Which phones support eSIM?
eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM profile that lives in your phone's hardware instead of a removable plastic card. Most phones released since 2018 support it. If your phone was released in the last 6 years and runs a recent operating system, the answer is most likely yes — but it depends on the model, the carrier you bought it from, and where you bought it.
Footnote: this is general information about eSIM device support, not specific to any provider. The same eSIM capability that makes a travel data eSIM work also enables the dual-SIM patterns described below.
The quick answer
iPhone XS (2018) or newer: yes, supports eSIM. iPhone XR / XS Max: yes. iPhone 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 series: yes. iPhone SE 2nd generation (2020) or newer: yes. iPhone 14 / 15 / 16 sold in the US: eSIM-only (no physical SIM slot at all).
Pixel 3 (2018) or newer: yes, supports eSIM. Pixel 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 series: yes.
Samsung Galaxy S20 (2020) or newer: yes, supports eSIM (most regions). Galaxy S21 / S22 / S23 / S24 / S25 series: yes. Galaxy Z Flip / Fold series: yes. Galaxy A-series (mid-range): varies — A54, A55 yes; older A-series may not. Samsung in Japan or South Korea: regional variants may not support eSIM even when the global model does.
Other Android flagships (OnePlus, Xiaomi, Google, Motorola, Sony): most 2021-or-newer flagship models support eSIM, but check the specific model + region variant.
What does "support eSIM" actually mean?
It means your phone's hardware has an eSIM chip + your phone's operating system can install and activate eSIM profiles. When you add an eSIM, your phone runs that profile alongside (or instead of) your physical SIM, depending on the model.
Modern eSIM-capable phones support dual-SIM mode: one physical SIM + one eSIM, OR two eSIMs, OR (on US iPhone 14/15/16) two or more eSIMs. This is why travelers can keep their home SIM active for SMS authentication codes while adding a travel eSIM for data.
The most-common confusion: carrier locking
A phone can be eSIM-capable in hardware but carrier-locked to a specific carrier's network. Carrier-locked phones may refuse to install an eSIM from a different carrier. To use a travel eSIM, your phone needs to be:
1. eSIM-capable hardware (per the list above) 2. Unlocked OR locked only to a carrier compatible with the travel eSIM's underlying network
If you bought your phone outright (Apple Store full price, Best Buy unlocked, manufacturer direct) it's typically unlocked.
If you bought your phone on contract from a carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, EE, Vodafone, Movistar, etc.), it may still be carrier-locked even years later. Check with your carrier; many offer free unlock after a contract period.
How to check your phone's eSIM status
iPhone: 1. Open Settings → General → About 2. Scroll down to "Available SIM" or "Carrier Lock" 3. If you see "Available SIM" with an EID number, you have eSIM capability 4. If "Carrier Lock" shows "No SIM restrictions," your phone is unlocked
Android (Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc.): 1. Open Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections on Samsung) → SIM cards 2. Look for "Download a SIM instead?" or "Add eSIM" option 3. If present, your phone supports eSIM 4. For carrier-lock status: dial *#06# to see your IMEI; check unlock status with your carrier
Direct dial check (works on most phones): dial *#06#. If multiple IMEI numbers appear (typically labeled IMEI1 + IMEI2), your phone supports dual-SIM (one of which is likely eSIM).
Edge cases worth knowing about
- iPhone bought in mainland China: eSIM is disabled at the regulatory level. Even the same iPhone 15 model in Hong Kong / Taiwan / international markets supports eSIM, but the mainland China variant does not.
- iPhone 14/15/16 bought in the US: eSIM-only. No physical SIM tray. Travel eSIMs work fine but you cannot insert a foreign physical SIM if that was your plan.
- iPhone bought in Hong Kong with dual physical SIM: supports two physical SIMs but NO eSIM.
- Samsung Galaxy in Japan or South Korea: regional regulatory limitations may disable eSIM even when the global model supports it.
- Pixel 3a (the budget variant): does NOT support eSIM (despite Pixel 3 supporting it).
- Older "feature phones" + early Android (pre-2018): do not support eSIM regardless of carrier.
- Some Huawei + Honor models (post-2019 US sanctions era): eSIM support varies; check the specific model documentation.
Compatibility summary table
| Phone family | First eSIM-capable model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | XS / XR (2018) | iPhone 14/15/16 in US = eSIM-only; mainland China variant disabled |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 3 (2018) | Pixel 3a budget variant excluded |
| Samsung Galaxy S | S20 (2020) | Regional variants in Japan / South Korea may disable |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip / Fold | Z Flip 1 (2020), Z Fold 1 (2019) | All current generations support eSIM |
| Samsung Galaxy A-series | A54 (2023) | Older A-series (A50, A51, A52) does not support |
| OnePlus | OnePlus 9 series (2021) | Confirm by region |
| Xiaomi flagships | Xiaomi 11 series (2021) | International variants only |
| Motorola | Razr 2019 reboot, edge series 2022+ | Spotty across mid-range |
| Sony Xperia | Xperia 1 III (2021) | Limited model variants |
If your phone doesn't support eSIM
You have three options:
1. Buy a phone that supports eSIM (most flagships since 2020 do; budget options like Pixel 6a, iPhone SE 3rd gen, Samsung A54 work fine) 2. Travel with a physical SIM instead of eSIM (most travel data providers offer both; ask) 3. Pocket WiFi router or mobile hotspot device (separate device, connects via WiFi to multiple devices)
If your phone is the limitation, upgrading to a 2020+ eSIM-capable phone often pays for itself within 2-3 international trips through travel data savings + reduced friction.
Common questions
Does my phone need to be unlocked? Yes for most travel eSIM providers. Carrier-locked phones may refuse to install non-carrier eSIM profiles. Unlock through your carrier (often free after contract).
Will the eSIM permanently affect my phone or replace my regular SIM? No. eSIM is a digital profile your phone can install + remove + reinstall freely. Your physical SIM continues to work in dual-SIM mode. Removing an eSIM leaves no trace + no ongoing charges.
Can I install multiple eSIMs? Yes. iPhone 13 and newer support 8+ stored eSIM profiles (one active at a time, easy to switch). Pixel 7 and newer support multiple stored profiles. Most modern Androids support at least 2 simultaneous eSIM profiles + 1 physical SIM in dual-SIM mode.
Does WhatsApp keep working when I install a travel eSIM? Yes. WhatsApp is bound to your phone number (the physical SIM), not the SIM providing data. Travel eSIM provides data only; your home SIM keeps providing your number identity for WhatsApp, iMessage, SMS authentication codes. (Details: see /help/whatsapp-works-with-esim.)
Does the eSIM affect my normal SIM in any way? No. Both run independently in dual-SIM mode. You toggle which line is the active data line in your phone's cellular settings. (Details: see /help/esim-affects-normal-sim.)
Can I install an eSIM on my smartwatch or tablet? Many Apple Watch models (from Series 3 cellular onward) and iPad models (from iPad Air 3 / iPad Pro 11" 1st gen onward) support eSIM. Some Samsung Galaxy Watches (LTE variants) and Samsung tablets also support eSIM. Travel eSIM providers typically focus on phone profiles; check with the specific provider if smartwatch eSIM is needed.
Related guides
- Will WhatsApp still work with a travel eSIM? — universal-truth FAQ on WhatsApp + eSIM coexistence
- Will I keep my phone number when I use a travel eSIM? — universal-truth FAQ on phone number + identity preservation
- Does a travel eSIM affect my normal SIM? — universal-truth FAQ on dual-SIM operation
- Buy your eSIM through WhatsApp — how the WhatsApp-native purchase flow works
- Install in WhatsApp — eSIM profile install for any compatible phone
Get a travel eSIM through WhatsApp: save QuiqSim as a contact at +34 671 619 991 (wa.me/34671619991?text=Going%20on%20a%20trip), message your destination, install before takeoff. Works on any eSIM-capable phone per the list above.