Does my phone support eSIM?
Two things must be true before any eSIM will work: the phone has eSIM hardware, and it isn't locked to a carrier. Both take under a minute to check.
The 30-second check
Open the phone dialer and type *#06#. A list of identifiers appears. If it includes an EID — a 32-digit number — the phone has eSIM hardware. No EID, no eSIM support; no eSIM from any seller will install.
Prefer settings menus?
- iPhone: Settings → General → About → scroll to EID.
- Android: Settings → Network & internet (Samsung: Connections) → SIMs — look for Add eSIM or Download a SIM.
Phones that support eSIM
As a rule of thumb, flagships released since 2019 do:
- iPhone: XS, XR and everything later (iPhone 14 and later US models are eSIM-only).
- Google Pixel: Pixel 3 and later.
- Samsung Galaxy: S20, Note 20, Z Flip and Z Fold series, and later flagships (many A-series models do not).
- Others: recent Motorola Razr and Edge, Sony Xperia, Xiaomi, Oppo and Huawei flagships — model by model.
Two catches worth knowing: budget models often omit eSIM even today, and some region-specific variants — notably phones sold in mainland China — ship without eSIM in models that have it elsewhere. That's why the EID test above beats any list, including this one.
The carrier-lock catch
A phone bought on a carrier instalment plan may be locked to that carrier, which blocks other companies' eSIMs — including travel eSIMs. On iPhone, check Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock: it should read "No SIM restrictions". On Android, the seller carrier can tell you. Locked phones can usually be unlocked by the carrier for free once paid off — do this before your trip, not at the trailhead.
If you buy and it turns out your phone can't install it
Uninstalled eSIMs qualify for a full self-service refund within 14 days — the order number is the only credential needed. So a mistaken purchase costs nothing, but the *#06# test costs less.