How to Check if Phone Is eSIM Compatible: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Quick answer: Here’s how to check if your phone is eSIM compatible in one step: dial *#06#. If a 32-digit EID number shows up next to your IMEI, your phone supports eSIM. You can also check in Settings: look for “Add eSIM” or “Add Cellular Plan” on iPhone, or “Add eSIM” under your SIM or network settings on Android. No EID and no eSIM option means your phone can’t use one.

Before switching to a digital SIM or activating a travel eSIM for your next trip, it’s important to confirm that your phone is compatible. Once you’ve verified compatibility, choosing the best eSIM provider is the next step to ensure reliable coverage, affordable data plans, and a seamless travel experience. The good news is that most smartphones released in recent years allow you to check eSIM compatibility in less than a minute. This guide starts with the fastest universal method and also includes step-by-step instructions for iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and Xiaomi devices, making it easy to verify eSIM compatibility regardless of which smartphone you use in 2026.

Check eSIM Compatibility Instantly with the #06# Code

Every eSIM-capable phone has something called an EID, short for Embedded Identity Document. It’s a unique identification number assigned to the eSIM embedded within your device. If your phone has an EID, it has the hardware to run an eSIM. If it doesn’t, no software update or setting will change that.

The quickest way to check for one works the same way on iPhone and Android:

1. Open the Phone app you typically use to make and receive calls.
2. Type *#06#. Don’t press the green call button. The screen updates on its own.
3. Look at the results. If you see a line labeled EID, usually a 32-digit number, your phone supports eSIM. If your device displays only IMEI numbers and no EID, it does not support eSIM.

This trick works regardless of brand, which makes it the fastest way to tell if a phone is eSIM compatible when you don’t want to dig through menus. It’s also handy for checking a used phone before you buy it. Model names alone don’t always tell the full story once region and carrier locks get involved.

eSIM adoption has moved fast enough that this check is worth doing even on a fairly recent phone. ABI Research estimates that more than 630 million eSIM-capable devices will ship worldwide in 2026 alone. GSMA Intelligence projects eSIM will account for roughly 10% of all smartphone connections by the end of the year, climbing toward 55% by 2030. Support is spreading quickly, but it still isn’t universal, especially outside flagship phones.

How to Check Whether Your iPhone Has eSIM Support?

Apple’s eSIM support starts with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, all released in 2018. Every iPhone since then supports it. That covers the entire iPhone 11 through 17 lineup, both generations of iPhone SE released since 2020, and the iPhone Air.

You can verify eSIM support on your iPhone by following either of these methods directly on your device:

Method 1: Settings menu

1. Go to Settings > General > About.
2. Scroll to the Available SIM or Digital SIM section (the label depends on your iOS version).
3. If you see an IMEI number listed there, your iPhone is eSIM compatible.

Method 2: Cellular settings

1. Go to Settings > Cellular (or Settings > Mobile Service on some models).
2. See if your device includes an option called “Add eSIM” or “Add Cellular Plan.”
3. If either option appears, your iPhone supports eSIM.

A few exceptions matter here. iPhones purchased in mainland China are not equipped with eSIM functionality. Most iPhone models sold in Hong Kong and Macao do not include eSIM support, although a few earlier-generation devices are notable exceptions. And in the United States, every iPhone from the iPhone 14 onward ships without a physical SIM tray. So does the iPhone Air, in every market worldwide. On these models, eSIM isn’t just supported. It’s the only option.

How to Check if Your Android Phone Is eSIM Compatible?

Android is trickier than iPhone. Dozens of manufacturers build Android phones, and each one decides for itself whether to include eSIM hardware and in which markets. eSIM availability can differ by region, so a phone sold in Europe may offer features that the same model sold elsewhere does not. The general path across most Android phones is:

1. Open Settings.
2. Open Settings, then tap Network & Internet or Connections, depending on your device’s manufacturer.
3. Tap your SIM or mobile network settings.
4. Instead, check for options such as Add eSIM, Add Mobile Plan, or Download SIM in the menu.

If you’d rather skip the settings hunt, the dial code method above works on any Android phone too. Here’s how it plays out on the most common brands.

Samsung

To check if your Samsung phone is eSIM compatible, go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. If you see an Add eSIM or Add Mobile Plan option, your device supports it. Most Galaxy S20 and later flagships support eSIM, along with the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip lines from the Fold2 and Flip 5G onward. Coverage on Galaxy A and FE models is more limited and depends on the exact model and carrier. Confirm in Settings rather than assuming based on the model name alone.

Google Pixel

To check if your Google Pixel is eSIM compatible, go to Settings > Network & Internet, then tap the + next to SIMs.If a message appears asking, “Download a SIM instead?”, your phone is directing you to begin the eSIM activation process. Your Pixel supports eSIM. Every Pixel from the Pixel 3 onward includes eSIM support, though availability on the original Pixel 3 varied by carrier and region.

OnePlus

To find out whether your OnePlus smartphone supports eSIM, open Settings and navigate to SIM & Network. Look for an eSIM toggle or Add eSIM button (the exact wording shifts between OxygenOS versions). OnePlus added eSIM support gradually, starting with select 2023 releases. The OnePlus 11, 12, 13, 13R, 13T, 15, and OnePlus Open all support it, while the OnePlus 10 Pro and 10T have eSIM in only a few markets. eSIM functionality is not available on OnePlus smartphones launched before the OnePlus 10 series, including every model in the OnePlus 9 lineup and earlier generations.

Xiaomi

To check if your Xiaomi phone is eSIM compatible, go to Settings > SIM Cards & Mobile Networks and look for an eSIM option. Xiaomi’s rollout has been the most fragmented of the major brands in 2026, which is exactly why it’s worth checking directly instead of trusting a spec sheet. Xiaomi’s first eSIM phone was the Xiaomi 12T Pro in 2022. Since then, eSIM support has been rolled out to eligible smartphones in the Xiaomi 13, 14, and 15 series, as well as a selection of Redmi Note and POCO devices. The catch: the same phone often ships with eSIM in Europe but not in versions sold in mainland China. That makes checking your specific unit more important with Xiaomi than with any other brand here.

Quick Reference: Check eSIM Compatibility by Brand

Bookmark this table if you’re checking more than one device.

How to Check eSIM Compatibility Using Your IMEI Number?

An IMEI is a unique 15-digit identification number assigned to your mobile device. On its own, it doesn’t state whether your phone supports eSIM. But it’s usually displayed right next to the one number that does: your EID.

To use your IMEI to check if a device is eSIM compatible:

1. To view your IMEI, enter *#06# in the Phone app or navigate to Settings > About Phone.
2. Check the same screen for an EID number. If you can find it, your device is compatible with eSIM technology.
3. If you want more detail, or you’re checking a phone before you buy it, paste the IMEI into a free IMEI-lookup tool online. These tools pull the device’s registered specs, including eSIM support, directly from manufacturer records.

This method is especially useful for imported or second-hand phones, where the model name doesn’t always match what the specific unit supports.

What Can You Do if Your Phone Doesn’t Have eSIM Support?

eSIM support comes from a physical chip on your phone’s motherboard, so you can’t add it after the fact. No update, app, or setting will create hardware that isn’t there. That said, a “not compatible” result isn’t always final. Before you rule it out, check a few things:

• Update your software. Some eSIM options only appear after installing the latest iOS or Android update.
• Check for a carrier lock. A locked phone may hide eSIM options until it’s unlocked. Your carrier can confirm this.
• Confirm your phone’s region. The same model sold in mainland China, Hong Kong, or as a specific carrier SKU sometimes ships with eSIM hardware disabled. The identical phone model sold in another region may include full eSIM compatibility.

If none of that applies, and your phone genuinely lacks eSIM hardware, a physical SIM is your only option on that device. That’s the case until your next upgrade.

FAQs

How do I know if my IMEI is eSIM compatible?

Your IMEI alone won’t tell you. In most cases, the same screen or *#06# dial code that displays your IMEI will also list your EID, if your device supports eSIM. To view your device information, dial *#06# using the Phone app or open Settings and select About Phone. If an EID number appears next to your IMEI, your phone supports eSIM. You can also enter your IMEI into a free online IMEI checker for a full device compatibility breakdown.

Which iPhone cannot support eSIM?

Any iPhone released before 2018 lacks eSIM hardware entirely. That includes the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, the original iPhone SE from 2016, and every earlier model. Separately, iPhones sold in mainland China don’t support eSIM, regardless of model or year. Most iPhones sold in Hong Kong and Macao don’t either.

Which Is the Oldest iPhone Model That Supports eSIM?

The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, all released in 2018, are the oldest iPhones that support eSIM. They were Apple’s first eSIM-capable models, and each can run one eSIM alongside a physical nano-SIM.

How do I make my phone compatible with eSIM?

You can’t. eSIM compatibility depends on a physical chip built into the phone. No software update or app can add that after the fact. If your phone already has that chip, and eSIM still isn’t showing up, try three things. Update your software. Unlock your phone through your carrier. Or confirm your specific regional model wasn’t sold with eSIM disabled.

Is eSIM compatibility the same as carrier support?

No, and this trips a lot of people up. Your phone needs the eSIM hardware, and separately, your carrier needs to support eSIM activation for your specific plan. It’s possible to have a fully eSIM-capable phone on a carrier that still requires a physical SIM, so check both before assuming either way.

Can I check if a used phone is eSIM compatible before buying it?

Yes. Request that the seller enter *#06# on the phone and confirm whether an EID is displayed. Or ask for the IMEI and run it through a free IMEI checker yourself. This matters most for imported or region-specific phones, since the exact same model can support eSIM in one country and not in another.

Ready to Put an eSIM-Compatible Phone to Work?

Once you’ve confirmed your phone supports eSIM, the next step is picking a plan. GSMA reports that international travel is the number one reason people try eSIM for the first time, with 51% of users citing it as their entry point. Voye Global covers 130+ destinations. You can install a data plan for your next trip in a few minutes, straight from your phone’s settings. No store visit, no plastic card required. For the full list of supported models on your exact device, check Voye Global’s device compatibility guide before you go.