Will my phone work in Canada? Everything you need to know to stay connected in the country

Will your US phone work in Canada?

The simple answer is that yes, your American phone should work in Canada (or anywhere else in the world, for that matter). Mobile phones, especially smartphones, are designed for a global consumer base. You should have no trouble making calls, sending SMS texts, and using your mobile data plan (though, each of these comes with a price — and sometimes, a hefty one). 

This wasn’t always the case, though. Even as recently as the 2000s, many phones weren’t built to support band frequencies in different countries. You could’ve gotten around this issue by purchasing a local SIM card, but since many phones were carrier locked, travelers would resort to buying cheap phones while abroad. If you were visiting Canada from the US, you were likely to have less trouble, but some phones would still be incompatible with Canadian cellular networks, which are largely GSM dominated compared to the mix of both GSM and CDMA networks in the US. 

These days, many American network providers have agreements with their neighbors up north and allow you to roam both in the US and Canada, but you’ll need to make sure you have an eligible mobile plan for it. Carriers like AT&T and Verizon offer plans that let you use your regular data and/or make calls and send SMS texts in Canada. Depending on your network carrier, you’ll either continue to see its name at the top right corner of your device (e.g., AT&T, Verizon) or you’ll see a Canadian one in its place (e.g., Bell, Rogers) when you get to the country. 

However, we would highly recommend checking your plan through your carrier’s website or app before enabling your roaming in Canada. Otherwise, you’ll be blissfully unaware of the expensive roaming bill waiting for you at the end of your trip. 

If you’re wondering whether you’ll be able to charge your American phone in Canada, you’re in luck. Canadian electrical outlets are designed to accommodate both type A (two-pronged) and type B (three-pronged) plugs, so you can use the same charger in Canada as you would at home in the US. The standard voltage of electrical outlets in Canada is also the same, at 120V. No need to bring a voltage adaptor or worry about frying your phone!

What factors determine whether your phone will work in Canada?

Several factors will determine whether your phone will work in Canada — or anywhere abroad, for that matter. As previously mentioned, smartphones manufactured in recent years are built to be compatible with global networks. That being said, you might run into certain restrictions when it comes to using a SIM card or an eSIM, depending on what country you purchased your phone in. But if you’re looking for a list of phones that work in Canada, you’d be reading this article all day. Instead, let’s take a look at what factors affect your ability to use your phone in Canada. 

Network compatibility

Network compatibility refers to whether your phone can connect to the local cellular networks in the country you're visiting. Generally speaking, many American network providers have agreements with Canadian carriers that will allow you to use your US mobile data plan while in Canada — but it’s always best to confirm with your provider before turning on roaming.

If you’re visiting Canada from a country other than the US, network compatibility shouldn’t be an issue either. Many international providers have roaming agreements in place, so you can access mobile data by enabling international roaming. But fair warning — this convenience often comes with a steep price tag. Depending on your plan, you might be charged a daily flat fee (no matter whether you’re quickly searching up directions or streaming a five-hour podcast) or you might be billed for every MB or GB you use. 

Carrier-lock status

A “locked” phone means that you’ll only be able to connect to a specific network in your home country — not ones in other countries. No matter where you’re traveling from, make sure that your phone is carrier-unlocked in order to get access to mobile data in Canada. Not sure about your device? Check out our articles on how to check if your iPhone is unlocked or how to check if your Android phone is unlocked. 

Frequency bands

Frequency band incompatibility is mostly a thing of the past (unless you’re still rocking a flip phone). Canadian infrastructure for wireless communication supports 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and even 5G speeds. As long as your phone supports any of these bands, you’ll be able to connect to networks in Canada. 

International roaming support

If you’re heading to Canada from the US, check whether your mobile plan includes data usage across the border without roaming fees. If it doesn’t, but you plan to cross the border often, it might be worth upgrading to a plan that covers all of North America. For travelers coming from overseas, sorry (a word you’ll be hearing a lot on your trip) — you’ll probably incur roaming fees unless your plan specifically includes coverage in Canada.

SIM card or eSIM restrictions

Some iPhones sold in the US don’t come with a SIM slot. If you happen to own one of these SIM-slotless iPhones, you won’t be able to get a prepaid SIM card for Canada. Luckily, you can easily buy a prepaid data plan from an eSIM app like Saily and install an eSIM on your phone without needing to physically insert anything into your phone. 

Canada doesn’t have restrictions on eSIMs, but if you’ve purchased your phone in a country with eSIM restrictions (for example, mainland China), then you won’t be able to install an eSIM on your phone. 

Software updates

Some of us are guilty of missing software updates (no judgment here!). If you’re having trouble connecting to your mobile data while you’re in Canada, there’s a chance that it may be due to outdated software on your device. Please keep in mind that you’ll need a stable Wi-Fi connection to update your software, so ideally, do this while you’re still at home. 

How to check whether your phone will work in Canada

If you’re still anxious about whether your phone will work in Canada, you can ease your nerves by checking a few things before departing for your trip:

• Ensure that your phone supports 3G, 4G, LTE, or 5G. You can check your phone’s settings to see whether your phone supports 4G/LTE or 5G. 

  • If you have an iPhone, go to “Settings,” then either “Cellular” or “Mobile service” (the name will depend on your phone’s language settings). Under “SIMs,” tap on the mobile plan you’re currently using. If you see 3G, 4G, LTE, or 5G beside “Voice & data,” then you should have no trouble connecting to a Canadian network. 

  • If you have an Android phone, go to “Settings,” then either “Network & internet,” “Connections,” or “Mobile network” (this will depend on your phone’s language settings and specific model). Then, look for “Preferred network type” — if you see 4G, LTE, or 5G, you should be good to go in Canada. 

• Confirm whether your mobile plan offers coverage in Canada. Check your network carrier’s website, app, or reach out to its customer service over the phone to confirm whether you’ll be able to roam in Canada without incurring extra charges. 

• See if your phone has a SIM slot or whether it’s eSIM compatible. Many (though not all) smartphones come with a SIM slot either at the side or the top of your device. If your phone has one — great, you’ll be able to get a prepaid SIM card in Canada. An even more convenient option would be to get an eSIM (virtual SIM card). If you’re unsure about whether your device supports eSIM technology, check out our list of eSIM-compatible devices. 

• Keep your phone’s software up to date. If your phone is still running on outdated software, you might run into issues when using your data. 

To update your software on an iPhone:

1. Go to the “Settings” app, then scroll down and tap “General.” 

2. Tap “Software update.”

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to update your iOS software. This might require you to clear up some storage space. 

To update your software on an Android phone: 

1. Go to the “Settings” app.

2. Scroll down and tap “Software update.”

Will you get charged for using your phone in Canada?

Long story short, whether you’ll get charged for using your phone in Canada depends on your mobile plan. If your plan includes coverage in both the US and Canada, you likely won’t face any international roaming charges (something you’ll want to avoid). But if your plan only covers mobile data usage in the US, turning on your international roaming in Canada could result in some hefty fees. 

The same applies to calls and SMS — some plans include a set number of cross-border calls and texts, while others charge a daily fee or bill you per minute or message. Check with your provider before you go to avoid any surprise charges!

Options for staying online while traveling in Canada

You’ll have a few ways to stay connected while traveling through the Great White North (never mind that it’s not so white in the summer). Some options are more budget friendly or convenient than others — here’s a quick look at what’s available.

Get a physical SIM card for Canada

One tried-and-true way to stay online in Canada is to pick up a local prepaid SIM card from a major carrier like Bell, Rogers, Virgin Mobile, Koodo, Freedom, or Telus. You can usually find kiosks selling SIM cards at the airport when you land or visit one of the carriers’ retail stores once you’re in the city. It’s a more traditional option — not quite as old-school as buying a whole new phone, but it’s a close second.

Pros of prepaid SIM cards for Canada:

✅ You can easily swap the SIM between devices. 

✅ It’s less expensive than international roaming. 

Cons of prepaid SIM cards for Canada:

❌ Searching for a SIM card in person is a waste of time. 

❌ SIM card prices may be inflated at the airport. 

❌ Taking out your regular SIM puts you at risk for losing it, damaging it, or having it stolen.

Enable your international roaming in Canada

Turning on international roaming is a convenient way to hop online, though it can be costly. If you’re coming from the US, your mobile plan might already include roaming in Canada, but please double-check the details of your roaming options before you switch it on. 

Pros of enabling your international roaming in Canada:

✅ It’s a quick and convenient way to connect to the internet. 

Cons of enabling your international roaming in Canada:

❌ Unless your mobile plan offers coverage in Canada, you will incur international roaming fees — ones that will certainly put a dent in your budget if you’re a heavy internet user. 

Get a pocket Wi-Fi device for Canada

Another option for staying online is by getting a pocket Wi-Fi for Canada through an online rental company. You’ll either need to purchase a prepaid data plan and insert a SIM card into the device, or it’ll come pre-loaded, depending on the rental company. 

Pros of using a pocket Wi-Fi device in Canada:

✅ It provides internet access to multiple devices at once.

Cons of using a pocket Wi-Fi device in Canada:

❌ The device can be inconvenient to pick up and drop off once you’re done. 

❌ You might have to wait a while for the device to be shipped. 

❌ You will have to carry the device around while you travel. 

❌ You risk losing, damaging, or having the device stolen. 

❌ You might need to pay extra money for a power bank to charge the device. 

❌ Everyone using the pocket Wi-Fi device needs to be in range of it to stay connected.

Use public Wi-Fi in Canada

We get it, desperate times call for desperate measures — and if you haven’t purchased a mobile data plan beforehand, you might find yourself ducking into the nearest cafe to quickly search for directions. But relying on public Wi-Fi isn’t just inconvenient, it can also pose some serious security risks. 

Pros of using public Wi-Fi in Canada:

✅ It’s free (usually). 

Cons of using public Wi-Fi in Canada:

❌ A stable connection isn’t guaranteed, especially if many people are using it at once. 

❌ Hackers can mimic public Wi-Fi networks, trick you into connecting, and spy on you while browsing. 

❌ You might encounter a time limit for free access.

❌ It’s not always available, especially in remote areas. 

Using eSIM in Canada

By far, our biggest recommendation for staying online while you travel around Canada is to purchase an affordable prepaid data plan and install an eSIM on your phone. Just take a look at the numerous benefits of an eSIM below: 

Pros of using an eSIM in Canada:

✅ You can purchase plans with a fixed amount of GBs or unlimited from the comfort of your phone. 

✅ You won’t have to search for a physical SIM card in person. 

✅ You won’t face the risk of losing, damaging, or having a SIM card stolen. 

✅ You won’t incur any expensive international roaming fees. 

✅ You can easily top up on more data in an eSIM app if you run out of GBs. 

✅ You can switch between eSIM profiles in your settings if you need to use your regular phone number. 

✅ Some eSIM apps, like Saily, offer extra perks like built-in security features and a travel-discovery function. 

Cons of using an eSIM in Canada:

❌ Not all devices support eSIM technology (though most smartphones manufactured in 2019 or later do).

❌ Transferring an eSIM from one device to another is trickier than swapping out a SIM card. 

Stay online in Canada with the Saily eSIM app

Opting for a prepaid eSIM plan is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to stay connected in Canada. With an eSIM for Canada, you can skip the hassle of finding a SIM card in person and get a virtual version instead. Just download an eSIM app like Saily, pick a data plan that works for your trip, and install your eSIM!

Not only will you avoid vacation-ruining roaming fees, but with Saily, you’ll get to enjoy three built-in security features at no extra cost. Saily’s ad blocker feature has even been shown to reduce data usage by up to 28.6%. That means more hours of streaming your favorite tunes and fewer annoying ads — we’d say that’s a win-win. With Saily, you can say goodbye to roaming fees and waiting in line for a SIM card — enjoy affordable mobile data plans and a safer browsing experience instead.