Is My Phone eSIM Compatible? How to Check in 10 Seconds (Holafly Code THEDUFRESNES, up to 26% off)
Verified: August 2026
This is the question that stops most people right before they buy a travel eSIM, and it has a definitive answer that takes ten seconds to get. There are exactly two requirements, and the good news is that if your phone is from roughly the last six years and you own it outright, you almost certainly pass both.
Requirement 1: your phone has an eSIM chip
The reliable test is the EID number, because it's read directly from the hardware rather than from a list that might be out of date:
- Open your phone's keypad, as if making a call.
- Dial *#06# — you don't need to press call, the screen changes on its own.
- Look at what appears. You'll see an IMEI number on every phone. If there's also an EID — a longer 32-digit number — your phone has an eSIM chip.
- No EID listed? Your phone doesn't support eSIM.
You can confirm the same thing in settings. On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM. On most Android phones: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM or Download a SIM instead. If that option exists, so does the chip.
Requirement 2: your phone is carrier-unlocked
This one catches people out, because a phone can fully support eSIM and still refuse to install one. If your handset is locked to your home carrier, it won't accept another provider's profile.
- Bought outright, or finished paying it off? Almost certainly unlocked.
- Still on a carrier instalment plan? Possibly locked — worth checking.
- Not sure? Ask your carrier directly, or check for an unlock status option in your phone's settings. Carriers are generally required to unlock a device once it's paid off, though you may need to request it.
Devices that generally support eSIM
Use this as a rough guide — regional variants differ, so the *#06# check always beats a list.
| Brand | Generally supported |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone | iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and all newer models; iPhone SE (2020, 2nd gen) onward |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 3 and newer |
| Samsung Galaxy | Galaxy S20 and newer; recent Z Fold and Z Flip; several recent Note and A-series models |
| Other Android | Many recent Motorola, OPPO, Xiaomi, Huawei and Sony flagships |
| Tablets | Most recent cellular iPad models and several Galaxy Tab models |
The gotchas worth knowing
- Phones sold in mainland China. iPhones and many Android handsets sold there generally ship without eSIM support, even when the same model has it elsewhere.
- Regional variants differ. The same model number can have eSIM in one market and not another — another reason to trust the EID check over a spec sheet.
- Recent US iPhones have no SIM tray at all. From iPhone 14, US models are eSIM-only. That's not a problem for travel eSIMs — it just means your home line is also an eSIM.
- Some phones limit how many eSIMs stay active. You can usually store several profiles but keep only one or two active at once. Fine for travel; just don't expect to run five at a time.
- Refurbished and second-hand phones. Support depends on the original model and market, and lock status depends on the previous owner's carrier. Check both.
What happens to your normal number
This is the other common worry, and the answer is reassuring: on most eSIM-capable phones your physical SIM and the travel eSIM run side by side. Your home SIM keeps your usual number active for calls and verification codes, while the eSIM carries your data abroad. You pick which line handles data in settings, and switch any time.
It also means you avoid the old problem of swapping out your home SIM and losing access to texts from your bank halfway through a trip.
If your phone isn't compatible
It's worth being straightforward here — if there's no EID, a travel eSIM simply won't work on that device. Your realistic options:
- Buy a local physical SIM on arrival (expect ID requirements in many countries)
- Use a spare eSIM-capable phone or a cellular tablet for data, and tether
- Rely on WiFi, with offline maps downloaded before you go
Holafly also offers a money-back guarantee if an eSIM can't be installed because of device incompatibility — so a genuine compatibility failure isn't a wasted purchase.
eSIM compatibility FAQ
How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?
Dial *#06# on your phone's keypad. If an EID number appears alongside the IMEI, your phone supports eSIM. If there is no EID, it does not. You can also check Settings — on iPhone under Cellular, on Android under Network and internet — for an option to add an eSIM or a data plan.
What is an EID number?
The EID (Embedded Identity Document) is the unique serial number of the eSIM chip built into your phone. Only devices with an eSIM chip have one, which is why its presence is the reliable test for eSIM support.
Does my phone need to be unlocked for an eSIM?
Yes. Your phone must be carrier-unlocked, even if it supports eSIM. A phone still locked to your home carrier will not accept another provider's eSIM. If you bought it outright or finished paying off a contract, it is usually unlocked — if you are unsure, ask your carrier.
Which iPhones support eSIM?
iPhone XS, XS Max and XR and every model since, plus iPhone SE from the 2020 second generation onward. Note that iPhone models sold in mainland China generally do not include eSIM support.
Which Android phones support eSIM?
Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, plus recent Galaxy Z Fold and Flip, and many recent Motorola, OPPO, Xiaomi, Huawei and Sony flagships. Support varies by regional variant, so the *#06# check is more reliable than any list.
Can I use an eSIM and my normal SIM at the same time?
Yes, on most eSIM-capable phones. Your physical SIM keeps your usual number active for calls and verification codes while the eSIM handles data. You choose which line is used for data in your phone settings.
What if my phone is not eSIM compatible?
You have a few options: use an older physical travel SIM, buy a local SIM on arrival, rely on WiFi, or bring a second eSIM-capable phone or tablet. Holafly also offers a money-back guarantee if your eSIM cannot be installed because your device is incompatible.
Compatible? Here's the next step
If you found an EID and your phone is unlocked, you're ready. Installing takes under a minute from a QR code, and you can do it at home before you fly.
Not sure which plan you need? Compare them in our Holafly Plans guide, or read our Plans review after 14 months of using one full time.
Code verified August 2026 · unlimited uses · works on every purchase