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Setting Up a Phone and Useful Apps in Canada | New International Students

As a new international student at the University of Guelph, getting settled includes learning how to stay connected and navigate daily life in Canada. This page outlines key information on how to set up a mobile phone plan, useful apps to support your life on and off campus, and important emergency contacts to keep handy. These resources are designed to make your transition smoother and help you feel confident as you begin your studies at U of G.

Jump to a Section: 

  1. Choosing a Phone Plan
  2. Emergency Contacts
  3. Useful apps
New International Student Pre-Arrival GuideHave Questions? Ask an Advisor

Choosing a Phone Plan

To set up a phone account in Canada, you have to purchase a plan in person. The university provides unlimited Wi-Fi access for students, so if you’re living on campus, you can use the internet to make calls through social media platforms. You may also choose to research for an appropriate plan that suits your needs and budget.

All of these providers have a store/booth in Stone Road Mall, where you can set up an account and purchase your desired plan.

  • Messaging, calling minutes, and data usage needs
  • Mobile network coverage
  • International calling and texting rate (if calling home is your primary communication)
  • Do you need a new phone or are you bringing your phone?
  • What’s your budget?

Tip: Remember to include tax (an additional 13%) when calculating the final price.

This may vary between mobile operators, but most students need: 

  1. Two pieces of ID (you can bring a government-issued photo ID such as passport, and Student ID card)
  2. Bank account information
  3. Proof of Canadian address

Be prepared to encounter some challenges when arranging mobile plans due to lack of credit history in Canada. Some mobile operators require a credit check assessment. If you are not able to enrol in a mobile plan right away, that's okay. Most places have Wi-Fi available so you can still stay connected.

Purchasing calling cards or phone cards will make phoning long-distance much cheaper. You can purchase phone cards at any grocery or corner stores.

Emergency Contacts

As you set up your phone, it's important to have some key emergency contacts on hand.

Campus Safety Office (On-Campus Emergency)

In case of an emergency that requires an on-campus response, Campus Safety Officers are always available. You can reach Campus Safety in case of EMERGENCY by calling 519-840-5000 (or dial 52000 on campus telephones).

In non-emergency situations, call 519-824-4120 extension 52245 (or dial 52245 on campus telephones). We also encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Campus Safety Office website.

In case of an emergency that requires an off-campus response, you can call 911 for local emergency services. 

We recommend that you download the Safe Gryphon App, which allows you to stay up to date with safety alerts and provides easy access to emergency services from your phone. To learn about all features of the app, check out the Campus Safety Office webpage. 

If you are in crisis, feeling unsafe, or worried that you might hurt yourself or others, there are several resources available to you:

  • Student Wellness: Call 519-824-4120 ext. 52131 (Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
  • Some of them are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also find these resources on the Student Wellness webpage about Urgent Help page. 

For Students Living in Residence

Student Housing Services operates service desks, one in each campus area: South, North, East, Gordon, and West.  

Residence Desk Service hours may change due to operational needs. Make sure to check the Residence Desk Service hours before you arrive.

Visit the Desk Services webpage to learn more to find your residence desk contact information!  

  • In case of an emergency when living in residence, such as a water leak, a broken window, toilet overflow, etc., immediately call your Residence Desk Service.
  • In case of general repairs, email or call your Residence Desk Service to file a work order. 

Emergency Poles

The emergency poles are at various locations across campus inside and outside of buildings. Just push the button and you will be connected to a Campus Safety Office dispatcher.

Useful Apps for Students

U of G Apps

Helpful apps that provide easy mobile access to U of G services and student resources. 

Before downloading, review app terms carefully, avoid sharing unnecessary personal info, and follow best practices for cybersecurity. Visit the CCS Information Security page (login required) for tips, including the Top 10 Cyber Security Tips (login required).

Check your device’s app store (iOS or Android) for compatibility. 

This app is the University of Guelph’s official safety app that keeps students informed in real time of any security concerns by sending safety alerts to your phone. You can also access and contact non-emergency campus resources, report safety concerns, and contact SafeWalk for a safe escort while walking on campus after dark. Get the SafeGryphon app on the App Store or the Google Play store. 

Designed exclusively for the University of Guelph, this app enables students to explore campus using the campus map and discover upcoming club and school run events. This app is especially useful for informing students about the many events running during O-week. Get the IAmAGryphon app on the App Store or the Google Play store. 

The GET app allows university students to manage their Campus Card. You can check your meal plan account balance, view your Campus Card transactions, and order food from select on-campus restaurants. Another useful function allows you to report your Campus Card as lost if needed, which automatically freezes it until you mark it as found. Get the GET App on the App Store or the Google Play store. 

Many schools or workplaces rely on Microsoft Teams as their central communication app. Although this app is available on your desktop, it is useful to download the mobile app to respond to messages or do work on the go. You can create online team spaces with others, schedule and attend virtual meetings, and access shared files. This is a great option for communicating, meeting, and sharing documents for group projects. Get the Microsoft Teams app on the App Store or the Google Play store. 

The Brightspace Pulse app allows students to access the information displayed on your CourseLink account from your phone. You can conveniently view assignment and quizzes deadlines, review course content, and view course announcements and grades. You can also set reminders for upcoming assignments and quiz deadlines, helping you stay up to date with schoolwork. Get Brightspace Pulse on the App Store or the Google Play store. 

Online Banking Apps

Most major Canadian banks have online banking apps that allow you to log into your online banking account to conveniently access financial services. You can check account balances, pay bills, send E-transfers, and lock your debit or credit card if you have misplaced or lost it. If you have a credit card that allows you to accumulate points as you spend, some apps will allow you to view and access these points and use them to access various offers and deals. Check your corresponding device’s app download store to find your respective banking provider’s app.   

Weather Apps

Stay informed and updated on the weather by checking the forecast through the Weather Network App. Users can check hourly, daily, and weekly temperature and weather forecasts for any location throughout Canada, which is convenient to help you plan what to wear for the day or where to go on the weekend. It will also display weather alerts that warn of incoming severe or inclement weather. Get The Weather Network on the Apple store or the Google Play store. 

Tip: Always check the weather before going outside, so you may dress appropriately and take umbrellas, or mittens as needed. Check out this link on preparing for winter!  

Wayfinding & Transportation

Google Maps is a versatile navigation app that offers detailed maps, real-time traffic updates, and turn-by-turn directions for navigation. It will find the most efficient routes for driving or walking and show public transportation routes within the city of your choice (this app also works for intercity travel but tends to not show all transportation options available).  

Notably, you can plan your route on Guelph public transit right from this app. Simply enter your origin point, destination and desired departure or arrival time, and it will provide several bus route options and schedules for your trip. It also provides information about restaurants, attractions, and other points of interest, making it easy to explore an unfamiliar city. Get the Google Maps app on the App Store or the Google Play store.

PRESTO is a contactless smart card automated fare collection system used on participating public transit systems in Ontario. For example, it is a payment method accepted by GO Transit, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and MiWay in Mississauga.  

Note: Guelph city public transit does not accept presto but instead uses OnYourWay. Read more information below.  

Though undergraduate and graduate U of G students automatically receive a bus pass through their Campus Card for the semesters they are registered for courses in (Co-op and Distance Education students can purchase a reduced pass from the CSA office instead - check bus pass eligibility), however, your non-student family members can use this app to conveniently purchase monthly passes, rides, and load e-cash. You can then pay for the bus by simply scanning a QR code generated on the app from your phone, eliminating the need to carry a physical OnYourWay fare card. Get OnYourWay on the App Store or the Google Play store. 

Uber and Lyft are ride-hailing services where you can request a ride from your destination, check the fare estimate prior to confirming the ride, and pay for it all in a few clicks. You can view and track your driver and choose from different car size options to accommodate larger groups. This is a suitable alternative to public transportation as it is faster, runs later than Guelph Transit buses, and allows flexibility with pick-up and drop-off locations. Students living on-campus can arrange pick-up and drop-off to their residence buildings. 

Waze is a community-driven navigation app where users report road conditions, accidents, and potential hazards. The app utilizes real-time information to generate an optimized route of travel, displays traffic warnings from other users and prompts you to report or verify traffic disturbances along the route. Note that this app is meant to be used while driving, not for walking routes. Get Waze on the App Store or the Google Play store. 

Red Top Taxi is Guelph’s most popular local taxi option. Like the Uber app, customers can request a ride from their destination, check the corresponding fare, track their driver, and provide payment through the app. If you have a Meal Plan, you can pay for Red Top Taxi using the Flex Food Dollars in your Meal Plan. Get the Red Top Taxi app on the App Store or the Google Play store.

Dining

These apps are all popular food delivery services that provide food delivery from both fast-food chains and local restaurants in Guelph right to your door. Once an order is placed, these apps allow you to track your driver, provide them with specific delivery instructions, and pay for both the food and the delivery service within the app.  

This is a convenient way to order food without having to worry about getting to and from the restaurant location. These apps are applicable to both off and on-campus students, as students can get food delivered to their residence buildings.  

Groceries & Shopping

This app is a grocery delivery service that allows you to order groceries online and get them delivered right to your door on the same day. You can browse available grocery stores and select your desired items online, then your shopper purchases the items and delivers them to your house. This is a convenient way to order groceries from stores around the city without having to worry about getting to and from the store.   

Get Instacart on the App Store or the Google Play store.  

Flipp and Reebee are apps that compare prices from various grocery stores in the region so you can find the best prices for groceries and home items to fit your budget. These apps allow you to view weekly fliers from most major grocery stores or search for the price of individual items across multiple stores. You may also be able to use these apps to price-match items that are at a lower price at grocery stores that offer price-matching. 

TooGoodToGo is an app that allows restaurants and grocery stores to sell unsold or surplus food and meals for a discounted price. You can browse available restaurants and shops with unsold food, choose your surprise bag of various unsold food items, and confirm your pickup and payment from the app. Get TooGoodToGo on the App Store and the Google Play store. 

FlashFood allows users to browse individual grocery items that need to be cleared out at a discounted price. You can browse available items by grocery store, confirm a same-day pickup and pay for your items within the app. Get FlashFood on the Appl Store and the Google Play store. 

Recreation

This app is a community-driven nature app that displays several trails and recreational nature areas within Guelph and surrounding regions. Users can view and report trail quality, accessibility conditions, amenities, and post images of the trail. You can also download trail maps to navigate trails without Wi-Fi connection. This is a useful app to use when exploring Guelph’s natural areas and beyond. Get AllTrails on the App Store or the Google Play store.

City of Guelph Resources

This is an app specific to the City of Guelph that allows users to view and receive reminders about garbage, recycling and compost pickup schedules based on their address. The Waste Wizard feature provides guidance on how to properly dispose of various waste items, including those that are not accepted during weekly pickups. This is applicable to students who live off-campus and are responsible for putting out their household waste for collection day.   

Get it on the App Store or on the Google Play store   

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