Does My Phone Support eSIM? How to Check (2026)

The fastest way to tell whether your phone supports eSIM is to look for an Add eSIM option in your SIM or cellular settings — if the option exists, your phone is eSIM-capable. Broadly, most flagship phones released since 2018 support eSIM, but two things matter beyond the model: the phone must be carrier-unlocked, and some regional variants of a model differ in their eSIM support.

Below are reliable checks for iPhone and Android, plus a general list of eSIM-capable phone families. If you are new to all this, start with what is an eSIM?

Quick check on iPhone

1. Open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Service).
2. Look for Add eSIM or Add Cellular Plan. If it appears, your iPhone supports eSIM.

As a rule of thumb, iPhone XS, XR, and every iPhone since support eSIM. In the United States, iPhone 14 and later are eSIM-only and have no physical SIM tray. iPhone 13 and later also support using two eSIMs at once (dual eSIM).

Quick check on Android

1. Open Settings and search for “eSIM” or “SIM”.
2. On Samsung, go to Connections > SIM manager and look for Add eSIM.
3. On Pixel, go to Network & internet > SIMs and look for an option to download or add an eSIM.
4. If an eSIM option is present, your phone supports it.

The universal dial-code check

You can also open your phone dialler and enter *#06#. On an eSIM-capable device this typically shows an EID number alongside the IMEI. If you see an EID, your phone has an eSIM chip. This is a helpful cross-check, though the clearest confirmation is still finding the Add eSIM option in settings.

General list of eSIM-capable phone families

Exact support depends on model and region, so treat this as a guide and always confirm in your own settings.

• Apple iPhone: iPhone XS, XR, and all later models (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 series and their Pro and Plus variants).
• Samsung Galaxy: Galaxy S20 and later, recent Z Fold and Z Flip, and many recent Note and A-series flagships.
• Google Pixel: Pixel 4 and later (note that some early Pixel variants in certain regions were exceptions).
• Motorola: Select recent Edge and Razr models.
• Other Android: Various global flagship variants from brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Honor, and others, plus devices like recent Nothing Phone and Fairphone models.
• iPad and tablets: Many cellular iPad models and some Android and Windows tablets also support eSIM.

The carrier-unlock caveat

Even an eSIM-capable phone may refuse a travel eSIM if it is locked to a specific carrier. Phones bought on contract or in instalments are sometimes locked until paid off. To check, you can try adding an eSIM, or ask your carrier whether the device is unlocked. If it is locked, request an unlock before relying on a travel eSIM. A SIM-free or fully paid handset is usually unlocked.

Regional and variant differences

The same model name can behave differently by region. Some Pixels sold in particular markets lacked eSIM, and US iPhones differ from international ones by dropping the physical tray entirely. Dual-eSIM support (two active eSIMs) is also newer and limited to more recent models. Because of this, the in-settings check on your exact device is always the final word.

If your phone does not support eSIM

You can still travel connected with a physical travel SIM or local SIM — see eSIM vs physical SIM to weigh the options. And if you are upgrading soon, nearly all current flagships include eSIM.

Checking before you buy a plan

It is always worth confirming compatibility before you pay for a travel eSIM, because a plan tied to the wrong device can be awkward to refund. Do the quick in-settings check above, and if you bought your phone second-hand or on a carrier contract, double-check it is unlocked rather than assuming. Reputable eSIM providers also publish a supported-device list, so you can cross-reference your exact model and region. Finally, make sure your phone is running a reasonably current version of iOS or Android, since very old software on an otherwise capable phone can occasionally miss the Add eSIM option until you update. Two minutes of checking now saves troubleshooting at the airport later.

Confirmed your phone is ready? Browse eSIM destinations and pick a plan for somewhere like Japan or the USA.