Devices
Is your phone eSIM-compatible?
Two checks decide everything: does your phone support eSIM, and is it carrier-unlocked? Both take seconds.
The 10-second test
- 01Open the dialer
The regular phone keypad — nothing to install.
- 02Dial *#06#
The IMEI screen appears instantly. It touches no network.
- 03Look for “EID”
A 32-digit EID line = your phone has eSIM hardware. No EID = no eSIM.
EID present? You’re 90% there. The remaining 10% is the carrier-lock check below.
Compatible devices
iPhone XS / XR (2018) and everything newer, including SE 2/3 and all Pro/Max models.
Pixel 3 and newer — every Pixel a, Pro and Fold included.
Galaxy S20 and newer, Z Flip/Fold series, Note 20 — plus recent A-series (A54+, region-dependent).
Recent Motorola Edge/Razr, Xiaomi 12T+, Nothing Phone, Fairphone 4/5, Huawei P40 — and 200+ more.
The carrier-lock check
A financed or contract phone may refuse foreign profiles. Verify once:
- iPhone: Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock — should read “No SIM restrictions”.
- Android: Settings → search “network unlock” — or simply try adding any eSIM; locked phones refuse immediately.
- Financed device? Ask the carrier for an unlock — usually automatic once the plan is paid off.
Regional gotchas
- iPhones sold in mainland China (and some HK/Macau models) ship without eSIM.
- Some carrier-branded Samsungs disable eSIM in firmware even when the hardware exists.
- Very cheap Android models often skip eSIM — the *#06# test settles it instantly.
Questions, answered
Can I use the eSIM and my physical SIM at the same time?
Yes — that’s the standard setup. Your number stays on the physical SIM for calls and texts while the eSIM carries data. You choose which line does what in settings.
Does a used / refurbished phone work?
Yes, as long as it passes both checks. One caveat: some phones cap how many eSIM profiles they can store — deleting an old profile frees a slot.
Do tablets and laptops work?
Many do — recent iPads, Surface devices and eSIM-equipped laptops accept the same QR. The *#06# trick is phone-only; check the device’s cellular settings instead.