Does your phone support eSIM? Check in under a minute
A phone that supports eSIM has an EID, the identity number of its built-in eSIM, and its settings offer a way to add an eSIM. Here is where to look:
- iPhone: go to Settings > General > About and scroll down. An eSIM section with an EID means your iPhone supports eSIM. Apple lists eSIM support on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and later.
- Samsung Galaxy: go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager. If you see Add eSIM, your Galaxy supports eSIM. The EID is under Settings > About phone > Status information.
- Google Pixel: go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM. If Set up an eSIM is offered, your Pixel supports eSIM. The EID is under Settings > About phone > SIM status.
Steps and menu names are as Apple's, Samsung's and Google's support pages give them, read October 4, 2026; the names can differ slightly by software version and country. For other Android brands, see how to check if your phone supports eSIM.
Your phone must also be unlocked. A phone locked to one carrier can only use that carrier's eSIM, so it will not take a travel eSIM from another provider. On iPhone, the same About screen shows whether a carrier lock is on. To check any phone and get it unlocked, see is my phone unlocked for eSIM.
If your phone passes both checks, you can install a travel eSIM. Bcengi's is pay as you go: priced per GB, metered by the KB. New to travel eSIMs? Start with our travel eSIM guide. The eSIM phones by brand follow.
eSIM Compatible iPhones
Apple introduced eSIM support several years ago, and most recent iPhones are eSIM compatible.
Common eSIM-compatible iPhone models include:
- iPhone XR and newer
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone 11 series
- iPhone 12 series
- iPhone 13 series
- iPhone 14 series
- iPhone 15 series
- iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e
- iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17e
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone Duo
Apple's support pages, read October 4, 2026, list eSIM support on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and later. In China mainland, Apple lists eSIM support only on the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air models sold there; that list is for eSIMs from carriers in China mainland. Apple also says an eSIM from a carrier outside China mainland cannot be installed while you are in China mainland, so install your travel eSIM before you go. In Hong Kong and Macao, Apple says certain iPhone models have Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards.
Note that some region-specific models may differ.
eSIM Compatible Android Phones
Many Android manufacturers support eSIM, but compatibility varies by model and region.
Common eSIM-compatible Android devices include:
- Google Pixel (Pixel 3 and newer)
- Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold
- Samsung Galaxy S and Z series (select models)
- Samsung Galaxy Fold and Flip series
- Select models from other manufacturers
Google's Pixel help pages, read October 4, 2026, say that Pixel 3a and later Pixel phones can use one SIM card and one eSIM. In the US, the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL use eSIM only.
Samsung's eSIM support page, read October 4, 2026, lists these Galaxy phones:
- Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25 and S26 series, including Galaxy S25 Edge
- Galaxy S23 FE, S24 FE, S25 FE and S26 FE
- Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Z Fold2 through Z Fold8, and Z Fold8 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Flip, Z Flip 5G, Z Flip3 through Z Flip8, and Z Flip7 FE
- Galaxy A55, A56, A37 and A57
- Galaxy A35, A36 and A54 in Europe, North America and Korea, and A54 also in Japan
- Galaxy A16 5G, A17 5G, A26 and A27 in North America only
- Galaxy A23 5G and A25 5G in Japan only
- Galaxy XCover7 and XCover7 Pro, and XCover6 Pro in North America only
Samsung adds that, depending on the country of origin, eSIM may not be supported even on a listed model.
Always verify eSIM support for your specific model.
Carrier and Region Restrictions
Even if your phone supports eSIM, carrier restrictions can affect usage:
- Some devices are carrier-locked
- Some regions disable eSIM features
- Certain carrier variants lack eSIM support
If you purchased your phone directly from the manufacturer, it is more likely to support eSIM fully.
Using a Travel eSIM Alongside Your Home SIM
Most eSIM-compatible phones support dual SIM functionality:
- One physical SIM
- One eSIM
This allows you to:
- Keep your home number active
- Use your travel eSIM for data
- Avoid roaming charges
For setup instructions, see how to install a travel eSIM.
What If Your Phone Is Not Compatible?
If your phone does not support eSIM:
- You may need to rely on roaming
- Or use a local physical SIM
- Or upgrade to an eSIM-compatible device
You can compare alternatives here:
Frequently Asked Questions About eSIM Compatibility
If you have questions about compatibility, setup, or usage, see our travel eSIM FAQ for more details.
Final Thoughts
Most modern smartphones support eSIM, making travel eSIMs accessible to the majority of travelers. Checking compatibility before traveling ensures a smooth installation and avoids last-minute connectivity issues.
For a complete overview of travel eSIMs and how to use them, see our travel eSIM guide.
