Checking whether your phone supports eSIM takes more than finding its name on a device list. Start by looking for Add eSIM in Settings and an EID in the phone’s information. Then confirm that your chosen carrier accepts the device.
You can make these checks without buying a plan, deleting a SIM or changing your phone number. Opening the setup screen is enough; stop before approving a transfer or activation.
Find the eSIM Option on Your Phone
Choose the instructions for your device. Menu wording can differ slightly with the software version and country.
iPhone: Check Cellular Settings and About
- Open Settings > Cellular. The menu may be called Mobile Service or Mobile Data.
- Look for Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular.
- Return to Settings > General > About.
- Scroll down and look for EID.
An EID identifies the embedded SIM hardware. Its presence does not mean you have already purchased or activated an eSIM.
While you are on the About screen, note the Model Name and Model Number. Tapping the Model Number entry reveals the hardware model identifier when a part number is displayed first.
Apple’s general eSIM support starts with iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, with regional exceptions. The similarly named iPhone X does not support eSIM. Neither an iOS update nor a new carrier plan adds missing hardware.
For an imported iPhone, confirm the exact model and sales region. Apple documents different SIM configurations for certain models sold in China mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. Avoid assuming that every version has the same capabilities as a US model.
Samsung Galaxy: Open SIM Manager
- Open Settings.
- Tap Connections > SIM manager.
- Look for Add eSIM.
For the EID, check Settings > About phone > Status information.
Samsung support varies by model and country of origin. A phone appearing on a compatibility list for another market does not establish support for your version.
Record the full model number under About phone, including its suffix. “Galaxy S” or “Galaxy A” is not specific enough when asking support about an imported or secondhand device.
Google Pixel: Look Under Add SIM
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Tap SIMs > Add SIM.
- Look for Set up an eSIM.
Older software may show Download a SIM instead?
To find the EID, open Settings > About phone > SIM status.
Google lists Pixel 4 and later phones as supporting eSIM. Older Pixel models have exceptions based on the market or carrier through which they were sold. Check those individually before purchasing a plan.
Other Android Brands
Search Settings for eSIM, SIM manager or Add SIM, then open About phone to identify the exact model.
An Add SIM button is only a starting point. Open it to see whether it offers digital SIM setup or simply asks you to insert a physical card.
For Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi and other manufacturers, use the specifications for the precise model and regional version. A brand name, recent release date or 5G label does not establish eSIM support.
Use the EID Check When the Menu Is Unclear
Many phones display their identifiers when you enter *#06# in the Phone app:
- Open the dialer.
- Enter
*#06#. - Look for EID alongside the other device information.
The information usually appears automatically, without placing a call.
An EID is a 32-digit identifier associated with the embedded SIM. Finding it is strong evidence that the phone has eSIM hardware. It is not a promise that a particular provider can activate service.
No EID in the dialer is not a final verdict. Check the Settings paths above and the manufacturer’s specifications. Some dialers display less information than the phone’s settings.
I would use these checks together before paying for a plan. A result from one screen should not override a manufacturer’s model-specific restriction.
Why Two IMEIs Are Not Enough
The identifiers serve different purposes:
| Identifier | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| EID | Identifies the embedded SIM hardware. |
| IMEI | Identifies cellular equipment for network eligibility and activation. |
| IMEI2 | Provides a second cellular equipment identity on supported devices. |
A dual physical-SIM phone can have two IMEIs without supporting eSIM. Conversely, an EID does not establish whether the phone is carrier-unlocked.
Use whichever identifier the carrier requests. Do not replace an EID with an IMEI or assume IMEI2 is always the correct choice for every activation.
Keep identifiers and activation QR codes out of public screenshots. Share them through the provider’s official support or activation process when required.
Check the Carrier Lock Before Buying Another Provider’s Plan
A phone can support eSIM and still reject another provider’s plan because it is locked to its original carrier.
On iPhone:
- Open Settings > General > About.
- Find Carrier Lock.
- Look for No SIM restrictions.
That message means the iPhone is unlocked. A restriction means you need to contact the current carrier about unlocking. Apple cannot remove a carrier lock for you.
Android has no single lock-status menu shared by every manufacturer. Confirm with the original carrier through its official account or support service.
A locked phone may still support its own carrier’s eSIM. Unlocking becomes especially important when switching networks or adding a travel eSIM from another provider.
I would establish this before purchasing a travel package. Appearing on the seller’s supported-phone list does not remove a lock.
Ask the New Carrier About Your Exact Device
Hardware compatibility and unlocking are necessary checks, but the intended provider must also accept the device.
Use its official Bring Your Own Device, BYOD or IMEI compatibility checker. Enter the requested identifier and check whether the result specifically permits eSIM activation.
For a US provider, check the exact prepaid or postpaid service you intend to buy. Do not assume that approval for one provider or activation method applies everywhere.
For example, a phone might use its current carrier’s eSIM successfully while another carrier rejects its device identifier. That result does not prove that the phone lacks eSIM hardware; it means the new provider needs to explain its eligibility decision.
Give support the model number, IMEI and purchase region when requested. Ask whether the device can activate this particular plan using eSIM.
Also check the services included. A travel eSIM may provide data without a normal phone number, voice calls or SMS. Compatibility does not mean every package supports verification texts.
“Add eSIM” Is Missing: What Should You Do?
First, compare the phone’s full model number with the manufacturer’s regional specifications. This resolves a different problem from troubleshooting an already-installed eSIM.
When the specifications confirm support, search Settings for eSIM and install available official software updates. Then restart the phone and inspect the relevant SIM menu again.
A work or school phone may have restrictions on cellular-plan changes. Ask its administrator before removing management settings.
When support remains unclear, contact the manufacturer with the model number, software version and whether an EID appears. Those details are more useful than saying only that the phone is new or supports 5G.
Do not factory-reset a phone merely to check compatibility. An app cannot add missing embedded SIM hardware, and flashing another region’s firmware is not a sensible first response to an absent setup button.
An Installed eSIM With No Service Is a Different Problem
Once the profile is installed, investigate activation and the services affected.
Calls fail: ask the carrier whether activation or number transfer is complete. For additional incoming-call causes, see Why Is My Phone Not Receiving Calls?.
Calls work but messages do not: confirm that the plan includes SMS and that any number transfer has finished. My guide to not receiving text messages on Android covers messaging-specific checks.
Ordinary calls work but WiFi Calling does not: that service has separate carrier and account requirements. Use WiFi Calling not working on Android for that issue.
Avoid deleting the installed eSIM while investigating. Reinstalling it may require a replacement activation code or help from the provider.
Before completing a purchase, ask when the plan’s validity begins and whether installation requires Wi-Fi. Keep your existing connection available during setup. Adding a second line and transferring your current number are different operations: a completed transfer can deactivate the old SIM, so do not approve one just to test whether your phone is compatible.
