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Can your phone use an eSIM? How to check

November 5, 2026

You want to buy a travel eSIM, but you are not sure your phone can actually use one. These days some phones have no physical SIM slot at all, which makes it more confusing.

In short: most recent smartphones support eSIM. But two things are worth checking first. A carrier-locked phone may block installing another eSIM, and some of the latest models support eSIM only, with no physical SIM. So before you buy, check whether your phone supports eSIM and whether it is unlocked.

How do you check whether your phone supports eSIM?

You can check quickly in settings. On iPhone, if you see "Add eSIM" under Cellular (or Mobile Data) in Settings, your model supports it. On Android, if SIM management under Network and internet has an option to add an eSIM, it is supported. On some models, dialing *#06# in the phone app shows an EID number as well, which means the device has an eSIM.

Older models and some budget phones may not support eSIM, so if the menu has no such option, treat it as a device that does not support it.

Some phones now support eSIM only

Lately, some models ship with no physical SIM slot and support eSIM only. Some models are eSIM-only everywhere, while others have a physical SIM slot in some countries but not others. For example, a model sold in some countries such as the United States, Canada, and Japan may be eSIM-only, while the same-named model sold elsewhere also takes a physical SIM. The countries and models this applies to can change, so check the manufacturer's guidance for the exact details.

An eSIM-only phone is not a disadvantage for travel. If anything, it is easy to install a travel eSIM and use it right away, with no swapping physical SIMs in and out.

What about a carrier-locked phone?

Even if your model supports eSIM, a phone under a carrier contract or lock may block installing another carrier's eSIM or a travel eSIM. If you get an error or the registration fails during setup, a lock is often the cause. Before you buy, it helps to check with your carrier whether your phone is unlocked.

What if my phone cannot use an eSIM?

If your model does not support eSIM, you can buy a local physical SIM, use a travel physical SIM, or use a pocket Wi-Fi. There are also products called "eSIM adapters," but compatibility and stability vary a lot by device and network, so for an important trip we suggest deciding carefully.

FAQ

What is the quickest way to check if my iPhone supports eSIM?

If Settings has "Add eSIM" under Cellular, your model supports it. You can also check by dialing *#06# in the phone app and seeing whether an EID number is shown.

My phone has no SIM slot. Is it inconvenient if I cannot use a local SIM?

An eSIM-only phone can use a travel eSIM instead. You can keep several plans on it without a physical SIM, which can actually be convenient when traveling.

Can a phone I bought secondhand use an eSIM?

Even if the model supports it, a carrier lock may block installation. Check first whether it is unlocked.

Check whether your phone supports eSIM and whether it is carrier-locked. Confirming just these two things means fewer surprises when you arrive. Pick the plan that fits you, and have a great trip.