BERLIN: We tend to take good care of our smartphones all the time, after all the device contains valuable data and apps that we'd probably be lost without – from contacts to Google Maps and “tap to pay”.
However, make sure to take a couple of extra steps before going on holiday as a stolen or damaged phone is an even bigger nuisance abroad than it is at home. Here are three tips on how to avoid unpleasant surprises.
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Screen lock: You’ve probably set this up already, but if you haven’t, make sure to activate your phone's screen lock before going on holiday. According to German industry association eco, protecting your smartphone from unauthorised access with this feature is essential, whether using a code, fingerprint or facial recognition.
Check the WiFi: If you need to access sensitive information while on vacation, from your bank account to your work email, make sure to use secure networks – for example, the encrypted hotel WiFi – or your own mobile network.
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Backup: Having your smartphone stolen while abroad isn’t only a major inconvenience, it also means that all your holiday pics, videos and contacts are gone too. Eco therefore recommends enabling your phone to automatically back up your data to a cloud, using iCloud or Google Drive, for example. – dpa