Compatible check: is your phone ready for an eSIM?
7 min read
A compatible check confirms two things before you buy an eSIM: your phone supports eSIM, and it's carrier-unlocked. On an iPhone, look for Add eSIM under Settings > Cellular and “No SIM restrictions” under Settings > General > About. On Android, dial *#06# and look for an EID, then confirm the lock status with your carrier.
This compatible check covers iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and other Android phones, plus the regional models that catch people out and what to do if your phone fails.
NoKYCsim sells data-only travel eSIMs, so we'd rather you spend two minutes checking now than buy a plan your phone can't use.
What a compatible check covers
Two things must both be true for a travel eSIM to work on your phone:
- eSIM support. The phone has an embedded SIM chip and the software to download a profile. Most flagship phones since 2018 have one, but not every model or regional version.
- No carrier lock. The phone accepts SIM profiles from any provider. A phone locked to one carrier may install a travel eSIM and still refuse to connect with it.
NoKYCsim plans are data-only eSIMs, so these are the only two tests your phone needs to pass. You don't need a SIM tray, a new number or a particular carrier.
Check eSIM support on iPhone
The iPhone XS, XS Max and XR (2018) and every iPhone since support eSIM. iPhone 14 and later models sold in the US have no SIM tray at all.
- Settings check. Open Settings > Cellular (Mobile Data or Mobile Service in some regions). If you see Add eSIM, your iPhone supports it.
- EID check. Dial *#06#. An EID number on the screen means an eSIM chip is present.
Many iPhones sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao don't support eSIM. If yours came from there, tap the model number in Settings > General > About until it shows a code starting with A, and look that code up on Apple's website.
Check eSIM support on Samsung Galaxy
- Settings check. Open Settings > Connections > SIM manager (SIM card manager on older versions). An Add eSIM or Add mobile plan option means it's supported.
- IMEI check. Open Settings, search for IMEI, and look for an EID or IMEI (eSIM) entry.
Most Galaxy flagships from the S20 onward support eSIM, along with recent foldables. Some budget models, and versions sold in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, don't, so check your exact model number.
Check eSIM support on Google Pixel
According to Google, every Pixel 4 and later works with eSIM. Older models depend on where they were bought: a Pixel 3a bought with Verizon service or in Japan doesn't, and a Pixel 3 doesn't if it came from a US or Canadian carrier other than Sprint or Google Fi, or was bought in Australia, Taiwan or Japan.
- Settings check. Open Settings > Network & internet, tap the + next to SIMs, and look for Download a SIM instead.
- EID check. Dial *#06#. An EID number confirms an eSIM chip.
Check other Android phones
Menus vary by brand, but the same three tests work on Motorola, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo and others:
- Dial *#06#. If an EID appears, the phone has an eSIM chip. Some eSIM phones don't show it here, so a missing EID isn't proof on its own.
- Search Settings. Type eSIM or EID into the Settings search, or look for Add eSIM or Download a SIM in the SIM or mobile network menu.
- Check the spec page. Your phone maker's page for your exact model number is the most reliable answer for regional versions.
Check that your phone is carrier-unlocked
eSIM support is only half the job. A locked phone may install your eSIM and still refuse to connect.
- iPhone. Open Settings > General > About. If Carrier Lock shows No SIM restrictions, it's unlocked. Apple says only your carrier can unlock an iPhone.
- Android. There's no universal menu. The simplest test is a SIM from another carrier: if it connects, the phone is unlocked. Otherwise, ask your carrier.
- How you bought it. Phones bought outright from the manufacturer are often unlocked. Phones bought from a carrier or on a contract are often locked until they're paid off or unlocked on request.
Quick reference by phone
Use this table as a quick compatible check reference before you buy.
| Phone | Where to look | What confirms it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS / XR or newer | Settings > Cellular | Add eSIM option | Many mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao models lack eSIM |
| iPhone (lock status) | Settings > General > About | Carrier Lock: No SIM restrictions | Only your carrier can unlock it |
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings > Connections > SIM manager | Add eSIM option or an EID | Some budget and Asia-region models |
| Google Pixel 4 or newer | Settings > Network & internet > SIMs | Download a SIM instead, or an EID | Pixel 3 and 3a depend on where they were bought |
| Other Android | Dial *#06# | An EID number | A missing EID isn't conclusive; check the spec page |
Your compatible check, step by step
Run through these before you pay for any plan.
- 1
Find your exact model
Look in Settings > About phone (General > About on iPhone) for the model name and number.
- 2
Look for the eSIM option
Use the menu path for your brand, or dial *#06# for an EID.
- 3
Confirm the lock status
Check Carrier Lock on iPhone, or test another carrier's SIM on Android.
- 4
Check the region
If the phone came from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan, confirm eSIM support for that exact model.
- 5
Update the software
Install the latest iOS or Android update, since eSIM menus and fixes arrive through updates.
- 6
Check your eSIM slots
Most phones store several eSIM profiles but use one or two at a time. Only delete an old profile if you're sure you won't need it.
- 7
Pick a plan for your trip
Choose the country or region and the data allowance, and save your delivery details.
- 8
Install over Wi-Fi
Follow your plan's instructions and check what starts its validity period before you turn the line on.
What to do if your phone fails the compatible check
A failed result doesn't always mean you need a new phone.
- No eSIM support. A data-only eSIM can't be added to a phone without an eSIM chip. Use a local physical SIM, a spare eSIM-capable phone, or a portable Wi-Fi hotspot instead.
- Carrier-locked. Ask your carrier to unlock it. Carriers usually unlock a phone once it's paid off, but each has its own rules.
- Not sure. Check your phone maker's spec page for your exact model number, or contact our support with the model before you buy.
The bottom line
A two-minute compatible check saves you buying a plan your phone can't use: look for the eSIM option, confirm there's no carrier lock, and double-check regional models.
If your phone passes, a NoKYCsim travel eSIM installs by QR code, with no account or ID upload at checkout. Pick your destination and you're ready to go.
Frequently asked questions
This guide is published by NoKYCsim, also searched as simnokyc, a store for prepaid data-only travel eSIMs with no account or ID upload at checkout.