Planning Summer Travel? Unlock Your Phone First

Why unlocking belongs on your trip checklist

A locked phone only works with the carrier that sold it. That's fine at home, but abroad it means your only option is your carrier's roaming plan. An unlocked phone can take a local SIM card or a travel eSIM, which gives you more choice over how you stay connected.

The catch is timing. Unlocking is easy, but it's not something you want to sort out at the departure gate with a boarding pass in one hand. Give yourself a few weeks so there's room to fix anything that doesn't go smoothly.

Step 1: Check whether your phone is locked

Many phones are already unlocked. Since December 1, 2017, the CRTC has required that new phones sold by Canadian carriers be unlocked. If you bought your phone new in Canada after that date, there's a good chance you're already set. Phones bought earlier, bought used, or brought in from outside Canada are the ones to double-check.

• iPhone: go to Settings › General › About and look for Carrier Lock. If it says "No SIM restrictions", your iPhone is unlocked.
• Android (Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus): there's no single menu that works on every model. The most reliable test is to borrow a SIM from a friend on a different carrier, insert it and see if you can make a call. If you get a message asking for an unlock code, the phone is locked.
• Not sure? Call your carrier and ask. They can see the lock status on their side.

Write down your phone's IMEI number while you're at it. Dial *#06# on almost any phone and it appears on screen. You'll need it if you ask for an unlock, and it's useful to have if the phone is lost or stolen on your trip.

Step 2: Ask your carrier to unlock it (it's free)

Under the CRTC Wireless Code, Canadian carriers must unlock a phone free of charge when you request it. You don't have to finish your contract first. Call or chat with your carrier, give them your account details and IMEI, and ask them to unlock the device.

Some unlocks finish on their own. Others need you to restart the phone, connect to Wi-Fi or insert a SIM from another carrier to complete the process. Test it at home with a friend's SIM so you know it worked before you leave. For more background on how unlocking works here, read our post on phone unlocking in Ontario.

Step 3: Pick your travel connection

Physical SIM card

Buying a local SIM at your destination is still common. Before you count on it, check that your phone actually has a SIM tray. Some newer phones, including the iPhone Air, are eSIM-only.

Travel eSIM

A travel eSIM is a data plan you download to your phone, often before you leave. It's handy because you can install it at home on your own Wi-Fi and switch it on when you land. Most recent phones can hold your Canadian line and a travel eSIM at the same time, so your home number stays on the phone while the eSIM handles data.

Your carrier's roaming plan

Roaming is the simplest option because nothing changes on your phone. If you go this route, read the terms carefully so you understand what's included and how data is counted.

Keeping your home number reachable

If you switch to a local SIM or eSIM for data, you may still want texts and calls to your Canadian number, especially for bank and account security codes.

• Dual SIM: keep your Canadian line active as a second line, but turn off data roaming on it so it doesn't use data abroad.
• Wi-Fi calling: many carriers support Wi-Fi calling, but how it works outside Canada and how calls are billed varies. Ask your carrier before you go rather than guessing.
• Security codes: where your accounts allow it, switch two-factor sign-in to an authenticator app before you travel so you're not relying on text messages.

Your pre-trip phone checklist

1. Confirm your phone is unlocked, and test it with another carrier's SIM.
2. Note your IMEI and keep it somewhere other than the phone.
3. Check whether your phone takes a physical SIM, eSIM or both.
4. Decide on roaming, a local SIM or a travel eSIM.
5. Ask your carrier how Wi-Fi calling and texts work while you're away.
6. Back up your phone so photos are safe if it's lost, stolen or damaged.
7. Pack a spare charging cable and the right plug adapter.
8. Fix anything that's been bothering you, like a weak battery or loose charging port, before you're far from home.

Need a hand?

If your phone is still locked, or a cracked screen or tired battery needs attention before your trip, we can help. A certified woman technician comes to your home, workplace or parked car anywhere in our service area, from Milton and Oakville to Mississauga and Toronto. You get a free quote before any work starts, and the exact time is confirmed by phone or WhatsApp. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247, message us on WhatsApp, or request a visit online.

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