To avoid roaming charges outside of Canada, the most effective methods are enabling Airplane Mode, turning off Data Roaming in settings, using Wi-Fi only, purchasing a local SIM/eSIM, or buying a travel-specific roaming add-on from providers like Rogers or Koodo. These actions prevent accidental data usage, which often incurs heavy daily fees.
Traveling to the US and internationally
If you're looking to avoid roaming charges altogether, simply turn data and data roaming OFF in your mobile device's settings and refrain from making calls, answering calls and sending any outgoing texts.
Use airplane mode
Enable airplane mode and keep it on while travelling outside Canada to avoid international data usage. Some smartphone apps automatically download data even when not in use, and data roaming charges apply to both sending and receiving messages.
And knowing them makes all the difference with your post-holiday bill. It's the easiest way to avoid roaming charges – just not always the most practical. Turn off roaming on your device before you travel so that your phone won't try and access the local network when you arrive at your destination.
One of the most effective ways to avoid data roaming costs abroad is by switching to an eSIM. An eSIM lets you connect to a local network without changing your physical SIM card. This ensures you enjoy local rates and save big on roaming fees.
iPhone settings for international travel
Turn data roaming off
This prevents you from using data until you connect to Wi-Fi. You use data for things like email, web browsing, Visual Voicemail, and sending or receiving picture and video messages. You should be able to make and receive phone calls and text messages. If you have difficulty, turn Wi-Fi on.
To avoid data roaming charges, use Wi-Fi for email, web browsing and other data services. Please note that Wi-Fi may not always work as a substitute for data roaming. Your iPhone may switch to a mobile network if the Wi-Fi signal is weak or if you leave the Wi-Fi coverage area, thus incurring data roaming charges.
Does a VPN use roaming? No, a VPN doesn't use additional roaming data, and VPN connections don't use roaming between servers. Roaming charges depend on your physical location, so a VPN connection won't impact them at all.
Sending and receiving messages when roaming
: When you are outside of Canada, messaging roaming charges apply upon sending or receiving messages. Picture & video messaging data usage is billed the same as other data usage.
Keep your phone in airplane mode
Keep in mind that most carriers will automatically connect you to their international plan (and charge you) as soon as you take your phone out of airplane mode in another country. To avoid these charges, keep your phone in airplane mode.
When you're traveling, turn off Data Roaming to avoid roaming charges. Reduce cellular usage: Tap Data Mode, then choose Low Data Mode. This mode pauses automatic updates and background tasks when iPhone isn't connected to Wi-Fi.
Voice calling lets you call your contacts using WhatsApp for free, even if they're in another country. Voice calling uses your phone's internet connection rather than your mobile plan's minutes.
10 ways to prevent roaming charges on vacation
No, mobile data and data roaming aren't the same; mobile data is your normal internet access via your carrier's network at home, while data roaming occurs when you use mobile data on another carrier's network, usually abroad, often incurring extra charges, though it's sometimes included (like in the EU). Think of mobile data as your regular service and roaming as borrowing another network's towers when yours aren't available, especially when traveling internationally, explains Boost Mobile and Saily.
It's free, simple to install and use, and keeps you in touch with your travel buddies and friends back at home. Unfortunately, there's one teeny tiny catch: WhatsApp only works with a stable internet connection, which means you need access to data or Wi-Fi while you're on your travels.
Simply stated, roaming refers to the data service you access when you are beyond your provider's coverage area. When your phone leaves the U.S., is detected by an overseas network, and connects to it, that's roaming.