Does My Phone Support eSIM? How to Check It's Unlocked
Before you buy a travel eSIM, two things need to be true about your phone: it must have an eSIM chip, and it must not be locked to your carrier. Most recent phones pass the first test. The second catches more people out, particularly anyone whose phone came from a carrier on a contract. Both checks take under a minute.
Check 1: does your phone have eSIM?
Every eSIM-capable phone has an EID, a 32-digit identifier for its eSIM chip. If you can find an EID, your phone supports eSIM.
| Phone | Where to look |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings › General › About, scroll down to EID |
| Google Pixel | Settings › About phone › SIM status, look for EID |
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings › Connections › SIM manager: if "Add eSIM" appears, it's supported |
| Many other phones | Dial the code shown below in the phone app; the EID appears with the IMEI if eSIM is supported |
On many phones, dialling *#06# displays the device identifiers, including the EID where there is one. It doesn't place a call or cost anything.
Which phones usually support eSIM
| Brand | General rule | Exceptions to watch |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone XS, XR and later, including SE (2nd and 3rd generation) | Many models sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau use two physical SIMs instead of eSIM |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 4 and later | Pixel 3a bought through some carriers or in Japan lacks eSIM; Pixel 3 only on certain carriers |
| Samsung Galaxy | Recent flagship S series, foldables and some A series models | Support varies by region, even for listed models |
Where the phone was sold matters. The same model can have eSIM in one country and not in another. That's why the EID check is more reliable than going by the model name.
Some phones are the opposite: eSIM only. iPhone models sold in the US from iPhone 14 onwards have no physical SIM tray, and several other countries now get eSIM-only iPhones too. That's fine for travel eSIMs, but it means you can't use a physical SIM card bought abroad.
Check 2: is your phone unlocked?
A carrier-locked phone only works with SIMs and eSIMs from the carrier that sold it. A travel eSIM from any other provider won't connect, even though it may install.
| Phone | How to check |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Settings › General › About › Carrier Lock: "No SIM restrictions" means unlocked |
| Android | Varies by brand and carrier. Some phones show lock status in settings; otherwise, ask your carrier |
| Any phone | Insert a SIM from a different carrier: if it works, the phone is unlocked |
Phones bought outright from the manufacturer, such as from Apple or the Google Store, are normally unlocked. Phones bought on a contract or financing plan from a carrier are the ones most likely to be locked.
How to get a phone unlocked
Carriers set their own unlock rules. Typically, the phone must be fully paid off and the account in good standing, and some carriers require the phone to have been active for a minimum period. Request the unlock through your carrier's website, app or support line well before your trip, because it can take several days.
Don't use third-party unlocking services that ask for payment or account passwords. An unlock should come from your carrier.
Other things worth checking
- Software up to date. Older operating system versions sometimes have eSIM bugs that updates have fixed.
- 4G support. Many countries, including the US and Australia, have switched off 3G. Phones that can only use 3G won't connect there.
- Storage for profiles. Phones can usually store several eSIMs, but only one or two can be active at once. If you have old eSIMs from previous trips, you may want to remove them.
What to do next
If both checks pass, you're ready to install. Follow our iPhone setup guide or the Android setup guide. If you want to keep your home number active for bank codes, read the dual-SIM guide. And if your phone doesn't support eSIM, compare the alternatives in our guide to eSIM vs roaming vs pocket Wi-Fi.
New to all this? Start with what a travel eSIM is.
FAQ
My phone has an EID but the eSIM won't connect. Why?
The most common reason is a carrier lock. Check lock status. If the phone is unlocked, see the troubleshooting steps for "No Service".
Can I unlock my phone while I'm abroad?
Sometimes, through your carrier's website or app, but it can take days. Do it before you leave.
Does a dual-SIM phone always support eSIM?
No. Some dual-SIM phones use two physical SIM slots and have no eSIM chip. Look for the EID.
Is an eSIM-only iPhone a problem for travel?
Not for travel eSIMs. You just can't use physical SIM cards bought abroad, so check eSIM options before you go.
Will checking my EID or lock status change anything on my phone?
No. These are read-only screens and codes. Nothing is changed or sent.