Which phones support eSIM? iPhone, Hong Kong and mainland models, and Android
Whether a phone takes an eSIM depends less on the model than on where it was bought: the same iPhone can support eSIM in one country and not in another. Here is what to know by where it was bought, and the ten-second test that settles it for your own phone.
The test that settles it
- Dial *#06#. An “EID” line means the phone supports eSIM; no EID, no eSIM.
- On an iPhone, Settings → General → About shows the EID too.
- The phone must also be unlocked, not tied to one carrier.
iPhone
- iPhone XS, XS Max and XR and later support eSIM, outside the exceptions below (Apple).
- Bought in mainland China: only iPhone Air, iPhone 17e, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo support eSIM, and they install a travel eSIM only once abroad.
- Bought in Hong Kong or Macao: some models have two nano-SIM slots instead of eSIM. Check yours with *#06#.
Source: support.apple.com/109317, 123879
Android
- Sold outside mainland China, the recent flagships of the big makers mostly support eSIM, for example Google Pixel 3a and later and Samsung Galaxy S20 and later; lower-priced models often do not.
- Sold in mainland China, most Android phones do not support eSIM.
- Settings → Network & internet (or Mobile network) → SIMs shows an Add eSIM or Download a SIM option on phones that support it.
No EID?
Use a physical SIM card, your own carrier’s roaming, or a local SIM. Our physical SIM card works in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Every way to get online abroad
Questions
Which iPhones support eSIM?
iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later, except mainland-China models other than iPhone Air, 17e, 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and Duo, and some Hong Kong and Macao models with two nano-SIM slots.
Does a Hong Kong iPhone support eSIM?
Some do and some have two nano-SIM slots instead. Dial *#06#: an EID line means yours does.
How do I check if my phone supports eSIM?
Dial *#06#. An EID line means it supports eSIM; it also has to be unlocked.
Will a foreign SIM card work in a phone bought in mainland China?
Usually: phones sold in mainland China are normally not locked to a carrier, so a local SIM card works once inserted. An eSIM is the part to check, since most mainland Android models have none.