Joe Mark / Android Authority
LG G4 is one of my favorite smartphones, but there was a time when he left me trapped at the airport. Just a few minutes before the wheels, the phone started boot looping and the bus would not stop. Thankfully, at that time, I had a habit of printing my boarding pass so it was not too much for the airplane. However, there was another story to call the ride back to my apartment. Ever since this trial (and yes, I still have a sweat of stress while thinking about it), I have made sure that I have safely hit the backup smartphone.
How many phones do you usually travel with?
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Although modern smartphones are made of high quality in 2025, they are not incomprehensible. If you are a fellow G -4 veteran, you all know about technology fragility, owns an old pixel phone, or Xperia VII. Beyond mechanical problems, there is a lot of risk of being serious during travel. You can lose your device in the seatback sleeve, mistakenly scatter it, or fall into the local market.
Whether I am in the South African car, running on the Vegas belt, or tracking through dolomites, I don’t want to be trapped in a situation where I am without access to the Internet, my important documents, or communication tools.
Travel is prone to stress, and keeping backup gives me a mental comfort
Andy Walker / Android Authority
At this point, you probably think I’m unconscious, but really consider the importance of your smartphone. In your hand, that little black mirror is indispensable for modern humans, whether it be for fun, access important information, or communicate with loved ones. The second phone is not over. This is peace of mind. Knowing that I have a backup plan in case of destruction. And if this destruction should spread, a secondary phone associated with all my accounts ensures that I can transfer from one device to another without interruption.
The second phone is not over. This is peace of mind.
Before you say, “But smartphones are expensive”, I’m not recommending everyone to travel with two flagship devices. In many cases, you don’t need anyone. Two medium -sized Android phones will work precisely. If it has a screen, a battery, and allows me to access important data, run the necessary Android apps, or interact with friends or family, this is the perfect backup phone.
How to use your secondary phone while traveling
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Personally, my secondary phone is developed from a simple backup device in a complementary product where my Galaxy S24 leaves. The main reason for this is that I have made it equally pair of pixel 8. However, what you need from a backup phone varies according to your device and needs.
Regardless, I always install some important Android apps on my secondary phone. They include:
- Google Wallet: If you lose your physical card, the Google payment app fills the void. More importantly, I have used a wallet to keep my boarding passes and other travel booking details in one place. This ensures that I do not need to have numerous items in my hands or pockets while standing in the security queue.
- Find Hub: Google Google’s better Find Hub is essential to find the wrong places, and using it on a secondary phone allows me to almost immedeiately to lock my basic phone when needed immediately.
- Batwardon and Outhi: You can use another password and verification app, but these two apps allow me to access their login details on both devices.
- Google Drive: I store the necessary travel documents on the drive, which I can access on my backup device if needed.
- Uber: Bolts or letters will also be, but knowing that I can call an emergency ride at any time of the day, there is another relief.
You can also consider loading other apps like your banking portal, housing platform, travel guides, and similar apps on your device. You can even consider some sports. The beauty of the secondary phone is that each setup will be different according to their needs.
As I have already pointed out, there are more benefits than waste during another phone journey.
Although most devices nowadays offer dual SIM functionality, there is a dedicated second phone with a SIM in the country that you have visited or a dedicated mobile data device that acts as a portable hotspot does not hurt. Even some carriers allow you to port your main number on the ESIM profile on a secondary phone, and provide more contact waste.
Beyond the spare, other phones can offer SIM, entertainment and security benefits while traveling.
If you travel for work, it is also useful to have a dedicated work phone apart from your personal device. I know that there is a feature of Android’s work profile, but keeping two separate devices offers mentally recovering from work when you are not actively “in the office”.
After that, there is another benefit when walking in cities and crowded places. You can use an affordable, easy tool as a “burner” phone when looking for town stretches. Although I do not use my backup phone this way, it can be beneficial for people who want to endanger their other device while the Price Main Phone is safe at the hotel.
Ryan Whiteom / Android Authority
Finally, you want to use a specific secondary device for a feature that is unique to this device. For example, I have previously traveled with the Nokia 9 Purewave as my second phone, just because it packs a surprisingly beneficial camera. I have also picked up a foldable phone for my laptop as a portable monitor and a lightweight entertainment pad for long flights.
Picking up another phone is not always about assurance. In some cases, I want to use a unique feature.
These unique powers can really shine in some situations. If you are planning a prolonged increase through washed trail, you likely want to pack an uneven Android phone. Go from city to city in the train and enjoy high sincere music? Why not put this old headphone jack and micro SD card packing smartphone in good use?
So where do I get a backup travel phone?
Andy Walker / Android Authority
I know that being a two -phone phone is an honor that not everyone will be private. However, I know that many of our readers enjoy upgrading their devices regularly. Instead of trading in this phone, consider giving it a second life, instead of handing it over to family members, or leaving this deep kitchen where the old tech goes to die.
If you do not have a device that is in accordance with this detail, you have more options.
Used Android phones are going for peanuts nowadays. The already -owned Galaxy S24 on platforms like eBay can only be found in more than $ 200. If you have something new, Android space has medium -range devices that offer large batteries, and before this only premiums are in plenty of features.
Capture the used phone, keep your device after upgrading, or snatch a cheap Android device as a backup.
Your secondary device should not even be “phone”. If you have an Android tablet with mobile network capabilities, it will work well along with the backup device. Large display and batteries ensure that these devices also work alongside the entertainment center, carrying streaming pressure from your primary phone to flight.
Thankfully, I haven’t played any smartphone drama for my LG days, and I hope I never have to do. But, should I ever face any problems in my main device, I will be ready.
