Will your phone work in France? All you need to know

Can I use my cell phone in France?

In short, you can use your cell phone in France. But don’t forget to take care of a few things to stay connected on your trip to the Louvre or Tour du Mont Blanc:

• Make sure to unlock your mobile phone. US, Australia, South Korea, and France carriers often sell locked phones. If you’ve bought your phone in one of these countries, head to the nearest carrier shop and ask for your phone to be unlocked before you jet off. This will give you the freedom to use any French SIM card you want. However,

• Make sure your phone has open frequency bands. Most modern smartphones support international network frequency bands. But it won’t hurt to check with your carrier if it supports French bands before you leave. This way, you’ll be able to connect to the internet of any operator in France.

• Use public Wi-Fi. Want to save money on mobile data? Simply connect to public Wi-Fi at cafes, restaurants, hotels, or even parks. Go ahead and make all the Instagram updates you want, but be careful. You never know if a sneaky hacker lurks under a seemingly innocent “BonjourWiFi.”

Understanding the band frequencies in France

Before you jet off to France, make sure your phone is compatible with the local networks so it can communicate seamlessly with the local operators. To do that, check the frequency bands used in France and see if your phone supports them. In France, mobile networks operate on the following frequencies:

But don’t worry too much if your mobile phone doesn’t support every frequency — it will still work, though you might struggle to get an internet connection in some areas. 

How to get internet access in France

Need internet while traveling to France? Your options are:

• A physical SIM card from local mobile service providers.

• An eSIM.

• An international plan from your home mobile operator.

• Pocket Wi-Fi.

However, you don't have to spend a dime on mobile data if you don't want to. Almost every café, restaurant, and hotel in France offers free Wi-Fi. So, take advantage and stay connected with your homies or post holiday selfies.

Get an international plan from your mobile carrier

Getting an international plan from your mobile carrier for a trip to France is super convenient, even though it might be a bit pricey. So, before you sign that contract, take some time to understand the details. First, take a look at roaming charges — some plans have a daily fee for a set amount of mobile data, calls, and texts, while others charge a fixed rate for the amount of data. Also, check if your carrier has good coverage in France, but keep in mind that slower speeds abroad are normal due to mobile network differences.

Buy a prepaid French SIM card

If you want lots of mobile data, think about getting a prepaid SIM card in France. The cost of prepaid SIM cards varies between the providers and the plan. You can buy one from Orange, SFR, and Bouygues right at the airport when you land.

They're easy to top up if you run out of mobile data while exploring Paris. Just pop by the nearest convenience store or use a special app to manage your data. However, your mobile phone must be unlocked for a foreign SIM card to work.

Get pocket Wi-Fi for your vacation in France

Pocket Wi-Fi is a great option if you need to connect multiple devices at once or are traveling with a group. It's a small device that fits into your pocket and keeps you connected wherever you go. However, be aware that this convenience comes with a price. You'll pay separately for the modem rental, data plan, and delivery, so the costs add up quickly.

Providers like Travel WiFi, Free Mobile, and Rent n' Connect offer various rental packages with easy pick-up and drop-off options. You can even have it delivered right to the airport or your hotel room!

Most pocket Wi-Fi devices last 6-10 hours on a single charge, so bring along a portable charger if you plan a full day out. And before you head home, don't forget to return the device! Otherwise, you'll be taking home a very expensive souvenir.

Connect to public Wi-Fi in France

A mobile data plan isn't always a must-have on vacation. If you're looking to save some cash or don't need to stay connected to social media all the time, use free Wi-Fi hotspots in parks, restaurants, and hotels. Be sure to download offline maps beforehand and enjoy a break from those never-ending notifications on your phone.

But be aware — public Wi-Fi has its downsides. Often slow and overcrowded, it's not always the best choice for work calls or streaming your favorite shows. Security can also be an issue. Pairing public networks with a VPN might be wise to protect your data, especially when accessing anything sensitive. Plus, some networks in cafes and hotels might require you to create an account, which means sharing your personal information.

Best option: An eSIM for France

How about skipping all the hassle of dealing with mobile operators, roaming around an airport looking for the cheapest SIM card, and dealing with delivery drivers for your pocket Wi-Fi? The easiest way to stay connected while in France is through an eSIM. Simply download an eSIM app, like Saily, and order a data plan for travelers with just a few clicks.

Saily's eSIM plans for France start at as little as $3.99 for 1GB of mobile data, and the more GB you order, the cheaper the data. On top of that, Saily will help you save on data roaming and provide you with a regional data plan. Just make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM technology before you purchase a plan.