How to Check If Your Phone Supports eSIM: The 30-Second *#06# EID Test

Short answer: you can find out whether your phone supports eSIM in about 30 seconds to a minute, using any of three methods. First, dial *#06# in your phone app and see if a number labeled "EID" appears. Second, check your settings for an option to add an eSIM or cellular plan. Third, look up your model in our eSIM compatible devices list. If you go through them in that order, you'll almost always get a clear answer, even if you've never used an eSIM. This guide covers the steps for iPhone and Android, the things that trip people up (like carrier locks and regional models), and what to do once you know your phone is compatible. If eSIM is new to you, start with What Is an eSIM? A Beginner's Guide. The rest of this article will make more sense after that.

What makes a phone eSIM-compatible, and why can't every phone use one?

An eSIM is a chip built into your phone that a mobile plan can be downloaded onto. You don't need to swap a physical SIM card. With Bloomy, you tap the setup link you receive after purchase and follow the on-screen steps. Nothing gets shipped, so you can set it up even right before you leave.

To use an eSIM, though, your phone needs an eSIM chip, and not every phone has one. As a rough guide, most iPhone models from the iPhone XS and XR (2018) onward support eSIM, though some regional versions don't. On Android, many recent models from Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy and other major brands support eSIM. However, support can vary within the same series depending on the generation and where the phone was sold (carrier-sold, unlocked, or a model made for another region).

You don't want to buy a plan and then find out it won't work on your phone. Take a minute before you buy to check your device with the three methods below.

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Method 1: Dial *#06# to check for an EID (about 30 seconds)

The fastest check is to dial *#06# in your phone app. The EID is a unique number assigned to each eSIM chip, so if an EID appears, your phone has an eSIM chip.

Steps (iPhone and Android)

1. Open the phone app (the dial pad)
2. Enter *#06# (the screen usually changes on its own, so you don't need to press call)
3. Look for an "EID" entry alongside the "IMEI"

If you see an EID line, your phone very likely supports eSIM. You don't need to write the number down. For now, you're only checking whether an EID entry is there.

EID vs. IMEI

The *#06# screen also shows an "IMEI" number. The IMEI identifies the phone itself, and every phone has one, including phones without eSIM. Seeing an IMEI doesn't tell you anything about eSIM support. What matters is whether there's an EID line.

Method 2: Check your settings menu

Another easy check is whether your Settings app has an option to add an eSIM. This is the same screen you'll use to install your eSIM later, so finding it now will make setup quicker.

On iPhone

Go to Settings → Cellular (called Mobile Data or Mobile Service in some regions). If you see "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan", your iPhone supports eSIM. If neither option is there, your phone may not support eSIM, or its regional model may have restrictions.

On Android

Go to Settings → Network & internet → SIMs (or Mobile network) and look for an option like "Add SIM" or "Download a SIM / eSIM". Menu names and locations vary by manufacturer, model and Android version. If you can't find it, type "eSIM" into the search bar at the top of the Settings app.

If the option doesn't show up, your software may just be out of date. Don't assume your phone isn't compatible yet. Update to the latest software version and check again.

Method 3: Look up your model in the compatibility list

If the EID check and the settings menu don't give you a clear answer, look up your phone by model name. Check whether it's listed on Bloomy's eSIM compatible devices page. You can search by model name or model number, so it's easy to use even if you've never done this before.

Here's a quick comparison of the three methods:

If one method doesn't settle it, try two or more together.

Things to watch out for

Is your phone carrier-locked?

Even if your phone supports eSIM, a carrier lock may stop you from using an eSIM from another provider. Phones bought on installment plans or contracts, older devices, and second-hand phones are more likely to still be locked. Check with your mobile carrier at home to find out whether your phone is unlocked and how to request an unlock if it isn't.

Regional model differences

Phones with the same name can differ in eSIM support depending on the country or region they were sold in. Some regional versions only take a physical SIM, so take extra care if your phone was bought abroad. To be sure, check both the compatible devices page and what your phone shows you (the EID and the settings menu).

Bloomy is a data-only eSIM

Keep in mind that Bloomy plans are data-only. They don't include a phone number, so you can't make or receive regular calls or send and receive SMS. A compatible phone means you can use mobile data, not that you can make calls or texts with a number. However, app-based calls that run over data, like WhatsApp, Messenger and FaceTime, work as usual. The only things you can't do are regular phone calls and SMS. If you need a phone number for things like SMS verification from your bank, consider a local SIM or a plan that includes a number as well. You can find more details in our FAQ.

No EID or still not sure? Try this checklist

If no EID appears, or you can't find an eSIM option in your settings, your phone may still support eSIM. Work through these steps in order:

• Update your software: older versions sometimes hide eSIM options
• Search "eSIM" in the Settings app: menus vary by phone, so search is the quickest way to find it
• Look up your model in the compatibility list: include the model number to be certain
• Check the manufacturer's or retailer's spec page: official sites often say whether a model supports eSIM

If you're still not sure, don't buy a plan yet. Contact us with your phone's model name (and model number if you have it) and we'll help. If you run into trouble during setup after buying, see our setup guide and troubleshooting page for steps and fixes.

Who eSIM suits, and when another option may be better

Besides checking your phone, it's worth checking whether eSIM fits how you'll use it. That way, it'll work the way you expect after you buy.

eSIM is a good fit if you

• Have an eSIM-compatible phone and want your data sorted out before you leave
• Don't want to swap or pick up a SIM card (and don't want to risk losing a tiny card)
• Want to keep your home SIM in place and just add data for your trip
• Need data only for a set period, such as a short trip, a business trip, or the first weeks of studying abroad

Consider other options too if you

• Have a phone that doesn't support eSIM, or can't get it unlocked
• Need a local phone number for calls or SMS verification (a data-only eSIM can't do this, so look into options that include a number)
• Want to share one connection across several people or devices (compare with options like a portable Wi-Fi hotspot)

Once you've confirmed compatibility: getting started with Bloomy

Once you know your phone supports eSIM, all that's left is picking a plan for your destination, data needs and trip length. With Bloomy, you can get started in three steps:

1. Choose a plan for your destination, data amount and number of days on our eSIM comparison page
2. Tap the setup link you receive after purchase and follow the on-screen steps to add the eSIM (we recommend doing this before you leave)
3. When you arrive, turn on the eSIM line and data roaming in your settings to start using it

When the plan activates can differ by plan, so check the details before you buy. If you plan to stream video or rely on maps all day, our unlimited plan is another option. Unlimited Max has no slowdown based on how much data you use. To keep usage fair, extreme usage may be limited. Check the latest terms on tethering and other conditions before you buy. For tips on choosing by destination and estimating how much data you'll need, browse our eSIM guides.

Summary: start with the 30-second *#06# check

You can check whether your phone supports eSIM in three steps: ① dial *#06# and look for an EID, ② check your settings for an option to add an eSIM, and ③ look up your model in the compatible devices list. Also check that your phone is unlocked, confirm the specs of your regional model, and remember that Bloomy is data-only (app calls like WhatsApp still work). Do that and you're unlikely to run into surprises after buying. Start with the quickest one: dial *#06# on your phone now.

This article reflects information as of July 2026. Device compatibility, plan details and prices may change, so check the latest information at the time of purchase.