Does Your Device Support eSIM? Complete Compatibility Guide 2026

Before paying for an eSIM data plan, confirm the one thing that decides everything: does the phone in your pocket have an embedded SIM module inside it? In 2026 the answer is "almost certainly yes" for any flagship bought since 2020. But enough regional variants and carrier-locked or quietly-skipped models exist that a 30-second hardware check beats assuming.

This guide is the working list we maintain for travelers. It covers iPhone (XS through 17), Samsung Galaxy (S20 through S25 plus the Z Fold and Z Flip lines), Google Pixel (3 through 9), iPads, Apple Watch, Microsoft Surface, ThinkPad, and the long tail of Motorola, OnePlus, Sony, Xiaomi, Oppo, Huawei, and Nothing devices that quietly added eSIM in the last few years.

The 30-second compatibility test

The most reliable check works on every phone, regardless of brand or OS, and takes about as long as it takes to read this paragraph:

1. Open your phone's dialer (the standard phone app you use to make calls).
2. Type the universal MMI code: *#06#
3. The screen automatically displays a panel of device identifiers.
4. Look for an entry labeled EID (Embedded Identity Document).

If an EID appears, your device has an embedded SIM module and can install an eSIM profile. If only an IMEI is shown with no EID, the hardware is physical-SIM only.

Why this works: every device built to the GSMA eSIM consumer specification is required to expose an EID, it is the unique identifier of the embedded module itself, the same way IMEI identifies the modem. No EID means no module.

iPhone eSIM compatibility

Per Apple's eSIM device list, every iPhone since the iPhone XS (2018) supports eSIM. The line of demarcation everyone needs to know about is the iPhone 14 in the United States, which was the first iPhone Apple shipped without a physical SIM tray. Every US iPhone 14, 15, 16, and 17 is eSIM-only.

iPhones with eSIM support:

• iPhone 17, 17 Plus, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max
• iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
• 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 gen, 2020), SE (3rd gen, 2022), SE (4th gen, 2025)

Regional gotchas

• United States (iPhone 14+): eSIM only. There is no SIM tray.
• Canada, EU, UK, Australia, most of Latin America: dual-SIM (one nano-SIM + eSIM, or dual-eSIM on iPhone 14+ in some markets).
• Mainland China: iPhones sold through Apple China (model numbers ending in CH/A) historically ship without eSIM, they are physical dual-SIM. Confirm the model number on the back of the phone before traveling.
• Hong Kong and Macau (specific SKUs): some Hong Kong-market iPhones omit eSIM. Same model-number check applies.

How to check on iPhone

Settings → General → About → scroll to "EID". If the EID line is present and shows a value, your iPhone has an active eSIM module. You can also use Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM. If the option is missing entirely, eSIM is unavailable on that device or has been disabled by a carrier lock.

Samsung Galaxy eSIM compatibility

Samsung has supported eSIM on its flagship Galaxy line since the Galaxy S20 in 2020, and added it to the Z Fold and Z Flip foldables and to the higher-end A-series. Coverage is broad globally with one persistent exception: certain Hong Kong-market Samsung devices ship without eSIM hardware.

Samsung Galaxy phones with eSIM:

• Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra
• Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra
• Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE
• Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
• Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra
• Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
• Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra
• Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Fold5, Z Fold4, Z Fold3
• Galaxy Z Flip6, Z Flip5, Z Flip4, Z Flip3
• Galaxy A55 5G, A54 5G, A35 5G

Carrier-locked notes

Samsung devices sold through North American carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus) are commonly locked to that carrier for the first 60 days of activation. A locked device will reject third-party eSIM profiles even though *#06# returns a valid EID. Verify unlock status before you fly.

How to check on Samsung

Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM. If "Add eSIM" is present, the hardware is available and the device is willing to provision. Alternatively, Settings → About phone → Status information → IMEI and EID exposes the same EID value the dialer test surfaces.

Google Pixel eSIM compatibility

Google has shipped eSIM on every consumer Pixel since the Pixel 3 (2018), per Google's Pixel support documentation. The Pixel line is one of the cleanest lists in this guide: no regional variants without eSIM, no carrier-specific omissions, no model-by-model surprises.

Pixel phones with eSIM:

• Pixel 9 Pro Fold
• Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9
• Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8, Pixel 8a
• Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 7a
• Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 6a
• Pixel 5, Pixel 5a
• Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a
• Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a

How to check on Pixel

Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Download a SIM instead?. If that prompt is offered, eSIM is available. The EID is also surfaced under Settings → About phone → SIM status → EID.

Other Android brands

Coverage on the rest of the Android world is real but inconsistent. The general rule: 2022-and-newer flagships from major brands tend to include eSIM globally; mid-range and budget phones often don't; US variants of some Asian-brand phones are stripped of eSIM hardware specifically for the US market.

Motorola Razr (foldable): Razr+ (2024), Razr (2024), Razr+ (2023), Razr 40 Ultra, Razr 40, Razr 5G.

Motorola Edge: Edge 50 Ultra, 50 Pro, 50 Fusion, Edge+ (2023), Edge (2023), Edge 40 Pro, Edge 40.

Motorola G: Moto G85, G75 5G, G54 5G, G53 5G, G84.

OnePlus: OnePlus 13, 12, 11, Open, Open 2.

Sony Xperia: Xperia 1 VI, 1 V, 1 IV, 5 V, 5 IV, 10 VI, 10 V, 10 IV. US-market Sony Xperia phones routinely omit eSIM. Verify on the specific model before purchasing.

Xiaomi: Xiaomi 15 series, 14 series, 13 series, 12T Pro, MIX Fold 4, MIX Flip.

Oppo: Find X8 Pro, Find X8, Find N3 Flip, Find N3, Find X5 Pro, Find X5, Reno 12 Pro 5G, Reno 6 Pro 5G.

Huawei: Pura 70 Pro, Pura 70 Ultra, P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro. Note: the Huawei P40 Pro+ does not support eSIM despite the rest of the P40 line supporting it.

Honor: Magic7 Pro, Magic6 Pro, Magic5 Pro, Magic4 Pro, Honor 200 Pro, Honor 90.

Nokia: XR21, X30, G60.

Fairphone: Fairphone 5, Fairphone 4.

Nothing: Nothing Phone (2a), Phone (2), Phone (1).

iPads with eSIM

eSIM on iPad requires the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Wi-Fi-only iPads have no cellular modem at all and cannot install eSIM under any circumstances.

iPads with eSIM (Cellular models):

• iPad Pro M4 (2024)
• iPad Air M2 (2024)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro, 2024)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen, 2018) and later
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen, 2018) and later
• iPad Air (3rd gen, 2019) and later
• iPad (7th gen, 2019) and later
• iPad mini (5th gen, 2019) and later

The 2024 iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M2 are the first iPads to ship eSIM-only in the United States, mirroring the iPhone 14 transition. Outside the US they retain a nano-SIM tray.

Apple Watch with eSIM

Apple Watch GPS + Cellular models all use eSIM for their cellular connection. The non-cellular GPS-only Apple Watches do not support eSIM.

Apple Watches with eSIM:

• Apple Watch Series 10
• Apple Watch Series 9
• Apple Watch Series 3 through Series 8 (Cellular)
• Apple Watch SE (1st and 2nd gen, Cellular)
• Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2

The important caveat for travelers: an Apple Watch's eSIM is provisioned by your home carrier as a "NumberShare" plan paired to your iPhone's primary number. Travel eSIM providers like Lotsotravel cannot install profiles onto an Apple Watch. That's an Apple-and-carrier product, not a third-party one.

Samsung Galaxy Watch and other smartwatches

Galaxy Watch (LTE models): Watch7 series, Watch Ultra, Watch6 series, Watch5 series, Watch4 series, Watch FE.

Google Pixel Watch (LTE): Pixel Watch 3, Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch (original).

Huawei: Watch 4 Pro, Watch 4, Watch 3 Pro.

Xiaomi: Watch 2 Pro.

As with Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch cellular plans are typically tied to the user's home carrier through NumberSync or equivalent paired-plan programs.

Laptops with eSIM (Always-Connected PCs)

eSIM on laptops requires an LTE/5G SKU; the WWAN modem is an option at purchase, not something that can be added later. The major lines that offer eSIM-equipped variants:

• Microsoft Surface: Surface Pro 11 with 5G, Surface Pro 10 with 5G, Surface Pro 9 with 5G, Surface Pro 8 (LTE), Surface Go 3 (LTE), Surface Pro X. Setup steps are documented on Microsoft's Surface eSIM page.
• Lenovo ThinkPad: X1 Carbon (Gen 7+), X1 Yoga, X13, T14s, and select P-series with the WWAN option enabled.
• Dell Latitude: 5000, 7000, and 9000-series ultraportables ordered with the optional WWAN module.
• HP EliteBook and Spectre: EliteBook 800/1000 series and Spectre x360 with the LTE option.

To check, look in Settings → Network & Internet → Cellular on Windows. If a "Cellular" pane appears with a SIM/eSIM section, the modem is installed.

What to do if your device doesn't support eSIM

Three options, in order of how much they ask of you:

1. Use a physical travel SIM at the destination. Local carrier SIMs at any major airport. More setup friction than eSIM (passport ID is typically required) but works on every phone.
2. Borrow or buy a backup eSIM-capable phone. A used iPhone XS or Pixel 4 in working condition is well under $100 in most second-hand markets and will outlast many trips. Move your physical SIM into it for the duration of the trip.
3. Rent a pocket Wi-Fi device. Several travel-tech rental services ship a hotspot to your home before departure. Slower-paced ROI than an eSIM but doesn't require any phone changes.

What this guide doesn't cover

A few things worth flagging that are out of scope for a compatibility list:

• Carrier-specific eSIM activation flows. Major carriers each have their own provisioning portal; a Lotsotravel travel eSIM bypasses that flow entirely.
• Enterprise-managed devices (MDM). Corporate MDM profiles can disable eSIM on employee devices independent of hardware support. Check with IT.
• Device-specific bugs. Particular firmware versions on specific carrier-locked SKUs occasionally introduce eSIM bugs that resolve themselves with the next OS update. If your hardware should support eSIM but the menu is missing after a *#06# test confirms an EID, check for a pending OS update before troubleshooting further.
• In-port-only carriers (cruise ships). No travel eSIM works on shipboard satellite cellular; that's an at-sea limitation, not a device limitation.

How to know for sure in 30 seconds

If you bought your phone after 2020 from a major brand outside mainland China, the odds that it supports eSIM are extremely high. The GSMA-standard EID test takes 30 seconds and confirms it without guessing. The one variable nobody can check from a spec sheet is whether your carrier has locked the device to its own eSIM provisioning. Confirm unlock status before you fly, and you're set.