Using Strava app abroad without racking up a big phone bill

I want to use Strava on my holiday. I use the iPhone app but I fear using this will leave me with a big phone bill for data usage.

Can anyone suggest a way of using Strava abroad that won’t empty my bank account?

Should just be a case of setting your phone to not connect surely? Strava doesn’t need a connection.

What he said – recording is free, just don’t upload.

Just turn off data roaming within Settings. Turn off 3G while you’re at it to save battery.

With Vodafone for £3 a day you can use your UK package in Europe

this is good news! I thought I had to have a 3G connection for Strava to work. Has anyone done this then, trouble free?

I can’t imagine uploading Strava results uses much data anyway.

@smatkins – it works fine. The GPS chip doesn’t need Internet connectivity. You can then upload once you have wifi. You wont get maps whilst riding FYI..

Same as what everyone else has said. I live in Spain, but with a UK phone contract. I just have data roaming turned off, set it to record through GPS and then it just uploads once I’m back with wifi. Sometimes fails the first couple of times it tries to upload, although I’m not sure where this is just because the connection here is shit.

I’ve done it. Turn off data, then use wifi in the evening to upload.

works fine, just turn off data roaming. Strava only needs internet when uploading the ride, which i always do when i get home on wi-fi or go past the town that has FREE wi-fi for everyone… (take note Mr Cameron)!!!

Does it not need a data connection to sign in before it can be used?

Nope, just launched it in Flight Mode.

Strava would be a waste of time for MTB if it needed a data signal.

All you need to record your ride is gps signal. I have used it abroad no probs, just wait till you have wifi to upload your ride.

Doesn’t flight mode turn off all wireless functionality including GPS?

Yes. It doesn’t work in flight mode.

I’m in Turkey at the moment and using Strava, I have cellular data (iphone) switched off and it still records my route

I upload the route when connected to the local Bars wifi

Three’s £5 a day europe package

Turn your data off, gps and wifi on. Only upload when you can get onto a free, safe wifi site, like in the bar postride.