Japan Trip: How I Set Up My iPhone - Useful Apps & Features
I recently went to Japan and found that some iPhone settings and apps really helped me out. Here’s a summary that might be useful if you’re traveling abroad.
Note: Non-iPhone devices likely have similar features/settings that you’ll need to find yourself.
iPhone System Settings Optimization
Automatic Time Zone Settings
If you enable automation here, your phone will use GPS to directly determine the time zone, and you don’t need to manage anything as a user. Of course, if you only want to fix the time zone, you don’t need to enable this.
For example: If you go to Japan, which is GMT+7, one hour ahead of China, when you see 5 PM in Tokyo, it’s actually 4 PM in Beijing.
Automatic time zone relies on GPS, so airplane mode doesn’t affect it. Therefore, it’s recommended to enable it directly in normal times.
Apple Wallet Configuration
Apple Wallet can add not only domestic transit cards but also international ones. For example, in Japan, you can add a Suica card. After arriving in Japan, you can search and add a Suica card, use your linked card (such as a domestic prepaid card) to top up, and then you can smoothly make card payments. This is really great and saves you from downloading a separate app.
Cellular Settings
Since phones are dual SIM, when traveling abroad I often just set up the card directly without removing the domestic card. For example, in Japan, I bought a data card, and I only needed to insert the Japanese card after arriving in Japan, then set the cellular data to use the new card.
Settings -> Cellular -> Select the specified card, don’t allow automatic switching.
Essential Travel App Recommendations
Google Translate - Real-time Translation Tool
For example, in Japan, you often see Japanese-only descriptions that are completely confusing. While English might be somewhat understandable, Japanese is completely incomprehensible. Google Translate helps a lot in this situation - just select the camera, point your phone at the Japanese text, and it can translate to English in real-time. Isn’t that amazing?
In Japan, I went to a small barbecue restaurant where the owner didn’t speak English or Chinese, and there was only a Japanese menu. Without such a real-time translation app, I couldn’t even order food! 😊
Apple Maps/Google Maps - Navigation First Choice
Abroad, you can indeed use Amap since it has international business, but Amap has several issues:
- Location tends to drift.
- For example, Osaka’s light rail in Japan lacks time information.
I recommend using Apple’s built-in Maps or Google Maps instead. If using Apple’s built-in Maps, you can also sync with Apple Watch for more detailed navigation data - the experience is great. But with Amap, it’s much worse - the watch just shows an arrow.
Klook - Travel Booking Platform
Klook is a mobile application platform focused on global travel experience booking, providing one-stop travel services including attraction tickets, local activities, transportation, hotels, and dining, covering over 2,700 destinations worldwide.
For example, in Japan, I purchased the Osaka Amazing Pass through it, which was quite convenient. I found that many countries like the US and China also offer various ticket services on the platform.
Final Thoughts
These are the useful settings and apps I discovered during my recent trip. If you have any good discoveries, feel free to share them as well.
