eSIM Canada: How to Get One on TELUS or Koodo
New phone out of the box and no SIM tray in sight? Flying out next week and dreading the roaming bill? Either way, eSIM Canada setup is the fix, and it takes one short visit.
We activate eSIMs every week across our BC, Alberta and Ontario stores. This is the same walkthrough we give at the counter, minus the waiting.
What Is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a chip soldered inside your phone that your carrier programs digitally. It does exactly what a plastic SIM card does. It ties the phone to your number, your plan and the network.
The only real difference is delivery. Instead of handing you a card, your carrier sends a small data profile to the phone. Scan a QR code, or let us do it in store, and the line switches on.
What stays the same:
- Your number. Same digits, same contacts, same voicemail.
- Your plan. Data, minutes and extras carry across untouched.
- Your coverage.The network doesn't care what kind of SIM you use.
- Your call quality. Nothing about speed or signal gets worse.
How an eSIM Works
Four things happen, usually inside ten minutes:
- Your phone has the chip. Compatible phones ship with it built in.
- Your carrier builds a profile. It links your number and plan to that one device.
- The profile is delivered. By QR code, carrier app, or us at the counter.
- The phone downloads it.Over Wi-Fi. When the line shows active, you're done.
eSIM vs Physical SIM at a Glance
| Feature | Physical SIM | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Plastic card in a tray | Digital, built into the phone |
| Switching phones | Pop the card across | Transfer needed (we do it in store) |
| Travel | Swap cards, keep the original safe | Add a travel line without removing anything |
| If the phone is lost | A thief can pull the card | No card to remove |
| Two lines on one phone | Needs a dual-SIM phone | Works on most eSIM phones |
Which Phones Support eSIM in Canada?
Most phones released since 2018 do. The quick list:
- iPhone. iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and every iPhone released after them.
- Google Pixel. Pixel 4 and newer.
- Samsung. Galaxy S23 and newer, plus recent Z Flip and Z Fold models. Some earlier models work too.
- Other brands. It varies. Check before you buy.
Test your own phone in ten seconds. Open the dialer and type *#06#. If you see a number labelled EID, your phone has an eSIM chip.
Your phone also needs to be unlocked, or locked to a network we can work with. Not sure? Read our answer to is my phone unlocked, or bring it in and we'll check.
How to Get an eSIM From TELUS or Koodo
Which route you take depends on where your number lives today:
| Your situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| New number | We activate the line straight onto your phone's eSIM. |
| Moving from another carrier | We port your number across, then activate it on the eSIM. See how to switch carriers. |
| Already with TELUS or Koodo | We convert your existing physical SIM line to eSIM. Same number, same plan. |
At the counter, it goes like this:
- Bring your phone and ID.Plus your account number if you're already a customer.
- We check the phone. Compatibility and lock status, in a minute or two.
- We set up the eSIM. You watch it happen, so nothing is a mystery.
- We test it. A call, a text, a data check, before you leave.
Not sure your phone is ready for eSIM?Bring it in and our team will check it while you wait. We'll tell you straight if the answer is no.
How to Set Up an eSIM on iPhone or Android
Already holding a QR code from us or your carrier? Here's where to scan it. Connect to Wi-Fi first.
iPhone
- Open Settings, then Cellular (or Mobile Service).
- Tap Add eSIM.
- Choose Use QR Codeand scan, or follow the carrier's prompt.
- Label the line, for example "Main" or "Travel".
- Pick which line handles calls, texts and data.
Android
- Pixel. Settings, Network & internet, SIMs, then Add eSIM.
- Samsung. Settings, Connections, SIM manager, then Add eSIM.
Menus shift a little between brands and software versions. If yours looks different, we'll walk you through it in store.
eSIM for Travellers and Visitors to Canada
Yes, an eSIM lets you add a local line without removing your home SIM.That's the main reason travellers love it. You land, add a local data plan, and keep your home number active for calls.
Heading out of Canada? An eSIM for the destination can be cheaper than a roaming pass for a long trip. Check your own plan's travel options first, then compare.
Visiting Canada? You need an unlocked phone that supports eSIM. Ask us about short-stay options when you come in.
eSIM Benefits and Limits
Where eSIM helps:
- Nothing to lose. No card falls out, gets bent or goes missing.
- Easy travel. Add a local line in minutes.
- Two lines, one phone. Work and personal on the same device.
- Safer if stolen.The SIM can't be pulled out to disable tracking.
Where it asks more of you:
- Phone changes need a transfer.You can't just move a card across. We can move it in minutes, but plan for it.
- Older phones can't use it. If
*#06#shows no EID, you're on a physical SIM. - Setup needs Wi-Fi. The profile has to download.
eSIM Questions We Hear Most
Does an eSIM cost extra in Canada?
Our in-store eSIM setup is free. Carrier activation terms change by offer, so we confirm the current ones before anything is signed.
Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?
Yes, on most dual-SIM phones. One line sits on the SIM card, one on the eSIM. You choose which handles calls and data.
Will I keep my phone number?
Yes. Your number moves onto the eSIM with you. Porting from another carrier is covered on our switch carriers page.
What happens if I lose my phone?
Call your carrier right away to suspend the line.An eSIM has no card to pull out, so the line stays tied to that phone until it's suspended or transferred. Then visit us for a replacement.
How many eSIMs can one phone hold?
Several. Most eSIM phones can store more than one profile, with usually two lines active at once. Handy for travel.
Can I switch back to a physical SIM?
Yes. We can reissue a physical SIM for the same number at any store.
Get Your eSIM Set Up
If you take one thing from this page: check your phone with *#06#, then bring it in. We handle compatibility, activation and testing in one visit, and you walk out with a working line.
Compare plans first? See our Koodo plans and TELUS consumer plans. Or find your nearest store and let us do the legwork for your eSIM in Canada.