Short answer: Dial *#06# on your phone. If the screen shows an EID — a 32-digit number listed alongside the IMEI — your phone has eSIM hardware. Then confirm it is carrier-unlocked. Both must be true before a travel eSIM will work, and a model name alone does not settle either question.
The two requirements
Every "will this work on my phone" question reduces to two independent checks. A phone can pass one and fail the other, which is why model lists on the internet are not reliable on their own.
- eSIM hardware. The phone contains an embedded SIM chip. This varies by sales region and device variant, not just by model name.
- Carrier unlocked. The phone is not restricted to one operator. Devices bought on contract or on a carrier instalment plan are frequently locked until paid off.
Check 1: does the phone have eSIM hardware?
Three ways, fastest first.
| Method | Steps | What you are looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Dial code (any phone) | Open the phone dialer and enter *#06# | An EID entry, usually 32 digits. No EID line normally means no eSIM hardware. |
| iPhone | Settings › General › About, scroll down | An EID row. You can also check Settings › Cellular for an Add eSIM option. |
| Android | Settings › Network & internet › SIMs, then look for an add option | Wording such as Download a SIM instead or Add eSIM. Menu names differ by manufacturer and Android version. |
The dial code is the one to trust. It reads the hardware directly, so it is immune to the regional-variant problem described below, and it takes about ten seconds.
Check 2: is the phone carrier-unlocked?
On iPhone, open Settings › General › About and find Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means unlocked. Anything else means locked.
Android does not expose this consistently. Some devices show a lock status under Settings › About phone or in a SIM-related menu, but the definitive answer comes from the carrier the phone was bought from. Ask them directly: "Is this device carrier-unlocked?" Carriers in many countries are required to unlock a device once it is paid off, but they rarely do it automatically.
A locked phone will often let you install an eSIM and then refuse to connect, which looks like a faulty eSIM and is not one. Device incompatibility or a carrier lock is normally not refundable once an eSIM has been installed, activated, or used, so this check belongs before purchase, not after.
Which phones generally support eSIM?
As a rough guide, flagship and mid-range phones released from around 2020 onward usually support eSIM, and Apple's support reaches back further. Treat the following as a starting point and confirm with the dial code:
- Apple: iPhone XR, XS, and every later iPhone generation, in most sales regions. iPad models with cellular from recent years. Apple Watch cellular models.
- Google: Pixel 3 and later, with a few early carrier-specific variants excepted.
- Samsung: Galaxy S20 series and later, recent Z Fold and Z Flip models, and several A-series devices, depending on region.
- Others: various Motorola, Huawei, Oppo, Sony, and Honor models. Support is patchy enough here that the dial-code check is the only sensible approach.
The regional variants that catch people out
This is where model lists fail. The same phone model, same year, same name, can have eSIM in one country and not in another:
- iPhones sold in mainland China generally ship with two physical SIM slots and no eSIM support for travel plans.
- Certain Hong Kong and Macau iPhone variants also use dual physical SIM instead of eSIM.
- iPhone 14 and later sold in the United States are the opposite case: eSIM only, with no physical SIM tray at all.
- Some Samsung and other Android variants sold in particular markets or through particular carriers omit eSIM even when the global version has it.
If you bought your phone abroad, or second-hand, or as a grey import, the dial-code check matters more than usual.
What about tablets, laptops, and watches?
Many cellular tablets and eSIM-capable laptops accept travel eSIMs, and the installation flow is the same. Smartwatches are the exception worth flagging: cellular watches typically require a plan from a carrier that supports watch pairing on your existing number, and most travel data eSIMs are not designed for that. If the device is not a phone or a tablet, contact support@tripsimgo.com before purchase rather than after.
If your phone does not support eSIM
You still have options abroad: a local prepaid SIM bought at your destination, a pocket Wi‑Fi rental, or an inexpensive unlocked handset kept for travel. Our comparison of eSIM, roaming, pocket Wi‑Fi, and local SIMs covers the trade-offs and typical costs of each.
Once you have confirmed both checks
- Pick a plan sized for your trip — see how much data you actually need.
- Install at home on reliable Wi‑Fi, following the installation guide.
- Read our compatible devices page if any doubt remains about your exact model.
- Browse plans by country on the destinations page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?
Dial *#06# on the phone. If the result includes an EID — typically a 32-digit number shown with the IMEI — the phone has eSIM hardware. On iPhone you can also check Settings › General › About for an EID row; on Android, look for an add-eSIM option under Settings › Network & internet › SIMs.
What is an EID?
The EID, or eUICC Identifier, is the unique serial number of the embedded SIM chip inside the phone. Its presence is direct evidence that the device has eSIM hardware, which is why the dial-code check is more reliable than a model list.
Does my phone need to be unlocked for an eSIM?
Yes. A carrier-locked phone will usually let you install an eSIM but will not connect to another operator's network. On iPhone, check Settings › General › About › Carrier Lock for "No SIM restrictions". On Android, ask the carrier the phone was purchased from.
Why does my iPhone not have an eSIM option?
The most common reason is the sales region: iPhones sold in mainland China, and certain Hong Kong and Macau variants, use two physical SIM slots instead of eSIM. A carrier-locked device or an outdated iOS version can also hide the option. The *#06# check tells you which case you are in.
Can I use a travel eSIM on a smartwatch?
Usually not. Cellular smartwatches generally need a carrier plan that supports watch pairing with your existing number, which is a different product from a prepaid travel data plan. Contact support before purchase if you are considering this.
About this guide
Written by the Trips eSIM team. Trips eSIM is operated by LULU TREND LLC and sells prepaid data-only travel eSIM plans across 195 destinations. Device support varies by manufacturer, sales region, carrier variant, and software version; the checks described above reflect the device itself and are more reliable than any model list, including this one. If your exact model remains uncertain, contact support@tripsimgo.com before buying. Last reviewed 6 September 2026.