Enjoy a worry-free roaming experience with these tips:
Tip 1 – Understand Roaming Charges
While outside of Canada, making and receiving calls, sending text messages, checking your voicemail, using Apple Live Voicemail and using data (including Instagram, WhatsApp, or TikTok, and sharing or receiving a picture via text) all count as roaming usage. Keeping your device data turned on may also trigger roaming usage, as most applications on your device refresh content in the background, resulting in roaming charges.
Here are additional tips on how to reduce data charges:
Note: It may take up to 90 days for roaming charges to appear on your bill.
Tip 2 – Stay Connected with Roam Better
When traveling, Roam Better is definitely your best option to remain connected with family and friends. Add it to each line on your account online or in the app in three easy steps (add Roam Better in MyBell
) or text ROAM to 8000. Roam Better allows you to use the data from your Mobility rate plan, plus get unlimited talk and text, in over 200 international destinations. With Roam Better, you only pay for the days that you use your device while roaming. Once you're back in Canada, there's no need to remove Roam Better - you'll automatically revert to your rate plan and will stay covered for all future trips to supported destinations!
Click here to learn more.
Tip 3 – Troubleshooting connectivity issues
When you power on your device, it will automatically connect to the strongest available network. If you encounter any connectivity issues, try the following troubleshooting tips:
- Restart your device: Turn your device off, wait 5 minutes, turn it back on, and wait another 5 minutes. This can often resolve temporary connectivity problems.
- Toggle Airplane Mode: Turn Airplane Mode on and off. This can force your phone to reconnect to the network.
- Disable Data Saving Features: Disable "Low Data Mode" on iPhones or "Data Saver" on Android devices. While these features are helpful for conserving data, they can sometimes interfere with connectivity.
- Check Network Selection: To ensure the best possible network connection, especially when traveling to a new destination, set your phone's network selection to "Automatic". This allows your phone to automatically connect to the strongest available network and avoids connection issues. If you want to change the network you're using, use manual network selection. For instructions on how to change the network, consult the user guide for your device or the tutorials in our mobile device support section – just select your device from the drop-down menu.”
Tip 4 – Traveling to the U.S.? We’ve got you covered
If you frequently visit the United States, our Ultimate Can/U.S. plans are just what you need!
Get unlimited calling, texting & data in Canada and the U.S. Click here to change your plan using MyBell.
Note: Starting in February 2022, wireless providers in the U.S. began phasing out their 3G wireless service, meaning some older mobile devices can’t connect to roaming cellular services. To learn more click here.
Tip 5 – Benefits of traveling with dual SIM or eSIM
An eSIM is more secure than a physical SIM as it cannot be removed; should your phone be lost or stolen.
With dual SIM or eSIM, you don't need to physically carry and swap SIM cards back and forth, as a dual SIM or eSIM supported phone can manage both simultaneously. Simply choose which SIM/eSIM is active by selecting it from your phone's Settings.
Learn how to activate, transfer or manage a dual SIM or eSIM on your supported Bell Mobility device here. Start by choosing your device make/model. Select How to use your device > Setting up Dual SIM > eSIM and Dual SIM FAQs
Tip 6 – Airplane mode
The “airplane mode" setting on your phone shuts down all data usage and will help avoid roaming charges. When in airplane mode, you will need to connect to a Wi-Fi network to browse the web, check your emails, or use instant messaging apps.
Note: If you use an eSIM, you can also turn it off temporarily in your device settings.
Tip 7 – Stay connected while in the sky
Want to check up on your friends and family while flying? Experience our high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Bell on your next Air Canada flight.
Plus, Aeroplan Members get free in-flight texting! To use free texting, make sure you add your Aeroplan number to your booking before you complete your check-in. Heads up, photos, videos, and attachments are not supported.
