Before buying a travel eSIM, check the phone you will actually take with you. A familiar model name, a 5G logo or a Dual SIM label does not tell you whether that particular device can install the plan.
This guide shows how to check if your phone supports eSIM, then separates that result from carrier unlocking and provider compatibility.
Quick Verdict
Start by looking for an EID and an eSIM setup option in your phone’s settings. You can also enter *#06# in the Phone app to look for an EID, although that screen varies between devices. An EID is strong evidence of eSIM hardware; it does not prove the phone is unlocked.
Before paying, confirm that your exact model and regional version support eSIM, that the phone can use another provider, and that the seller supports your device.
Table of Contents
Find your eSIM
Where are you going?
Your trip
Days and data cover the whole trip.
The Quick Check: Look for an EID
An EID is the 32-digit identifier of the eSIM component. An IMEI identifies the phone’s cellular equipment. They answer different questions: an IMEI alone does not establish eSIM support.
- Open the phone’s built-in Phone app and its keypad.
- Enter
*#06#. On supported dialers, the identifier screen appears without placing a call. - Look for a field explicitly labelled EID, alongside any IMEI numbers.
- If it is absent, use the settings checks below before deciding the phone is incompatible.
What your identifier check means
| Result | What it tells you | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| EID is visible | The device exposes an eSIM identifier. | Check the setup menu, regional version and carrier lock. |
| Only IMEI is visible | This screen has not confirmed eSIM support. | Look in settings and check the manufacturer’s exact model details. |
| The code does not work | The dialer check is unavailable or inconclusive. | Use the iPhone, Samsung or Pixel instructions below. |
Two IMEI numbers are not enough either. A phone with two physical SIM slots can have two IMEIs without supporting eSIM. Likewise, being able to scan a QR code with the camera does not establish eSIM compatibility.
How to Check eSIM Support on an iPhone
- Open Settings → General → About.
- Scroll down and look for EID.
- Note the Model Name. Tap the value beside Model Number to reveal the hardware model number beginning with A.
- Return to Settings and open Cellular. Depending on your region, this may be called Mobile Data or Mobile Service.
- Look for Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular; older software may show Add Cellular Plan.
Apple’s general starting point for eSIM is iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later. However, the original sales region can change the SIM configuration and installation rules. Use Apple’s eSIM setup guidance together with your exact model number.
Check regional versions, especially imported iPhones
Some versions sold in Hong Kong and Macao use two physical nano-SIM cards. For mainland-China models, do not assume that every iPhone lacks eSIM: Apple now documents supported models, including the mainland-China iPhone Air.
Those supported mainland-China devices also have a separate restriction: an eSIM from a non-mainland-China carrier cannot be installed while the phone is located in mainland China. Apple says installation abroad requires location services to be enabled. Check Apple’s mainland-China model and activation rules if that is where your phone was originally sold.
Once compatibility and unlock status are confirmed, follow our iPhone eSIM installation guide.
How to Check eSIM Support on a Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings → Connections → SIM manager.
- Look for Add eSIM. Menu wording can vary with the software version.
- Open Settings → About phone and note the exact model number, usually beginning with SM-.
- Use the EID check above and compare the model with Samsung’s information for the country where it was originally sold.
Galaxy branding alone is not a compatibility check. Samsung lists supported models across several ranges, but country and carrier configuration can affect availability even when the model name appears on a list.
For example, Samsung’s current list limits Galaxy A54 eSIM support to Europe, North America, Korea and Japan. That makes the model number and original sales market more useful than simply asking whether “the A54” supports eSIM.
Use Samsung’s supported-device and setup guidance to check the relevant version. If the menu is missing on a listed device, continue with the checks below.
How to Check a Google Pixel or Another Android Phone
Google Pixel
- Open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs.
- Tap Add SIM and look for Set up an eSIM. Older software may show Download a SIM instead?
- For the EID, open Settings → About phone → SIM status.
Google documents the current setup route in its Pixel eSIM setup instructions and the identifier location in its Pixel EID help page.
Google lists Pixel 4 and later as eSIM-capable. Older Pixels need closer checking: Pixel 2, Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a have purchase-region or carrier restrictions. For example, Google excludes Pixel 3a phones bought with Verizon service or in Japan. See its model-specific SIM and eSIM details.
Xiaomi, Motorola, OnePlus and other Android brands
Start with the search box inside Settings and search for eSIM. Then note the full model number under About phone and check the manufacturer’s specifications for that regional version.
These brands do not share one setup menu or one rule for every phone. A supported model may offer an option such as Add eSIM or Download SIM, but a different model in the same family may lack the feature.
After confirming the device, use our Android eSIM installation guide for the next step.
Check the Carrier Lock Separately
An eSIM-capable phone can still reject a travel eSIM because it is locked to its original carrier. An EID or Add eSIM button does not remove that restriction.
On iPhone
Open Settings → General → About and find Carrier Lock. If it reads No SIM restrictions, Apple says the iPhone is unlocked.
If a restriction appears or the result is unclear, ask the carrier that locked the phone to confirm its status. Apple cannot remove the lock; the carrier handles unlocking. See Apple’s carrier-unlock instructions.
On Android
There is no single unlock-status screen shared by every Android phone. Check your carrier’s device or account tools, or contact the carrier that supplied the phone. Ask specifically whether it is SIM/network unlocked for another provider’s eSIM.
If support requests an IMEI, provide it through the carrier’s official channel. A working SIM from another network can help test access, but a failed connection alone does not prove a carrier lock.
Does your home carrier need to support eSIM?
No, not when you are adding a separate travel eSIM to a compatible, unlocked phone. Your home carrier’s eSIM support matters when you want to convert or transfer your existing line. A separate travel plan depends on the travel provider’s requirements and your device.
If your model supports the relevant Dual SIM combination, you can keep a physical home SIM and use a travel eSIM for data. Our guide to using an eSIM and physical SIM together explains that arrangement.
What if Add eSIM or EID Is Missing?
First check whether the problem is finding the feature, installing a profile or getting service after installation. Those are different stages, and they need different fixes.
Choose the next check from what you can see
| What you see | What to investigate | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| No EID in the dialer | The identifier screen may omit it. | Check device settings and the exact model specification. |
| No EID or setup menu in settings | Unsupported hardware or regional configuration. | Confirm the original sales region with the manufacturer. |
| EID present, setup unavailable | Software, carrier configuration or device management. | Install available updates; ask the manufacturer or administrator. |
| Setup opens, but the plan is rejected | Carrier lock, provider eligibility or installation details. | Check unlock status and send the exact error to the provider. |
| Profile installed, but no data | Activation, destination coverage or data-line settings. | Follow the provider’s connection instructions. |
If the manufacturer confirms support for your version, install the available system updates, restart the phone and check the correct menu again. On a work-managed phone, ask the administrator: device-management rules can prevent users from adding eSIMs.
A software update cannot add missing built-in eSIM hardware. If your exact device is incompatible, consider a physical travel SIM, your carrier’s roaming option or a hotspot from another connected device.
If a profile is already installed, continue with our eSIM troubleshooting guide. Keep the profile in place while you ask for help; delete it only after the provider confirms how it can be restored or replaced.
Before Buying a Travel eSIM
Use this checklist after the device checks pass:
- Exact device: confirm the model number and original sales region, especially for imported or second-hand phones.
- Network access: confirm the phone is unlocked for another provider’s plan.
- Seller compatibility: check that the provider supports your particular device and installation method. A general phone list is a starting point, not a substitute for regional exceptions.
- Your trip: confirm the package covers every destination where you need data and check when its validity starts.
- Two active lines: if you need your home number alongside travel data, check the exact model’s supported SIM combination and active-line limit.
- Installation access: have a reliable internet connection available, and follow any location-specific installation requirements.
You can check identifiers and menus before buying a plan. Opening the setup menu is enough for this check; you do not need to convert your home SIM or install an unrelated eSIM just to establish compatibility.
If something remains unclear, give the provider your model number, original purchase country, operating-system version and exact error message. Those details are more useful than “my phone is a Samsung” or “it has 5G.”
Once the device is ready, compare coverage, data allowances and plan conditions in our travel eSIM buying guide.
Final Verdict
Check the actual phone, then check the plan. An EID and an available setup menu give you useful device evidence. The model’s regional specification, carrier-unlock status and provider requirements determine whether you should proceed with the purchase.
If the evidence conflicts, resolve it with the manufacturer or carrier before paying. For additional device questions, use our device compatibility FAQ; for the next setup step, browse our eSIM setup and troubleshooting guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check eSIM support without a SIM card or an active plan?
Yes. You can check the phone’s model details, look for an EID and inspect its setup menu without buying a cellular plan. The dialer code may behave differently between devices, so use settings if it does not display the identifiers.
Does a 5G phone automatically support eSIM?
No. 5G describes mobile-network capability, while eSIM describes how the phone can store a SIM profile. Check for eSIM support explicitly; neither 5G nor an unlocked-phone label establishes it.
Does Dual SIM mean eSIM?
No. Dual SIM may mean two physical SIM cards, a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two active eSIMs. The exact combination depends on the device and its regional version.
Can the same phone model support eSIM in one country but not another?
Yes. Manufacturers can sell different regional configurations under the same familiar model name. Use the exact model number and original sales region, rather than the country where you are traveling.
Do I need to remove my physical SIM to check compatibility?
No. Reading the EID and opening the eSIM setup menu does not require removing your physical SIM. Whether you can keep both lines active afterward depends on the phone’s supported Dual SIM configuration.
Can a refurbished phone use eSIM?
Yes, if that exact device supports eSIM and can use the provider you choose. Check its original region, carrier lock and any previous-owner or organization restrictions before buying.
