Can I use my American cell phone when I come to Canada? (2024)

FAQs

Can I use my American cell phone when I come to Canada? ›

For the most part you will need to contact your service provider and add an international plan on for the length of your stay. This can easily be done online or through your providers app on your smart phone.

Yes, in theory, you will be able to use your phone in Canada as long as it supports the same frequency bands that is used in Canada.

Most cell phone plans today include Canada-wide calling and texting. This means you can travel to different parts of Canada without paying roaming charges when you call or text. However, depending on your plan, you may be charged fees for using data in Canada when outside your local coverage area.

Yes, unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data works in Canada & Mexico. No setup. No roaming charges. Your phone works the moment you arrive.

You'll have to verify that with your carrier/phone company. But, nowadays, most USA carriers allow free calling and texts to and from Canada (Most do not allow it to the Northern Territories, but, while that is a huge chunk of Canadian land, it's a very small percentage of the population).

Use international calling cards

There are phone booths all over the place, so this isn't a complicated process. Canada is very accustomed to having international visitors and so you will find that these international calling cards can be bought at pretty much any local convenience store, and are the best value option.

Can I use my AT&T cell phone for free in Canada? When traveling to Canada, your phone will work the same as it does within the United States, and you won't need to pay additional roaming charges or fees so long as you're on an AT&T unlimited plan. Keep in mind, roaming may be at 2G speeds.

US carriers do not operate cell phone towers in Canada. You can buy international roaming on your US plan if you are visiting for a short time. That is more expensive than a Canadian plan, but if you are visiting for a few days more convenient. If you are staying in Canada you need to get a Canadian plan.

How can I use my phone internationally without charges? ›

Use Wi-Fi communication apps

If you want to skip additional charges altogether, you can leave your phone on airplane mode for the entire trip. The good news is that today so many communication apps operate over Wi-Fi that you may not even miss having cellular data.

Calling Canada from the United States should not be scary or overwhelming; it's simply just another international call. However, there are a few things to consider when making calls from the US to Canada. Calling landlines and cell phones in Canada from US based cell phones and landlines is very similar.

Our Unlimited Ultimate mobile phone plan includes 1 Global Choice country. All Unlimited plans provide unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada. Plus you take your domestic talk, text and data allowances with you to Mexico and Canada at no additional charge. Learn more about our Unlimited plan options.

Technically, most phone numbers can be ported. Your existing service provider can't prevent you from doing a number transfer. It's your right, guaranteed in the Canadian Wireless Code of Conduct posted by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications (CRTC).

Canada being a different country, calling a Canadian number will normally incur international charges for calls originating from the U.S... You will be charged for the rate between the USA and Canada unless you have a plan that covers both countries. Of course you'll be charged international fees.

Travelers and international students can bring their devices from overseas and immediately connect to and use the wireless network in Canada by purchasing a PhoneBox SIM card prior to their arrival.

Roaming rates for the countries you plan to visit.

For most U.S. customers, domestic service plans do not cover usage abroad. Rates may be much higher because of additional roaming fees on foreign mobile networks and may vary from country to country and network to network.

You can use your mobile phone anywhere in our coverage area in Canada. You may be billed long distance in some circ*mstances.