Your device supports eSIM if it has an embedded eUICC chip and your carrier has deployed eSIM provisioning infrastructure. The fastest way to confirm: open Settings and look for an “Add eSIM” or “Add Data Plan” option, or dial *#06# and check whether an EID (a 32-character identifier distinct from the IMEI) appears. On iPhone, eSIM support starts with iPhone XS (2018). On Android, Google Pixel 3 and later generally support eSIM; Samsung Galaxy S20 and later flagship models support eSIM on most variants. For a broader overview of how eSIM technology works, see What Is an eSIM?
One critical caveat applies throughout: the same model name sold in different regions can have different eSIM capabilities. Always verify using your specific model number on the manufacturer’s official support page.
How to Check If Your Device Supports eSIM
There are three reliable methods. Use the first one that applies to your situation.
Method 1: Settings Menu
On iPhone:
- Open Settings
- Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data in some regions)
- Look for Add eSIM, Add Data Plan, or Add Mobile Plan
If that option is present, your device supports eSIM. If the menu shows only your current plan with no option to add another, the device either does not support eSIM or eSIM has been disabled by the carrier.
On Android:
- Open Settings
- Tap Network & internet (or Connections on Samsung)
- Tap SIMs or Mobile network
- Look for Add eSIM, Download a SIM, or a similar option
The exact menu path varies by Android version and manufacturer skin. If you do not see any eSIM-related option, try searching “eSIM” within the Settings search bar.
Method 2: Dial *#06# for the EID
Open the Phone app and dial *#06# on the keypad. A screen will appear showing your device identifiers. Look for:
- IMEI — a 15-digit number that identifies the device hardware (all phones have this)
- EID — a 32-character alphanumeric string that identifies the embedded SIM chip
If an EID is listed, your device has eSIM hardware. If only an IMEI is shown and no EID appears, the device does not support eSIM.
On some devices, the EID also appears at Settings > General > About > EID (iPhone) or Settings > About phone > EID (Android).
Method 3: Manufacturer Support Page
Look up your exact model number on the manufacturer’s official support page:
- Apple: support.apple.com/en-us/118569 — lists every iPhone and iPad model with SIM type details
- Google: support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7086887 — Pixel eSIM support by model
- Samsung: Samsung’s eSIM support page lists Galaxy models and supported carriers by region
When checking, use your device’s model number (e.g., A2403, SM-S921B) rather than just the marketing name. The model number appears on the device’s packaging, on the SIM tray label, or at Settings > About.
eSIM-Compatible iPhone Models
eSIM support on iPhone begins with the 2018 lineup. The table below shows the key milestones; all models within each generation released after XS/XR also support eSIM.
| iPhone Generation | eSIM Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS, XS Max, XR (2018) | Yes | First eSIM-capable iPhones |
| iPhone 11 series (2019) | Yes | Physical SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020) | Yes | Physical SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone 12 series (2020) | Yes | Physical SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone 13 series (2021) | Yes, dual eSIM | Two eSIMs active simultaneously |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022) | Yes, dual eSIM | Two eSIMs simultaneously (Apple spec) |
| iPhone 14 series (2022) | Yes | US models: eSIM-only |
| iPhone 15 series (2023) | Yes | US models: eSIM-only |
| iPhone 16 series (2024) | Yes | US models: eSIM-only |
| iPhone 16e (2025) | Yes | US models: eSIM-only |
| iPhone 17 series (2025) | Yes | eSIM-only in US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| iPhone Air (2025) | Yes | eSIM-only in US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands; dual eSIM + nano-SIM in other regions |
iPhone XS through iPhone 12: support one physical SIM + one eSIM. Two eSIMs simultaneously is not possible on these models.
iPhone 13, SE (3rd gen), and later: support dual eSIM — two eSIM profiles active at the same time, without requiring a physical SIM card for the second line. See the dual SIM setup guide for iPhone for step-by-step configuration.
eSIM-only models: have no physical SIM slot. Plans can only be activated via eSIM. If you travel to a region where carriers do not yet support eSIM provisioning, you cannot use a local physical SIM card as a fallback.
Important — mainland China and Hong Kong: eSIM availability on iPhone is limited in mainland China (iPhone 17e and iPhone Air are exceptions). Hong Kong and Macao support eSIM on some models but not all. Check the Apple support page linked above for the most current regional breakdown.
iPhone can store 8 or more eSIM profiles according to Apple, and you switch between them in Settings > Cellular. Once you have confirmed compatibility, follow the iPhone eSIM setup guide (QR code method) to activate a plan.
eSIM-Compatible Android: Google Pixel
Google Pixel has the most clearly documented eSIM support among Android manufacturers.
| Pixel Model | eSIM Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 3 (2018) | Limited | Varies by carrier and region; not all variants supported |
| Pixel 3a (2019) | Yes (most variants) | DSDS support |
| Pixel 4, 4a, 4 XL (2019–2020) | Yes | |
| Pixel 5, 5a (2020–2021) | Yes | |
| Pixel 6 series (2021) | Yes | eSIM supported (carrier-locked variants may restrict to the locking carrier) |
| Pixel 7, 7 Pro (2022) | Yes, dual eSIM | First Android phones to support dual eSIM (via Android 13 update) |
| Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold (2023) | Yes, dual eSIM | |
| Pixel 8 series (2023) | Yes, dual eSIM | |
| Pixel 9 series (2024) | Yes, dual eSIM | |
| Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL (2025) | Yes, eSIM-only (US) | Physical SIM slot removed for US market |
| Pixel 10 Pro Fold (2025) | Yes, dual eSIM | Physical SIM slot retained in all regions |
Pixel 7 and later: support dual eSIM — two eSIM profiles active simultaneously using Android 13’s MEP (Multiple Enabled Profiles) implementation under GSMA SGP.22 v3.0.
Carrier-locked Pixel devices: eSIM may be restricted to the locking carrier’s plans. An unlocked Pixel purchased directly from Google is generally the most eSIM-flexible option. To activate an eSIM on a Pixel or other Android device, see the Android eSIM setup guide (QR code method).
eSIM-Compatible Android: Samsung Galaxy
Samsung’s eSIM support spans its flagship Galaxy S, Z Fold, and Z Flip lines.
| Galaxy Line | First eSIM Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S series | S20 (2020) | S20, S20+, S20 Ultra and later S-series flagships |
| Galaxy Z Fold | Z Fold series (multiple generations) | Confirmed on Samsung’s eSIM support page |
| Galaxy Z Flip | Z Flip series (multiple generations) | Confirmed on Samsung’s eSIM support page |
| Galaxy S FE (Fan Edition) | Varies | Galaxy S20 FE does not support eSIM in most regions |
Regional variation: Samsung sells the same model name across different regions with different hardware configurations. A Galaxy S-series phone bought in one country may support eSIM while the same model bought in another country (or from a carrier) does not. Confirm using your model number (e.g., SM-S921B) on Samsung’s official eSIM support page.
Carrier-locked Samsung devices: carrier-locked Galaxy phones may have eSIM disabled even when the hardware supports it. An unlocked (“open market”) variant is more likely to offer full eSIM functionality.
eSIM-Compatible Tablets and Other Devices
iPad
| iPad Model | eSIM Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro (M4) | Yes, eSIM-only | No physical SIM slot |
| iPad Air (M2) | Yes, eSIM-only | No physical SIM slot |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (1st–4th gen), Wi-Fi + Cellular | Yes | Physical SIM + eSIM |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd–6th gen), Wi-Fi + Cellular | Yes | Physical SIM + eSIM |
| iPad Air (3rd–5th gen), Wi-Fi + Cellular | Yes | Physical SIM + eSIM |
Only cellular-capable iPad models support eSIM. Wi-Fi-only iPads have no SIM hardware at all.
Other Device Categories
eSIM support is increasingly appearing in:
- Laptops: select Windows laptops with LTE/5G connectivity support eSIM (Microsoft Surface Pro, certain Dell and Lenovo models with built-in cellular)
- Smartwatches: Apple Watch (Series 3 and later, cellular models) and select Wear OS watches support eSIM for standalone cellular
This guide focuses on smartphones and tablets. For laptop or smartwatch eSIM, consult the manufacturer’s documentation for your specific model.
SIM-Free vs. Carrier-Locked: Why It Matters for eSIM
A device sold as SIM-free (also called “unlocked”) can activate plans from any compatible carrier. A carrier-locked device is restricted to the locking carrier’s plans, and may have eSIM functionality partially or fully disabled for other carriers. For a direct comparison of physical SIM and eSIM trade-offs, see Physical SIM vs eSIM: Differences and How to Choose.
For eSIM specifically, carrier locking creates two scenarios:
- eSIM fully disabled: the device has eSIM hardware, but the carrier’s software configuration prevents any eSIM activation. The “Add eSIM” option may be absent entirely.
- eSIM restricted to one carrier: the device allows eSIM activation but only accepts profiles from the locking carrier.
If you purchase a device directly from the manufacturer (Apple Store, Google Store, Samsung.com) without a carrier contract, it is typically sold SIM-free and supports eSIM from any compatible carrier.
If you received a device through a carrier promotion or installment plan, check the carrier’s unlock policy. Most carriers allow unlocking after the service contract or installment plan is completed.
The eSIM-Only Trend
A growing number of flagship devices are shipping without a physical SIM card slot.
iPhone: eSIM-only has expanded from the US market (iPhone 14 onward) to 12 regions with iPhone 17 (2025). iPhone Air is eSIM-only in US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands; in other regions it ships with dual eSIM + nano-SIM. This trend is expected to continue as manufacturers reclaim internal space from the SIM tray.
Google Pixel: US-market Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL ship without a physical SIM slot. Pixel 10 Pro Fold retains a physical SIM slot in all regions.
Practical implications of eSIM-only devices:
- You cannot fall back to a physical SIM card in regions where eSIM is not yet supported by local carriers
- If your device is lost or damaged, you cannot immediately transfer a SIM card to a replacement — the carrier must re-issue the eSIM profile
- Some older vehicles’ in-car Wi-Fi hotspots and IoT devices accept physical SIM cards only; an eSIM-only phone cannot serve as a hotspot for these using a physical card
Before purchasing an eSIM-only device, confirm that carriers in your primary region support eSIM activation.
Regional Variant Warning
The single most common source of eSIM incompatibility surprises is regional model variants. The same model marketed under the same name can have meaningfully different hardware depending on where it was manufactured for sale.
Known cases where regional variants affect eSIM support:
- iPhone in mainland China: most iPhone generations have restricted or absent eSIM support for mainland China models (a different model number is used). iPhone Air and iPhone 17e are exceptions.
- Samsung Galaxy in certain markets: carrier-specific or regional variants sold in some markets omit eSIM even on otherwise eSIM-capable S-series models.
- Pixel 3: regional variants for Japan, Australia, and Taiwan, as well as most US/Canada carrier versions other than Sprint and Google Fi, do not support eSIM.
How to avoid this problem:
- Note your device’s model number from the box, SIM tray sticker, or Settings > About
- Look up that exact model number on the manufacturer’s official support page
- Do not assume eSIM support based on the marketing name alone
What to Do If Your Device Does Not Support eSIM
If your device does not support eSIM, you still have options for eSIM-based plans — but they require new hardware.
For travel plans specifically, a physical travel SIM card provides the same function (local data at local rates) without requiring eSIM hardware. You can also use a dedicated travel Wi-Fi router or hotspot device that connects to a local data network and shares it over Wi-Fi — no eSIM required on your phone.
If you are planning a device upgrade and eSIM support is important to you, choose a current-generation device from the lists above and purchase it unlocked from the manufacturer to ensure full eSIM flexibility.
Use SimFinder to search for eSIM plans filtered by your destination — plans are tagged by activation method so you can see which require eSIM and which offer physical SIM alternatives.
Summary
| Device | First eSIM-Capable Model | Dual eSIM From | eSIM-Only (Selected Regions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone XS / XR (2018) | iPhone 13 / SE 3rd gen | iPhone 14 (US, 2022) |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 3 (limited) / Pixel 3a (2019) | Pixel 7 (2022) | Pixel 10 (US, 2025) |
| Samsung Galaxy S | Galaxy S20 (2020) | Varies by model | Not yet (as of 2025) |
| Samsung Galaxy Z | Multiple Z Fold / Z Flip generations | — | Not yet (as of 2025) |
| iPad | iPad Pro 11-inch 1st gen / iPad Air 3rd gen | — | iPad Pro M4 / iPad Air M2 |
Three ways to check your device:
- Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM — if the option exists, eSIM is supported
- Dial
*#06#— an EID in the result confirms eSIM hardware - Manufacturer support page — look up your exact model number
Always verify with your model number, not just the model name, when checking eSIM support for a specific device — especially for devices purchased outside your home country.