How to Check If Your Smartphone Supports eSIMs: iPhone, Pixel and Samsung

The quickest way to check if your smartphone supports eSIM is to look in your settings for an option to add an eSIM. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular and look for Add eSIM. On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager. On a Google Pixel, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. As a rule, every iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later supports eSIM, and so does every Pixel 4 or later. Your phone also needs to be unlocked to use a travel eSIM.

Four quick ways to check eSIM support

1. Check your model. Apple, Google and Samsung publish which of their phones support eSIM. The details for each brand are below.
2. Look for the eSIM option in settings. The menu names differ by brand: Add eSIM on iPhone and Samsung, Set up an eSIM on Pixel.
3. Find your EID. The EID is the ID number of your phone's eSIM. iPhone, Pixel and Samsung all list it under About in settings.
4. Check that your phone is unlocked. A phone locked to one carrier may not accept an eSIM from another provider, even if it has eSIM.

If you'd rather look your phone up by name, our list of eSIM supported phones covers the main brands.

How to check if your iPhone supports eSIM

Apple says you need an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later to use eSIM (Apple Support). There is one big exception: in China mainland, Apple says only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM.

1. Look for the eSIM option. Open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data). Apple's setup steps use Add eSIM or Add Cellular Plan from there.
2. Find the EID. Go to Settings > General > About and scroll down. Apple lists the EID there, next to the IMEI and ICCID (Apple Support).
3. Check the carrier lock. In Settings > General > About, look at Carrier Lock. If it says "No SIM restrictions", your iPhone is unlocked (Apple Support).

Note that "No SIM restrictions" tells you the phone is unlocked, not that it has eSIM. You need both. Our guide on finding your eSIM on iPhone shows where your eSIM lines appear once installed.

How to check if your Google Pixel supports eSIM

Google says all Pixel 4 and later phones work with eSIM. Older models depend on where you bought them (Pixel Phone Help):

• Pixel 3a: works with eSIM, except phones bought with Verizon service or in Japan.
• Pixel 3: phones bought with a US or Canadian carrier other than Sprint and Google Fi don't work with eSIM, and neither do phones bought in Australia, Taiwan or Japan.
• Pixel 2: only phones bought with Google Fi service work with eSIM.
• Original Pixel (2016): no eSIM.

To add an eSIM on a Pixel, Google's path is Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM (Pixel Phone Help). To find the EID, go to Settings > About phone > SIM status (Pixel Phone Help).

How to check if your Samsung Galaxy supports eSIM

Samsung's path to add an eSIM is Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM (Samsung US). Samsung Hong Kong says you can also find your EID in Settings > About phone > Status information, or on the box your phone came in (Samsung Hong Kong).

Samsung Australia lists eSIM support for the Galaxy S20 to S26 families, the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models, the Note20 and Note20 Ultra, the A36 5G, A55 5G and A56 5G, and the XCover 7 and XCover 7 Pro (Samsung Australia). That list is for Australian models. Samsung warns that, depending on the country of origin, eSIM may not be supported, so a phone bought elsewhere can differ.

Other Android phones

Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus and other brands decide eSIM support model by model, and often by region. Check your exact model on the maker's spec page, or see our device guides such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the Oppo Find X3 and the OnePlus 12. Our guide to checking eSIM compatibility on iPhone and Android also covers the check code and your phone's IMEI.

Can a phone hold an eSIM and a physical SIM?

Yes, on most phones with eSIM. That's how travellers keep their home number active while a travel eSIM handles data abroad.

• iPhone: iPhone XS, XR and later can use a physical SIM and an eSIM together. iPhone 13 and later can also use two eSIMs (Apple Support). Your iPhone uses one line for mobile data at a time.
• Pixel: Pixel 3a or later can use one physical SIM and one eSIM. Pixel 7 and later can use two eSIMs if your carrier allows it. In the US, Google says the Pixel 10 and later, except the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, only work with eSIM (Pixel Phone Help).
• Samsung: Samsung lists the Galaxy models that support an eSIM alongside a physical SIM on its SIM card support page.

Want a phone with a SIM slot and eSIM? Check the SIM section of the spec sheet for the exact model and country you're buying in. Our guide to dual SIM phones explains how the two lines work, and here's how to set up and manage two lines.

Why your phone may not support eSIM

• It's an older model. iPhones before the XS and XR have no eSIM, and Pixels before the Pixel 4 only have it in some cases.
• Where it was bought. Most iPhones sold in China mainland have no eSIM, and Samsung says support can depend on the country of origin. Older Pixels also depend on the carrier and country.
• It's locked to a carrier. Samsung says that if you're changing carriers, you may need to SIM-unlock your phone, and if you're asked for an unlock code, you should contact the phone's original carrier. Our guide explains what a carrier-locked phone means and how to unlock it.
• The carrier doesn't offer eSIM. Samsung notes that some carriers don't yet support eSIM. Apple keeps a list of carriers that offer eSIM on iPhone, by country.

If your phone turns out not to support eSIM, software can't add it. Here's what to do if your phone isn't eSIM compatible.

Your phone supports eSIM: what next?

Once you've confirmed eSIM support and an unlocked phone, a travel eSIM gives you mobile data abroad without swapping SIM cards. You buy it online, install it at home and switch it on when you land. Our eSIM install guide has the steps, and if it won't connect, read what to do when your eSIM won't activate.

Heading to Europe, the USA or Asia? These plans are data-only, so they don't come with a phone number.

Data-only eSIMs · Europe · USA · Asia · Heading somewhere else? See all destinations

FAQs

How do I know if my phone has eSIM?

Look in settings for an option to add an eSIM, or find an EID under About. On iPhone, the option is in Settings > Cellular. On Samsung, it's Settings > Connections > SIM manager. On Pixel, it's Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.

Which iPhones support eSIM?

Apple says iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and later. In China mainland, only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM.

Do all Android phones support eSIM?

No. It depends on the brand, model and often the country. Google says every Pixel 4 and later works with eSIM, while Samsung and other brands vary by model and region.

Does "No SIM restrictions" mean my iPhone has eSIM?

No. It means your iPhone is unlocked. eSIM support depends on the model: iPhone XS, XR or later.

Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?

Yes, on iPhone XS, XR and later, Pixel 3a and later, and many Galaxy phones. You can keep your home SIM for calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.

Can I add eSIM to a phone that doesn't have it?

No. eSIM is built into the phone, so a model without it can't get it through a setting or an app. Our guide explains your options.

Does my phone need to be unlocked to use a travel eSIM?

Yes. A phone locked to one carrier may not accept an eSIM from another provider. On iPhone, check that Carrier Lock says "No SIM restrictions".