One good strategy that I heard was to back up your phone to the cloud, wipe it before traveling and only put essential apps, then load the backup once you're past the border.
Helps to keep a low profile on social media too.
this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2025
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Best strategy is not enter the US.
While better than nothing, you want to avoid using the OS's cloud for backups at all, as that means your data is unencrypted and accessible on Googles/Apples servers (for 99% of smartphone users). There's nothing to stop the American nazi party from using the NSA's privileged access to scan every account for wrong-think.
Ideally you want to perform a fresh encrypted backup on a PC and upload that to multiple cloud services — preferably EU and E2E encrypted — then download and restore it once you pass through customs at your destination.
TIPS:
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This is not just for the US. Almost every customs can image your devices at any time.
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it's best to setup a "travel image" for every device, that is adequate for the entire trip, in case restoring from backup fails.
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just deleting everything is not sufficient. Logs, caches, etc all persist on a device; many of which are completely hidden from the user.
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do everything a few days or more beforehand so you have time to trim the fat, upload the backup, and setup the new travel image with the core apps you need for transit.
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It's best to remove all photos and other large non-essential app data before performing this backup to keep it as small as possible.
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do a screen-recording as you click through all your OS and app settings, pre-backup, so you can setup the clean "travel image" how you like it.
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setup a separate password manager account, and only use it to store credentials for critical accounts while transiting.
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keep 2 separate 2FA and password manager backups in a reputable E2E encrypted cloud provider, accessible by a memorized passphrase you use nowhere else. I do this in general every so often as part of a standard backup routine.
Yes, it is ridiculous for law abiding citizens to have to do any of this to protect their privacy and data sovereignty, but this is the reality of living in corporate oligarchies hostile to civil liberties and human rights.
If the NSA has backdoor or encryption keys to your phone, they got them from the cloud providers you're suggesting people back up to.
Your advice won't stop border agents from compelling you to unlock your device with biometrics.
Not really, they specifically say that you shouldn't use the cloud provided by Google or apple, that you should make a backup image or your phone, and upload it from your pc to multiple cloud services preferably based int the EU.
Your advice won't stop border agents from compelling you to unlock your device with biometrics.
No it doesn't, but regular police basically everywhere are allowed to do that. Really you shouldn't be using biometrics to unlock your phone at all.
If you do, and you're about to interact with a cop, turn your phone off if you can. When it reboots, it requires a pin, which they need a warrant for afaik
So I live in the UK, and they're talking about moving to a digital ID scheme. My resident permit is already digital, so when I enter the country I need to, if I get stopped, access the government site, generate a share-code, provide it. With the proposed digital ID it would be like your G-Pay or ApplePay bank/credit cards, your driver's license would be in your phone's "wallet," or a separate app. I would have no choice but to hand my powers on phone to an officer. There's some things that can be done, on modern android you can pin a page so when you hand over your phone the only thing that can be accessed is the pinned thing. Phone needs to be unlocked to get at anything else, but it'll still accept biometrics.
Your situation is different, but i purposely specified a more domestiuc situation because i dismiss any international travel as suicidal. Do not come here. You arent safe :(
Nah, I get that. Just wanted to share the fact that won't be possible for some people. I've been turning off my phone when I know I'm about to interact with police for almost a decade. I don't think I have anything to hide, but that doesn't mean something I think is innocuous couldn't be considered a reason for police overreach...they aren't required to know what the law actually is. Makes for situations where you get fucked for something you're legally allowed to do.
Is this new or just more common now? I was certain they've always been able to do this.
Edit: Never mind
Agents with U.S. Border Patrol have long had the power to ask to search travellers' belongings, but the Canadian government updated its online guidance to include the extra warning this week — a change that comes as the nations' long-friendly relationship breaks down under the pressure of the Trump administration's war on trade.
This is true for so many countries it's best to apply these steps anytime you pass through customs.
Thanks "war on terror", and everyone who supports the destruction of civil liberties for fake-security.