Whether you’re a free spirit who loves exploring the great outdoors, a cultured urbanite who enjoys eating at the trendiest restaurants, or some combination of both, you’re bound to have a wonderful time in the beautiful country of Canada. One question you may have is, “Will my phone work in Canada?”
You’re probably ready to start your trip to Canada and have likely booked your flight and hotel and even made a list of sights you want to see. Now, you’re probably wondering what you need to do to get your phone set up for international travel. This largely depends on your phone plan and network capability, and we have a quick list of tips to help you prepare.
Will my phone work in Canada?
Most modern U.S. smartphones are compatible with Canadian networks, but it’s always a good idea to confirm with your carrier by checking your plan details or contacting support. If you have an AT&T unlimited plan, your phone will work without any additional charges. With certain prepaid phone plans, you can enjoy using your phone in Canada without any extra charges.
5 tips for using your phone in Canada
While in Canada, you want to avoid roaming fees, keep your battery charged, protect your device from cold weather and accidents, and back up photos. With our simple tips, you can enjoy your adventure with smoother tech use for safe travels and make the most of your time in Canada.
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Don’t stress about roaming fees
If you’re an AT&T Wireless customer with a current unlimited plan¹, Canada and Mexico are included in your coverage area. So, feel free to call back home and share your experiences without worrying about Canadian roaming fees. You don’t need to buy any special travel packages, purchase a prepaid plan, or install a local SIM card if your plan includes Canada. Additionally, you won’t have to change your phone number for your trip.
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Don’t get stranded without a charger
You’ll likely want to take plenty of pictures on your trip. You may also rely on your phone for important things like navigation. However, if you’re using your phone a lot, your battery may drain quickly.
Nobody wants to be stranded in an unfamiliar place without a phone. Keep your phone fully charged so you avoid getting lost in Quebec City or elsewhere in Canada.
Consider investing in a portable power bank that is compatible with your device. That way, you won’t need to stop and charge your device if your battery runs low. Instead, you can just plug in your backup battery and recharge while you’re on the go.
If you find your phone running out of charge and don’t have access to a charger, turn on airplane mode to reduce power use. When you need to send a text message, make a phone call, or check a map, you can connect to Wi-Fi even when airplane mode is on.
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Prepare your devices for the cold
Depending on where you live, the cold climate in parts of Canada might be new to you, especially in the winter. While bundling up to keep yourself warm is important, you’ll also want to be mindful of your devices. Extremely cold conditions may cause issues with the batteries in some phones, so keep your devices from getting too cold. Protect your phone by keeping it in a warm pocket or bag to help prevent cold-related battery issues or damage.
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Back up your photos
Life can happen, especially when you’re traveling abroad. If you accidentally lose your phone at the airport or somewhere along the way, you won’t be able to reminisce with all your wonderful vacation photos. Regularly back up your photos to a cloud service like the AT&T Personal Cloud.
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Protect your phone from accidents
This tip honestly applies to any trip—not just Canada—and it’s sound advice for when you’re back home, too. Depending on what you plan to do during your trip—like hiking and exploring the great outdoors—you’ll want to be extra careful with your device. That’s where a high-quality phone case or screen protector comes in handy to help keep your device safe.
Enjoy your trip to Canada
Trips are meant to be fun and carefree. Instead of worrying about roaming fees or your battery level, focus on searching for the best poutine in Montreal or skiing your favorite slopes in British Columbia. With these tips, you’ll confidently be able to answer “Yes!” to the question, “Will my phone work in Canada?”
With our extensive network, variety of great wireless plans, and accessories, you can feel fully prepared for your trip to Canada.
¹AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy.
This article was edited by Zoya Cochran on January 5, 2026.
This article is AT&T sponsored content written by Matt Johnsen, a TechBuzz contributor and AT&T employee. The statements in this article are his own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.
