Does My Phone Support eSIM? How to Check, Plus the 2026 List
You found a cheap travel plan, and now you need to know if it will work on your phone. The fast answer: every iPhone from the XS and XR on supports eSIM, and so does every Pixel from the Pixel 4 on. Galaxy S20 and newer phones do too, along with all Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models. To check your own phone, dial *#06# and look for a line called EID. One catch trips people up. A phone can support eSIM and still refuse a travel plan, because your carrier has it locked.
In short:
- iPhone: XS, XS Max, XR and later. iPhone 14 and later models bought in the US are eSIM only.
- Samsung: Galaxy S20 and later, all foldables, FE models from S23 FE, and some A series phones.
- Pixel: Pixel 4 and later. Pixel 10, 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL have no physical SIM in the US.
- Unlocked matters too. Check the lock before you buy a plan.
The quick check: dial *#06#
Open your phone app and dial *#06# as if it were a number. If the screen shows a line called EID, your phone has eSIM hardware.
No EID on the screen? Look in settings before you give up:
- iPhone: Settings > General > About. Look for EID.
- Samsung: Settings > About phone > Status information.
You can also use our phone check. Do this even if your model is on the lists below. Some models only have eSIM in certain regions, and a phone imported from abroad can differ from the US version.
eSIM phones at a glance
This table follows each maker's own support pages, checked on October 30, 2026.
| Brand | Models with eSIM | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | XS, XS Max, XR and all later models | Versions sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao can differ |
| Samsung Galaxy | S20 and later, S23 FE and later FE models, all Fold and Flip models | A series varies by model and region |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 4 and later | Pixel 3 and 3a depend on where you bought them |
| iPad | Many Wi-Fi + Cellular models | Wi-Fi only models have no cellular at all |
| Galaxy tablets | Tab S9, S10 and S11 series, FE models | Wi-Fi only tablets do not support eSIM |
Which iPhones support eSIM
Apple's SIM page, published October 22, 2026, sorts every model into three groups.
eSIM only, no SIM tray:
- iPhone Air and iPhone Duo, wherever you buy them
- iPhone 17e, 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max bought in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan and a few other places
- iPhone 14, 15 and 16 models, plus iPhone 16e, bought in the US
eSIM plus a nano-SIM tray:
- iPhone 11, 12 and 13 models
- iPhone XS, XS Max and XR
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- The newer models above when bought outside those places
No eSIM, nano-SIM only:
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8, 7, 6s and older
For an older iPhone SE, run the *#06# test to be sure.
If you bought an iPhone 14 or later in the US, your main number is already on an eSIM. A travel eSIM goes in as a second eSIM. Apple says two eSIMs can be active at once on supported models, and it says iPhones can manage up to eight or more.
Models sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao are a separate case. Many have two nano-SIM slots and no eSIM. This matters if you bought a used or imported iPhone, so run the *#06# test.
Which Samsung phones support eSIM
Samsung's list changes by region, so here is what applies to a US buyer.
Listed with no region limit:
- S series: S20 through S26, with Plus and Ultra models, and S25 Edge
- FE: S23 FE, S24 FE, S25 FE and S26 FE
- Foldables: Galaxy Fold, all Z Fold and Z Flip models through Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8 and Z Flip8, plus Z Flip7 FE and Z TriFold
- A series: A57, A37, A56 and A55
- Rugged: XCover7 and XCover7 Pro
Listed for North America, among other limits:
- A36, A35 and A54 are listed for only some regions, and North America is one of them
- A27, A26, A17 5G and A16 5G are for North America only
- XCover6 Pro is for North America only
Samsung adds that support can depend on the phone's country of origin, even for a listed model. So if your Galaxy came from overseas, check it directly.
Tablets: the list covers Tab S9, S10 and S11 models and FE versions, and Samsung says Wi-Fi only tablets do not support eSIM.
Which Google Pixel phones support eSIM
Google says all Pixel 4 and later phones work with eSIM. Older models have exceptions:
- Pixel 3a: does not work if bought with Verizon service or in Japan.
- Pixel 3: does not work if bought with service from US or Canadian carriers other than Sprint and Google Fi. Models bought in Australia, Taiwan or Japan do not work either.
- Pixel 2: works only on phones bought with Google Fi service.
- Pixel (2016): no eSIM.
In the US, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL have no physical SIM. Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and later can use two eSIM profiles if your carrier allows it, which is what you need for your US number plus a travel line.
Other brands
Motorola, OnePlus and other brands sold in the US change support from model to model, so the EID test is the safest route. Xiaomi and Honor publish their own lists, and both warn that eSIM can depend on country, region or carrier. These phones are not common in the US, but you may have one if you bought it abroad.
Your phone must also be unlocked
Having eSIM is only half the test. A phone locked to your carrier will not accept another company's eSIM, and a travel eSIM is another company's eSIM.
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and find Carrier Lock. Apple says "No SIM Restrictions" means the iPhone is unlocked.
On Android, ask your carrier. Samsung says you may need your device SIM unlocked when changing carriers, and that you should contact the original carrier if the phone asks for an unlock code.
Carrier rules on unlocking differ, and one big change came this year:
| Carrier | What its policy says |
|---|---|
| Verizon | Phones bought on or after January 27, 2026 stay locked until the device payments or contract terms are finished. Phones bought before that date were locked for 60 days |
| Verizon prepaid | Phones activated on or after January 27, 2026 unlock on request after 365 days of paid, active service |
| T-Mobile | A postpaid phone needs at least 40 days of use on the requesting line, and other rules apply. T-Mobile says eligible phones that support it are unlocked remotely within two business days |
| AT&T | Requests and rules are at att.com/deviceunlock |
The Verizon change matters if you bought a phone on a payment plan this year. Do not wait until the week of your trip to find out. The check takes a minute, and an unlock may not be possible at all until the phone is paid off.
If your phone is on the list
Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi with the QR code. On Moosetrip plans, days count from your first connection in the country you are visiting, so you can do it before you fly. Your US number stays on the phone as a second line. Our travel eSIM setup guide has the steps for each phone.
On October 30, 2026, Moosetrip plans included:
| Destination | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | 1 GB for 7 days | $3.50 |
| Italy | 3 GB for 30 days | $7 |
| Japan | 5 GB for 30 days | $10.50 |
| Europe, 35 countries | 10 GB for 30 days | $20 |
As a rough guide, 1 GB is about 5 hours of maps and taxi apps, or 1.5 hours of video calls.
If your phone is not on the list
You still have choices:
- Use your carrier's daily pass. It costs more per day, but it needs no setup. Here is how Verizon Travel Pass compares with an eSIM.
- Buy a physical SIM when you land. This needs an unlocked phone with a SIM tray. Check the shop's hours if you land late.
- Stay on Wi-Fi. It works for a short trip if you do not need maps on the street.
Questions
How do I know if my phone is eSIM compatible?
Dial *#06# and look for EID. Then check that the phone is unlocked. You need both to use a travel eSIM.
What is the oldest iPhone that supports eSIM?
The iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. Anything older, including the iPhone X, is nano-SIM only.
Does the iPhone 11 support eSIM?
Yes. iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max have both a nano-SIM tray and eSIM, except for versions sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, which use two nano-SIMs.
Do Samsung A series phones support eSIM?
Some do. A57, A37, A56 and A55 are on Samsung's list with no region limit. A36, A35, A54, A27, A26, A17 5G and A16 5G are listed for North America, in some cases among other regions.
Why does my phone have eSIM but the travel plan fails?
The usual reason is a carrier lock. Check it in settings on iPhone, or ask your carrier on Android. A phone bought overseas can also lack eSIM even if the model is on a list.
Can I use a travel eSIM on a phone from Verizon or AT&T?
Yes, if the phone is unlocked. Check the policy table above for how long your carrier keeps a phone locked.
Sources
- Learn which type of SIM your iPhone or iPad uses, Apple Support, published 2026-10-22, checked 2026-10-30
- Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards, Apple Support, checked 2026-09-29
- Use an eSIM while traveling abroad with your iPhone, Apple Support, published 2026-10-22, checked 2026-10-30
- Set up an eSIM on your iPhone, Apple Support, published 2026-10-22, checked 2026-10-30
- Galaxy eSIM and supported network carriers, Samsung, checked 2026-10-30
- SIM cards for your Galaxy phone or tablet, Samsung US, checked 2026-10-30
- Get a SIM or eSIM and add it to your Pixel phone, Google, checked 2026-10-30
- How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone, Google, checked 2026-10-30
- Device Unlocking Policies, Verizon, checked 2026-10-30
- Device Unlock, Verizon Prepaid, checked 2026-10-30
- SIM Unlock Policy, T-Mobile, checked 2026-10-30
- Carriers which support eSIM on your Xiaomi smartphone, Xiaomi, checked 2026-09-29
- HONOR eSIM and supported network carriers, Honor, updated 2026-05-07, checked 2026-09-29