Open ProvincesUsing an eSIM: dual SIM, travel data and safe setup
Check device and carrier compatibility, install the travel profile carefully and protect your main number from roaming charges.
Adapted from a guide first written for Quebec readers: passages specific to Quebec were removed. Rules in your province may differ.
An eSIM is a digital carrier profile stored on a compatible device. It can make travel data convenient, but compatibility depends on the exact phone model, carrier, region and whether the device is unlocked.
Before buying
- Check the manufacturer's compatibility page and confirm the phone is carrier-unlocked.
- Compare destination coverage, data allowance, validity, hotspot support and top-up rules.
- Confirm whether voice calls and SMS are included or data-only.
- Read refund and activation conditions; some QR codes are single-use.
Install without losing your main number
Back up the device, follow the carrier's instructions and label each line clearly. Set the travel eSIM as the data line, review data-roaming settings for the home SIM and test service before relying on it. Do not delete an old profile until the carrier confirms how to transfer or reinstall it.
Use the device maker's current setup guide and the eSIM provider's support channel; menus differ across phones and software versions.
Sources and limits
Device and carrier setup steps change by model, software and provider. Verify compatibility, roaming settings, QR-code reuse and transfer instructions with the manufacturer and carrier before deleting a profile.
General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting.