Quick answer

The best way to avoid roaming charges while travelling is to turn off data roaming on your Canadian SIM, set your travel eSIM as the mobile data line, and keep your Canadian number available only for calls and texts if you need it. You should also turn off automatic downloads, disable background data for high-usage apps, use Wi-Fi when available, and check your phone's cellular settings before you leave Canada.

Roaming charges can happen when your Canadian carrier line connects to a foreign network for data, calls, or texts. Even small amounts of background data can create charges if roaming is enabled. Apps can refresh, email can sync, photos can upload, and system services can use data without you actively opening anything. That is why the right settings matter.

A travel eSIM helps because it gives your phone a separate data plan for the country or region you are visiting. Instead of using your Canadian carrier for data abroad, you use the travel eSIM. The setup is simple, but it is important to choose the correct line for mobile data and to prevent your Canadian line from using roaming data in the background.

Why roaming charges happen

Roaming happens when your phone connects to a mobile network outside your regular carrier's network. If you are a Canadian traveller in the United States, Europe, Mexico, Japan, or another destination, your Canadian plan may connect through a partner carrier. Depending on your plan, that can trigger daily roaming fees, pay-per-use data, call charges, text charges, or other fees.

Many travellers think roaming only happens when they actively browse the internet. In reality, phones are constantly communicating. Weather widgets refresh, messaging apps check for notifications, email syncs, app stores check for updates, photos may back up, and location services may use small amounts of data. These tiny pieces can be enough to start a roaming session.

The good news is that you can reduce the risk with a few settings. You do not need to turn your phone off for the whole trip. You just need to control which SIM is allowed to use data.

Before you leave Canada

Install your travel eSIM before your trip if possible. You can usually scan the QR code or follow the provider's installation instructions while connected to Wi-Fi at home. In many cases, you should install it before departure and activate or use it when you arrive, depending on the plan instructions.

Label your lines clearly. For example, name your Canadian line "Canada Primary" and your travel eSIM "Europe Data" or "USA eSIM." This makes it easier to choose the right line when you are tired after a flight.

Download important items before you go. Save offline maps, hotel confirmations, boarding passes, train tickets, playlists, podcasts, and travel documents. This reduces your need for mobile data and gives you a backup if you have connection issues.

Also check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM. A travel eSIM will not work properly if the phone is locked to a carrier or does not support eSIM.

iPhone settings to avoid roaming charges

On iPhone, go to Settings, then Cellular. You should see your Canadian line and your travel eSIM. Tap each line and review the settings.

Set Cellular Data to your travel eSIM when you are abroad. This is the most important step. If Cellular Data is set to your Canadian line, your phone may use your Canadian plan for data and trigger roaming.

Turn off Data Roaming for your Canadian line. Tap your Canadian SIM under Cellular Plans, then make sure Data Roaming is off. If you need to receive regular SMS messages, you may keep the Canadian line turned on, but do not allow it to use roaming data unless you intentionally accept the charges.

Turn on Data Roaming for the travel eSIM only if the eSIM instructions require it. Many travel eSIMs use roaming agreements to connect to local networks, so the eSIM may need roaming enabled to work. This does not mean your Canadian SIM should have roaming enabled. Treat each line separately.

Turn off Cellular Data Switching. On iPhone, there is a setting that can allow the phone to use either line depending on coverage. When travelling, this can create risk because the phone may switch back to your Canadian line. Keep cellular data locked to the travel eSIM.

Android settings to avoid roaming charges

Android menus vary, but the core settings are similar. On Samsung, look under Settings, Connections, and SIM manager. On Google Pixel, look under Settings, Network and Internet, and SIMs. Other Android phones may use names like Mobile Network, SIM cards, or Cellular Network.

Choose your travel eSIM as the mobile data SIM. This tells your phone which line to use for internet access. Then turn off data roaming for your Canadian SIM. If the travel eSIM requires roaming to connect, enable roaming only for the travel eSIM.

Some Android phones also have settings for automatic SIM switching, backup calling, or smart network switching. If your goal is to avoid roaming charges, turn off features that allow your phone to automatically use the Canadian line for data when the travel eSIM signal is weak.

Check app data usage settings too. Android lets you restrict background data for specific apps. This can help if you have apps that use lots of data, such as cloud storage, social media, video apps, or photo backup tools.

Should you keep your Canadian SIM on?

Many travellers want to keep their Canadian number active for two-factor authentication, bank texts, family messages, or emergency calls. You can often do that while still using a travel eSIM for data. The key is to prevent the Canadian line from using roaming data.

If you keep your Canadian SIM on, be careful with calls. Incoming and outgoing calls may trigger roaming fees depending on your carrier plan. SMS rules also vary. Some carriers charge to send texts while roaming, while receiving certain texts may be free. Check your carrier's travel terms if you plan to use your Canadian number abroad.

If you do not need your Canadian number during the trip, you can turn the Canadian line off entirely. This is the lowest-risk option. You can still use your travel eSIM for data and use internet-based messaging apps over the eSIM connection.

Airplane mode strategy

Airplane mode is useful during the flight and can also help prevent accidental roaming right after landing. Before takeoff, turn on airplane mode. After landing, connect to airport Wi-Fi if needed, then review your cellular settings before turning mobile data back on.

When you are ready, turn on your travel eSIM and set it as the data line. Keep data roaming off for your Canadian line. Then disable airplane mode. Your phone should connect using the travel eSIM for data.

Some travellers leave airplane mode on and manually turn on Wi-Fi only when they do not need cellular service. That works, but it also means your eSIM data will not be active. If you want maps, ride-share, messaging, and mobile browsing outside Wi-Fi, you need cellular enabled with the travel eSIM as the data line.

App settings that save data

Even with the right SIM settings, it is smart to reduce unnecessary data use. Turn off automatic app updates over cellular. On iPhone, check App Store settings and disable automatic downloads over cellular. On Android, set Google Play updates to Wi-Fi only.

Pause cloud photo backup over cellular. Photo and video uploads can use a lot of data, especially if you take many travel photos. Set iCloud Photos, Google Photos, Dropbox, OneDrive, and similar apps to back up on Wi-Fi only.

Download offline maps in Google Maps or Apple Maps where available. Download music, podcasts, shows, and documents before the trip. Turn off auto-play videos in social apps. Set messaging apps to download media manually or over Wi-Fi only.

These settings help your travel eSIM last longer and reduce the chance that your phone uses data in the background when you are not paying attention.

How to check that roaming is not being used

After you arrive, open your phone's cellular settings and confirm three things. First, the travel eSIM is turned on. Second, mobile data is assigned to the travel eSIM. Third, data roaming is off for your Canadian line.

You can also check your data usage screen. On iPhone, look at Cellular Data usage by line and app. On Android, look at mobile data usage under Network or Connections. Resetting statistics before your trip can make it easier to track.

Your Canadian carrier may send a roaming notification when your phone connects abroad. Take that seriously. It does not always mean you have already created a large charge, but it does mean the phone has connected to a foreign network. Review your settings immediately.

What about calls and texts?

A data-only travel eSIM usually does not replace your Canadian phone number for regular calls and SMS. It gives you mobile data. You can use internet-based calling and messaging apps over that data, but regular carrier calls and SMS still belong to your Canadian line.

If you need to make regular calls, consider using Wi-Fi calling where supported, internet calling apps, or your carrier's travel add-on. Be careful with regular voice calls while roaming because they may be billed differently from data.

For two-factor authentication, many travellers keep their Canadian line on but avoid answering calls or sending texts unless necessary. This can work, but you should check your carrier terms so you understand what may be charged.

Troubleshooting: data is not working

If your travel eSIM is not working, first check that the eSIM is turned on and selected for mobile data. Then check whether data roaming needs to be enabled for the travel eSIM. Review any APN instructions from the provider. Restart your phone. Try manually selecting a supported network if automatic selection does not connect.

Also confirm that your plan is valid for the destination and that the validity period has started. Some plans begin when installed, while others begin when they first connect to a supported network. Read the instructions so you know what to expect.

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Frequently asked questions

Should data roaming be on or off with a travel eSIM?

Keep data roaming off for your Canadian SIM. For the travel eSIM, follow the provider's instructions. Some travel eSIMs need roaming on to connect to partner networks.

Can I avoid roaming charges by removing my SIM card?

Yes, removing or disabling your Canadian SIM can prevent that line from roaming, but you may lose access to your Canadian number for calls and SMS. A dual-SIM setup lets you keep the number available while using the eSIM for data.

Will airplane mode stop roaming charges?

Airplane mode stops cellular connections while it is on. You can turn Wi-Fi back on while staying in airplane mode. To use your travel eSIM for mobile data, you need cellular on with the correct data line selected.

Can I receive bank texts while using a travel eSIM?

Often yes, if your Canadian line remains active and your carrier supports receiving texts abroad. Charges vary by carrier and plan, so check before relying on it.

Bottom line

To avoid roaming charges, control your SIM settings before your phone connects abroad. Use your travel eSIM for mobile data, turn off data roaming on your Canadian line, disable automatic switching, and reduce background data. A few minutes of setup can prevent bill shock and make your trip much smoother.

Best Phone Settings to Avoid Roaming Charges While Travelling