Can I use LINE overseas? Is it free of charge?

LINE is an indispensable part of our daily lives, and many of us use it every day when we are in Japan, but can we use it overseas? In this article, we will discuss the question, "Can I use LINE overseas? I heard that you can't use your phone number when traveling abroad, but can I use LINE? Can I still get a high bill if I use LINE a lot? We will introduce some of the most important points to keep in mind when using LINE overseas.

Table of Contents

Can I use LINE overseas?

You can chat and call from anywhere in the world as long as you are connected to the Internet

LINE allows you to chat and call from anywhere in the world as long as you are connected to the Internet. This allows you to easily communicate with family and friends in Japan while traveling abroad.

How to connect to the Internet when traveling abroad

There are several ways to connect to the Internet overseas, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Below is a table summarizing the main connection methods and the features of each, as well as a link to "No. 7 Six ways to use a Japanese smartphone or cell phone abroad?" (*The links are virtual operations.)

If you want to keep in touch with your companions locally, an eSIM is recommended! Place a link to "trifa" as an immediately available eSIM.

If you just want to keep in touch with your Japanese friends from your hotel, you can use free Wi-Fi, but you need to be careful about security issues.

Can high charges occur? There is a risk of incurring higher-than-expected communication charges when using data roaming and some communication methods overseas.

How much is LINE's communication volume?

LINE's communication volume is very low for text chatting, but sending and receiving images and videos and using free calls consumes a good amount of data. For specific information on communication volume, please refer to the following quotes from reliable sources (*Quoting source ① is a hypothetical operation).

Source ① "Data traffic for free calls"

(Concerned about the number of gigs or data traffic that "LINE calls" take? How to reduce the amount of communication... | LINEMO)

Reference URL: https://www.linemo.jp/guide/article026/

There are some countries where LINE is restricted, so please check!

There are some countries in the world where LINE is not available. The following is a list of countries where LINE is available and major countries where LINE is not available.

List of countries where LINE is available

(*The specific list of country names is omitted here, but the actual article will detail the countries where LINE is available)

Countries where LINE is not available

China

Russia

North Korea

Dubai (UAE)

How to use LINE in countries where LINE is not available

By using a VPN, it may be possible to access regulated services, including LINE, in these countries. However, the use of VPNs may violate local laws, so careful research and prudent judgment is required before use.

Main ways to use LINE

Using an eSIM or SIM card for overseas use

If you use an eSIM or SIM card, you can use the local communication network to connect to the Internet and use LINE.

When signing up for free Wi-Fi or rental Wi-Fi

You can also connect to the Internet through public places or rental Wi-Fi, but you need to be aware of security risks.

When signing up for a plan that allows overseas roaming

Using an international roaming plan with a carrier in your home country is one option, but it can be expensive.

When signing a contract with a local carrier

If you are staying for a long period of time, you can use the Internet more economically by signing a contract with a local carrier.

With the eSIM application "trifa", you can use the Internet securely from the local area in 3 minutes!

With the eSIM application "trifa", you can easily connect to the Internet while abroad. It is easy to set up, safe and quick to start using, making it ideal for using LINE overseas.