Cell phone as alarm clock

don't know about att...but my verizon world phone NEVER had the correct time displayed on it during 2 trips to Europe. Calling and txting were fine. But because it never displayed the correct time I could never rely on it as an alarm clock. BTW, if all u want is an alarm clock then just purchase a small travel clock or an wristwatch with built-in alarm capabilities.

Personally that sounds a little silly. You can buy a very serviceable traveling alarm for ten to fifteen dollars that runs on a couple of batteries for six months. Why bring an expensive cell phone that will need to be recharged or can be lost or damaged.

Emily, Could you provide a bit of further information. I'm not clear on why you're planning to travel with a Cell phone that will only be used as an alarm clock? As your phone is with AT&T, it may work in Europe (depending on which frequencies your handset is equipped with) so you could use it for short calls or texts as well.

Emily, Yes, use your cell phone as your alarm clock. Phones beat most alarm clocks because they allow for multiple alarms and a wide range of alerts. What type of phone do you have? Some brands will actually turn themselves on to ring an alarm if the phone is turned off, which is a nice feature. Setting it to airplane mode will prevent it from functioning as a phone, but should permit it to serve as an alarm. But you will probably have to set the time yourself. Once set, it should work fine. (In the U.S., my phones set the time from the phone network automaticaly, which I have never had work when in Europe even if I used the phone as a phone and left it configured to set time automatically.) Assuming your phone has the correct radio frequencies to work internationally, here is an alternative suggestion: Unconditionally forward all your incoming calls to your voicemail number. That will prevent incoming voice usage but still give you a phone you can use for outgoing calls, in emergencies, for example. If your phone uses data, though, you will need to figure out what settings to use to cut off all inadvertent data use. Tell us your phone type and ask and I'm sure someone here can tell you how to safely accomplish that.

Once you land,turn off the airplane mode - the time will reset. Then turn airplane mode back on and set the alarm. but I agree- why take the phone if you aren't going to use it as a phone. Travel clock are cheaper, lighter and less hassle. If you want the phone as an emergency backup- ok. Or maybe you should buy a cheap disposable phone and put a few dollars of paygo money on it for emergencies.

You can buy a very small, battery-powered, digital alarm clock in the regular clock department (not travel) at Target for around $4.00. You would have to keep a phone charged.

Since your intention is to use your phone ONLY as an alarm clock, I suggest you don't bring it at all. You can take a travel alarm clock (won't need any charging), or in my case I use my Ipod touch as an alarm clock. There is no reason to risk damage, theft/loss, or accidental roaming charges just to have an alarm.

I agree with the others, there is no reason to bring an expensive cell phone to use as a cheap alarm clock. If it only other purpose is as another suggested to call a cab at the airport, that would be pretty pointless as well for two reason, there are usually cabs waiting no call needed and the one place in which there are still are pay phones are airports (they seem to be disappearing from everywhere else though)

And the OP specifically stated she wants to use the phone ONLY as an alarm clock.

Just an FYI - if a phone doesn't automatically reset for the current time zone, you can do so manually. Emily may want to have the phone with her for emergencies or to use on her return to call a taxi or arrange her airport pickup. Otherwise, it would make sense to carry just a small travel alarm clock.

I use a digital kitchen timer as an alarm clock when I travel - tiny (1 1/2 in X 2 in X 1/2 in) - just figure out how long you want to sleep and start the timer (the timer function on your cell phone should work, too). There have been times I've used 3 or 4 options to be absolutely sure I woke up (a 2:00 a.m. train departure in Lublijana).

Emily: Just be very, very sure that your phone will not be charged for roaming during any brief moments it is turned on. My daughter took her AT&T phone to Europe last summer, intending to use it only for emergencies...but she still got an $800 bill for roaming even though she had checked with the customer service guy here before leaving. It seems their "international service plan" doesn't include roaming charges, which accrue as long as the phone is turned on.

If you take the phone to use only as an alarm clock, you will also have to pack the charger. It seems like a waste of weight and potentially a loss of something valuable. Bring a digital wristwatch (that includes an alarm function) or a travel alarm. Either can be had for under $20 and will be more efficient and functional.

I had my iPhone in airplane mode for the duration of my trip last year. No minutes or data used, and no charges that I know of. My phone was and always is my alarm clock.

I think the phone will only reset to local time if you take it out of airplane mode, otherwise you have to do it manually. I don't even think it will do it over wifi. As long as you don't mind carrying it and charging it as long as you don't take it out of airplane mode you won't get any international roaming charges.

I was going to write what Anna wrote about the iphone. You can set it for the zone you are going to, keeping it in airplane mode, using it as an alarm clock. For those who say leave cell phone at home..............I have brought my phone with me for the past 6 trips, never using the phone in Europe, but using it as my MP3/alarm clock, etc. If you left your cell phone at home, I am guessing that you do not call your people/family as soon as you land in your layover city to let them know you made it back to the states? Or let them know to pick you up at a certain time because your flight is going to be delayed? I would never dream of leaving my cell phone at home, even when I don't plan on using it abroad just for that silly purpose of informing people you like/love that you are on your way any moment now or that you have made it back from your trip.

I've made this point in other threads, but in this day and age it makes sense to me to carry a cell phone when traveling, if only for emergencies. They don't weigh all that much and charging them isn't that big a deal, especially if you are not talking on it all day. Load a long white noise file on it and you have a little machine to help drown out street noise. A noise compliment to the alarm function.

Kelly and Paul, no one is suggesting that one should not carry a cellphone while traveling. But the original poster stressed that she ONLY wants to use it as an alarm clock, period. For that purpose only, there are better options than carrying a cellphone.

Hey,
is there any reason not to buy a small alarm clock? I don't see why not.

Another option would be to remove the Sim card. You can remove it even on a locked phone (you just can't add another one) and that will guarantee you won't get any data or voice usage and zero chance you will mess up and not have it in airplane mode.

I think buying a travel alarm clock just for the trip is kind of wasteful when you already have your phone to act as an alarm clock. I'm not sure whether the iPhone resets automatically or not, but it took me all of 5 seconds to set the time zone manually when I got into a new city.

I think the question makes perfect sense. I'll have my cell phone anyway to use before I actually leave the US. It is not an expensive phone and it is the only alarm that actually wakes me up. (I am hard of hearing.) I was hoping the alarm would work in Italy but bought a travel alarm clock because I didn't think my phone would work. What a joke! I can barely hear the ring even with my hearing aids on.