Check your phone takes an eSIM

Dial *#06# on the phone you will travel with. An EID on the screen means the phone takes an eSIM; nothing but IMEI numbers means it does not.

The one-minute check

1. Open the phone app as if to call.
2. Dial *#06# and press call.
3. If a line labelled EID appears, the phone has an eSIM. Take a screenshot for your own records.
4. If only IMEI numbers appear, the phone has no eSIM.

The same check, in settings

• iPhone: Settings, General, About, scroll to EID. iPhone XR and XS onward take an eSIM.
• Samsung: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM. Galaxy S20 and later, and the Fold and Flip lines from their first models (except FE variants in some markets).
• Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add eSIM. Pixel 4 and later, plus the 3a and 3 in some markets.
• Sony Xperia: the 10 III Lite and later Xperia models.

The makers keep their own lists: Apple: iPhone and eSIM, and search “eSIM” on Google Support and Samsung Support for the Pixel and Galaxy lists.

The two catches

• Carrier lock. A phone can have an EID and still refuse the eSIM if it is locked to the carrier that sold it. On iPhone, Settings, General, About shows “No SIM restrictions” when it is unlocked.
• Where it was bought. In mainland China only a few recent models support eSIM, and in Hong Kong and Macao several models are sold with two nano-SIM cards. Samsung FE and some carrier models vary by market.

A working eSIM is not refunded because the phone cannot take one. Check first, buy after.