eSIM Compatibility Check — Will My Phone Work?
You can check whether your phone supports eSIM in about two minutes, without a model list. Dial *#06#: if an EID number appears alongside the IMEI, the phone has eSIM hardware. Then open your settings and look for Add eSIM. Both present means it will work; either missing means it will not.
Why we do not publish a list of supported models
Every eSIM site publishes one, and every one of those lists is wrong somewhere. Three reasons:
- The same model is sold in different variants. Two phones with the same name, bought in different countries, can have different SIM hardware — some markets ship dual physical SIM with no eSIM at all.
- Carrier locks change the answer. A locked phone has the hardware, installs the profile, and then refuses to connect. It is compatible on paper and useless in practice.
- Lists go stale. A list written last year is missing this year's models, and nobody updates it.
A two-minute check on the actual phone in your hand beats any list we could write.
Step 1 — Is there eSIM hardware?
Open the phone app and dial *#06#. Every phone shows its IMEI. eSIM-capable phones show a second number labelled EID.
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| IMEI and EID | eSIM hardware is present. Go to step 2. |
| IMEI only | No eSIM hardware. A travel eSIM will not work on this phone. |
| Several IMEIs, no EID | Dual physical SIM, no eSIM. Common on models sold in mainland China. |
Step 2 — Does the software offer it?
iPhone: Settings → Cellular → look for Add eSIM (older versions: Add Cellular Plan).
Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, or on Samsung Settings → Connections → SIM manager. Look for Add eSIM or a + beside the SIM list.
If the option is there, the phone is ready. If the hardware exists but the option does not, the phone is usually carrier-restricted — go to step 3.
Step 3 — Is the phone carrier-locked?
iPhone: Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. If it says No SIM restrictions, the phone is unlocked. Any other wording means it is locked to a carrier.
Android: there is no standard menu. The practical test is to insert a SIM from a different carrier — if it registers, the phone is unlocked. Otherwise ask your carrier directly.
A locked phone is fixable: ask your carrier to unlock it, which is usually free once the contract or device payment is finished.
What the results mean
| EID | Add eSIM option | Unlocked | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Compatible. Buy with confidence. |
| Yes | Yes | No | Compatible after a carrier unlock. |
| Yes | No | ? | Usually a carrier restriction. Check with the carrier before buying. |
| No | No | — | Not compatible. Do not buy an eSIM for this phone. |
If your phone is not compatible
- Travel with someone who is. One compatible phone can share a hotspot for a second traveller — check the plan's terms, since not every plan allows it.
- Buy a local physical SIM on arrival. Slower, needs ID in some countries, but it works on any unlocked phone.
- Use your own carrier's roaming. Usually the most expensive option for a week or more, but it requires nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Does an unlocked phone always support eSIM?
No. Unlocking removes the carrier restriction but does not add hardware. If dialling *#06# shows no EID, the phone has no eSIM chip regardless of lock status.
My phone shows an EID but no Add eSIM option — why?
Most often a carrier restriction on the software build, or an older system version. Update the phone, then check again. If the option still does not appear, ask the carrier that sold the phone.
I bought my phone in another country. Does that matter?
It can. Some markets ship the same model with two physical SIM slots and no eSIM hardware. The *#06# check settles it in seconds — that is exactly why we recommend it over a model list.
Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?
On most eSIM-capable phones, yes — that is the normal travel setup. The eSIM carries data while your own SIM stays available for calls and verification codes.
Do tablets and laptops work?
Some cellular tablets and laptops have eSIM; most Wi-Fi-only models do not. Run the same *#06# check — if there is no EID, there is no eSIM.
Compatible? Read how to install it, then pick a plan from the destination list.
Check method reviewed: 2026-10-23.