Is my phone eSIM compatible, and how can I find out?

How do I know if my phone is eSIM compatible?

For your phone to work with an eSIM, it needs to be unlocked and support eSIM technology. “Unlocked” means you can use SIM cards from any network without restrictions.

But how can you tell if your phone is unlocked? Just pop in a SIM card from another network. If you can still make calls, send texts, and use mobile data, you’re in luck — your phone is unlocked!

On eSIM compatible iPhones, you will see “No SIM restrictions” under “Carrier lock,” which means your phone is unlocked.

If you have an Android, checking if it’s not locked by the carrier is also easy:

1. Open your device’s “Settings” and select “Connections.”

2. Tap “Mobile networks.” Note that labels may vary depending on your device’s brand and model.

3. Open “Network operators” or an option with a similar label.

4. Turn off the “Select automatically” option.

If you see a bunch of networks listed, your Android device is carrier unlocked. But if you only see your carrier’s name, your phone is locked.

A locked phone has a software code that stops you from using a different carrier. If you got your phone on a contract with a carrier, it’s likely locked to that service provider. Once your contract is over or you’ve paid off your plan, you can either unlock your device or ask your carrier to do it.

After making sure your phone is carrier unlocked, check if it supports eSIMs.  

How do I know if my phone is not eSIM compatible?

Sadly, not all phones support eSIMs. If your phone doesn’t have an EID (eSIM ID), it probably isn’t eSIM compatible. You can check out the steps above to see if your phone supports eSIMs based on its brand.

But why don’t some phones support eSIMs? It could be due to hardware or software limitations, or maybe carrier restrictions. Even if your phone has eSIM capability, some carriers might not support eSIMs for certain models. Plus, there are regional or country differences to consider. Feeling overwhelmed? Check out how to see if your phone is eSIM compatible below.

How to check if my phone is eSIM compatible

Checking if your device is eSIM compatible is pretty simple. But since every device is different, the steps will vary depending on your phone’s model. In this section, we’ll guide you through how to see if your phone supports eSIMs.

Check eSIM compatibility on your iPhone

Before checking if your iPhone is eSIM compatible, make sure it’s carrier unlocked:

1. Open “Settings” > “General” > “About.”

2. Scroll down to find the “Carrier lock” section (or “Network provider lock” if you have an EU model).

If it says “No SIM restrictions,” your phone is unlocked. Next, follow these steps to see if your device supports an eSIM:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Cellular.”

2. Scroll down to see your active SIM card or current carrier.

3. If you see the “Add eSIM” or “Set up cellular” option, then your iPhone is eSIM compatible.

Keep in mind, you can only add an eSIM on an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or later models. You can transfer a phone number from another iPhone (iOS 16 or later) or scan your carrier’s QR code to add an eSIM. Make sure that you’re connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network because setting up your iPhone’s eSIM requires an internet connection.

You can also download a carrier’s app to access their eSIM services. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to download the eSIM app for Saily.

Check eSIM compatibility on your Samsung phone

In the following sections, we’ll show you how to check if your Android device supports eSIMs. Let’s start with Samsung phones:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Connections.”

2. Tap “SIM card manager.” Keep in mind that labels might be a bit different on your phone’s model.

If you see the “Add eSIM” option, then your Samsung device is eSIM compatible.

Check eSIM compatibility on your Huawei phone

To check if your Huawei phone supports eSIMs, follow these steps: 

1. Go to “Settings” > “About phone.”

2. Tap “Show EID.”

If you don’t see an EID, your phone doesn’t support eSIM technology. Your Huawei phone’s eSIM compatibility can depend on a few things:

• Your network provider

• Your region or country

• Your device’s model

Check eSIM compatibility on your Google Pixel phone

To check if your Google Pixel phone is eSim compatible, start by finding your phone’s EID number:

1. Open your “Settings” app.

2. Tap “About phone” > “SIM status.”

3. Scroll down to find your EID.

Next, see if your device supports eSIMs:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Network & internet.”

2. Tap “SIMs.”

3. If you see a “Download a SIM instead?” option, your device has eSIM capability.

Not all Google Pixel phones support eSIMs because it depends on your phone model and mobile carrier. All Pixel 4 and later models support eSIMs, but older Pixel phones (2016 or earlier) do not. If you have a Pixel 2, Pixel 3, or Pixel 3a, see our quick guide about older Google Pixel phones:

• Pixel 2: Only Pixel 2 phones bought through Google Fi support eSIMs.

• Pixel 3: Devices bought from US or Canadian carriers (except Sprint and Google Fi) don’t support eSIMs. Also, Pixel 3s bought in Australia, Taiwan, and Japan aren’t eSIM compatible.

• Pixel 3a: Models purchased through Verizon or in Japan don’t support eSIM technology.

Check eSIM compatibility on your Motorola phone

To check if your Motorola phone supports eSIM technology, follow these steps:

1. Open “Settings” > “Internet and networks.”

2. Select “Mobile network” > “Advanced” > “Carrier.”

3. Tap the “Add carrier” option.

4. If you see an option to scan a QR code or add an eSIM, then your Motorola phone has eSIM capability.

Check eSIM compatibility on your Oppo phone

Most Oppo devices aren’t eSIM compatible, but some models support eSIMs:

• Find X3 Pro, Find X5, and Find X5 Pro

• Find N2 Flip

• Reno series (5A, 6 Pro, and 9A)

You can easily check if your Oppo phone supports eSIMs by following these steps:

1. Open “Settings” > “Connections.”

2. Tap “SIM card manager.”

3. If you see the “Add mobile plan” option, your Oppo device is eSIM compatible.

You can also check your device’s EID to see if it supports eSIMs:

1. Open “Settings” > “About.”

2. Check “Status info.”

3. If you see your device’s EID, it supports eSIM. If not, it’s not eSIM compatible.

Check eSIM compatibility on your Xiaomi phone

Most Xiaomi devices don’t support eSIMs, but there are a few that do. As of now, the following Xiaomi devices support eSIM technology:

• Xiaomi 12T Pro

• Xiaomi 13 (13, T, Pro, and Lite)

• Redmi note (13 Pro and 13 Pro +)

• Xiaomi 14

To check if your Xiaomi device is eSIM compatible, follow these easy steps:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Network & internet.”

2. Tap “Mobile network” or “Cellular data.”

3. If you see the “Add carrier” option, your phone supports eSIMs.

Wondering how long it takes to activate your eSIM? It varies based on your carrier, device, and activation method. Sometimes, you can set up your eSIM instantly. Other times, it may take between 15 minutes and an hour. If it’s taking longer than expected, feel free to contact your carrier.

Can I make my phone eSIM compatible?

Unfortunately, you can't just make your phone eSIM compatible if it doesn't already support the eSIM technology. If your phone is an older model without eSIM capability, you’re out of luck. 

Honestly, the easiest way is to get a phone that supports eSIM right out of the box. You can always check your phone’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to be sure, and don't forget to ask your carrier if they support eSIMs for your model.

Why is it worth having an eSIM-compatible phone?

eSIMs offer you a world of convenience. Here are some eSIM benefits:

• Easily switch mobile networks.

• Pay only for what you need.

• Have multiple profiles.

• Enjoy lower roaming charges.

Planning a trip? With Saily, you can easily get an eSIM for Japan, an eSIM for India, or one of the other 150 countries. Saily gives you secure and reliable mobile connections wherever you are, so you can stay connected even when you’re on the go.

Ready to explore new possibilities? Get Saily and set up your own eSIM in three easy steps. Download the Saily app today and enjoy top-notch eSIM data service anywhere in the world.