One of the most common questions about eSIM is also the most basic: does my phone actually support it? The answer is almost certainly yes if you bought your phone in the last 4-5 years — but with some important exceptions depending on your phone model and where it was purchased.
Key Takeaways
- Most smartphones from 2019 onwards support eSIM
- iPhones from XS (2018) onwards are all eSIM-compatible
- Samsung Galaxy S20 series and later support eSIM
- Google Pixel 3 and later support eSIM
- Phones sold in mainland China often do not support eSIM regardless of model
How to Check If Your Phone Supports eSIM Right Now
The fastest check: go to your phone’s Settings and search for eSIM. If the option appears — as Add eSIM, Download SIM, Digital SIM, or similar — your phone supports it. On iPhone specifically: Settings — General — About — look for an EID number. If EID is present, your phone has eSIM capability. On Android: Settings — Network and Internet — SIM cards — if you see Add eSIM, you are compatible.
iPhone eSIM Compatibility
All iPhone models from iPhone XS (2018) onwards support eSIM. This includes: iPhone XS, XS Max, XR (2018); iPhone 11 series (2019); iPhone SE 2nd generation (2020); iPhone 12 series (2020); iPhone 13 series (2021); iPhone SE 3rd generation (2022); iPhone 14 series (2022) — US iPhone 14 models are eSIM-only with no physical SIM slot; iPhone 15 series (2023). Exception: iPhones purchased in mainland China typically do not support eSIM.
Samsung Galaxy eSIM Compatibility
Samsung Galaxy eSIM-compatible models include: Galaxy S20 series and all S-series from 2020 onwards; Galaxy Z Fold 2 and all Fold and Flip series from 2020 onwards; Galaxy A54 5G (2023) and selected A series from 2022+; Galaxy Note 20 series. Check your specific model in Settings — Connections — SIM Manager — if Add eSIM appears, you are compatible.
Google Pixel eSIM Compatibility
Google Pixel eSIM-compatible models: Pixel 3 and 3 XL (2018); Pixel 3a and 3a XL (2019); all Pixel 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 series; Pixel Fold; Pixel 9 series. Essentially all Pixel phones from 2018 onwards support eSIM.
My Phone Does Not Support eSIM — What Are My Options?
If your phone is not eSIM-compatible, ConnectPls physical SIM card subscriptions are the answer. Order a ConnectPls SIM card for your destination country before you travel — it arrives by post, you insert it into your phone’s SIM slot, and you have the same local network access as an eSIM. The only difference is the physical chip versus the digital profile. Connectivity, pricing, and data plans are equivalent.
ConnectPls provides eSIM plans for all compatible devices and physical SIM card subscriptions for phones without eSIM support — covering 100+ countries with flexible subscription periods. Check connectpls.com to find the right connectivity solution for your phone and destination.
