Does my phone support eSIM? A compatibility guide

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM chip built right into your phone. It does everything a regular plastic SIM card does, but it lets you download a carrier profile over the internet — no swapping physical cards required.

That's a huge convenience when you travel. You can buy and set up an eSIM plan ahead of time, then get online the moment you land in your destination.

But having a newer phone isn't enough on its own to use an eSIM.

Your phone must:

• support eSIM hardware;
• be free of any carrier lock.

Some manufacturers sell the same model with different features depending on the country. So a model that supports eSIM in one country might not have that feature in another market.

The most reliable approach is to check your specific phone directly.

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How to check for eSIM support on iPhone

The most reliable method is to check for the EID number.

To do this, go to:

Settings → General → About

If you see an EID field there, your iPhone supports eSIM technology.

If there's no EID, then that device can't use an eSIM.

You can also check one more place:

Settings → Cellular

If you see an Add eSIM or Add Cellular Plan option, your device is ready to use eSIM.

In general, the following models support eSIM:

• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11 and all later models
• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
• iPhone Air

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How to check for eSIM on Android phones

The simplest method is to dial *#06#.

If the screen that appears shows an EID number alongside the IMEI, your phone supports eSIM technology.

Alternatively, open:

Settings → Network & internet, Connections, SIM manager, or SIM cards

If you see Add eSIM, Add SIM, or a similar option there, your phone can use eSIM.

In general, the following models offer eSIM support:

• Google Pixel 3 and later models;
• Samsung Galaxy S20 and later;
• the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series;
• many newer models from Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, and other brands.

Because Android phones can differ by region, the most reliable way to check is to look for the EID number.

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Watch out for regional differences

Some phone models are sold with different features depending on the country.

For example:

• Many iPhone models sold in China don't support eSIM and instead run on two physical SIM cards.
• Some models made for the Hong Kong and Macau markets may also lack eSIM.

Apple has gradually started to change this approach on newer models, but the limitation remains on older devices.

A similar situation shows up on Android phones.

For example:

• eSIM was not enabled on some carrier versions of the Samsung Galaxy S20 and S21;
• the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE doesn't support eSIM at all;
• the Google Pixel 3 shipped with eSIM in some regions, but the feature was disabled in certain countries.

For this reason, relying on the model name alone isn't reliable.

We recommend confirming your phone's support through the EID number or the manufacturer's official technical specifications.

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What to do if your phone doesn't support eSIM

If your device doesn't support eSIM technology, there are alternatives.

You can use:

• a physical travel SIM card;
• a portable Wi-Fi (hotspot) device;
• a second phone that supports eSIM.

If you're planning to buy a new phone and you travel often, choosing a model with eSIM support will make life a lot easier down the road.

With an eSIM you can activate a data plan from anywhere in a couple of minutes, keep using your main number, and skip the hunt for a SIM card in a foreign country.

LimitSim currently offers eSIM plans for more than 150 countries. A plan's validity period starts from the moment you activate it, not when you buy it. So you can comfortably purchase and set up your eSIM ahead of time.

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