Cell phone newbie question for U.S.

[bgula]

I know practically nothing about cell phones. Don't own one other than a basic flip phone I bought years ago in the US which we use when we're there and I use it here in case of emergencies. We have an older iphone and android phone that are not being used. My questions is this: Can I buy a sim card in the US and put it in one of those phones and then get a cheap plan down there during our 2-week trip? If so, what would be my best route for just a quickie plan or company for those 2 weeks? Do you just sign up for a month, or how does that work? Sorry for all the questions, but as I said, I know nothing about this. Just figured it might be better than spending $10 per day for out of country roaming on my wife's phone.
BTW - we leave tomorrow, so I know it's rather short notice on getting info.

 

[Madame]

I know practically nothing about cell phones. Don't own one other than a basic flip phone I bought years ago in the US which we use when we're there and I use it here in case of emergencies. We have an older iphone and android phone that are not being used. My questions is this: Can I buy a sim card in the US and put it in one of those phones and then get a cheap plan down there during our 2-week trip? If so, what would be my best route for just a quickie plan or company for those 2 weeks? Do you just sign up for a month, or how does that work? Sorry for all the questions, but as I said, I know nothing about this. Just figured it might be better than spending $10 per day for out of country roaming on my wife's phone.
BTW - we leave tomorrow, so I know it's rather short notice on getting info.

If it’s an older phone it won’t be unlocked (to carrier) so a SIM is out. I believe a law was passed forcing Canadian telecommunications companies to unlock them upon request, but even the newer ones come locked (as far as i know). If you call they should give you a code to unlock it to enable a US SIM, at least the newer ones.

 

[TommyJK]

As of Dec 1st, 2017 carriers were no longer allowed to lock phones (and must unlock any previously locked phones for free). So if your older Andriod or iPhone that you have is from before Dec 1, 2017 it is likely locked to the carrier (https://www.canada.ca/en/radio-tele...an_endtolockedcellphonesandunlockingfees.html).

In terms of a Sim card, in the past I have typically bought one like this. Super easy to activate and use and works out to less than $5/day for unlimited talk/text/data. But as noted, you need to make sure you have an unlocked phone so you can put a different sim card into it.

https://www.amazon.ca/T-Mobile-Unli...pY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1