On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for an EID, ‘Digital SIM’ or ‘Available SIM’ entry. On Android, look for Add eSIM under SIM settings, or dial *#06# and look for an EID. The phone must also be carrier-unlocked to use a travel eSIM.
Updated
Quick check: iPhone
Open Settings > General > About and scroll down. If you see an EID number or a Digital SIM entry, the phone has an eSIM. You can also check Settings > Mobile Service for an “Add eSIM” option.
Quick check: Android (Samsung, Pixel, Oppo)
- Samsung: Settings > Connections > SIM manager. An “Add eSIM” option means it’s supported.
- Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. Look for an option to download a SIM or add an eSIM.
- Oppo and others: look under SIM card or mobile network settings, or search Settings for “eSIM”.
The same model can be sold with or without eSIM in different countries, so check your own phone rather than the model name.
The *#06# EID trick
Open the phone dialler and type *#06#. If the screen that appears lists an EID (a long number alongside the IMEI), your phone has an eSIM chip. No EID usually means no eSIM, though not every manufacturer shows it here.
Is my phone unlocked?
A locked phone will not accept another provider’s eSIM. On iPhone, check Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock: “No SIM restrictions” means it’s unlocked. On Android there’s no universal setting; the simplest test is to ask your carrier, who can tell you and unlock it if needed. Phones bought outright from a retailer are usually unlocked.
Compatible models
As a broad guide (checked October 2026), these families include eSIM support, but regional variants differ and the list changes with every release, so always run the checks above on your own phone:
| Brand | Generally supported from |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone | iPhone XS / XR and later |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 3 and later (some early variants excluded) |
| Samsung Galaxy | Galaxy S20 and later flagships, plus foldables; many A-series models do not |
Last checked October 2026. Confirm on your provider’s own compatibility list before you buy.
What if my phone doesn’t support eSIM?
You can still avoid high roaming bills: buy a local physical SIM on arrival, use a pocket wi-fi device, or take an older unlocked eSIM phone as a travel handset. eSIM vs physical SIM vs roaming. If it does support eSIM: how to get one, then how to activate it.
Once your phone passes the checks, Airalo sells eSIMs for more than 200 destinations.
See Airalo plans →Affiliate note: Traviva earns a commission if you buy through this Airalo link, at no extra cost to you. It does not change anything this page says about Airalo or any other provider — see our disclosure.
Questions travellers ask
How do I know if my phone has eSIM?
On iPhone, look for an EID or Digital SIM entry under Settings > General > About. On Android, look for Add eSIM in SIM settings, or dial *#06# and check whether an EID is shown.
Does a locked phone work with eSIM?
Not with a travel eSIM from another provider. The phone must be unlocked from your Australian carrier; ask your carrier to unlock it before you travel.
Do Australian-model phones support eSIM?
Most recent flagship phones sold in Australia do, including recent iPhones, Pixels and Galaxy S models. Some budget models and some regional variants do not, so check your own handset.
Can I use eSIM and a physical SIM at once?
Yes, on most eSIM phones. This dual-SIM set-up lets you keep your Australian SIM for calls and texts while the travel eSIM handles data.