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 for Samsung Galaxy: which models support it and how to set up
By MySIMGuide Editors · Updated June 2026 · 7 min read
Quick answer:
Samsung Galaxy phones support eSIM, e-SIM, and e SIM starting with the Galaxy S20 (2020). Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM. Scan the QR code from your travel provider. Done in under 3 minutes. If Add eSIM is missing, your phone is either carrier-locked or a regional variant without eSIM hardware.
Every Samsung Galaxy
with eSIM support.
Samsung added eSIM starting with select Galaxy S20 models in 2020. By 2021, it was standard across the S-series and both Z Fold and Z Flip foldable lines. The A-series budget lineup has limited eSIM support, restricted to the A54 and A55 in certain markets.
| Samsung model | eSIM support | 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; S24+ and Ultra support dual eSIM in some regions |
| Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra | Yeswinner | 2023 | All major markets; factory unlocked recommended |
| Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra | Yeswinner | 2022 | Most carrier and unlocked units; verify regional variant |
| Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra | Yeswinner | 2021 | Some older US carrier-locked Sprint units may vary |
| Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra | Yes (unlocked) | 2020 | Unlocked units supported; some US carrier S20 units lack eSIM |
| Galaxy Z Fold6 / Z Fold5 / Z Fold4 / Z Fold3 | Yeswinner | 2021-2024 | All unlocked foldable units; nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Galaxy Z Flip6 / Z Flip5 / Z Flip4 / Z Flip3 | Yeswinner | 2021-2024 | All unlocked units; consistent across all Z Flip generations from 3+ |
| Galaxy A55 5G / A54 5G | Yes (most markets) | 2023-2024 | Europe and parts of Asia; US and some Asian variants may not include it |
| Galaxy A35, A25, A15, A14 and lower | No | 2023-2024 | No eSIM hardware; physical nano-SIM only |
Samsung tablets with eSIM
Galaxy Tab S9+ 5G, Tab S9 FE 5G, and Tab S8+ 5G cellular models support eSIM. WiFi-only tablet variants do not have cellular hardware and cannot use eSIM. Activate through Settings > Connections > SIM Manager using the same process as Galaxy phones.
Activate eSIM on Samsung
Galaxy in 4 steps.
Samsung uses One UI's SIM Manager for all eSIM management. The settings path differs from iPhone but the process, scan a QR code to download a profile, is identical.
Samsung eSIM availability
by region and carrier.
eSIM availability on Samsung Galaxy varies more by region and carrier than on iPhone. The same Galaxy model may include eSIM in one market and ship without it in another. This is a purchasing decision, not a firmware issue.
Carrier-purchased Galaxy phones from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon often have eSIM provisioning locked to that carrier's own service. The eSIM hardware is present but the Add eSIM option in SIM Manager only works with the selling carrier's plans. Factory-unlocked Samsung phones purchased from Samsung.com have full open eSIM support.
Most unlocked Galaxy phones sold in EU markets include fully open eSIM support. EU consumer protection rules encourage carrier flexibility. Factory-unlocked European Galaxy S and Z-series phones typically work with any third-party travel eSIM provider without restriction.
Samsung's home market in South Korea supports eSIM broadly. India-market Galaxy phones generally support eSIM on unlocked units. Verify the model variant: some India-specific models are configured without eSIM to keep the dual physical nano-SIM tray for local SIM-swapping habits.
Samsung does not sell phones with eSIM in mainland China. Chinese domestic-market Galaxy units have no eSIM hardware regardless of model. If you own a Chinese-market Samsung, eSIM is not available and cannot be enabled through any software method.
How to check your Samsung for eSIM
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. If Add eSIM appears, your phone supports it and it is active. If the option is missing, dial *#06# to check for an EID number. An EID with no Add eSIM means a carrier lock is blocking the feature. Contact your carrier or Samsung support to request removal. No EID means the hardware is not present in this regional variant.
Key differences between
Samsung and iPhone eSIM.
The core eSIM experience, scan a QR code to add a plan, is identical on Samsung and iPhone. The differences are in settings paths, profile storage limits, and which side retains a physical SIM tray.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy | Apple iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Settings path for eSIM | Settings > Connections > SIM Manager | Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM |
| Max stored eSIM profiles | 5 profiles | 8 profiles |
| Max active eSIM simultaneously | 1-2 (model dependent) | 2 active (iPhone 13+)winner |
| eSIM-only models (no SIM tray) | None — all Galaxy retain SIM traywinner | iPhone 14+ US models |
| Device-to-device eSIM transfer | Not supported (delete and re-scan) | Quick Transfer (iOS 17+)winner |
| Physical SIM tray retained | Yes — all modelswinner | No on US iPhone 14+ |
Samsung's main advantage for travelers: every Galaxy model, including the latest S25 Ultra, retains a physical nano-SIM tray. You can insert a local SIM card as a backup or use the tray for a home SIM alongside an eSIM. No Galaxy model forces eSIM-only connectivity.
iPhone's main advantage: iOS 17+ supports Quick Transfer, which moves an eSIM profile from one iPhone to another in 2 to 5 minutes via Bluetooth without needing a new QR code. Samsung has no equivalent; moving an eSIM to a new Galaxy requires deleting the profile and re-scanning the QR code on the new device.
Samsung eSIM and
carrier lock explained.
Carrier lock is the most common reason eSIM fails on Samsung Galaxy phones. This is especially frequent on US carrier-purchased units from before 2023.
Samsung phones sold through US carriers may have eSIM disabled at the firmware level. This is separate from network lock. A phone can be network-unlocked, meaning it works on any carrier's network with a physical SIM, but still have eSIM provisioning blocked for third-party profiles.
To check: go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. If Add eSIM is missing, dial *#06# and look for an EID number. An EID means the eSIM chip is physically present. Contact your carrier and request an eSIM unlock specifically. This is different from a network unlock request.
Factory-unlocked Samsung phones
Buying directly from Samsung.com guarantees full eSIM support with no carrier restrictions. Factory-unlocked models have open eSIM provisioning and work with any third-party travel eSIM provider. For travelers who plan to use eSIM regularly, factory-unlocked is the most reliable option. The phone costs the same as carrier models but removes all eSIM restrictions from the start.
Samsung Galaxy eSIM
problems and fixes.
Most Samsung eSIM problems have a specific cause. Work through these before contacting your provider or Samsung support.
Three possible causes. First, update to the latest One UI version through Settings > Software update: some versions moved the Add eSIM button to a different location in SIM Manager. Second, the device may be a carrier-locked unit: contact the selling carrier to request an eSIM unlock. Third, this may be a regional variant without eSIM hardware: dial *#06# to look for an EID number. No EID means no eSIM hardware is present.
A weak internet connection is the most common cause during the 30 to 120 second download. Switch to a stronger WiFi network and try again. If it still fails, clear the SIM Manager app cache: Settings > Apps > SIM Manager > Storage > Clear cache. Restart the phone and attempt the scan again from the beginning.
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. Under Mobile Data, confirm the travel eSIM is selected as your active data line. Also tap the travel eSIM profile and toggle on Data Roaming, which most travel eSIM providers require. Toggle Airplane Mode on then off to force network re-registration. If still no data, check your provider's APN settings and enter them manually in SIM Manager.
Samsung's One UI updates occasionally reset SIM Manager configurations without deleting the profile. Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager and check if the profile is listed but toggled off. If the profile is genuinely missing, contact your provider. Some providers let you re-download the same profile; others require a new QR code.
Samsung Galaxy eSIM:
7 questions answered.
Which Samsung Galaxy phones have eSIM?
Galaxy S20 and newer S-series, Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 and all newer foldables, and Galaxy A54 5G and A55 5G in select markets all support eSIM. Most Galaxy A-series models below the A54 and all Galaxy M-series and F-series phones do not have eSIM hardware. Check Settings > Connections > SIM Manager for an Add eSIM option to verify your specific unit.
Why is eSIM not showing on my Samsung Galaxy?
Three common causes. First, carrier lock: US carrier-locked Samsung phones may have eSIM disabled at the firmware level even if the hardware is present. Second, regional variant: Chinese domestic-market Samsung models do not include eSIM hardware. Third, outdated software: update to the latest One UI version. After updating, check Settings > Connections > SIM Manager again for the Add eSIM option.
Can I use eSIM on a carrier-locked Samsung?
Only for the locking carrier's own eSIM service. Third-party travel eSIM providers require an unlocked device. Check lock status by dialing *#06# and looking for an EID number. An EID confirms the hardware is present. If Add eSIM is missing from SIM Manager, the carrier has disabled the software feature and you need to request an unlock.
Can Samsung Galaxy have two eSIM profiles active?
Select Galaxy S24+ and S25 models in certain regions support two active eSIM profiles simultaneously. Most other Galaxy phones support one active eSIM plus one physical nano-SIM at a time. Samsung stores up to 5 eSIM profiles with one or two active depending on the model. Check your SIM Manager for the number of active slots available.
How do I delete an eSIM from Samsung Galaxy?
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. Tap the eSIM profile you want to remove. Select Remove or Delete eSIM. The profile is deleted and cannot be restored from the phone. If you want to use that plan again, you will need a new QR code from your provider. Deleting an eSIM does not affect your other data or apps.
Is Samsung eSIM setup different from iPhone?
The core process is the same: scan a QR code to download an eSIM profile. The settings path differs. Samsung uses Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM, while iPhone uses Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM. Samsung lacks a direct device-to-device eSIM transfer equivalent to iPhone's Quick Transfer. To move an eSIM from one Samsung to another, delete it from the old phone and scan a new QR code on the new device.
What is the difference between eSIM, e-SIM, and e SIM on Samsung?
They are identical. Samsung One UI labels it eSIM in the SIM Manager menu. e-SIM and e SIM are alternate spellings found in search queries and some regional carrier materials. All three refer to the same embedded SIM technology built into compatible Galaxy phones. The activation process and functionality are the same regardless of spelling.
Samsung confirmed. Find your travel eSIM.
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