Which phones support eSIM? The full compatibility list
Most phones released since 2018 support eSIM, including iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and Google Pixel 3 and newer. Many recent iPads and some smartwatches also support it. Older handsets and certain region-specific models do not.
Before you buy a travel eSIM, there is one thing worth thirty seconds of your time.
Does your phone actually have one?
Good news: if you have bought a phone in the last few years, it almost certainly does. Here is the full list, brand by brand.
The quick answer: check by brand
Find your phone below. If it is the model listed or anything newer, you are good to go.
| Brand | Supports eSIM from | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone | iPhone XS, XS Max, XR (2018) and every model since | iPhone SE 2nd gen and newer too. Some US models are eSIM-only |
| Samsung Galaxy | Galaxy S20 and newer flagships | Plus Z Flip and Z Fold, Note 20 and newer. A few budget A-series do not |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 3 and newer | Pixel 3 sold in some regions had carrier limits, later models are fine |
| Apple iPad | iPad Pro, Air, Mini and standard iPad with cellular from 2018 on | Wifi-only iPads cannot use an eSIM |
| Motorola | Razr 2019 and newer, plus select Edge models | Support varies by model, worth a quick check |
| Other Android | Many recent Oppo, Huawei, Sony, Rakuten and Honor models | Coverage is patchy, so confirm your exact model |
If your phone is on that list or newer, you can stop reading and move straight to installing your eSIM. If you are not sure, the next bit shows you how to check in half a minute.
How to check if your phone has an eSIM
You can check if your phone supports eSIM in your settings: on iPhone, go to Settings, Mobile Data, and look for Add eSIM. On Android, open Settings, Connections or Network, then SIM Manager and look for an add-eSIM option. If it is there, your phone supports it.
Even faster on an iPhone: dial *#06# on your keypad.
If a line labelled EID appears alongside your IMEI, your phone has an eSIM. No EID, no eSIM.
That single code settles it in about five seconds, which is handy when you are standing in a shop deciding whether to trust a salesperson.
Why some phones still miss out
Some phones do not support eSIM because they were released before 2018, they are budget models where the chip was left out to save cost, or they are region-specific versions sold without the feature. Carrier-locked phones may also block new eSIM profiles.
Two culprits, mostly.
Age is the first. Anything from before roughly 2018 predates eSIM going mainstream.
Budget is the second. A handful of cheaper handsets skip the chip to shave a few pounds off the price.
There is also the odd regional quirk, where the same model ships with an eSIM in one country and without it in another. Rare, but it happens, which is exactly why that thirty-second check is worth doing.
Watch out for locked phones
A carrier-locked phone can support eSIM but still refuse a travel plan, because the lock ties your phone to one network. Even an eSIM-capable handset will reject a new profile until it is unlocked, so an unlocked phone is essential for a travel eSIM.
This one catches people out.
Your phone can be perfectly eSIM-ready and still turn its nose up at a new plan, purely because it is locked to the network you bought it from.
The fix is usually free. A quick request to your original carrier, and they release the lock.
Check whether your phone is unlocked and sort it before you travel, not at the gate.