Does My Phone Support eSIM?

The Short Version

Two Things Must Be True.

Your phone supports eSIM. Most recent iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models do, but not every model or regional version.
Your phone is network-unlocked. A phone locked to one carrier may refuse an eSIM from anyone else. Ask your carrier if you are unsure.

The settings check is the authority. The model notes further down are general guidance only. Lists change, and the same model name can be sold in versions with different hardware. If your phone’s own settings and a list disagree, trust the settings.

On iPhone

Check an iPhone in Under a Minute.

Open Settings, then General, then About. Scroll down and look for a line called “Digital SIM” or an “EID” number (a long string of digits). Either one means the phone has eSIM hardware.
Or dial *#06# in the Phone app. A screen of device numbers appears. If you see an EID, the phone supports eSIM.
Check the lock status. In Settings > General > About, look for “Carrier Lock”. “No SIM restrictions” means the phone is unlocked. If it says something else, ask your carrier.

General guidance: iPhone XS, XS Max and XR (2018) and newer iPhones generally support eSIM. The second- and third-generation iPhone SE do as well. Some regional versions sold in particular countries are made without eSIM, so check the settings on your own phone.

On Android

Check an Android Phone.

Open Settings, then About phone. Look for an “EID” number under SIM status or device identifiers. On some phones it is under Status information. If there is an EID, the phone has eSIM hardware.
Or look for an add option. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and look for “Add eSIM” or “Download a SIM instead”. On Samsung phones this is usually under Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
Or dial *#06#. If an EID is listed, eSIM is supported.

General guidance: many recent Samsung Galaxy S, Z (Flip and Fold) and Note models, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and some phones from other makers support eSIM. Support often depends on the exact model and the region it was sold in, and menu names differ by brand and software version.

Unlocked?

Why “Network-Unlocked” Matters.

Some phones are sold tied to one carrier, often because they were bought on a monthly plan or are not fully paid off. A locked phone may not accept an eSIM from another provider.

If you are not sure, contact your carrier and ask whether the phone is unlocked, or whether it can be. Do this well before you travel, as it can take time.

Phones issued by a workplace or school can also be restricted by the organisation that manages them.