Get Digitally Organized for an International Move in 2025
Moving overseas is an exciting adventure. You’ve packed your bags, booked your flight, and maybe even started Duolingo to tackle the local language (or at least learn how to order coffee). But have you thought about your digital life? Trust me, digital chaos can be just as stressful as forgetting your toothbrush or showing up at the airport without your passport. Here are important tips, with a few cautionary tales, to ensure your digital life is as ready as you are!
1. Check that your phone is unlocked (Before You Need to Make a Call and Can’t)
So, you’ve landed in your new country, and the first thing you need to do is make a call. But surprise! Your phone is locked tight, and it won’t accept a foreign SIM card. Now, you’re frantically searching for a Wi-Fi signal like it’s a treasure map. Avoid this nightmare by unlocking your phone before you leave. Call your mobile provider, tell them you’re about to become an international superstar, and unlock that baby so it’ll work with a SIM card from your new country.
2. Use an eSIM or Dual SIM for a Smooth Transition
Uninterrupted mobile connectivity in the early days of an international move is essential. That’s where eSIMs and Dual SIM options come in handy. If your phone supports eSIM technology, you can activate a local plan in your new country without the hassle of physical SIM cards. Simply purchase an eSIM plan online, scan the QR code, and voila—you’re connected.
If you have a Dual SIM phone, you’re in luck. Use one slot for your home-country SIM and the other for a local SIM card. This setup allows you to maintain communication with old contacts while embracing your new environment seamlessly. Before your move, check with your mobile provider to ensure your phone is eSIM or Dual SIM compatible, and explore prepaid or affordable plans in your destination country. No more juggling two phones or missing crucial notifications during the transition.
3. Download Useful Apps for Your New Country
Of course, you can download apps when you get there, but trust me, you’ll be too busy deciphering local grocery labels to remember that you need a taxi app. Here’s your pre-move checklist: download your new location’s favorite public transportation apps, a translation app (you know you can use your phones camera and the translation app to translate a whole page in real time – nice when you’re hungry), a navigation app, and a currency converter app. Oh, and banking apps. Because nothing screams “I’m not in Kansas anymore” like trying to search “nearest ATM” in a language you don’t speak.
4. Update Your Play Store or App Store—Or Get Ready to Scream
While you may have successfully added country specific apps while traveling in the past, you don’t want to learn the hard way that if the Play Store/App Store thinks you still live in Buffalo, you won’t be able to access apps in Amsterdam that are meant for residents – thinking of you Post NL! So be sure to update your app store’s country settings after an international relocation.
But not so fast! If you use Google Pay or Apple Pay, you may need to update those first. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck in a weird limbo where your phone can’t decide which country you’re in, and no one gets paid. Also, if you love playing games or streaming, some apps may disappear or act strangely due to regional restrictions. Get this done before you’re dealing with this at 2 AM after a jet-lagged breakdown.
Heads up – you can only change your country/region for Google Play once, annually. Check if you must cancel subscriptions or spend any account balance before you make the change.
5. Do Detective Work on Banking Fees using credit or debit cards
Here’s the deal: Banks love charging hidden fees for foreign transactions. And by “love,” I mean they love taking your money while you’re blissfully unaware. Before you move, do some detective work. Ask your bank about international fees, exchange rate markups, and the mysterious “foreign transaction fees” that sneak into your life like a bad ex. Spoiler: they won’t volunteer this info—you’ll need to drag it out of them.
6. Get a Foreign Exchange Card Like Revolut or Wise
While you’re waiting to set up your local bank account, having a foreign exchange card can be a lifesaver. Cards like Revolut or Wise let you hold and exchange multiple currencies, often at better rates than banks and with better transparency.
If you have an existing account, once you have moved be sure to update your account details, with your new address prior to ordering a card – this way you’ll be sure to get a card that works in your new country. Consider a virtual debit card that can be added to your mobile wallet. Unlike physical cards, virtual cards cannot be lost or stolen. Moreover, you can instantly freeze or cancel a virtual card.
7. Prepare for Two-Factor Identification Fun
Nothing says, “Welcome to your new country!” like getting locked out of your bank account because your old phone number doesn’t work anymore. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is great—until it’s sending codes to a number that’s 8,000 miles away. Before you hop on that plane, make sure your accounts (banking, email, social media) are set to use a method that will actually work overseas. This could be email verification or an authentication app like Google Authenticator. Trust me, it’s better than texting your mom at 3 AM begging her to check your texts. Which brings us to…
8. Consider giving someone you trust Power of Attorney for Your Bank (Seriously)
If there’s one thing worse than being stuck on hold with your bank for 45 minutes, it’s being told that you need to visit a branch in person to complete a transfer. Yes, that’s a thing—just ask me. Even though it is 2025, I needed to give someone power of attorney (POA) in Canada because my bank there only allows transfers in person. So if that’s the case for you and getting on an airplane to go to the bank doesn’t sound fun, find someone you trust in your home country (preferably someone who won’t drain your life savings) and give them POA. It’s like having a financial lifeline, minus the melodramatic music.
9. Avoid Digital Identity Crises: Update contact details for your online accounts
When you make your international debut, update all your digital accounts with your new contact details. Email address, phone number, address—everything. Your bank, your Netflix account, your Amazon account, your mom’s password reminder list that she still can’t remember. If not, you’ll be locked out faster than you can say, “I swear that’s the right password.” Plus, having outdated info on file is a great way to make sure all your packages end up… somewhere.
And while you’re at it – consider a password manager – you will be amazed at how many online accounts you have. Set up and try out the password manager before you go, no need to add to your post move learning curve!
10. WhatsApp: New Country, New Number, No Worries
Changing your WhatsApp number is quick and keeps all your chats, groups, and settings intact. When you switch, WhatsApp moves everything to your new number and deletes the old account. Group chats? Automatically notified. Individual contacts? Before switching, give your contacts a heads-up and remind them to update their address books. Notify them in advance so they don’t block your new number in error. Blocked contacts? Still blocked and blissfully unaware.
To change your number, go to WhatsApp settings, tap ‘Account,’ hit ‘Change Number,’ and follow the steps while your old number is still active. Snap—you’re back in the chat with no interruptions.
Say goodbye to your old account, as it gets deleted automatically; your contacts won’t see your previous number in their WhatsApp lists anymore (good thing you already let them know your new number).
11. Digitize Photos and Documents (Because Paper is So Last Century)
Physical documents are so 1995. Before your move, scan and digitize all the important paperwork. This includes your passport, visa, driver’s license, medical records, and—most importantly—your favorite photo of your dog. For bonus points, upload everything to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) so you’re never scrambling to find them. You might also want to digitize your lease, vaccination records, and tax documents because “Oh no, I forgot my birth certificate” is not how you want to kick off your new life.
12. Back-Up EVERYTHING
Yes, I mean everything. Your photos, your documents, your contacts, that embarrassing video of you trying to say “hello” in your new country’s language. Murphy’s Law states that if you don’t back it up, your laptop will die a fiery death at the worst possible moment. So, grab an external hard drive, or better yet, upload everything to the cloud. Then, when you realize you can’t find that crucial document you need to get a local SIM card, you’ll be able to calmly retrieve it instead of cursing at your luggage.
Moving abroad is an adventure, but your digital life doesn’t have to be a chaotic mess. With these tips, you’ll have everything organized, up-to-date, and ready for your international debut—whether that’s ordering your first legal beer in Germany or figuring out how to avoid a surprise bank fee in Tokyo. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Safe travels, digital nomad!