✈️ Travel Tech Tips: What to Pack, Download, and Turn Off

Travel tech tips for your next trip: what gear to pack, which apps to download before you leave, and the phone settings to change so your devices don't die, rack up unexpected charges, or let you down when you need them most.

Most travel tech problems are not bad luck. They are the result of skipping a few simple steps before you leave home. In this episode of Your Tech Makeover, Frank Bravo walks through a practical pre-trip checklist covering three areas: the physical gear that belongs in every travel bag, the apps and content to download while you are still on Wi-Fi at home, and the device settings to adjust before you head to the airport.

Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, these tips apply. And most of them take only a few minutes to take care of.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why a portable battery is the single most important piece of travel tech gear you can own
• The difference between a travel adapter and a voltage converter, and when you need each one
• How to download offline maps on Google Maps and Apple Maps so navigation works even without data
• Which apps are worth grabbing before you leave, including your airline app and Google Translate
• How to download shows and music for offline playback on long flights
• Why you should back up your phone before every trip, and exactly how to do it on iPhone and Android
• How to avoid surprise international roaming charges, including the eSIM option most travelers overlook
• How to turn off automatic app updates so they do not quietly eat through your data plan
• Why Find My and screen lock matter more when you are traveling than when you are at home
• One simple habit for protecting your important travel documents using your phone

Related episodes:

• 🛜 How to Use Public Wi-Fi Without Putting Your Accounts at Risk -- May 12, 2026
• What to Do When Your Device Gets Stolen -- June 23, 2026 [Coming Soon!]

Have a topic you would like Frank to cover? Reach out at frank@yourtechmakeover.com.

Learn more at YourTechMakeover.com.

Chapters: