eSIM Compatible Phones: Which Devices Support eSIM in 2026

Short answer: if you have an iPhone XS or later, a Samsung Galaxy S20 or later, or a Google Pixel 3 or later, your phone almost certainly supports eSIM. Two things still have to be true: the phone must be the right regional model, and it must be carrier unlocked. The 20-second check below settles both.

The 20-second compatibility check

1. Dial *#06# on the keypad. If an EID row appears — a 32-digit number — the hardware supports eSIM. No EID means no eSIM, regardless of the model name.
2. Look for the Add eSIM menu.
   iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM.
   Android: Settings → Connections / Network & internet → SIM manager → Add eSIM.
   If the entry is missing on a phone that showed an EID, the regional model or carrier firmware has it disabled.
3. Check the carrier lock.
   iPhone: Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. It should read No SIM restrictions.
   Android: Settings → About phone → Status, or ask your carrier. A locked phone will not accept a third-party eSIM.

All three pass? You are good to buy. A step-by-step version of this check, with screenshots of each menu, is in how to check if your phone supports eSIM.

Apple iPhone

iPhone XS and every model after it supports eSIM — with important regional exceptions listed below.

Regional exceptions that matter:

• Mainland China models: most do not support eSIM. As of 2026 Apple lists only the iPhone 17e (A3635) and iPhone Air (A3518) as eSIM-capable in mainland China, and those cannot install a non-mainland carrier’s eSIM while the phone is physically in mainland China. Details: mainland China iPhone eSIM support.
• Hong Kong and Macao dual-physical-SIM models (model numbers ending in a dual-SIM variant) generally do not support eSIM. Single-SIM HK models do.
• US models from iPhone 14 onward have no SIM tray at all — eSIM is the only option, which makes a travel eSIM the only way to get local data.

To identify your exact model, open Settings → General → About → Model Number and tap it once to reveal the A-prefixed number (for example A3635).

Samsung Galaxy

Samsung’s eSIM support varies more by region than Apple’s. Chinese-market Galaxy models and some carrier-customised US variants ship with eSIM disabled. The *#06# EID check is authoritative — trust it over the model name.

Google Pixel

Other brands

• Motorola: Razr series (2019 onward), Edge 40/50 series, some G-series — international models.
• Huawei: P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro — international versions only.
• Xiaomi: 12T Pro, 13T, 14 and later — global versions only.
• OPPO: Find X3 Pro, Find X5 and later — international versions.
• Sony: Xperia 10 IV, Xperia 1 IV and later.
• Nothing: Phone (2) and later.
• Honor: Magic 4 Pro and later — international versions.
• iPad: most cellular iPad Pro, Air and Mini models from 2018 onward support eSIM and can use a travel data plan.

Phones that do not support eSIM

These come up constantly, so it is worth being explicit:

• Chinese-market versions of Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo, Honor and Redmi. The domestic firmware has no eSIM function. The global versions of the same handsets often do — the model name alone tells you nothing.
• Most mainland-China iPhones (see the exceptions above).
• iPhone X and older, Galaxy S10 and older, Pixel 2 and older.
• Carrier-locked handsets, regardless of hardware. A locked phone with a perfectly good EID will still refuse a third-party profile until the carrier unlocks it.
• Most budget Android phones under roughly US0, and nearly all feature phones.

Compatible, but check these too

• Keep the OS updated. iOS 12.1+ and Android 9+ are the practical minimums; newer is better for eSIM menu stability.
• Dual eSIM vs eSIM + physical SIM. iPhone 13 and later can hold two active eSIMs at once. Most Android phones allow multiple stored profiles but only one active at a time.
• Watches and tablets generally need a plan tied to a carrier account and cannot use a standalone travel eSIM.

FAQ

How do I know for certain whether my phone supports eSIM?

Dial *#06#. If an EID appears alongside the IMEI, the hardware supports eSIM. Then confirm an Add eSIM entry exists in your cellular settings — some regional models have the hardware but ship with the feature disabled.

What does carrier unlocked mean, and why does it matter?

An unlocked phone accepts plans from any carrier or eSIM provider. Phones bought on contract or on instalments are frequently locked to the seller’s network and will reject a travel eSIM. On iPhone, check Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock; it should say “No SIM restrictions”.

Does my mainland China iPhone support eSIM?

Most do not. As of 2026 Apple lists only the iPhone 17e (A3635) and iPhone Air (A3518) as eSIM-capable in mainland China, and neither can install a foreign carrier’s eSIM while inside mainland China. Check the A-prefixed model number in Settings → General → About, and see the detailed guide.

Can I use an eSIM and my regular SIM at the same time?

Yes. That is the normal setup: your physical SIM stays active for calls and texts on your usual number, while the travel eSIM carries data. See using a travel eSIM while keeping your number.

My phone supports eSIM but the plan will not install. Why?

Typical causes are a carrier lock, a QR code already used on another device, or a manual entry containing a trailing space. The troubleshooting guide covers each in order.

Do eSIMs work on tablets and smartwatches?

Cellular iPads from 2018 onward generally work with travel eSIM data plans. Smartwatches usually do not — they need a carrier plan linked to your existing phone number.

Will an eSIM work on a phone bought in another country?

Yes, provided that specific regional model has eSIM hardware and is unlocked. Regional variation is the whole reason the EID check exists — verify with *#06# rather than the model name.

Phone checks out? Pick a destination

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