An eSIM compatibility check is the quick test that tells you whether your handset can load a digital SIM by QR code instead of a plastic card. Under a minute, start to finish. Two reliable routes get you there: dial *#06# and hunt for an EID number, or crack open Settings and look for an Add eSIM option. I run this test on every used phone before money leaves my pocket. This guide walks both methods for iPhone and Android. Freshly updated in July 2026.
Nail this down before you pay for any travel plan. A bundle bought for the wrong device is cash flushed away, and the QR code will flatly refuse to switch on.
What Is the Fastest eSIM Compatibility Check?
Dial *#06# on your keypad. Quickest probe going. It fires on both iPhone and Android, no app needed.
A panel springs up crammed with device identifiers. Scan for a line labeled EID, a 32-digit string. See one? A digital chip lives inside. No EID means no eSIM, full stop. I memorized this trick years ago, and it has saved me from a dozen bad secondhand buys.
The EID sits right beside the IMEI, which every handset carries. Do not muddle the two. The EID is the eSIM-specific code, and spotting it is your green light.
Once your handset clears the test, grabbing a plan eats about three minutes. I reach for Airalo when I want the widest coverage, and Saily when I want cheaper data on popular routes. Both switch on by QR code the identical way.
How to Check eSIM on an iPhone
On an iPhone the Settings route is the more definitive one, since it surfaces the actual menu. Follow these steps.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular (or Mobile Service outside the US).
- Look for Add eSIM or Add Data Plan.
- Either option showing up means your iPhone handles it.
Every iPhone from the XR and XS onward sails through. The lone exception is a unit built for mainland China, which packs two physical trays and buries the menu entirely. For the full breakdown by model, see my iPhone eSIM compatibility list.
How to Check eSIM on an Android Phone
The wording shifts brand to brand on Android, yet the path stays close. Here is the general route.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network and internet or Connections.
- Tap SIMs or SIM Manager.
- Look for Add eSIM, Download a SIM instead, or Add mobile plan.
That option showing? You are set. Pixel handsets from the 3 up make the cut, as do recent Galaxy S and foldable models. OnePlus is the usual flop, since the bulk of its lineup ships without the chip. My Samsung eSIM compatibility list and Android eSIM compatibility list name the exact models.
Where to Find eSIM Settings by Phone
Bookmark this. Below sits a quick reference for the Settings path on each major handset family, alongside the one universal dial code.
| Phone Type | Settings Path | Dial Code |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone (XR and newer) | Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM | *#06# for EID |
| Samsung Galaxy (S20+, foldables) | Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM | *#06# for EID |
| Google Pixel (3 and newer) | Settings > Network > SIMs > Download a SIM | *#06# for EID |
| Motorola (Razr, Edge) | Settings > Network > SIM cards > Add eSIM | *#06# for EID |
| Any phone | N/A | *#06# shows EID if present |
If the dial code coughs up an EID but Settings hides the Add option, your carrier may have switched it off. One quick phone call usually untangles that.
Why Does the eSIM Option Not Appear?
Three culprits cover nearly every case. Rule them out in order.
- The handset is too old. Anything before the iPhone XR or Pixel 3 lacks the chip. No update ever grows one.
- It is a China-market or carrier-locked unit. China iPhones drop the feature by regulation, and locked phones often bar outside profiles.
- The software is stale. Once in a while an ancient OS build hides the menu. Update, then look again.
None of those fit and the EID still refuses to appear? Your specific model probably just does not do it. Cross-check against the maker’s official list before you throw in the towel.
Does My Phone Being Unlocked Matter?
Yes, hugely. This is the step folks skip. A handset can hold the chip yet still bounce a travel profile whenever a carrier has bolted it shut behind a lock.
Ask your carrier to release the device before you buy anything. On a locked phone, the QR scan might load the profile then fail to reach any outside network. I always confirm unlock status the very same day I run the test.
For the official rules on eSIM devices, Apple keeps a current list on its eSIM device page, and Google mirrors that on its Pixel eSIM page.
What to Do After the Check Passes
Once your handset clears the eSIM compatibility check, the rest moves fast. Here is my routine before any trip.
- Confirm the phone is unlocked with your carrier.
- Pick a destination plan inside the Airalo or Saily app.
- Install the profile at home on Wi-Fi, ideally the night before departure.
- Flip on data roaming for the travel line only after you land.
Keep your home SIM breathing too, since you still lean on it for bank codes and two-factor logins. For help picking a plan, my best eSIM provider guide ranks the whole field.
FAQ
How do I do an eSIM compatibility check quickly?
Dial *#06# and hunt for an EID number. A 32-digit EID showing up means the chip is present and your handset passes. No EID, no eSIM.
What is an EID number?
The EID is a 32-digit identifier unique to your handset’s eSIM chip. It is a separate beast from the IMEI. If your device flashes an EID, it can run a digital SIM.
Why can I not see the Add eSIM option?
Usual suspects: an older phone with no chip, a China-market or carrier-locked unit, or stale software. Update the device, verify unlock status, then look one more time.
Does an eSIM compatibility check work on any phone?
The *#06# code fires on both iPhone and Android. If it hands back no EID, the handset almost certainly lacks the feature.
Do I need to unlock my phone before buying an eSIM?
Yes. A carrier-locked phone might load a travel profile but then fail to connect. Get your carrier to release the device before you pay for any plan.
The whole thing boils down to one question: does an EID surface when you dial *#06#? If it does, and the handset is unlocked, you can load a plan from Airalo or Saily in minutes. If it does not, no travel eSIM will ever run on that device.
