6 countries that may require your phone to be checked when you land

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We now all travel with the same “essential item”: our phone. It’s our boarding pass, hotel key, camera, map, wallet and group chat lifeline.

But this is the part most people don’t realize until it happens at a counter under bright airport lights…

In many countries your phone is also treated as luggage border guards may require entry as a condition of entry.

So if you’re the kind of traveler who keeps everything on your device (banking apps, work email, private photos, DMs, notes, dating apps… the whole digital diary), this is one of those “know before you go” topics that can save you a lot of stress.

Below are 6 countries where travelers can undergo telephone checks upon arrivalplus a super-practical checklist for ‘border-proofing your phone’ that you can complete in under an hour.

1) United Kingdom (Yes, really)

Many Americans assume that Britain works on the border just like the US. That is not the case.

According to Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, British agents can stop, interrogate and detain travelers at ports and airports without the need for reasonable suspicion, and these exams can last up to six hours.

What that could mean in real life: If you are selected for secondary screening, you may be asked to unlock a device or share access information. Refusing can escalate the situation quickly, and under certain circumstances non-compliance can become its own legal problem.

Takeaways for travelers: Britain is one of the clearest examples of ‘friendly countries, hard border powers’.

2) China

China’s national security framework gives authorities very broad discretion – and the landscape is further tightened with enforcement rules coming into effect on July 1, 2024, tied to the country’s counterintelligence posture.

In practice, the risk is greatest for certain profiles (journalists, researchers, certain sectors, politically sensitive travel history), but ‘random’ secondary checks do occur.

Takeaways for travelers: Treat entry as a security check, not just an immigration formality, especially if you have sensitive work or communications.

3) Russia

Russia has rolled out a biometric + ‘digital profile’ approach in phases, with official communications describing a pilot/experiment starting on December 1, 2024 and running until June 30, 2026.

In addition, US government guidelines have warned that travelers could face serious problems based on the information on devices. So this is not a destination to be treated carelessly from a digital/privacy perspective.

Takeaways for travelers: If you travel to Russia at all, assume that control can be intense and plan your digital footprint accordingly.

4) Israel

Israel is known for its security-oriented screening, and travelers may be questioned in depth depending on their profile and travel history.

Also important: Israel ETA-IL admission requirement applies to visa-exempt travelers from January 1, 2025 (so your “border interaction” can begin before you even board).

While ETA-IL is not the same as a telephone search, it reflects the broader reality: Israel takes border control seriously, and some travelers may undergo more thorough screening upon arrival.

Takeaways for travelers: Expect more questions than you’re used to, and keep your devices ‘boring’ and travel-ready.

5) New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its nature. It’s also known (in privacy circles) for putting real teeth into device access requirements.

Under the Customs and Excise Act 2018, travelers who refuse to provide access information (such as access codes) may face a fine of up to NZ$5,000.

Takeaways for travelers: If you are refused entry into New Zealand, you risk not only delays, but also a significant fine.

6) Canada

Canada is the land of “it’s complicated” – in a good way.

The Canadian Border Authority has an official page explaining that personal digital device exams are not routine and are conducted when officers have indications/concerns that border laws may have been violated.

And in Ontario, the Court of Appeal ruled that warrantless searches of personal electronic devices under certain customs laws, powers were unconstitutional, pushing the conversation to a higher threshold.

Takeaways for travelers: Canada is trending toward stronger privacy protections than a few years ago, but agents can still examine devices under the right circumstances.

Quick reality check: the US can do this too

Even coming home US CBP Policy allows basic searches (manual check) without suspicion, while advanced (forensic) searches require reasonable suspicion or a national security concern.

Your ‘Border-Proof Phone’ Checklist (do this before any international travel)

No legal advice, but practical traveler hygiene:

• Back up everything (cloud + local if you can).
• Sign out of apps that you don’t need during the trip (work email, financial dashboards, private message archives).
• Disable biometric unlocking (Face ID/fingerprint) and use a strong passcode. (A lot of privacy experts recommend this because biometrics can be more easily enforced in some places.)
• Travel with less datano more secrecy. A completely wiped device just before landing can look suspicious in certain countries, so aim for minimal, normal-looking travel content.
• Separate work/life if possible. If your employer has sensitive information on your device, consider traveling with a dedicated “travel phone” or work-approved travel device.
• Suppose everything on the device can be viewed. If you would be horrified to explain it to a border official, don’t carry it across the border.

And if your trip is somewhere where security is already being increased in tourist zones, this is a good reminder that ‘safety posture’ is everywhere right now. We’ve even seen it in places where Americans love low-stress vacations, like Los Cabos, which is a… major security operation during the holidays and a verse reinforcement of additional police officers in high season.