I had the bad luck of dropping my cell phone and essentially “killing” it during a recent sit in France, and I thought I’d share what happened in case any of you have the same bad luck.
I was on a remote sit, then traveling, where I could not find a cell phone repair shop. At first, I ordered a new phone from my cell provider at home, then discovered that they wouldn’t send it to Europe. I thought I could have the phone sent to a friend who would forward it, but I was warned by my sit that the postal service would charge me a tariff and that they wanted it paid by check (Only!) when the package arrived. I don’t have a checking account, but they would not allow any other type of payment.
Then I thought I could buy a cheap phone somewhere and use it while here, but the salesperson told me I needed a French ID in order to buy a phone here.
By this time, I had moved to a large city and finally found a cell phone repair shop. Though the clerk didn’t speak much English and I struggle with French, we finally worked out that they had to order my part, and I have an appointment to get it fixed on Thursday.
Before I left the store, I bought a tablet, thinking that it would work like a phone to take pics and send messages, but the check in procedure on the tablet required two verifications–one of which was the phone! By this time, I was without a phone for more than two weeks.
I do have a laptop with me and that has helped me keep in touch with people, but it presents an issue when traveling, because all the tickets are scannable – not to mention finding directions.
My advice is to always carry two pieces of technology, because if one doesn’t work, at least you’ll have a backup!
I always carry a backup phone when traveling, which is handy as a spare battery as well, in case of emergency. For instance, I recently spent a month in Italy, using a friend’s home as a base. I’d go on long day trips and a few days away at a time and take loads of photos.
I didn’t want to carry a charger all the time, so I often carried my backup phone and used it to take photos, so I could preserve battery life on my regular cell phone. And one time, that phone was running down on battery charge, so I just used it as a quick hotspot and loaded an e-SIM onto my backup phone. It cost 4€ and I was good for the rest of my long day trip, with data to spare over a few extra days.
BTW, when traveling and at risk of losing or having your phone stolen, it can be helpful to know the device’s IMEI number (google if you don’t know how to find it). That number is unique to each cell phone or tablet, so you can give it to say police for identification purposes, even if your device has been wiped. And with an IMEI number, it’s easier for carriers to help block the phone from being used.
The sales clerk gave you incorrect information, unless there was a misunderstanding or this was a carrier specific store.
Visitors/Tourists can buy mobile phones in any regular shop (Fnac, Darty, supermarkets) with just standard proof of identity like a passport or driving licence. French residency is not required for a purchase. Just make sure to purchase an unlocked phone, not locked to a specific provider.
Getting a SIM or plan ( you don’t need that since you already have your old SIM)
For prepaid SIMs, French law requires the SIM to be registered, so the shop will typically ask a photo ID, but not residency status.
For long term mobile contracts, providers usually require a French address and bank account (RIB) because they bill you monthly, which is why long‑term residents qualify more easily than short‑stay tourists.
Billing is not the only reason. In an increasing number of countries, the state wants to restrict phone and internet access to registered individual identities. The stated reason is to combat terrorism or child protection or crime in general.
But I agree, it should still be possible to buy a bare phone without a plan, and insert one’s old sim-card. Without any paperwork. Possibly easiest by buying a second-hand phone.
(I remember incredible pages of forms when I wanted to buy a prepaid sim in Germany to avoid the extortionate roaming charges before the EU fixed that issue.)
I have two phones. One was playing up and the Home Owner wanted me to have authority to open the gates of his place for deliveries while he was away.. it would have been impossible to sort otherwise as we all thought it would be a quick and easy procedure..
In South Africa you have to provide ID to obtain a SIM. This was put in place to allow users identities to be obtained for law enforcement - the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act or RICA for short. I went to buy a local SIM ready to hand over my passport, they loaded credit onto it and got it all working in my phone and then rushed off to help another customer so never ended up taking my details. So now I have an outlaw SIM
Didn’t know that! I have a little notebook I carry with me now, and I write all my travel info, addresses, etc., in it. Sometimes old school is the best. Now I’ll add the IMEI number, too.
I store my contacts in my digital phone book. Likewise with my IMEI, passport info, etc. That’s so I can log on from any device if needed in an emergency. I also could ask my husband if I’m traveling alone and can’t get access, because we share such accounts.
I used to buy physical SIM cards and had experiences that ranged from purchasing cards from a vending machine (Russia, for example) vs. being asked for passport info during a human transaction (the U.K., for example). But since switching to e-SIMs, haven’t encountered such. And I don’t remember being asked for any passport info for say Airalo (a major e-SIM vendor). Maybe because with e-SIMs, it’s easier to track the user? Not sure whether you can use e-SIMs as easily with a burner phone — I haven’t tried.
In the past few months alone, I was able to buy e-SIMs via Airalo for Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Italy both ahead of my trip (which then activated automatically as soon as I arrived within borders by plane or ship, or immediately, if I bought while in the country). All done on my device without any requests for passport info or help from any humans.
Better still save that and other important information on a platform in the cloud, where it’s secure and less likely to be lost. I store copies of my passport, visas, driving licence, bank details and other important information to guard against and mitigate the effects of losing anything physical. I also travel with an old but still serviceable Android phone, I keep it updated and with the same apps as my primary device.
In addition have a red silicon Road ID bracelet that I wear when I’m travelling, It has my next of kin details, travel insurance policy and emergency contact #. There’s a 24/7 emergency telephone # that a first responder can access. The ICE information on my phone may not be readable if the phone has been damaged, or is separated from me in an accident.
I don’t like that the standard Road ID tags are visible to anyone who can see your arm. I don’t want to share my name, numbers, etc., with random people. I bought this instead:
It provides a QR code that emergency workers, authorities, etc., can scan. And once scanned, it can display your identity, health conditions, prescriptions, allergies, emergency contacts and such. There’s no subscription – just an editable file connected to the QR code. You add the silicon tag to your existing watch or bracelet.
Note: The QR code is on the under side, so someone has to flip it over to scan it. No one can randomly see and scan it.
The font size used on the Road ID bracelet is very small and only readable close up, 30 cms or less. No one is going to randomly see it and the only information that is viewable is my name. It’s simplicity is a key point, I’ve been in many situations where QR codes can’t be read, sometimes because of the ambient light. sometimes other issues.
Here’s what Gemini AI says.
For pets:MyLuckyTag is the clear focus, offering a robust, no-fee digital profile and location alerts.
For human athletic or medical ID:Road ID is a well-established and trusted brand. The physical engraving ensures information is available even without a working phone or internet connection, which medical professionals often prefer. The subscription service adds a layer of detailed, shareable medical information for hospital staff.
For maximum visibility: Road ID products, particularly the wrist IDs, are designed to be easily seen by first responders, who are trained to look at the wrist in an emergency.
Either is good though and certainly better than nothing.
Your Road ID sounds different from the ones I’ve seen online, if just your name. I wanted emergency contacts, etc., available to emergency workers, authorities, especially if I’m abroad while solo and can’t speak for myself.
Looks like the AI is goofy, because the tag I own is for watchbands, not pets.
For pets, I bought a QR code tag connected to the Ring network (the company that makes doorbell and other security cameras). That QR code (also subscription free) is connected to your neighborhood and a bunch beyond, so you can alert everyone to look for your pet if lost or stolen. It quickly blasts everyone in the vicinity with a single alert from you. You can include photos, name, a reward, health and allergy info, other notes.
I wouldn’t normally use the Ring QR tag for people, but maybe it could help ID someone with dementia, or maybe a young kid or disabled kid or adult who can’t share info.
If you send an alert based on the QR code, you can also ask everyone in the vicinity with a Ring camera to look for your pet on their video. Presumably you could do that with a dementia’d adult or disabled person or a kid.
