WhatsApp is one of the easiest ways to stay in touch while traveling. It works over the internet, not traditional phone networks. You can text, call, and share updates without paying international SMS or call fees. This guide breaks down how WhatsApp works abroad and what you need to stay connected.
How to Use WhatsApp Internationally
WhatsApp works internationally the same way it does at home, as long as you are connected to the internet. You can send messages, make voice and video calls, and share media with no international fees from WhatsApp itself. Whether you are using hotel Wi-Fi or mobile data, the app does not care where you are. It just needs an internet connection and your WhatsApp account.
Is WhatsApp Free Internationally?
Yes, WhatsApp is free to use internationally. The app does not charge to send messages or make calls across borders. That said, you will still need internet access, which could come with costs depending on how you connect.
When possible, connect to Wi-Fi to avoid using cellular data. If you are using mobile data abroad, check your carrier's roaming rates or switch to an international data plan to save money.
Does WhatsApp Use Data?
Yes, WhatsApp relies on internet data, either Wi-Fi or mobile. Text messages use very little, but video and voice calls, photos and videos sharing can use much more.
To further reduce your data usage, check our guides on how to do just that for iOS and Android.
Does WhatsApp Charge for International Texts?
No, WhatsApp does not charge for texts, international or otherwise. It is one of the best free alternatives to SMS for travel. You only use the internet to send messages, and the data cost is minimal for text-based chats.
How to Use WhatsApp Video and Voice Calls While Traveling
You can make WhatsApp voice and video calls from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. Just open a chat and tap the phone (for voice calls) or video (for video calls) icon in the top right corner.
Make sure WhatsApp has access to your microphone and camera.
Does WhatsApp Charge for International Calls?
No. WhatsApp does not charge for international calls. Your only cost is the internet connection, whether you are using Wi-Fi or mobile data.
If you are on a limited or expensive data plan abroad, make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi or have a prepaid travel SIM or eSIM to avoid surprise charges.
Why Does WhatsApp Say “Call Unavailable”?
The “Call Unavailable” message usually means the person you're trying to reach can’t receive the call right now. Common reasons include:
- They have no internet connection or on Airplane mode
- Their phone is off
- They’ve blocked your number
- WhatsApp does not have microphone or camera permissions on your device
- The network you're using blocks VoIP services (mostly applicable to public Wi-Fi)
If you see this message often while traveling, try switching to mobile data or using a different Wi-Fi network.
How Can I Call WhatsApp Customer Care?
WhatsApp does not offer live phone support. You can't call a customer service line. Instead, the company handles support through the app and their website.
To contact WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Help > Contact Us
- Or visit the WhatsApp Help Center for common issues
If you're having trouble while traveling, describe the issue clearly in the in-app form. WhatsApp typically replies by email.
Using AI in WhatsApp While Traveling
If you're already using WhatsApp to stay connected on the road, you can also use it to access AI tools like ChatGPT or Meta AI for travel help. These tools work inside WhatsApp chats and are optimized for mobile use, making them easy to use even with a weak connection or on the go.
With AI in WhatsApp, you can:
- Ask for local restaurant recommendations
- Get travel itinerary suggestions
- Translate messages or phrases
- Ask quick questions about visa rules, transportation, or time zones without having to sift through many websites
Some AI chatbots require setup through third-party tools. Others, like Meta AI, are built into WhatsApp if it's available in your country. If you're curious, check our full guide on how to use AI in WhatsApp, including popular options like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI.
Travel Tips for Using WhatsApp
- Connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible
- Turn off auto-downloads in WhatsApp settings to avoid excessive roaming data usage
- Disable chat backup
- Use “low data mode” for calls
- Avoid extended video calls if connected using mobile data
- Keep your app updated before you travel.
- Need mobile data without roaming? Use a travel eSIM like Eskimo to avoid roaming charges. See our eSIM setup guide for iPhone or for Android
How to Disable Chat Backup in WhatsApp
WhatsApp backs up your chats to iCloud or Google Drive to help restore them if you lose your phone. By default, it often does this over Wi-Fi to save mobile data. If you don’t want to accidentally back up messages and media files off of your travel partner's hotspot, you can turn off this feature completely.
On iPhone:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings
- Tap Chats > Chat Backup
- Set Auto Backup to Off
- If you’ve backed up before, tap Delete Backup to remove the data from iCloud
iPhones usually back up WhatsApp only when connected to Wi-Fi, unless you’ve enabled iCloud Drive over cellular in system settings.
On Android:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the three dots in the top right
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup
- Tap Back up to Google Drive and select Never
- Optional: Tap Google Account to unlink it or delete existing backups
- Scroll down and check the Back up over setting—if it's set to Wi-Fi only, backups won’t use mobile data, but they will still happen unless turned off entirely
Turning off backups means your chat history won’t be restorable if you lose or reset your phone. Use with care if you travel often or switch devices.
Use WhatsApp Internationally with an eSIM
Whether you're texting your Airbnb host, calling family back home, or checking travel tips with AI, WhatsApp makes it easy to stay connected abroad. And with an eSIM, you can skip roaming charges and get reliable data the moment you land.
Want to try it risk-free? Our global eSIM comes with a limited-time free trial.
FAQs
Can I use WhatsApp on an iPad?
WhatsApp does not have a dedicated iPad app, but you can use WhatsApp Web in Safari or another browser. You will need to link your phone using a QR code.
- Open Safari and go to web.whatsapp.com.
- The page will display a QR code.
- On your iPhone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
- Scan the QR code displayed on your iPad using your iPhone's WhatsApp scanner, which you'll unlock by doing Step 3.
- The website will load and display all your WhatsApp messages.
How old do you have to be to use WhatsApp?
You must be at least 13 years old in the US to use WhatsApp. In some countries, the minimum age is higher, depending on local regulations. However, you don't have to worry about any privacy concerns as you are not required to upload any ID to verify your age.
Can I use WhatsApp on a laptop?
Yes. You can either use WhatsApp Web in your browser or download the desktop app for Windows or Mac. Just scan the QR code with your phone to sync your account, similar to how you would use on WhatsApp Web.
How do I use WhatsApp Web?
On your phone, go to Settings > Linked Devices, then scan the QR code at web.whatsapp.com. This lets you access your chats from your browser.
Can I use WhatsApp without a phone number?
No. A valid phone number is required to set up a WhatsApp account. After that, you can use it on multiple devices, but initial setup still requires SMS verification. This applies to WhatsApp on mobile, tablet or web version.
Does WhatsApp show your phone number?
Yes. Your number is visible to people you chat with on WhatsApp. You can manage what profile information they see, like your photo, status, and last seen, under Privacy settings - but not your mobile number.
How do I add people on WhatsApp?
Save the person's number in your phone’s contacts. Then open WhatsApp, and their name should appear in your contact list if they also use the app. Otherwise, you will have an option to "Invite" them by sending them a link via SMS. If you have someone important to contact for free while on foreign soil, get them to create a WhatsApp account before your flight.