Will your phone work?
Two things have to be true: your phone supports eSIM, and it isn't locked to a carrier. Both are checkable in about a minute — and both are worth checking, because neither is refundable once a profile is installed.
The 30-second check that works on any phone
- Dial *#06# on the keypad, as if making a call.
- A panel of identifiers appears.
- If one of them is labelled EID, your phone has an eSIM.
- If there is no EID, it does not — and no plan will work on it.
EID stands for Embedded Identity Document — the serial number of the eSIM chip. If your phone has one, it has an eSIM.
Is your phone carrier-locked?
A locked phone will accept the eSIM profile and then refuse to connect, which is a demoralising way to discover the problem. The only reliable answer comes from the operator you bought the phone from — ask them directly whether the handset is unlocked for use with other networks. A phone bought outright is usually unlocked; one that came bundled with a contract often is not until the contract ends.
Devices that support eSIM
This list is deliberately conservative. Where a model has regional variants without eSIM, it says so — finding that out at the airport is the worst possible time.
Apple iPhone
- iPhone XR, XS, XS Max
- iPhone 11 series
- iPhone 12 series
- iPhone 13 series
- iPhone 14 series
- iPhone 15 series
- iPhone 16 series
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
iPhones bought in mainland China have two physical SIM slots and no eSIM. US iPhone 14 models and later have no physical SIM slot at all — eSIM only.
How to check: Settings → General → About. Scroll to the bottom: if you see an EID number, the phone supports eSIM.
Google Pixel
- Pixel 3 and 3 XL
- Pixel 3a and 3a XL
- Pixel 4 series
- Pixel 5 series
- Pixel 6 series
- Pixel 7 series
- Pixel 8 series
- Pixel 9 series
Pixel 3 models sold in Australia, Japan, Taiwan and via some US carriers do not support eSIM.
How to check: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs. If there is an option to download or add an eSIM, it is supported.
Samsung Galaxy
- Galaxy S20 series and later
- Galaxy Note 20 series
- Galaxy Z Flip series
- Galaxy Z Fold series
- Galaxy A54, A55 (selected regions)
Samsung's eSIM support varies significantly by region and by carrier variant — more so than any other brand. Check your specific handset rather than trusting the model name.
How to check: Settings → Connections → SIM manager. If you see 'Add eSIM', it is supported.
Other Android
- Motorola Razr (2019 and later)
- Huawei P40, Mate 40 (selected models)
- Oppo Find X3 Pro and later (selected regions)
- Sony Xperia 10 III and later
- Honor Magic 4 Pro and later
Support across the rest of the Android market is patchy and region-dependent. Check your own handset in settings before buying.
How to check: Look for 'Add eSIM', 'Download a SIM' or 'Mobile plan' in the SIM or network section of Settings. If none of those exist, the phone does not support eSIM.
Phone checks out?
Pick your destination and see what a plan costs. If you're still unsure about your handset, ask us before buying — we'd rather answer than process a refund.