Why it is worth checking before you buy
A travel eSIM only works on a phone that has an embedded SIM chip and is free to use other providers' plans. Most phones released in recent years meet both conditions, so most travellers will be fine. But the exceptions are not obvious from the outside. Two phones with the same name can behave differently depending on where they were sold, and a phone bought on a contract may be locked to one operator.
Checking takes a minute. Doing it before you buy saves the frustration of discovering at the airport that the QR code in your email will not install. This guide explains how to check, step by step, and why we recommend checking your specific phone rather than relying on lists of models.
The two conditions your phone must meet
For a Spidot eSIM, or any other travel eSIM, your phone needs to pass two separate tests.
- It supports eSIM. The phone has an embedded SIM chip, called an eUICC, and software that lets you add an eSIM profile.
- It is carrier-unlocked. The phone is not restricted to one mobile operator. A locked phone may support eSIM technically but refuse plans from other providers.
Why both matter
Many people check the first condition and forget the second. A phone bought outright from a manufacturer or retailer is usually unlocked. A phone bought from an operator, especially with a monthly contract or instalment plan, may be locked until the contract ends or until you ask the operator to unlock it. Policies differ by operator and country, so if you are not sure, ask.
The quickest check: dial *#06#
Open your phone's dialler and type *#06#. On most phones, a screen appears immediately with device identifiers. Look for a line labelled EID, a long number that identifies the embedded SIM chip.
If you see an EID, your phone has eSIM hardware. If you only see IMEI numbers and no EID, it most likely does not support eSIM. This check works on most iPhones and Android phones and does not need an internet connection.
An EID tells you the hardware is there. It does not tell you whether the phone is unlocked, so do the unlock check below as well.
If nothing appears
On a few phones, or with some dialler apps, the code does not open an information screen. In that case use the settings checks below instead. Make sure you are typing the code in the phone's own dialler, not in a messaging or calculator app, and that you do not need to press call; on most phones the screen appears as soon as you type the final character.
If you are checking a phone for someone else, for example a family member travelling with you, the same steps apply. It is worth doing for every phone that will use a travel eSIM, not just your own.
Checking in your phone's settings
Menu names vary between software versions and manufacturers, but the general places to look are similar.
On iPhone
Open Settings, then General, then About. If your iPhone supports eSIM, you will usually see an EID listed further down the page. You can also open Settings, then Mobile Data or Cellular, and look for an option to add an eSIM. If that option is there, the phone supports eSIM.
On Samsung Galaxy
Open Settings, then Connections, then SIM manager. If you see an option to add an eSIM, the phone supports it. The EID is usually shown under Settings, About phone, Status information.
On Google Pixel and other Android phones
Open Settings, then Network and internet, then SIMs. Look for an option to add or download a SIM, or to add an eSIM. On other Android brands the path is similar, usually under connections, mobile networks or SIM settings.
Why regional models differ
Phone makers often produce several versions of the same model for different markets. These versions can differ in which SIM types they support. A model that supports eSIM in one country may only support physical SIM cards in another.
A well-known example is that iPhones sold in mainland China generally use two physical SIM slots instead of eSIM. Some Android phones have similar regional differences, and some budget models leave eSIM out altogether. Meanwhile, some recent iPhones sold in the United States have no physical SIM slot at all and rely entirely on eSIM.
This is why lists of compatible phones can only ever be a starting point. If you bought your phone abroad, second-hand or from a grey-market seller, check the device itself with *#06# rather than relying on the model name. Our compatibility checker lets you choose your brand and model and points out where regional models may differ.
How to check whether your phone is unlocked
The unlock check depends on your phone.
iPhone
Open Settings, General, About and look for Carrier Lock or Network Provider Lock. If it says No SIM restrictions, the phone is unlocked. Anything else suggests it is locked to an operator.
Android
Android phones do not always show lock status in one standard place. Some brands show it in settings, under network or SIM information. A practical test is to insert a SIM card from another operator: if the phone shows an error or asks for an unlock code, it is locked. If in doubt, ask the operator that sold you the phone.
If your phone is locked
Contact the operator you bought it from and ask whether it can be unlocked. Many operators unlock phones once the contract or device payments are complete, sometimes on request. Allow time for this before your trip; it is not something to sort out on the day you fly.
Other things that can get in the way
Even on a compatible, unlocked phone, a few things occasionally stop an eSIM installing or working.
- Company device management. Work phones may have policies that block adding mobile plans. Ask your IT team before you travel.
- Outdated software. Older software versions can have eSIM bugs. Update your phone before installing.
- No internet during installation. Installing an eSIM needs Wi-Fi or mobile data. Install at home before you fly.
- Damaged or repaired phones. In rare cases, phones repaired with non-original parts can have eSIM problems.
- Too many eSIMs. Phones can store several eSIM profiles, but there is a limit that varies by model. Removing old, unused eSIMs can help, though deleting an eSIM is permanent, so only remove ones you are sure you no longer need.
Tablets, smartwatches and laptops
Some cellular tablets support eSIM and can use travel data plans, while Wi-Fi-only tablets cannot. Check a tablet the same way you check a phone: look for an option to add a mobile plan or eSIM in its settings.
Smartwatches with mobile connectivity usually share a number with your phone through your home operator, and their set-up differs from a phone eSIM. Travel data eSIMs are generally intended for phones and compatible tablets, so do not plan on using one in a watch.
Most laptops do not have a SIM at all. The usual way to get a laptop online with travel data is to share it from your phone. Our hotspot guide explains how.
If your phone is not compatible
If your phone does not support eSIM, you still have options. You can use your home plan's roaming, buy a physical local SIM on arrival, or rely on Wi-Fi. Our comparison of eSIM, roaming and local SIMs sets out the trade-offs.
If you are replacing your phone soon anyway, check eSIM support for the exact model and regional version before you buy, especially if you travel often.
Once you know your phone is ready
If your phone shows an EID and is unlocked, you are ready. Choose your destination on the destinations page, buy a plan and install it at home on Wi-Fi using the QR code from your email. Step-by-step guides are available for iPhone, Samsung and Pixel.
Keep your own SIM in the phone for calls and texts. When you arrive, turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM, as shown in our data roaming guide, and leave it off for your home SIM.
Frequently asked questions
My phone shows an EID. Does that mean an eSIM will definitely work?
Can I use a travel eSIM on a phone bought in another country?
Do I need to remove my physical SIM to use an eSIM?
Can I move a travel eSIM to a new phone later?
Why is there no complete list of every compatible phone?
Plans for this trip
Check the plans and live prices before you go. You receive the QR code by email right after payment.