Will my phone work in Canada? Everything you need to know about using your US phone on your Canadian adventure

Will your US phone work in Canada?

Yes, your US phone will work in Canada, but make sure to check your mobile carrier’s international roaming conditions to avoid incurring costs. If your plan doesn’t include data coverage in Canada, you may want to opt for a prepaid eSIM plan to avoid international roaming fees. 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 there. 

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. In short, frequency band incompatibility is mostly a thing of the past (unless you’re still rocking a flip 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 — including: 

Network compatibility. Network compatibility refers to whether your phone can connect to the local cellular networks in the country you’re visiting. Many American network providers have agreements with Canadian ones 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 data roaming and risk incurring steep fees. If you’re visiting Canada from a country other than the US, network compatibility shouldn’t be an issue either because many international providers have roaming agreements in place.

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. 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:

SIM card or eSIM restrictions. Some iPhone models 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. You can easily buy a prepaid data plan from an eSIM app like Saily and install an eSIM (virtual SIM card) on 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 one.* 

Software updates. If you’re having trouble connecting to your mobile data while you’re in Canada, 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

1. 1.

   Check your phone’s settings to make sure it supports 3G, 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. 

2. 2.

   Use an online frequency band checker to see if your exact phone model supports Canadian frequency bands. As previously mentioned, nearly every smartphone purchased in recent years will be compatible with Canadian frequency bands, but you can enter your phone’s model (e.g., SM-S918U for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra) into an online frequency band checker. 

3. 3.

   Check the IMEI number to confirm whether your phone is carrier locked. You can enter your phone’s IMEI number on your mobile carrier’s website to quickly check whether it’s locked to your carrier or not. 

   • To find the IMEI number on an iPhone, go to “Settings” > “General” > “About” > “IMEI.”

   • To find the IMEI number on an Android phone, go to “Settings” > “About phone” (or “System” > “About device,” depending on the manufacturer) > “IMEI.”

4. 4.

   Contact your mobile carrier to confirm whether your mobile plan includes coverage in Canada. You can do so through your 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.

Using your phone in Canada with different US providers via roaming

Wondering whether your AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or UScellular phone plans will work in Canada? Each carrier has its own specific terms and conditions, and the coverage you get in Canada depends on your mobile plan. If you’re already paying for a plan that includes mobile data coverage in Canada, you won’t be subject to roaming charges. If your plan doesn’t include Canada, you may need to purchase an additional package to avoid incredibly expensive fees. 

Will your Verizon phone plan work in Canada?

Yes, your Verizon phone plan will work in Canada, but you might need to purchase a TravelPass for US$6 per day to avoid its steep “Pay As You Go” roaming charges at US$2.05 per megabyte (MB). If you’re already paying for an unlimited mobile plan in the US, it might include data coverage in Canada. However, it’s best to check on Verizon’s website whether your plan covers Canada before risking a hefty roaming bill at the end of the month. 

Will your T-Mobile phone plan work in Canada?

If you have a Go5G, Magenta, or ONE T-Mobile plan, it will include unlimited talk, text, and data in Canada. However, older or more basic plans might not offer coverage in Canada, in which case you may need to purchase an International Data Pass at US$5 (512 MB), US$35 (5 GB), or US$50 (15 GB). Otherwise, you’ll be subject to T-Mobile’s roaming rates of US$0.01 per MB. 

Will your AT&T phone plan work in Canada?

Yes, your AT&T phone plan will work in Canada, but you might need to buy a Roam North America data add-on or an International Day Pass to avoid AT&T’s expensive pay-per-use roaming rates. Specific AT&T plans already come with coverage in Canada — others don’t. If you’re using a plan that doesn’t cover Canada and don’t buy an add-on, you’ll risk paying US$2.05 per megabyte (MB). 

For more information, read our detailed “Does AT&T work in Canada?” article. 

Will your UScellular phone plan work in Canada?

Certain UScellular plans include coverage in Canada, like the Unlimited or Even Better plans. If your plan doesn’t include coverage in Canada, you may need to purchase a Daily Travel Pass at US$15/day (standard) or US$25/day (premium). 

Other ways of using your US phone 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 is to pick up a local prepaid SIM card for Canada 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 clone 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.

Tips for using your American phone in Canada

Our main tips for using your American phone in Canada, aside from purchasing a prepaid eSIM plan to avoid roaming fees, include: 

• Downloading offline maps. In case you get disconnected from the internet in a remote location, you might want to download Google or Apple Maps for offline usage to avoid getting lost. 

• Carrying a portable charger. If you’re exploring provincial or national parks, it’s a great idea to carry around a power bank — having your phone die in the middle of the woods is less than ideal. 

• Backing up your photos via cloud storage. You never know what could happen when you travel — it’s always a good idea to back your photos up, just in case. 

• Saving emergency numbers in your contacts. Just like in the US, Canada’s main emergency number is 911. However, you may want to include the number to your country’s embassy or additional emergency services like a police station. 

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. 

Whether you’re gawking at the rich teal hue of Moraine Lake or indulging in Toronto’s diverse food scene, you’ll want to make sure your phone works so you can find the best local spots.