Mywhat is eSIM
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a programmable chip built into modern smartphones that stores mobile carrier information digitally. It replaces the traditional removable SIM card and supports multiple carrier profiles on a single device.
eSIM explained
An eSIM is an embedded SIM chip soldered directly onto your phone's circuit board. Instead of inserting a physical card, you scan a QR code to download a carrier profile, and the phone connects to the network digitally.
data roaming explained
Data roaming happens when your phone connects to a foreign carrier network outside your home country. Your home carrier charges a daily or per-MB fee for this connection, which typically costs 5 to 50 times more than local rates.
What is an eSIM and how does it work?
An eSIM is a digital SIM chip built into modern smartphones that downloads carrier profiles over the air. You scan a QR code from an eSIM provider, your phone contacts the carrier server, and the network profile installs in under 60 seconds. Unlike a physical SIM card, an eSIM cannot be lost, stolen, or damaged during travel.
Is eSIM better than a physical SIM card for travel?
Yes, eSIM is better than a physical SIM for most travelers because it activates before departure, costs 30 to 70 percent less than airport SIM counters, and keeps your home number active on the physical SIM slot. The only exception is travelers visiting countries where cheap unlimited local SIMs cost under $5 and no eSIM provider covers that destination.
How do I check if my phone supports eSIM?
Dial *#06# on your phone to check for eSIM support. If an EID (Embedded Identity Document) number appears alongside your IMEI, your phone has an eSIM chip. You can also check in Settings: on iPhone, go to Settings then Cellular then Add eSIM. On Samsung, go to Settings then Connections then SIM Manager.
eSIM compatible phones: every device that supports eSIM in 2026
By MySIMGuide Editors · Updated June 2026 · 9 min read
Quick answer:
More than 200 phone models support eSIM in 2026. Every iPhone from XS onward, every Samsung Galaxy S20 and later (unlocked), and every Google Pixel 4 and newer all support eSIM, e-SIM, or e SIM technology. The fastest check: open Settings, find Cellular or SIM Manager, and look for “Add eSIM.” If the option appears, your phone is compatible.
Three ways to confirm
eSIM on your device.
Do not rely on model lists alone. Regional variants and carrier configurations can disable eSIM on otherwise compatible hardware. Verify directly on your device before buying a travel plan.
iOS: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM. Android: Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM. If the option appears, eSIM is active and available for use on that device.
Dial *#06# on your phone. If a 32-digit EID number appears alongside your IMEI, the eSIM chip is present and functional. An EID with no Add eSIM in Settings usually means a carrier lock.
iOS 16+: Settings > General > About. Look for an Available SIM or EID entry near the bottom. If listed, the hardware supports eSIM provisioning regardless of carrier lock status.
Carrier-locked phones
Carrier-locked phones may have eSIM hardware but block third-party eSIM profiles at the firmware level. Contact your carrier to confirm eSIM is unlocked before purchasing a travel plan. Factory-unlocked phones bought directly from manufacturers have no such restrictions.
Every iPhone model with
eSIM support, by generation.
Apple introduced eSIM on the iPhone XS and XR in 2018. Starting with iPhone 14 in the US, Apple removed the physical SIM tray entirely, making US models eSIM-only. International iPhone models retain the nano-SIM slot alongside eSIM through the current generation.
| iPhone model | eSIM | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 / 16 Plus / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max | Yes (2 active)winner | 2024 | eSIM-only (US); nano-SIM + eSIM in all other markets |
| iPhone 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max | Yes (2 active)winner | 2023 | eSIM-only (US); nano-SIM + eSIM internationally |
| iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max | Yeswinner | 2022 | First eSIM-only US models; international units retain nano-SIM |
| iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022) | Yeswinner | 2022 | Most affordable Apple eSIM option; nano-SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone 13 / 13 mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max | Yes (dual eSIM)winner | 2021 | First to support 2 active eSIM profiles simultaneously; stores up to 8 |
| iPhone 12 / 12 mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max | Yeswinner | 2020 | nano-SIM + eSIM; 1 active eSIM at a time |
| iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020) | Yeswinner | 2020 | nano-SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | Yeswinner | 2019 | nano-SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone XS / XS Max / XR | Yeswinner | 2018 | First iPhones with eSIM hardware; nano-SIM + eSIM |
| iPhone X, 8, 7, SE (1st gen) and earlier | No | 2017 and earlier | No eUICC chip; physical nano-SIM only |
Apple iPad with eSIM
Every WiFi+Cellular iPad sold since 2019 supports eSIM. This includes iPad Pro (3rd generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad mini (5th generation and later), and standard iPad (7th generation and later). WiFi-only iPad models do not have eSIM hardware.
The iPad (10th generation, 2022) is the first eSIM-only iPad with no nano-SIM tray, similar to US iPhone 14. All other current iPad models use nano-SIM plus eSIM in a dual configuration. For a full iPad setup guide, see the iPad eSIM setup and plan options page.
Apple Watch with eSIM
Apple Watch Series 3 and later with GPS+Cellular support eSIM. However, Apple Watch eSIM requires activation through the same carrier as your paired iPhone. It is not compatible with third-party travel eSIM providers and cannot be used as a standalone device for international travel data.
Samsung Galaxy phones and
tablets with eSIM support.
Samsung added eSIM starting with select Galaxy S20 models in 2020. By 2021, the feature was consistent across S-series and the Z Fold and Z Flip foldable lines. The A-series budget lineup has limited eSIM support limited to the A54 and A55 in certain markets.
| Samsung model | eSIM | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 / S25+ / S25 Ultra | Yeswinner | 2025 | All markets; dual eSIM available in select regions |
| Galaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra | Yeswinner | 2024 | All major markets; factory unlocked recommended for travel eSIM |
| Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra | Yeswinner | 2023 | All major markets; nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra | Yeswinner | 2022 | Most carrier and unlocked units; verify before travel |
| Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra | Yeswinner | 2021 | Some older US carrier units may vary; check settings |
| Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra | Yes (unlocked) | 2020 | Unlocked units supported; some US carrier-locked S20 units may lack eSIM |
| Samsung foldable / budget model | eSIM | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold6 / Z Fold5 / Z Fold4 | Yeswinner | 2022-2024 | nano-SIM + eSIM on all unlocked units |
| Galaxy Z Fold3 | Yeswinner | 2021 | First foldable with consistent eSIM across markets |
| Galaxy Z Flip6 / Z Flip5 / Z Flip4 | Yeswinner | 2022-2024 | nano-SIM + eSIM on all unlocked units |
| Galaxy Z Flip3 | Yeswinner | 2021 | eSIM support included across all market variants |
| Galaxy A55 5G / A54 5G | Yes (select markets) | 2023-2024 | Available in Europe, parts of Asia; US and some Asian variants may lack it |
| Galaxy A35, A25, A15, A14 and lower | No | 2023-2024 | No eSIM hardware; physical SIM only |
Samsung tablets
Galaxy Tab S9+ 5G and Tab S8+ 5G cellular models support eSIM. WiFi-only tablet variants do not. Activate through Settings > Connections > SIM Manager, the same path as Galaxy phones. For more detail, see the Samsung Galaxy eSIM activation guide.
Google Pixel phones
with eSIM support.
Google Pixel was the first Android line to introduce eSIM, starting with the Pixel 3 in 2018. Early support was limited to Google Fi. From the Pixel 6 onward, Pixel phones support open eSIM provisioning for any third-party travel eSIM provider.
| Google Pixel model | eSIM | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 9 / 9 Pro / 9 Pro XL / 9 Pro Fold | Yes (dual eSIM)winner | 2024 | 9 Pro Fold is eSIM-only with no SIM tray |
| Pixel 8 / 8 Pro / 8a | Yeswinner | 2023 | All models; open eSIM for third-party providers |
| Pixel 7 / 7 Pro / 7a | Yeswinner | 2022 | 7a supports eSIM at sub-$500 price; all unlocked units |
| Pixel 6 / 6 Pro / 6a | Yeswinner | 2021 | Open eSIM support; Verizon units may require unlock for third-party eSIM |
| Pixel 5 / 4a 5G | Yeswinner | 2020 | nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Pixel 4 / 4a / 4 XL | Yeswinner | 2019-2020 | nano-SIM + eSIM; open third-party support |
| Pixel 3 / 3 XL / 3a | Yes (limited) | 2018-2019 | First Android phones with eSIM; initially Google Fi only, later opened |
Motorola, OnePlus, Nothing,
and other eSIM phones.
Outside of Apple, Samsung, and Google, eSIM support is limited to flagship and upper-midrange models. Budget lines from these brands typically omit the eUICC chip. Regional availability varies significantly for Chinese-market brands.
Razr+ 2024, Razr 2024, Edge 50 Pro, and Edge 40 Pro all support eSIM. Motorola limits eSIM to its foldable and premium Edge series. The Moto G-series, G Play, G Pure, and G Stylus do not include eSIM hardware.
OnePlus 13, OnePlus 12, and OnePlus Open support eSIM. OnePlus added eSIM to its flagship lineup starting with the 12 (2024). Regional availability matters: Indian-market OnePlus units may not include eSIM even on the same model sold with eSIM elsewhere.
Nothing Phone (2a), Phone (2), and Phone (1) all support eSIM. Nothing is one of the few brands offering eSIM below $400. All three models activate eSIM through standard Android SIM Manager settings.
Xiaomi 14 Pro and Oppo Find X7 Ultra support eSIM on global export variants. Domestic China-market units do not include eSIM hardware due to local network regulations. Huawei P40 Pro+ has eSIM hardware but faces limited provider compatibility because of US trade restrictions.
Smartwatches beyond Apple
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, 5, 6, and 7 support eSIM. Google Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 also support eSIM. Like Apple Watch, these smartwatch eSIMs require activation through a carrier and cannot be used with third-party travel eSIM providers for standalone international data.
Popular phones that do
not support eSIM.
These are the phones people most commonly ask about that do not have eSIM hardware. eSIM requires the eUICC chip to be physically present in the device. No software update or external adapter can add this capability after manufacture.
- iPhone SE (1st generation, 2016) and all earlier iPhone models
- iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X
- Samsung Galaxy A34, A25, A15, A14, and all A-series models below A54
- Samsung Galaxy M-series and F-series (all models)
- Motorola Moto G Power, G Stylus, G Play, G Pure, and most G-series
- LG phones (all models, as LG exited the smartphone market in 2021)
- Most Android phones priced below $300 USD
- Feature phones and basic phones regardless of price
- Chinese-market phones from Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Realme (domestic variants)
The practical threshold is clear: if you bought a flagship or upper-midrange phone from a major brand in 2020 or later, eSIM is likely present. If you bought a budget phone or any phone before 2019, verify before assuming support.
eSIM vs nano-SIM:
do you need both?
Most phones with eSIM support also have a nano-SIM tray. Understanding the three common configurations helps you choose the right travel setup.
The most common configuration is eSIM plus nano-SIM. Your home carrier SIM card stays in the tray while you add a travel eSIM as a second line. Both lines work simultaneously. You get incoming calls on your home number and cheap local data through the travel eSIM.
Dual eSIM means the phone holds two active eSIM profiles with no physical SIM tray at all. US iPhone 14 and later, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and select Samsung Galaxy S24+ models support this. You add a second eSIM profile rather than using a physical card.
eSIM-only describes US iPhone 14 and later models specifically. These phones have no SIM tray. All connectivity uses eSIM profiles. International travelers need to plan this in advance since you cannot simply swap a local SIM card on arrival.
For step-by-step instructions on running two SIM lines, see the dual SIM setup walkthrough.
eSIM phone compatibility:
7 questions answered.
How do I check if my phone is eSIM compatible?
On iPhone: open Settings, tap Cellular, and look for Add eSIM or Add Cellular Plan. On Android: open Settings, tap Connections or Network and Internet, then SIM Manager. If an Add eSIM option appears, your phone supports it. You can also dial *#06# to look for an EID number, which confirms the eSIM chip is present.
Are all unlocked phones eSIM compatible?
No. Unlocked means the phone is not tied to a specific carrier, but eSIM compatibility depends on the hardware. Some unlocked phones, especially budget models and older flagships, do not have an eUICC chip. Always verify the model number against the manufacturer spec sheet before assuming eSIM support.
Can a carrier-locked phone still use eSIM?
Sometimes. Some carriers lock the network but leave eSIM provisioning open, meaning you can add a travel eSIM data plan alongside your locked carrier line. Others disable eSIM entirely via firmware. Check Settings for the Add eSIM option. If it is missing, contact your carrier to request an eSIM unlock.
Do budget Android phones support eSIM?
A few do. The Google Pixel 7a, Pixel 8a, Samsung Galaxy A54, and Samsung Galaxy A55 all support eSIM and cost under $500. Below $300, eSIM support is rare. Most Motorola G-series and Samsung A-series phones below the A54 do not include eSIM hardware.
Can I add eSIM to a phone that does not have it?
No. eSIM requires a specific chip called an eUICC soldered to the motherboard. It cannot be added through a software update or any external accessory. If your phone model does not have it, the only option is to upgrade to a compatible device.
Can I use eSIM and physical SIM at the same time?
Yes. Most phones that support eSIM also have a physical SIM tray. You can keep your home SIM card in the tray and activate a travel eSIM at the same time. Set the travel eSIM as your data line and keep the home SIM for calls. See the dual SIM setup guide for step-by-step instructions.
What is the difference between eSIM, e-SIM, and e SIM?
They are the same technology. eSIM is the standard industry spelling used by Apple, Samsung, and Google in their official documentation. e-SIM and e SIM appear in search queries and some regional markets but refer to the identical embedded SIM standard defined by the GSMA. The underlying hardware and activation process are identical regardless of which spelling you see.
Phone confirmed. Ready to set up?
Check eSIM plans for your destination, set up your iPhone, or run two lines at once.