the SIM card when we visit the states and have a pay as you go US number?
I am afraid that this is a local policy of Germany as a state, and adopted by companies, which activate there. This method has been used in many European countries, but not in all countries. I am still happy that almost all the films are subtitled in Romania as this allows to hear the original language, the original voice and is very useful for learning foreign languages. Dubbing films is, in my mind, against the European spirit of mutlicultural continent, and states which still support this should abandon this method. I think this is an issue of a cultural phenomenon, not an Apple forum issue.
This is a comment inspired by your post, I am sorry, I have no idea how to solve this in the short run. -
Using my android in Mexico without incurring roaming charges, etc.?
I want to know if I can turn off settings to be able to use my phone for pictures and using the hotels wifi and not incurring roaming charges on my phone while in Mexico.
Turn on Airplane mode and leave it there. You can turn on wifi after the phone is in Airplane Mode.
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Can I use my iphone in Mexico?
I am in Mexico and I already cancelled my plan with verizon, do you know what should I do to use my phone here?
You have to be an active vzw customer to get it unlocked for international travel
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I am having difficulty XMIT/REC text messages to family members using Android phones? I have a 3GB data plan and all switches and buttons are set properly. Any suggestions?
Hello APVzW, we absolutely want the best path to resolution. My apologies for multiple attempts of replacing the device. We'd like to verify the order information and see if we can locate the tracking number. Please send a direct message with the order number so we can dive deeper. Here's steps to send a direct message: http://vz.to/1b8XnPy We look forward to hearing from you soon.
WiltonA_VZW
VZW Support
Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport -
I wear hearing aids that are made for Apple, the audio will go into the hearing aids via Bluetooth. I'll need to use my phone for voice only.. I drive for work and have a wok oh one too and both are synced to a bluetooh headset (LG). I'm trying to figure out how to talk on both phones ( use speakerphone on work phone?) without using a bluretooh headset. I don't know the range of the microphone on the IPHON, thinking about hanging it around my neck or put the phone into a stand/holder on the dash and use the speakerphone feature. Looking for ideas to make this simple
You can't do anything with that problem.
Take your iPhone to the closest Apple Store and they will give you new one for 200€/$ or if you bought your iPhone in less than 12 months you will get it for free. -
I have bought an used Iphone 5. I dont have the password for the existing login id of the old owner. How do i use the phone and change the log in id?
Unfortunatly the only way that you can get it off is to get the old user to input the password. You may need to contact that old user and see if he can put the old password in. hope this helps.
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I upgraded from Iphone 3g to iphone 4. I had to update my macbook pro to Lepard just to sync. the **** thing with the new iphone 4. I bought and updated to lepard. Now when I try to sync itunes does not recognize my new iphone 4 as mine and wants to erase everything I have bought using the phone before it will sync! It says everything on the phone now will be cleared in order to sync it with my existing info on the computer from my previous iphone. How can I just get everything from my current iphone 4 into itunes, basically add it to the info from my previous iphone 3g that is currently in my itunes? I dont want to lose what I have on my phone currently....I paid money for half the apps for crying out loud.
I was so frustrated by this when I first bought the phone that I just pushed it out of my mind and NEVER synced it. Please help...Nope - you cannot restore a backup from a newer iOS version on to a device running an older iOS version. The reverse works, but in your case to use your backup, you must update to iOS 7.0.3 - no other option if you want to use that backup.
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My phone says there's 0 bytes available but only 6 GB are used the phone is supposed to be 8 GB I have no pictures at all and only 5 apps this is really bothering me please help I can't even take pictures because it says I've no storage I also have no messages at all
My iPhone is a 16GB and it says 9.0GB Available and 3.7GB used; I suspect the missing 2.3GB is occupied by the system software.
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My iphone 4S wont allow me to restore a bckup of icloud it has just rebooted the os and for over 24 hours i have been trying to fix it i use this phone for my job so i need help. when i try to restore it says "Your iphone could not be activated becuase the activation server is unavailable, If the problom presests goto apple.com/support" It has done this for 27 hours now PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!
- Connect the iPod to the computer and see if iTunes sees it. If it sees it try to get the photos off the iPod.
- Next let the battery fully drain. It will likely take days. After charging for at least an hour try again
- Last, make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store. -
I can not delete old icloud back up from my old phone, keep receiving an error message "this back up can not be deleted because it's in use" it is not in use that phone is long gone!
I have the same problem here and it wont let me do another back up or delete the old one.... Please help!!!! Anyone
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I have unabled 5 fingure gesture now not able to perform any task,also my power button is not working,please help me in removing this gesture,using I phone 4
I have unabled 5 fingure gesture now not able to perform any task,also my power button is not working,please help me in removing this gesture,using I phone 4
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My iPhone 4 IOS 6.1.3 is locked with a passcode of which I did not setup on my phone. How do I eliminate the passcode so I can use my phone?
If you did not set the passcode, then someone else with physical access to the phone did. It can not set itself.
Plug it into your computer running iTunes and restore it. -
MMy iPhone has the wrong I'd in the iCloud settting and it keeps coming on and asking for a pass word that doesn't exist and neither does the id So what to do to get rid of it because I can't use my phone! It won't let me do anything
If so, go to id.apple.com, manage apple id, sign in with current id, edit email back to the one showing in icloud settings. You can now sign out of icloud with your current password. Then back to id.apple.com, change your email back to the current one, verify it and sign back in to icloud.
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