-5% on your 1st eSIMuntil October 31
To tell if your phone is eSIM compatible, look in Settings for an Add eSIM option: on iPhone under Cellular, on Samsung under Connections > SIM manager, on Pixel under Network & internet > SIMs. Every iPhone from the XS and XR onward, every Pixel from the Pixel 4, and Galaxy S20 and later qualify, except many phones sold in China.
Key takeaways
- iPhone: every model from the XS and XR (2018) onward supports eSIM, but most models sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao use two physical SIMs instead
- Google Pixel: all phones from the Pixel 4 work with eSIM; Pixel 3 and 3a depend on where and with which carrier they were bought
- Samsung lists eSIM on Galaxy S20 to S26, its foldables and some Galaxy A models, and warns that the country of origin can rule it out
- Two eSIMs at once: iPhone 13 and later, and Pixel 7 and later when the carrier allows it
- A compatible phone also has to be carrier-unlocked to take a travel eSIM
Check your own phone in under a minute
The model name is not enough, because the same model can ship with or without eSIM depending on the country and the carrier. These checks look at your actual unit:
- iPhone: open Settings > Cellular. If you see Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular, the phone supports eSIM (Apple Support). Then open Settings > General > About: No SIM restrictions next to Carrier Lock means it is unlocked.
- Samsung Galaxy: open Settings > Connections > SIM manager and look for Add eSIM (Samsung).
- Google Pixel: open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and look for Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM (Pixel Phone Help).
- Any phone: an EID number means eSIM hardware is present. On a Pixel it is under Settings > About phone > SIM status; on many phones, dialing *#06# shows the EID next to the IMEI.
If the option is there but greyed out, or a travel eSIM installs and never connects, the phone is probably locked to its carrier. The FCC notes that carrier locks apply to eSIMs as well as physical SIM cards.
iPhone models with eSIM
Apple supports eSIM on the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and every later model, and an iPhone can store eight or more eSIMs. From the iPhone 13 onward, two eSIMs can be active at the same time.
- iPhone 18 Pro / 18 Pro Max, iPhone 17e
- iPhone 17 / 17 Pro / 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, which has no SIM tray at all
- iPhone 16 / 16 Plus / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max / 16e
- iPhone 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max (US models are eSIM only)
- iPhone 13 / 13 mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 / 12 mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS / XS Max / XR, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
The exception is geographic. In mainland China, Apple says only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM; most other models sold there use two nano-SIM cards. In Hong Kong and Macao, certain models also come with two nano-SIM slots instead of eSIM. A used iPhone bought from one of these markets needs the Settings check above before you buy a plan.
Samsung Galaxy models with eSIM
Samsung's own list of Galaxy phones that support eSIM covers its flagships and foldables, plus a growing part of the A series. It adds a warning that matters: depending on the country of origin, eSIM may not be supported even on a listed model.
- Galaxy S26 / S26+ / S26 Ultra / S26 FE
- Galaxy S25 / S25+ / S25 Ultra / S25 Edge / S25 FE
- Galaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra / S24 FE
- Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra / S23 FE
- Galaxy S22, S21 and S20 series
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra / Z Fold8 / Z Flip8, and every Z Fold and Z Flip back to the first Galaxy Fold and Z Flip
- Galaxy A57, A37, A56 and A55, plus A36 and A35 in Europe, North America and Korea; several other A models in North America or Japan only
- Galaxy XCover7 and XCover7 Pro
Google Pixel models with eSIM
Google's rule is simple from the Pixel 4 onward: all phones work with eSIM (Pixel Phone Help). Before that, it depends on how the phone was bought.
- Pixel 4 and every later model, including the a-series, the Pixel 10 range and the Pixel 11 range
- Pixel 10, 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL sold in the US: eSIM only, with no physical SIM
- Pixel 3a: no eSIM on phones bought with Verizon service or in Japan
- Pixel 3: no eSIM on phones bought with US or Canadian carriers other than Sprint and Google Fi, or bought in Australia, Taiwan or Japan
- Pixel 2: eSIM only with Google Fi service; the original Pixel (2016) has none
Other Android brands: check the exact variant
Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, Honor, Vivo, Nokia and Sony all sell phones with eSIM, mostly among their recent flagships and foldables. These brands sell many regional versions of the same model, and eSIM is often enabled only in some of them: a Xiaomi or Oppo built for the Chinese market, for example, may have it switched off while the global version has it. Look for eSIM on the spec sheet of your exact model number, then run the Settings or EID check above. Most Huawei phones do not support eSIM.
Why the same model can lack eSIM
- Country of sale: phones made for mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao often have two nano-SIM slots instead of eSIM, and Samsung warns that the country of origin can rule out eSIM on any listed model
- Carrier lock: a phone bought through a carrier can be locked to its network until it is paid off or a waiting period ends; a locked phone may install a travel eSIM but will not connect with it
- Carrier variants: early Pixel 3 and 3a units sold through some carriers shipped without working eSIM
- Regional firmware: on several Android brands, eSIM depends on the software version installed for a given market
Simsima recommendation
Ready to skip the international roaming charges?
Browse Simsima eSIM plans — activation on arrival, local networks, no contract.
Installing a travel eSIM once your phone qualifies
Most providers send a QR code, which you scan with the phone's camera from a second screen, or a code you enter by hand. Simsima sends a Smart Link instead: open the email on the phone that will use the eSIM, tap the link, and the installation prompt opens directly on iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later) and Android, with no second device. APN settings are applied automatically on most plans; if data does not start, our support team can give you the right APN.
- Buy your plan in the Simsima eSIM catalog; the email with the Smart Link arrives right after purchase.
- At home, on Wi-Fi, open the email on your phone and tap the Smart Link.
- Confirm the installation and give the line a clear label, such as Travel.
- When you arrive, set the eSIM as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for it. It activates on its own when it connects to a supported network.
For a visual walkthrough, see how Simsima works. The data usage calculator helps you size the plan before you buy.
Two lines on one phone: physical SIM plus eSIM, or two eSIMs
Keeping your home line for calls and texts while the travel eSIM carries data is what most travelers want. Every eSIM iPhone can pair a physical SIM with an eSIM, and from the iPhone 13 onward it can also run two eSIMs (Apple Support). Pixel phones from the 3a can pair a SIM card with an eSIM, and from the Pixel 7 onward they can run two eSIM profiles if the carrier allows it. On an eSIM-only phone, such as a US iPhone 14 or later or a US Pixel 10, both lines are eSIMs by design.
For trips through several countries, Simsima's Trip Packs put a whole region on one eSIM, so you do not install a new plan at each border.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every iPhone from the XS and XR onward, Google Pixel 4 and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later along with its foldables and several Galaxy A models, and recent models from Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, Honor, Vivo, Nokia and Sony. Where the phone was sold, and whether it is carrier-unlocked, decide the rest.
The lower-priced lines of the big brands now include eSIM: Google says all Pixel phones from the Pixel 4 work with eSIM, including the a-series; Samsung lists the Galaxy A56, A55 and A57 among others; and the iPhone 16e and 17e support eSIM. Buy the version sold in your region, unlocked.
You cannot move an eSIM to another phone by swapping a card: you need a transfer feature or a new eSIM from the provider. A deleted eSIM usually has to be replaced by the provider; with Simsima, contact support. The phone must be compatible and unlocked, and travel eSIMs are data-only, with no phone number.
Simsima works with any carrier-unlocked phone that supports eSIM. Check your model on the Simsima compatible devices page, then install your plan in one tap with the Smart Link from your purchase email (iPhone on iOS 17.4 or later, and Android).
Often not. Apple says that in mainland China only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM, and that certain models sold in Hong Kong and Macao use two nano-SIM cards. Samsung and other Android brands also sell Chinese-market versions without eSIM, so check the Settings menu of the actual phone.
Yes. On a phone with dual SIM, keep your home SIM on for calls and texts and set the travel eSIM as the line for mobile data. Turn off data roaming on the home line to avoid charges.
A deleted Simsima eSIM can't be reinstalled on your own, from your account or from the Smart Link. Contact Simsima support: the team usually replies within 24 hours and will look at the solution with you.
eSIM compatible devices checker — Verify if your phone supports eSIM before purchasing a plan
How Simsima works — Step-by-step guide to Smart Link installation and eSIM activation
Browse eSIM plans for 190+ countries — Find affordable travel data plans for your next destination
#eSIM compatibility#device guides#travel eSIM#phone setup
Dimitri MorvanFounder
Founder of Simsima. A passionate traveler based in Barcelona, he helps travelers stay connected without breaking the bank on roaming fees.
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