Cell phone in Croatia

[Colleen]

I leave in less than a month for fhe first GrapeHops Croatia tour!

I'm planning to keep in touch with family via email while I'm away, but wanted the option of a cell phone for emergencies. I talked to a Verizon representative today, and she recommended purchasing a Croatian SIM card upon arrival. My iPhone is unlocked already (she said if I bought it from Apple or Verizon it was unlocked) so I should be able to buy a SIM card at any phone store and have them swap it out.

I will let you know if it works as expected!

She also recommended the WhatsApp messaging app for texting internationally. I just downloaded it to test - it looked at the contact list on my phone to see who has the app installed. (Only about 10 of my contacts are using it.) http://www.whatsapp.com/

 

[Pauline]

I would check that the phone is unlocked. Try someone's SIM card in it before you leave. I have not heard that iPhones are always unlocked.

Wasn't WhatsApp just bought by Facebook for some huge amount of $$?

 

[Chris]

It may depend on when you bought the Verizon iPhone. I bought mine in fall of 2011 and I had to have Verizon help me through the process of unlocking it. I know newer phones are supposed to be unlocked, but I'm not sure when the change was made.

 

[Pauline]

Sorry I doubted you Colleen! Being so up-to-date techwise, I would have thought I would know this (or at least Steve would have told me). I use a Nokia Windows phone - I wonder if it is unlocked?

 

[Colleen]

My information is still to be tested!
I arrive in Dubrovnik next Wednesday and should have an update on Thursday.