Though many cell phones will work just fine in Canada, roaming charges and other data plan fees for using a cell phone that doesn't have a Canadian or international plan can easily add up to hundreds of dollars. And remember, phone calls and data are two separate things.
AT&T unlimited plan customers can talk, text, and use their plan data with an eligible device in Mexico or Canada for no roaming charge. Go to att.com/roamna for details.
An iPhone will work in Canada, but it needs to be unlocked. You CANNOT just pop in your SIM card for it to work. It must be unlocked to be used with Rogers or Fido (the only GSM networks in Canada).
AT&T Expands Access to Unlimited Data. Plus, customers on this plan can talk, text and use data in Canada and Mexico with no roaming charges when they add the Roam North America feature for no additional charge.
You will not be charged for texting or MMS to Canada it's included in your plan. text messages sent to or received from a Canadian number are charged at the same rate as domestic messages, according to your rate plan or messaging add-on.
Using USA Cell Phone Plans (AT&T, T-Mobile) in Canada. AT&T and T-Mobile have some great prepaid plans that include roaming in Canada/Mexico for $40-75 a month (depending on the carrier) with 6GB or more and unlimited talk and text.
In addition to the data deals, AT&T will also include unlimited calls and texts to Canada and Mexico at no additional charge to customers who choose the 15GB or 20GB plans. In addition, these same customers will also receive $200 in credit for each phone they trade in.
AT&T Roaming: Wireless Roaming Policy for AT&T
AT&T's wireless network covers most of North America. Customers with an AT&T unlimited plan can talk, text, and use their plan data when traveling in Mexico or Canada with no roaming charge.AT&T unlimited plan customers can talk, text, and use their plan data with an eligible device in Mexico or Canada for no roaming charge.
Standard Pay Per Minute
| Cost | $0 /mo |
|---|
| Calling Rates | Calls to 230+ countries from $0.49 /min |
Unlimited international texting. Included in AT&T Unlimited Plan, Mobile Share Value®, and Mobile Share® plans only. Includes messaging from the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to more than 190 countries for text messages and 120 countries for picture and video messages. Capabilities vary by country.
New and existing customers with an AT&T Unlimited Plan can say goodbye to roaming charges in both Mexico and Canada. Talk, text and use data in and between the United States, Mexico and Canada for no roaming charge. The features can be added through myAT&T, online at www.att.com, or by calling AT&T.
Standard text messaging charge of $0.20/message applies to messages sent and received in the Nationwide Rate and Coverage Area, except for International Text Messages, which cost $0.25/message sent and $0.20/message received, and which do not use messaging bundle allowances, unless you are on a MORE Everything plan
If you choose to make international calls to Canada from the U.S. through your landline or mobile phone plan, traditional providers like AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint offer rates averaging $0.49 per minute. Or you can choose the unlimited plan $4.99/month and make unlimited calls to landlines and mobile numbers in Canada.
Popular international texting apps
They work on Android, iPhone and Windows phones, making them easy to use by anyone. The only inconvenient is that both you and the family member or friend you want to contact must have them installed. Of course, these apps are dependent on a data connection.FreeTone is the only free calling app for UNLIMITED calls & texts to ALL real US and Canada phone numbers. No trials, no hidden costs, absolutely FREE! Contrary to similar apps, you do not have to pay anything or earn credits to call any US or Canadian number, whether they use the same app as you do or not.
With iMessage, you can text from anywhere for free, as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection and the person you're messaging also has an iPhone or Mac. If you want to be able to internationally text friends without iPhones for free, you'll need a free texting app.
For Android devices: Go to Settings> Connections>Data Usage. Turn Data Saver on and select only the apps you want to allow to use data in the background. Streaming content is extremely data intensive. You can download content before leaving the U.S. to avoid streaming videos, music or other content while abroad.
5.Are there any special Android or iPhone settings for international travel?
- Turn off roaming. This stops cellular data use so you won't be paying extra for a plan you don't have.
- Stop apps from sucking your data in the background.
- Turn off automatic downloads.
- Track cellular usage.
Need to avoid roaming charges because you arrived at your destination without an international data plan? Turn off Cellular Data and Data Roaming. Open Settings and tap Cellular, or Cellular Data, or Mobile Data. Turn off Cellular Data, then tap Cellular Data Options and turn off Data Roaming.
5.Are there any special Android or iPhone settings for international travel?
- Turn off roaming. This stops cellular data use so you won't be paying extra for a plan you don't have.
- Stop apps from sucking your data in the background.
- Turn off automatic downloads.
- Track cellular usage.
In order to stop cellular data use, you should turn off roaming. To do this, go to your settings, and look for roaming options. Set it to "Roaming Off." This is essentially the nuclear option and shuts off your cellular data entirely when you're out of the country.
International customer service info
- From inside the U.S.: Call 800.335. 4685 (or 611 from your AT&T wireless phone).
- From outside the U.S.: Call +1.314. 925.6925 anytime. It's a free call from your AT&T wireless phone.
How to Use Your Smartphone Overseas
- Make Sure Your Phone Will Work in Your Destination.
- Check for International Roaming Packages.
- Find Out If It's Unlocked.
- Turn Off Cell Data (and Use Wi-Fi Instead)
- Use Google Voice or Skype Instead of Making Calls.
AT&T International Day Pass
Take your talk, text, and data plan to over 100 countries for a low daily fee. Pay the daily fee only for the days you use abroad. Get unlimited calls within International Day Pass countries and back to the U.S. and unlimited texts to the world at no additional charge.Here's how it works
- Add International Day Pass. Add it to each device on your AT&T Mobile Share® or AT&T unlimited plan before you leave for your trip.
- Pay a daily fee. You'll be charged a $10 daily fee for each 24-hour period you use it.
- Surf, text, and talk.
- Only pay for the days you use.
But possibly the most important piece of advice that will prevent hefty roaming charges is to go into "Settings" on your phone and turn your data off before you arrive. In your settings is a cellular data icon that you must turn off so that your phone does not access a network provider outside of your local one.
Usually, this happens if you're out of Canada. Roaming charges are legitimate fees that consumers are contractually obligated to pay. Roaming charges may apply when you travel and leave your 'home' network area and 'roam' onto the network or coverage area of another provider.
Foreign currencies are easily changed into Canadian dollars at currency exchange kiosks at border crossings, large shopping malls, and banks. It is a good idea to check with your bank before you leave on your trip to Canada to discuss the best card for travel. Some ATM networks offer fee-free withdrawals to visitors.
You can use airplane mode to avoid roaming charges when travelling. You won't be able to send or receive text messages or phone calls, or use data services, but you could connect to a Wi-Fi network to check your email or browse the Internet.
Talk, text and use data in and between the United States, Mexico and Canada for no roaming charge.
List of Phones That Will Work in Canada
- iPhone 9.
- iPhone 8.
- iPhone 7.
- iPhone 6.
- Samsung Galaxy 8.
- Samsung Galaxy 7.
Sprint customers can now get free basic data coverage and texting in 165 international destinations. However, Sprint customers with an Unlimited Freedom plan get free LTE data roaming, texts and voice calls in Canada and Mexico.
Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores, resellers or online. Bell is the only provider in Canada that gives out data SIM cards for modems or tablets; they can also be used in phones. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased for $9.95 – credit will then have to be added.
