Does my phone support eSIM? 4 ways to check in a minute
Find out if your iPhone or Android phone supports eSIM and is unlocked — with the *#06# test, the settings, the exact model, and what to do if it does not.
In short
- Dial *#06# — if an EID number appears, your phone has an eSIM.
- In the settings, an "Add eSIM" option means your phone supports it.
- Every iPhone from the XS and XR on supports eSIM; many recent Android phones do too.
- The same model can differ by country — check the exact version if in doubt.
- Your phone must also be unlocked, or it may refuse another operator's eSIM.
Contents
Before you buy an eSIM, there are two things to know about your phone: does it support eSIM, and is it unlocked. Both take less than a minute to check, and doing it now saves you from a plan that will not install.
Here are four ways to check, from the quickest to the most certain.
1. Dial *#06#
This works on almost any phone:
- Open the Phone app, as if to make a call.
- Dial *#06#.
- Look at the list that appears.
If you see a number labelled EID, your phone has an eSIM chip. The EID is that chip's own identity number — 32 digits long. If you see only IMEI numbers and no EID, your phone most likely has no eSIM.
2. Look in the settings
On an iPhone
Open Settings → Mobile Service (on some versions it is called Cellular or Mobile Data). If you see Add eSIM, your iPhone supports it.
On an Android phone
Open Settings → Connections (or Network & internet) → SIM manager (or SIMs). If you see Add eSIM, Download a SIM or something similar, your phone supports it.
Menu names differ a little between makers and Android versions, but the eSIM option is always next to the SIM settings.
3. Know which models support eSIM
| Maker | Models with eSIM |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone | XS, XS Max, XR and every newer model |
| Google Pixel | Most models from Pixel 3 on |
| Samsung Galaxy | Recent S series, Z Fold, Z Flip and many newer A series |
| Others | A growing number of recent phones — check the exact model |
Our device compatibility page keeps a list of phones known to work.
4. Check the exact version of your model
Here is the catch many people miss: the same model can be sold in different versions. A phone sold in one country may have eSIM, while the same model sold in another country may not. Some versions made for particular markets have two physical SIM slots instead.
To be sure, find the exact model number in Settings → About phone (on an iPhone, Settings → General → About) and look it up, or simply use test 1 or 2 above — they check the phone in your hand, not the model in general.
Is your phone unlocked?
A phone bought from an operator — especially on a contract — may be locked to that operator's SIM cards. A locked phone can refuse an eSIM from anyone else, even if it supports eSIM.
- On an iPhone: open Settings → General → About and find Carrier Lock. It should say No SIM restrictions.
- On an Android phone: the place differs by maker. The simplest test is to put in a SIM card from another operator: if the phone connects, it is unlocked.
If your phone is locked, ask your operator to unlock it. Many do so for free once the phone or the contract has been paid off.
Your phone supports eSIM — what next?
- Choose a package for your destination on the packages page.
- Pay by card — the QR code appears right after payment.
- Install it at home, on Wi-Fi, with our installation guide.
New to eSIMs? Start with what an eSIM is and how it works.
Questions and answers
My phone shows an EID, but I cannot find "Add eSIM". Why?
The menu name may differ — look for anything about adding or downloading a SIM in the SIM settings. If it is still missing, the phone may be locked to an operator; check that as described above.
Can a phone without eSIM get it with an update?
No. eSIM is a chip inside the phone, so a phone without it cannot gain it through a software update.
Does my phone need two SIM slots to use an eSIM?
No. The eSIM is separate from the physical SIM slot, so a phone with one slot and an eSIM can use two lines at once.
Do tablets and smartwatches support eSIM?
Some do, but travel eSIM packages are made for phones. If you want to use one in a tablet, check that it supports eSIM and mobile data first.
My phone is not supported. What can I do?
You can use your operator's roaming or a local SIM card — our comparison helps you choose.
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