eSIM Providers in Canada: Carriers, Tourist eSIMs and Travel Plans

Which companies offer eSIM in Canada? All the big names do: Bell, Rogers, Telus, Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus and Freedom, plus smaller carriers like Lucky Mobile, chatr and SaskTel. Apple lists 17 Canadian carriers for eSIM on iPhone. They suit you if you live in Canada or stay for a while. If you're just visiting, a travel eSIM is usually simpler: you buy it online, install it before you fly and it connects when you land. This guide covers each carrier's eSIM, what visitors can get, and your travel eSIM options.

Visiting Canada? These eSIMs are data only, so you keep your home number for WhatsApp, calls and texts. Here are three plans for a week, two weeks and a long stay.

Canada 5GB (7 days) · Canada 20GB (15 days) · Canada 60GB (90 days) · all data only · See all Canada eSIMs · All destinations

eSIM providers in Canada at a glance

Apple's list of carriers that offer eSIM on iPhone includes these Canadian carriers: Bell, chatr, Eastlink, Fido, Fizz, Freedom, Koodo, Lucky Mobile, PC Mobile, Public Mobile, Rogers, SaskTel, Shaw, Tbaytel, Telus, Videotron and Virgin Plus (Apple: carriers that offer eSIM service on iPhone). Here is how the options compare:

• Bell, Rogers and Telus: the big three. You sign up for a Canadian plan, then set up the eSIM in an app or on their website.
• Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus, Freedom and Lucky Mobile: more eSIM options, with their own plans.
• chatr: sells a prepaid eSIM made for tourists, on the Rogers network.
• Travel eSIMs: sold online by providers like SimOptions. Data only, no Canadian sign-up, ready before you leave.

Want a comparison by trip length instead? See our guide to the best eSIM for Canada.

Bell eSIM

According to Bell's eSIM setup page:

• You need a Bell plan first. Once your Bell Mobility plan is active, you set up the eSIM on your phone.
• Setup: you can follow the prompts after a phone purchase, or open the MyBell app and select Set up eSIM. A notification may offer to install it. If not, you scan a QR code or enter the activation address by hand.
• Connection: you need Wi-Fi or mobile data while you set it up.
• Phones: Bell lists iOS 13.0 or above for iPhone and iPad, Android 12.0 or higher for Samsung, and Android 10 or higher for Google Pixel.

Bell's setup page doesn't mention a visitor eSIM, so check its plans for prepaid options before you count on one.

Rogers and Fido eSIM

Rogers says an eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a plan without a physical SIM card. According to Rogers' eSIM page:

• Your own phone: choose eSIM as your SIM type at checkout.
• Setup: activation happens over Wi-Fi, and then your phone connects to the network.
• Check your phone: Rogers says to dial *#06#. If an EID shows up, your phone supports eSIM.
• Lost phone: you can disable the eSIM remotely.

Apple also lists Fido, which uses eSIM carrier activation and eSIM Quick Transfer on iPhone. Check Fido's site for plan details.

Telus and Koodo eSIM

Telus says you can bring your own phone and activate your plan with an eSIM in the My TELUS app. If you switch devices or replace an eSIM, you log in to My TELUS to swap it (Telus: SIM cards and eSIM). Apple lists Koodo with the same kind of iPhone eSIM support. Koodo's own page on the topic is its eSIM setup help article.

Virgin Plus eSIM

According to Virgin Plus, if you bring an eSIM-compatible phone, you can activate with an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card. For new lines you visit a Virgin Plus store. If you already have Virgin Plus service on a physical SIM, you can convert it to an eSIM after logging in to My Account. Its page also lists compatible phones, such as iPhone XS and later, Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 4 series and later, and Samsung Galaxy S21 and later.

Freedom, Lucky Mobile and other carriers

Apple lists Freedom, Lucky Mobile, PC Mobile, Fizz, Public Mobile, SaskTel, Eastlink, Tbaytel, Videotron and Shaw for eSIM on iPhone. We didn't find a visitor eSIM on their official pages, so check each carrier's site for current plans and sign-up rules. Freedom also sells a Travel Data eSIM, but its page describes data in 120+ destinations and doesn't mention use in Canada.

chatr: a tourist eSIM from a Canadian carrier

chatr is the local option that is clearly built for visitors. According to chatr's tourist eSIM page:

• What you get: prepaid talk, text and data plans with a free eSIM.
• When: you can set it up before or after you land, online, in minutes.
• Network: it runs on the Rogers network.
• No contract: plans are month to month, and you can top up online.

That fits if you stay for weeks or months, or need a Canadian number. For a short trip, a travel eSIM can be simpler.

Travel eSIM for Canada: data without a local sign-up

A travel eSIM is a data plan you buy online. You get a QR code by email, install it on Wi-Fi before you leave, and it connects when you arrive. Here is what the SimOptions plans include, according to their plan details on our Canada eSIM page:

• Canada plans: from 1 GB for 3 days up to 60 GB for 90 days. Data only, 4G and 5G, and you can top them up.
• Activation: once installed, the eSIM activates automatically when you reach Canada.
• No local paperwork: you don't need a Canadian address, a credit check or a store visit.

Also visiting the USA or Mexico? The North America eSIMs cover all three countries with one plan. More in our guide to the best eSIM for the USA and Canada.

Data only means no phone number. You can still call and text with apps. See how to make phone calls with a data-only eSIM.

Local eSIM or travel eSIM: which one is right for you?

A Canadian carrier eSIM fits if

• You live in Canada or stay for several months.
• You need a Canadian phone number for calls and texts.
• You're happy to sign up with the carrier and your phone works with it.

A travel eSIM fits if

• You're on a short trip and want data the moment you land.
• You'd rather skip the local sign-up.
• You want to keep your home number active at the same time. See how to set up a dual eSIM.

How to set up a Canada eSIM

1. Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. More in our guide to checking eSIM compatibility and the list of eSIM phones.
2. Buy your plan and wait for the QR code by email.
3. Install it on Wi-Fi. On iPhone, open the Camera app, scan the QR code and tap the Cellular Plan Detected notification (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone). Step by step for iPhone and Android: how to install an eSIM.
4. Label the line "Canada" so you can tell it apart from your home line.
5. When you land, make the eSIM your data line and turn on data roaming for it.

Not connecting? Go through our eSIM activation fixes.

FAQs

Which carriers offer eSIM in Canada?

Bell, Rogers, Telus, Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus, Freedom, Lucky Mobile, chatr and more. Apple lists 17 Canadian carriers for eSIM on iPhone.

Where can I buy an eSIM for Canada online?

You can sign up with a carrier like chatr, which sells a tourist eSIM online, or buy a travel eSIM like the SimOptions Canada plans. Pick the data and days that match your stay.

Is my phone compatible with eSIM in Canada?

Most recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones are. It must also be unlocked. Virgin Plus lists iPhone XS and later, Pixel 3a and Pixel 4 series and later, and Galaxy S21 and later. Check with our compatibility guide.

Can tourists get an eSIM in Canada?

Yes. chatr offers a free tourist eSIM, and you can also buy a travel eSIM online before your trip.

Which eSIM provider has good customer support?

Carriers like Bell and Telus handle support through their apps and stores, and you need an account with them. For a travel eSIM, the seller supports you. SimOptions has a support team you can contact if your install doesn't work.

Do I get a Canadian phone number with a travel eSIM?

No. The SimOptions Canada plans are data only. For a Canadian number, look at a carrier plan such as chatr.

Does eSIM work in the USA and Mexico too?

A Canada plan works in Canada only. A North America plan covers Canada, the USA and Mexico. See the North America eSIMs.