Quick answer: iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later support eSIM. On Android, look for an EID number in Settings > About phone: if there's one, your phone supports eSIM. To check an iPhone is unlocked, go to Settings > General > About and look for No SIM restrictions.
Check 1: does my phone support eSIM?
iPhone
- eSIM works on iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and every iPhone since.
- To double-check, go to Settings > General > About and look for an EID number.
Android (Google Pixel)
- Go to Settings > About phone > SIM status.
- If you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM. Google says a phone needs an EID to use an eSIM.
Samsung Galaxy
- Go to Settings > About phone > Status and look for the EID. It's often printed on the box too.
- Samsung's UK list includes the Galaxy S20 to S26, the foldables and many A-series phones.
Check 2: is my phone unlocked?
An unlocked phone works with any network's SIM or eSIM. You need one to use a travel eSIM or switch network.
iPhone
- Go to Settings > General > About.
- Scroll to Network Provider Lock (or Carrier Lock).
- No SIM restrictions means it's unlocked.
Android (Google Pixel)
- Phones bought from the Google Store are always unlocked.
- Otherwise, borrow a SIM from a different network and put it in. O2 says messages such as "Incompatible SIM" or "Enter network unlock code" mean it's locked.
Samsung Galaxy
- Try a SIM from another network, as for Pixel.
- EE says that if dialling *#06# shows two IMEI numbers, the phone is probably already unlocked.
If your phone is locked
Since 17 December 2021, UK networks haven't been allowed to sell locked phones, so most newer phones are unlocked. If yours is older and locked, the network that sold it can unlock it, and EE, Vodafone and O2 all say they do it for free. See how to unlock your phone in the UK.
Tip: dial *#06# on any phone to see its IMEI number. Networks ask for it when you unlock a phone or order an eSIM.
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FAQs
Does every iPhone support eSIM?
Every iPhone from the XS and XR (2018) onwards supports eSIM. Older models, such as the iPhone X and iPhone 8, only take a physical SIM.
What is an EID?
The EID is a unique number for the eSIM chip in your phone. If your phone has one, it supports eSIM.
Can I use a travel eSIM on a locked phone?
Usually not. A locked phone only accepts its own network's SIMs and eSIMs, so unlock it first.
Is my phone unlocked if I bought it outright?
Phones bought SIM-free from a shop like Apple, Samsung or the Google Store are unlocked. Since December 2021, UK networks have also had to sell phones unlocked.
Steps checked on 2 November 2026 against official help pages: Apple: eSIM · Apple: unlocked iPhone · Google: EID · Samsung UK: eSIM phones · EE: unlocking · O2: unlocking. Menu names can vary slightly by phone model and software version.