How to Check if Your Phone Supports eSIM.

There are three quick ways to check. One works on any phone, regardless of manufacturer.

Method 1: The universal dial code

Dial *#06# on your phone. A screen appears showing your IMEI numbers. If your phone supports eSIM, you'll also see an EID number - a long string of digits labelled "EID" or "EID2." If you see an EID, your phone has eSIM hardware.

This works on iPhone and Android alike and takes about ten seconds.

Method 2: Check Settings directly

iPhone: Settings then General then About. Scroll down and look for "EID." If it's listed, eSIM is supported. You can also go to Settings then Mobile Data then Add eSIM to confirm the option is available.

Samsung Galaxy: Settings then Connections then SIM Manager. If there's an "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan" option, you're good.

Google Pixel: Settings then Network and Internet then SIMs. If you see "Add SIM" or "Download a SIM instead?", eSIM is available.

Other Android: Settings then search "eSIM" in the search bar. The relevant menu will surface if supported.

Method 3: Check the model specs

If you know your exact model number, look it up on the manufacturer spec page. eSIM support is listed under connectivity specs. This is useful if you're checking before buying a used phone.

My phone has an EID but no Add eSIM option

A few possible reasons:

The phone is carrier-locked and your carrier has disabled eSIM. This is common with older carrier-sold devices in the US, some Asian markets, and certain budget tiers. Contact your carrier to ask about eSIM activation or getting the device unlocked.

The phone was manufactured for a market that disabled eSIM. Some mainland China models have eSIM disabled at the firmware level even though the hardware supports it. Difficult to re-enable without a firmware change.

Your iOS or Android version is outdated. eSIM requires iOS 12.1+ for iPhone, Android 10+ for most Android devices. Check for a software update.

iPhones that don't support eSIM

iPhone X and earlier (any model). iPhone XS, XR, and later all support eSIM - that's the cutoff. If you have an iPhone 8 or older, no eSIM support regardless of carrier or settings.

Android phones with eSIM support

The list has grown a lot since eSIM first appeared. Samsung's S20 series was when eSIM became standard across their flagship range. The Galaxy S21, S22, S23, S24, and S25 series all support it. The Z Flip and Z Fold lines have had eSIM since the Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3. Budget Samsung phones are hit or miss though - the A-series added eSIM starting with the A54, but older A-series models don't have it.

Google Pixel has supported eSIM since the Pixel 2, which is surprisingly early. Every Pixel since then works. Motorola added eSIM to the Razr lineup and some Edge models. OnePlus started including it from the 11 onward. Xiaomi has it in the 13 series and newer flagships.

The trickiest area is mid-range and budget Android phones. Manufacturers often cut eSIM to save costs on cheaper models. If you're buying a phone under $300, don't assume it has eSIM - check the spec sheet first.

Carrier lock vs eSIM support

Your phone can have eSIM hardware but still be blocked from using it. Carriers in the US (especially T-Mobile and AT&T on older contract phones) sometimes lock the eSIM function until you've paid off the device or requested an unlock. This is separate from the network lock on your physical SIM.

To check: try adding an eSIM through settings. If the option is greyed out or you get an error saying "contact your carrier," you're locked. Call your carrier and request both SIM unlock and eSIM unlock - they're technically separate things, and some reps don't know to do both unless you ask specifically.

Tablets and laptops with eSIM

It's not just phones. iPads with cellular (the WiFi + Cellular models) have supported eSIM since the 2018 iPad Pro. Microsoft Surface Pro models with LTE/5G have eSIM. Several Windows laptops from Lenovo, HP, and Dell include eSIM in their business-oriented models. If you want data on a tablet or laptop while traveling, eSIM works the same way - scan a QR code and you're connected.

Smartwatches with eSIM

Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular models) and Samsung Galaxy Watch (LTE models) support eSIM for standalone cellular connectivity. This lets your watch make calls and receive messages even when your phone isn't nearby. For travelers, it's a useful backup - you can leave your phone in the hotel safe while exploring and still be reachable on your watch. Most travel eSIM plans don't support watch eSIM though, so this typically only works with your home carrier's plan.

Once you've confirmed compatibility

You're ready to buy an eSIM plan. Head over to getesimonline.com and browse available destinations at /countries. The setup process takes under five minutes - see the guides for iPhone or Android if you need a walkthrough.

Browse eSIM Plans

Ready to buy? Check plans for top destinations: Japan, USA, UK, Thailand, or browse all countries.