Can I use my Mac, iPod, or iPhone when I travel outside the United States?

Here's our advice on dealing with voltage differences, different electric plug types, and preventing theft around the world. First, find out what voltage and power plug is used by the country you plan to visit in the World Electric Guide. 

Voltage & Frequency Changes

Portable Apple products (laptops, iPod, and iPhone) are all dual voltage, meaning their power adapter works with 110-240 volt power at 50 to 60 Hertz. You can confirm that by reading the label on the adapter (use a magnifying glass). Alternatively, you can check any Apple product's voltage requirements by looking at the "electrical and operating requirements" of the Apple technical specifications for your device. If your Apple product isn't dual voltage, you'll need a voltage converter or voltage transformer to use it with 240 volt power.

Plug Shape Changes

Once you've confirmed your device can work on the country's voltage, you will probably need an adapter to change the shape of your power plug. Apple's World Travel Adapter Kit includes six adapters for outlets in America, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia, and Hong Kong. These adapters snap directly into your power adapter (you pull up on the two-prong U.S. plug to remove it.) You can't use the extension cord for your Apple portable with these and the kit doesn't work with the new super-small Apple USB power adapter for iPhone and some iPods. Many customers decide to buy a universal power plug adapter that works with all their U.S. devices instead.

Getting Online

Wireless Internet access may not be as plentiful where you're going (especially if you travel to less developed countries than the US.) Most current Mac models don't have a dial-up modem so you may want to pickup an external USB modem before you go. MacBook Air users should bring a USB Ethernet Adapter for access around the world.

Prevent Theft

Laptops and iPods are hot targets for thieves around the world. Rick Steves posts practical advice on outsmarting thieves while traveling. The basic idea is that if you look like you have something of value, you are more likely to be targeted by thieves. Some travelers even ditch their high-end laptop bags and put their electronics in a baby diaper bag instead (nobody steals dirty diapers). Either way you'll want a protective laptop sleeve or hard case to prevent damage while traveling. If you fly frequently, you might want to get a TSA-approved laptop bag that doesn't require you to remove your computer from the case while going through security. Most laptop sleeve, hard cases, and certain zip-apart bags don't have to be removed before X-ray screening. The TSA website has guidelines on "checkpoint friendly" laptop bags.

Protect Your Data

Taking a trip is a perfect reason to do a full and thorough backup of any electronics that you are taking with you. Creating a complete bootable clone of your computer's hard drive will make sure that you have every single file on your Mac backed up before you leave. If you are going to be traveling for more than a few days, you should bring a portable external hard drive or USB flash drive with you to backup new files on the road. If you'll have reliable Internet access abroad, you can use an online service like MobileMe, Crash Plan, or Drop Box. A free alternative (if you can remember to do it frequently) is to email yourself files to a service like Gmail. Computers can fail or be stolen abroad and we'd hate to hear that you lost all your trip photos in the process. (Hint: Keep your trip photos on your camera and computer until you get home, just in case one or the other goes missing.)

You also want to take some time to password protect your devices in case they do fall into the wrong hands. Your Mac's system password should be at least eight characters long with a mixture of letters and numbers. (See "How can I change my system password?") If your Mac automatically loads the desktop when you turn the computer on, require your Mac to ask for your system password first. Go to System Preferences, click on Accounts (under System), and select Login Options. Disable Automatic Login to require your password to be entered before someone can use your computer. If you don't shut down your computer between uses, go to the Security section of System Preferences and check the option to Require your password to wake the computer from sleep.

These changes will prevent most thieves from accessing your data, but your information is still accessible to the Mac savvy. You can encrypt your most sensitive files for free by creating an encrypted disk image for them, see our instructions on encrypting files for safety. Alternatively you can encrypt all your files by turning on FileVault in your System Preference's Security section. FileVault encrypts and decrypts your files as you use them but it can slow down your Mac and it doesn't play nice with Time Machine. After a full backup, you might want to turn FileVault on just for the duration of your trip. (Just make sure to remember your FileVault password though because you can't recover your data if you forget it.)

Avoiding Customs Complications and Using AppleCare Abroad

Carrying the proof of purchase for your electronics can help prove to customs officials that you aren't trying to import or export your devices. They're also useful if you need to report a theft to the local police or your insurance agency while traveling.

The current AppleCare protection plans have "global repair coverage" but older AppleCare agreements only covered international repairs on portable Macs (read the terms of your AppleCare agreement for details).  Carrying proof of your AppleCare coverage will help ensure that you are covered for repairs while traveling. For phone support and repairs abroad, check Apple's list of international technical support numbers. If you are unsure of your coverage status, you can check your Mac's warranty on Apple's website. 

What about my other electronic devices?

Check your device's power adapter for a label that says something like "INPUT: AC 100V-240V." This means that the voltage can range from around 100 volts (Japan), to 110 volts (U.S.), to up to 240 volts (many other countries).

Can I use my iPhone outside the US?

Check AT&T's travel guide to see if your iPhone can receive calls in the countries you plan to visit. In most places, you will be charged for each kilobyte of data that the iPhone downloads. Turn off data roaming on your iPhone to avoid substantial charges caused by your phone automatically checking email or browsing the web. To turn off data roaming on your iPhone go to Settings > General > Network.

Protect your iPhone from curious thieves by setting the passcode lock in Settings > General. There you can also set the iPhone to erase itself after 10 failed attempts to enter the correct passcode. (Great if your phone is stolen, not great if curious children play with your phone.)

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Published April 30, 2009 2:34 PM
Last modified on June 22, 2010 2:23 PM