When your studies or working-holiday in Canada come to an end and you head home, one question comes up again and again: "Should I really cancel my Canadian phone number?" Canadian banks, the CRA, services like Wise and many others may still send SMS verification codes to a Canadian number long after you've left. That's where keeping the number cheaply on a Freedom Mobile annual plan becomes worth considering. In this article, we look at the $99/year plan as a practical way to hold onto a Canadian number, along with the caveats you should know.
- For keeping a Canadian number, Freedom's $99/year plan (about $8.25/month) is a strong candidate
- Carrier voice calls and SMS may be limited, but app-based calls (WhatsApp and similar) still work
- Assume there's little to no data, and top up only what you need with a data-only eSIM
- Receiving SMS after you leave Canada is not guaranteed and depends on several conditions
- Test on your actual device before you leave, and set up backup verification for peace of mind
- Freedom Mobile's $99/year plan (about $8.25/month) is built around calls and incoming SMS, making it well suited to keeping a Canadian number at low cost.
- That said, assume it comes with little to no data. Whether you can actually receive SMS once you're back home depends on roaming, Wi-Fi Calling, your device settings and the sending service's setup — so it can't be called a sure thing. Confirm everything before you leave Canada.
- For data while you're in Canada or on a return trip, you can keep that separate from the number and simply add a data-only eSIM for as much as you need.
The information here is based on official sources as of June 2026. Freedom Mobile revised its annual plans in 2025, and pricing, SMS and roaming terms can change, so please check the official Freedom Mobile site before signing up. Prices are shown in Canadian dollars (CAD); confirm the exact amount at the time of purchase.
Overview of Freedom's annual plans
Freedom Mobile's $99/year plan centres on unlimited calling and incoming SMS, working out to roughly $8.25 a month. It suits people who want to keep their number for as little as possible (5G+ supported). Outgoing SMS and data are handled separately, so using data requires an add-on. The annual plans were revised in 2025, with data-included annual options reorganized into tiers such as $129 (20GB) and $159 (40GB). The rule of thumb: choose the $99 plan if your goal is simply keeping the number, or a higher tier if you'd rather bundle data into the annual plan too.
| Plan | Approx. per month | What's included (as of June 2026 — confirm officially) |
|---|---|---|
| $99/year | About $8.25 | Unlimited calls + incoming SMS focus. For keeping a number |
| $129/year | About $10.75 | Includes 20GB |
| $159/year | About $13.25 | Includes 40GB |
* Outgoing SMS and data add-ons may carry separate charges. Check the official Freedom Mobile site for the latest details.
Why it works well for keeping a number
The $99 plan lets you hold onto a Canadian number for about $8.25 a month while keeping calls and incoming SMS. As a number-retention plan (a low-cost plan whose purpose is simply to keep a phone number alive), it fits anyone who wants to hang onto a number for SMS verification. A bonus: you can use the same number again if you return to Canada later.
The weak point is data — and that's where an eSIM comes in
Because the $99 plan assumes little to no data, you'll need another option to get online while you're in Canada. This is where a data-only eSIM (an eSIM used purely for internet connectivity) helps. Split the roles — the number on Freedom, the data on an eSIM — and you can keep the number cheaply while adding data only when you actually need it.
| Role | Handled by |
|---|---|
| Canadian number, calls, incoming SMS | Freedom ($99/year) |
| SMS verification | Freedom |
| Data while in Canada | A data-only eSIM, as much as you need |
| Internet on a return trip | A data-only eSIM, for just the period you need |
If all you want to add is data, a data-only eSIM is one option. Bloomy's data plans come in 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and 20GB (please check coverage for your destination). Note that Bloomy is a data-only eSIM and does not provide a phone number or SMS — there are no voice calls or text messaging. A fair-use policy applies, and actual connection quality varies with the local network, your device and the area.
The appeal of Freedom's annual plan is keeping a number for around $8 a month, but whether you can receive SMS once you've left Canada depends on your device, roaming, Wi-Fi Calling and the sending service's setup. If your reason for keeping the number is "staying able to pass verification for your Canadian bank or the CRA," test SMS reception on your actual device before you leave, and also set up email verification and an authenticator app as backups for real peace of mind.
Things to watch if you'll need SMS verification after leaving Canada
Whether you can receive SMS sent to a Canadian number while abroad depends on whether Freedom's roaming and Wi-Fi Calling work, your device settings, conditions in the country you're staying in, and the sending service's setup. It can't be guaranteed, so testing on your actual device while you're still in Canada is the safest move. Don't rely on SMS alone — set up each service's email verification, authenticator app and backup codes as well.
Who this approach suits — and who it doesn't
A good fit if you…
- Want to keep a Canadian number cheaply for SMS verification
- Plan to return to Canada and want to reuse the same number
- Are comfortable topping up data with an eSIM
Not a great fit if you…
- Want to use lots of data on the Canadian number itself
- Need guaranteed, stable SMS reception while abroad (reception is not guaranteed)
- Want number, calls and data all bundled with a single provider
Common mistakes (avoidable if you check ahead)
- Cancelling the Canadian number and then getting stuck on CRA or bank verification: set up alternative verification while the number still works.
- Not checking SMS reception and Wi-Fi Calling for use abroad: test on your actual device before leaving Canada.
- Trying to cover all data on Freedom and paying too much: split data off onto an eSIM.
What to do next
- Confirm the latest terms of the $99/year plan on the official Freedom Mobile site
- Check the verification methods used by your Canadian bank, the CRA, Wise and your credit cards
- Before leaving Canada, test SMS reception and Wi-Fi Calling for use abroad on your actual device
- Set up email verification, an authenticator app and backup codes
- Estimate how much data you'll need, on the assumption you'll add it via eSIM while in Canada or on a return trip
Summary
Freedom Mobile's $99/year plan is a candidate for keeping a Canadian number at around $8 a month. Since it assumes little to no data, plan to cover data with an eSIM. Because SMS reception after you leave Canada depends on the conditions, testing on your actual device beforehand and preparing backup verification will give you peace of mind.
This article is for general information only and is not financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Freedom Mobile's pricing, SMS, roaming and Wi-Fi Calling terms, and whether you can receive Canadian SMS while abroad, vary with timing, plan, device, settings, the country you're in, and the sending service's setup. Please check the official Freedom Mobile site before signing up. This is not a guarantee that you will be able to receive Canadian SMS after you leave Canada.
