Key takeaways
- Since 2017, the Wireless Code has required phones to be sold unlocked and unlocked for free on request
- Bell and Virgin Plus began locking phones for 60 days in April 2025; the CRTC found this broke the Code
- CRTC Notice 2026-210 (August 14, 2026) temporarily lets all carriers lock phones for up to two business days
- You can still ask your carrier to unlock your phone at any time, at no charge
- A final decision is still pending (replies closed September 24, 2026)
What is a locked phone?
A locked phone works only with the SIM card of the carrier that sold it. An unlocked phone works with any carrier’s SIM or eSIM, as long as the phone supports that network.
This matters for newcomers in two ways:
- A phone you bring from your home country must be unlocked to use a Canadian SIM.
- A phone you buy in Canada must be unlocked if you want to switch carriers, or use a local SIM when you travel or visit home.
The basic rule: phones must be unlocked
The CRTC’s Wireless Code is a mandatory code of conduct for mobile providers. Since December 2017 it has said that any device a provider gives a customer must be provided unlocked (paragraph F.1.i), and that providers must unlock a device when the customer asks, at no charge (paragraph F.1.ii).
In April 2025, Bell and Virgin Plus started locking phones for 60 days after purchase. Bell said this reduced theft and fraud at stores. In Notice of Consultation 2026-210, the CRTC said this practice violated the Wireless Code. Telus also applied for permission to use a 60-day lock.
What changed on August 14, 2026
Instead of stopping Bell’s practice at once, the CRTC issued a temporary stay of the unlocked-device rule that applies to all providers. While the stay lasts, a provider may sell a locked device if it follows these conditions:
- It must unlock the device automatically within two business days after you buy it.
- It must unlock the device when you ask, as the Wireless Code already requires.
- It must make reasonable efforts to tell you how long the device will be locked, what that means, and that you have the right to ask for an unlock.
The stay took effect on August 14, 2026. It lasts until the CRTC decides a separate proceeding (Broadcasting and Telecom Notice of Consultation 2026-134). A 60-day lock is not allowed under the stay.
What happens next
The CRTC asked for comments. Interventions were due September 14, 2026 and replies September 24, 2026. The CRTC is considering whether Bell broke the Code and what measures to take. Penalties can reach $10 million.
As of October 5, 2026, the CRTC had not published a final decision. The rules may change again, so check this page or the CRTC notice before you rely on a lock period.
How to check and unlock your phone
Check if your phone is locked
- Borrow a SIM from a friend on a different carrier and put it in your phone. If you can make a call, the phone is unlocked.
- On an iPhone, look in Settings, General, About, for “Carrier Lock: No SIM restrictions.”
- Or ask your carrier. They can check with your phone’s IMEI number (dial *#06# to see it).
Unlock a phone bought in Canada
Contact your carrier by phone, chat or in a store and ask them to unlock the device. Under the Wireless Code this is free. You do not need to finish paying off the phone first. If you just bought it, it should unlock on its own within two business days.
Unlock a phone from your home country
Canadian carriers cannot unlock a phone that is locked to a foreign carrier. Ask your home carrier to unlock it before you leave. Some carriers abroad require the phone to be paid off or the account to be open for a set time.
Using your own phone in Canada
Bringing your own unlocked phone is usually the cheapest option. Before you choose a plan:
- Check the bands. Most recent smartphones work in Canada. Older or regional models may not support all Canadian LTE and 5G bands. Carriers have compatibility checkers on their bring-your-own-phone pages.
- Check for eSIM. Many carriers activate an eSIM for free, and some let you set it up online before you arrive.
- Keep your home number. Phones with dual SIM can keep your home SIM for banking codes while you use a Canadian plan for data and calls. Turn off data roaming on the home line.
Then compare plans in best phone plans for newcomers or flanker brands compared. New one-time device charges are also under review: see the activation fee ban.
If your carrier will not unlock your phone
Ask again in writing and mention the Wireless Code, paragraph F.1.ii. If the carrier still refuses, or charges a fee, you can complain for free to the CCTS (Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services). Find other help for newcomers in the newcomer support directory.
Buying a used or second-hand phone
Used phones from marketplaces can save money, but check them carefully:
- Test it with your SIM before you pay. If your SIM does not work, the phone may be locked to another carrier.
- Check the IMEI. A phone reported lost or stolen in Canada can be blocked from Canadian networks. Ask the seller for the IMEI (dial *#06#) and ask your carrier whether it can be activated.
- Make sure the seller has signed out of their Apple ID or Google account. Otherwise you may not be able to set up the phone.
- Avoid phones with an unpaid balance. The seller’s carrier can block a phone if the account is not paid.
Read more on avoiding scams in scams that target newcomers.
Timeline
- December 2017: Wireless Code requires unlocked devices and free unlocking.
- April 23, 2025: Bell and Virgin Plus start locking new phones for 60 days.
- August 14, 2026: CRTC Notice 2026-210 finds the 60-day lock breaks the Code and sets the temporary two-business-day stay for all providers.
- August 21, 2026: deadline for Telus to say whether it still wants a 60-day lock.
- September 14 and 24, 2026: interventions and replies due.
- October 5, 2026: no final decision yet.