Before you buy a travel eSIM, there is one thing worth confirming: does your phone actually support eSIM? The good news is that most handsets sold since 2019 do, and checking takes under a minute. This guide walks you through the fastest checks on iPhone and Android, a checklist of common eSIM-ready devices, and what to do if your phone turns out to be carrier locked.
What "eSIM compatible" actually means
An eSIM is a small chip built into your phone that does the same job as a plastic SIM card, without the plastic. Instead of posting you a card, we send a QR code by email the moment you pay. You scan it, the plan installs, and you are ready to go. So "eSIM compatible" simply means your phone has that built-in chip and lets you add a data plan to it.
One point that reassures a lot of travellers: adding an eSIM does not touch your existing SIM. Your physical SIM, your usual number, WhatsApp and iMessage all keep working exactly as before. The eSIM just handles your mobile data abroad. If you want the full picture, our how it works page runs through the whole process step by step.
How to check on iPhone
There are two quick ways to confirm eSIM support on an iPhone.
- Settings check: open Settings, tap Mobile Service (older versions call it Mobile Data or Cellular), and look for an option like Add eSIM or Add Data Plan. If it is there, your phone supports eSIM.
- Dial code check: open the Phone app and dial *#06#. If your device shows an EID number alongside the IMEI, it has an eSIM chip. No EID means no eSIM.
As a rule of thumb, every iPhone from the XS, XR and later carries an eSIM. That covers the iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 ranges, plus the SE from the second generation onward. If your iPhone launched in 2018 or later, you are almost certainly fine.
How to check on Android
Android is a bigger family, so the wording varies slightly by brand, but the checks are the same.
- Settings check: go to Settings, then Connections or Network & internet, then SIM manager or SIMs. Look for Add eSIM, Add mobile plan or Download a SIM instead. If you can see it, you are good.
- Dial code check: dial *#06# in the phone app. An EID in the results confirms an eSIM is present.
A quick word of warning on Android: some models sold in certain regions ship without the eSIM chip even though the same model has it elsewhere. Samsung's China and US carrier variants are a known example. The dial code check settles it, because it reads what is physically in your specific handset rather than what the model "usually" has.
Checklist: common eSIM devices from 2019 onward
This is not every model ever made, but it covers the phones we see most often. If yours is on the list or newer, an eSIM will almost certainly work.
- Apple: iPhone XS, XR, SE (2nd gen and later), and the entire 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 line-ups.
- Samsung: Galaxy S20 and every S series since, Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models, and Note 20.
- Google: Pixel 3 and later on most networks, and every Pixel from the 4 onward.
- Other Android: recent Motorola Razr, Oppo Find and Sony Xperia flagships, plus a growing number of mid-range models.
If your phone is not listed, do not assume it is unsupported. Run the dial code check first, and if you are still unsure, our compatibility page is the quickest way to confirm.
What "carrier locked" means for eSIM
A carrier lock is a restriction some networks apply so your phone only works with their SIMs, usually while you are still paying off the handset on a contract. A locked phone can have a perfectly good eSIM chip and still refuse an eSIM from anyone but the original network.
So having the chip is only half the story. To use a travel eSIM, your phone needs to be both eSIM capable and unlocked. If you bought your phone outright or your contract has finished, it is very likely already unlocked. If you are unsure, your network can confirm the status and unlock it for free once you are eligible, though it can take a couple of days, so it is worth sorting before you travel rather than at the airport.
Still not sure? A simple final test
If the settings menu shows an add eSIM option and the dial code shows an EID, you have everything you need. From there, buying is straightforward: no account, just guest checkout, and your QR code lands in your inbox within seconds. Your plan does not start counting down until you arrive and connect at your destination, so you can set everything up at home with zero pressure.
Confirmed your phone is ready? Browse eSIM plans for 190+ destinations and have your QR code before you have finished packing.