Before you buy a plan or switch carriers, one question comes up fast: does my phone work with an eSIM? The short answer is that you can find out in under two minutes. Open your phone’s SIM or cellular settings and look for an “Add eSIM” option, or check for an EID number in your device information. If either one is there, your phone supports eSIM.
Those two checks are the most reliable, but they are not the only ones. This guide walks through four simple ways to check if your phone supports eSIM, explains which phones usually do, and covers the mistakes that trip people up, such as a locked phone that has the hardware but can’t accept a new carrier. You will also see what to do if your phone turns out not to be eSIM compatible.
What eSIM Support Actually Means
An eSIM is a SIM that is built into your phone as a small chip. Instead of sliding a plastic card into a tray, you download your carrier profile onto that chip, usually by scanning a QR code. The chip is called an eUICC, and each one has a unique 32-digit identifier called an EID.
When people ask whether a phone is “eSIM compatible,” they are really asking three things:
- Does the hardware exist? The phone needs the embedded chip. Many older phones simply don’t have it.
- Is it enabled for your model? Some phones sold in certain regions, or certain budget variants, ship without eSIM even when a sibling model has it.
- Is the phone unlocked? A phone locked to another carrier may refuse a profile from a different one.
All three have to be true. That is why a quick look at a model list is not always enough, and why it helps to check the actual phone in your hand.
Method 1: Look for the Add eSIM Option in Settings
This is the fastest check, and it works on almost every phone. If your phone has a menu to add an eSIM, it supports one. The exact wording changes by brand and software version, so look for close variations.
On an iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular (some versions say Mobile Service).
- Look for Add eSIM, or Add Cellular Plan on older software.
If you see either option, your iPhone supports eSIM. Apple introduced eSIM on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, so every iPhone from those models onward has it, including the second and third generation iPhone SE. iPhone X, iPhone 8, and anything older do not. One regional exception is worth knowing: iPhones sold in mainland China are generally built without eSIM support.
Also note that US models of the iPhone 14 and every newer iPhone sold in the United States have no physical SIM tray at all. If you own one of those, you are already using an eSIM, or you will be as soon as you set up service.
On a Google Pixel
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Tap SIMs.
- Look for Add SIM or Download a SIM instead.
Most Pixel 3 and newer phones support eSIM, and recent Pixel models can handle it with ease. If the SIMs menu offers a download option, the phone is ready.
On a Samsung Galaxy or Other Android Phone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Connections, then SIM manager on a Samsung phone. On other brands, try Network & internet or Mobile network.
- Look for Add eSIM, Add mobile plan, or a similar line.
Samsung Galaxy S20 series phones and newer flagships, along with recent Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold models, generally support eSIM. Motorola’s Razr and Edge lines and selected Moto G models also do. If you own a Motorola, our Motorola eSIM guide covers model-specific details.
A word of caution: menu names differ between Android versions. If you can’t find the option, move on to the next method rather than assuming your phone is unsupported.
Method 2: Look for an EID Number
Every eSIM-capable phone has an EID. A phone without the chip will not show one, so finding an EID is strong proof of support.
- iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About and scroll down. You should see an EID entry, and often a Digital SIM or Available SIM line as well.
- Google Pixel: Go to Settings > About phone and look for EID.
- Samsung Galaxy: Go to Settings > About phone > Status information. Depending on your software version, the EID may appear here or on a separate screen.
If you see a long 32-digit number labeled EID, your phone has the hardware. Write it down or take a screenshot, because some carriers ask for it during setup. A phone that lacks eSIM won’t list an EID at all.
Method 3: Dial *#06# on Your Phone App
This works on most phones and takes about five seconds.
- Open your Phone app and go to the keypad.
- Dial *#06#.
- Read the numbers on the screen.
You will see an IMEI, which is the 15-digit number that identifies your device on mobile networks. On a phone with eSIM support, you will often see an EID as well. Many dual SIM phones show two IMEI numbers, one for the physical SIM slot and one for the eSIM. Seeing two IMEIs is another good sign.
This method is less consistent than the first two. Some phones show only the IMEI, even when they support eSIM. Treat the code as a helpful clue, and confirm with one of the other methods if the EID doesn’t appear.
Method 4: Use a Carrier Compatibility Checker
Your phone may support eSIM, but that does not guarantee a specific carrier supports it on your exact model. A compatibility checker answers the practical question: will this phone work with this service?
Infimobile offers a compatibility checker on its website. You enter your phone’s IMEI, and the tool tells you whether the device will work on the network. If the checker asks for an IMEI for an eSIM, use the one that matches your eSIM line when your phone shows two. If you are unsure which number to enter, Infimobile’s support team can confirm it before you buy.
This is also the best step to take right before purchasing, since it checks network compatibility in addition to eSIM hardware.
Which Method Should You Use?
Each method answers a slightly different question. Here is how they compare:
| Method | What it confirms | Time needed | Reliability |
| Add eSIM option in settings | The phone can install an eSIM profile | 1 to 2 minutes | Very high |
| EID in device information | The phone has the embedded chip | 1 minute | Very high |
| Dialing *#06# | IMEI and, on many phones, EID | 5 seconds | Medium |
| Carrier compatibility checker | The phone works with that carrier | 2 minutes | High for that carrier |
A good routine is to confirm the hardware with Method 1 or 2, then run the carrier checker before you pay for anything.
Phones That Usually Support eSIM
If you want a rough idea before you open settings, this overview helps. Always confirm on your actual device, because variants and regional versions differ.
| Brand | Generally supports eSIM | Generally does not |
| Apple | iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and newer, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) | iPhone X, iPhone 8 and older, mainland China models |
| Pixel 3 and newer in most cases | Older Pixel models | |
| Samsung | Galaxy S20 series and newer flagships, recent Z Flip and Z Fold | Many older and some budget Galaxy models |
| Motorola | Razr, Edge, and selected Moto G models | Many entry level Moto models |
Phones released from 2019 onward are the most likely to have eSIM, but release year alone is not proof. A 2021 budget phone might lack it, while a 2019 flagship has it.
Check That Your Phone Is Unlocked
Finding an eSIM option is only half the job. If your phone is locked to its original carrier, it may not accept a profile from a new one.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About and look for Carrier Lock. The message No SIM restrictions means the phone is unlocked.
- On Android: Look for a message about the SIM being locked when you try to add a profile, or ask your current carrier whether the phone is unlocked.
Phones bought outright from the manufacturer or a major retailer are usually unlocked. Phones on a payment plan are often locked until the balance is paid. If yours is locked, contact your current carrier and request an unlock before you switch. Infimobile’s bring your own device approach depends on this step, since the phone has to be unlocked for the new service to work.
Why You Might Not See an eSIM Option
Sometimes the hardware is there, but the option seems to be missing. These are the most common reasons:
- Outdated software. Install the latest iOS or Android update, then check again. Newer software can add menus that older versions lack.
- A regional variant. The same model name can ship in different versions. A phone bought abroad may behave differently from the US version.
- A different menu name. Android brands label the option differently, such as Download a SIM, Add mobile plan, or Add eSIM.
- A carrier restriction. Some carriers disable eSIM features on phones they sell. An unlock often fixes this.
- A damaged or reset eSIM chip. This is rare, but a phone that was repaired or heavily modified may lose eSIM function. A repair shop or the manufacturer can check it.
If you have tried all four methods and the phone still shows nothing, it very likely does not support eSIM.
What If Your Phone Does Not Support eSIM?
You still have a good option. Infimobile activation works with a 3-in-1 physical SIM kit as well as an eSIM. A 3-in-1 kit fits standard, micro, and nano SIM slots, so it covers most phones. You order the kit, wait for delivery, insert it, and finish activation online. Delivery typically takes a few business days, so plan ahead if you need service by a certain date.
Some people also choose a physical SIM even on eSIM phones, for example when they want to move service between handsets quickly. Both options work. The best choice depends on whether you want instant digital setup or a card in your hand.
Infimobile Plans and eSIM
Infimobile is a prepaid wireless provider that runs on major nationwide networks. When you sign up, you choose either an eSIM or a physical SIM, and you pick your network during checkout. Plans cover a range of needs, from lighter 5GB options with high talk and text allowances to 10GB and 20GB plans with unlimited nationwide talk and text, plus an unlimited data option. Wi-Fi calling and text are included on plans, and hotspot access depends on the plan you choose.
Here is how eSIM activation generally works once you’ve confirmed your phone supports it:
- Check compatibility. Use the Infimobile compatibility checker with your IMEI.
- Choose a plan. Pick the data amount and term that fits your usage.
- Select eSIM at checkout. Enter the details requested, including your ZIP code.
- Receive your QR code. It arrives by email after activation is set up.
- Scan it from your phone’s settings. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the profile.
Plan details and prices change, and Infimobile runs limited-time offers, so check the plans page for current options before you buy. For setup help on Android, see our Android activation guide, and if you want to keep a second line, read about using an eSIM and physical SIM together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not automatically. The option means the hardware and software can install a profile, but the phone must also be unlocked and compatible with the carrier’s network. Running your IMEI through the carrier’s compatibility checker confirms that part before you pay.
An IMEI is a 15-digit number that identifies your device on mobile networks. An EID is a 32-digit number that identifies the embedded eSIM chip. Infimobile asks for your IMEI during compatibility checks and activation, so keep that number handy. The EID is mainly useful as proof that your phone has the chip.
Yes, but it takes a few steps. Contact Infimobile customer support and request a transfer, then give them the IMEI of your new device. They will provide a new QR code, which you scan from the new phone’s cellular settings. Keep your old phone until the new one is fully active.
Yes. The profile downloads over the internet, so connect to a stable Wi-Fi network before you scan the QR code. A weak connection is one of the most common reasons an installation stalls partway through.
In many cases, yes, provided your phone supports eSIM. Infimobile support handles replacements between a physical SIM and an eSIM, so reach out to them to start the process and ask whether any steps apply to your account. Make sure your phone passes the checks above first.
Final Thoughts
Checking whether your phone supports eSIM does not take long. Look for the Add eSIM option or an EID number, use the *#06# code as a quick clue, confirm your phone is unlocked, and run your IMEI through a compatibility checker before you buy. If everything checks out, you can activate service in minutes without waiting for a card in the mail. If your phone doesn’t support eSIM, a 3-in-1 physical SIM kit gets you connected just as well.
Ready to see how it all fits together? Read our guide to eSIM compatibility, then visit Infimobile to check your device and choose a plan that suits you.
