What if my phone doesn't support eSIM or is carrier-locked?
If your phone does not support eSIM or is carrier-locked, you cannot use a travel eSIM on it until the phone is both eSIM-capable and unlocked. You can check compatibility in your phone settings, and if it is locked, only the carrier that sold it can unlock it. If neither works, the simplest alternative is a spare phone that is unlocked and supports eSIM.
How to check if your phone supports eSIM
- Open the phone dialer and enter *#06#. If an EID number appears alongside the IMEI, your phone has an eSIM.
- In Settings, look under the mobile or cellular options for 'Add eSIM' or 'Add cellular plan'. If that option exists, the phone is eSIM-capable.
- Check your exact model name against the manufacturer's official specifications, since support depends on the specific model and region.
How to check if your phone is carrier-locked
A carrier-locked phone only accepts SIMs from the carrier that sold it, and it will reject a travel eSIM from another provider. On many phones, Settings shows a network or SIM lock status you can check. The most reliable way to confirm is to ask the carrier you bought the phone from whether it is locked, and to request an unlock if it is.
Alternatives and unlocking
Only the carrier that originally sold your phone can unlock it, and they usually require the device to be fully paid off first; there is no safe third-party shortcut. If unlocking is not possible, the simplest alternative is to use a different phone that is both unlocked and eSIM-capable, such as a spare or a borrowed device. Whichever route you take, confirm compatibility before buying an eSIM, since a travel eSIM is tied to the phone it is installed on.