Does My Phone Support eSIM? 60-Second Check

Two requirements decide whether your phone can use a travel eSIM: it must be eSIM-capable and carrier-unlocked. Both take under a minute to check — here's exactly how, plus the 2026 device lists and the regional exceptions that catch people out.

The 60-second check (any phone)

*Dial #06#. If an EID (a 32-digit number) appears alongside the IMEI, your phone has eSIM hardware. No EID, no eSIM — that's the whole test.

Or check in settings:

iPhone: Settings → General → About — look for "Available SIM" / an EID entry. Or see if Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM exists.
Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs (Samsung: Connections → SIM manager) — an Add eSIM option means you're set.

Phones that support eSIM (2026)

Apple: iPhone XR, XS and everything since — all 11/12/13/14/15/16 models, plus SE (2020/2022). US-sold iPhone 14 and later are eSIM-only (no tray at all).
Samsung: Galaxy S20 and newer, all Z Fold/Z Flip models, Note 20, and many recent A-series (A54/A55 in most regions).
Google: Pixel 3 and newer (a few early carrier variants excluded; Pixel 4+ is safe everywhere).
Others: recent Motorola razr and edge models, Xiaomi 13 and newer flagships, OnePlus 11 and newer in most markets, Huawei P40/Mate 40 era and later (region-dependent), Sony Xperia 1 IV and newer, Nothing Phone (2) onward.

When in doubt, trust the *#06# test over any list — including this one.

The regional exceptions

This is where compatible-sounding phones surprise people:

Mainland China models of most brands ship without eSIM (physical dual-SIM instead). This includes Chinese-market iPhones.
Hong Kong/Macau iPhones have eSIM on most recent models, but check the specific model number.
Some carrier-sold Japanese and Korean Androids disabled eSIM in earlier years; recent models are generally fine.

If you bought your phone in the country you live in, from a mainstream carrier or retailer, the standard lists above almost always apply.

Requirement two: carrier-unlocked

An eSIM-capable phone that's locked to your home carrier will install the travel eSIM and then refuse to connect — the lock blocks other networks, embedded or not.

iPhone: Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock — you want "No SIM restrictions".
Android: no universal indicator; if you bought the phone on an installment plan or carrier contract, ask the carrier.

Phones bought outright are almost always unlocked. Carriers must typically unlock paid-off devices on request — do it a few days before travel, not at the gate.

Bonus: does your phone support one-tap install?

Modern phones skip the QR code entirely and install the eSIM with one tap from the AeroCell app:

iPhone: iOS 17.4 or later — that's most iPhones in use today.
Android: Android 10+ with current Google services; rolling out by brand, newest phones first.

Older device? The QR method works on every eSIM phone ever made: installation guide.

Tablets, watches, laptops

Many iPads, Galaxy Tabs, cellular Apple Watches, and eSIM laptops technically accept travel eSIMs too — handy for a data-only device. Check the same *#06# / settings test; phone plans work fine in tablets since travel eSIMs are data-only anyway.

Frequently asked questions

My phone is from 2017 or earlier — any hope?

For eSIM, no. But the eSIM-capable used-phone market starts cheap: any iPhone XR or Pixel 4 makes a fine travel phone.

Can I check compatibility for my exact model before buying a plan?

Dial *#06# — the EID answers definitively. Still unsure? Ask support with your exact model number; we'll confirm before you spend anything.

Locked phone, trip next week — options?

Request the unlock today (often 24–72 h for paid-off phones). If it won't clear in time, a mobile hotspot or your travel companion's unlocked phone with a bigger plan and tethering can carry the trip.

Ready?

If the EID showed up and the lock says no restrictions, you're 60 seconds of setup away from cheap travel data: browse destinations and install in one tap.