How to check if your phone is carrier-unlocked before buying a travel eSIM

Your phone is ready for a travel eSIM only if it has eSIM hardware and is not locked to one carrier. Check both before you buy: dial *#06# for an EID, then confirm the phone has no carrier restrictions in settings or with the carrier that sold it.

For BeeSim, this check matters because travel eSIM plans are data-only and install by QR code or manual SM-DP+ entry. If the phone is locked, the eSIM may install but fail to connect when you land.

What does “is my phone unlocked for eSIM” actually mean?

“Unlocked” and “eSIM-compatible” are different checks.

An eSIM-compatible phone has the hardware needed to store an eSIM profile. The quick sign is an EID number on the phone. A carrier-unlocked phone can use mobile service from a provider other than the carrier that originally sold or financed it.

You need both for a travel eSIM:

Check	What it proves	Fast result to look for	What to do if it fails
Dial *#06#	The phone has eSIM hardware	An EID line appears	Use a different device or ask the seller to confirm eSIM support
iPhone carrier lock setting	The iPhone is not restricted to one carrier	“No SIM restrictions”	Ask the carrier or seller to unlock it before travel
Android “Add eSIM” menu	The phone can add an eSIM profile	“Add eSIM” is visible	Check the exact model and region, then ask support before buying
A non-original SIM or eSIM test	The phone accepts another provider	It registers on mobile service	Contact the original carrier if it stays restricted

A phone can pass one check and fail the other. For example, an iPhone can show an EID but still be carrier-locked. In that case, do not buy the travel eSIM until the carrier lock is removed.

How do I check eSIM hardware on any phone?

Start with the fastest universal check.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Dial *#06#.
3. Look for a line named EID.

If an EID appears, the phone has eSIM hardware. If you only see IMEI numbers and no EID, do not assume the phone can use a travel eSIM. Some menus hide eSIM options until a carrier enables them, but the EID check is the cleanest first test.

If the phone is not in your hand yet, ask the seller for a screenshot of the *#06# screen showing the EID. They can cover the IMEI if they prefer, but you need to see that an EID line exists. For used phones, also ask for the carrier-lock screen, not just the model name.

How do I check carrier unlock status on iPhone?

On iOS 17 and iOS 18, Apple gives a direct carrier-lock line.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap About.
4. Scroll to Carrier Lock.
5. Confirm it says No SIM restrictions.

If it says anything else, treat the iPhone as locked. Restarting or installing a travel eSIM will not remove that restriction. Contact the carrier that locked the phone and complete its unlock process before buying a travel eSIM.

Also check eSIM support on the same iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Cellular.
3. Look for Add eSIM.

If “Add eSIM” is missing but the phone should support eSIM, update iOS and restart. If it is still missing, ask Apple or the carrier that supplied the phone before you buy a plan.

One model note matters for travellers: iPhone XS, XS Max and XR support eSIM, and every later iPhone family in the verified list does too, including the iPhone 11–17 families and iPhone SE 2020/2022. iPhone 14 and later models sold in the USA are eSIM-only, so the carrier-unlock check is even more important.

How do I check eSIM and unlock status on Android?

Android is less uniform than iPhone. Many Android phones can show whether eSIM can be added, but they may not show a clear carrier-lock status in the settings app. Use the eSIM menu, the EID check, and carrier confirmation together.

Samsung Galaxy on Android 14 or Android 15

Use this path first:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Connections.
3. Tap SIM manager.
4. Look for Add eSIM.

If “Add eSIM” appears and *#06# shows an EID, the phone has eSIM hardware enabled. If your Samsung firmware has a lock-status line, it may appear under Settings > About phone > Status information > SIM card status. The wording varies by region, so do not rely on this alone.

For carrier unlock, ask the carrier or seller to confirm that the device is network-unlocked. If you already have another provider’s physical SIM, insert it and check whether the phone can register for mobile service. If it asks for a network unlock code or refuses the SIM, it is locked.

Google Pixel on Android 14 or Android 15

Use this path:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet.
3. Tap SIMs.
4. Look for Add SIM or Add eSIM.

Then dial *#06# and confirm that an EID appears. Pixel menus usually make eSIM support easy to spot, but carrier-lock wording still depends on where the phone was bought.

Pixel 3 and later models are in the verified eSIM list, with some Japanese-carrier Pixel 3 phones excepted. Pixel Fold is also included. If you are buying a used Pixel 3 from Japan, get written confirmation of eSIM support and unlock status before paying.

Xiaomi on Android 14 or Android 15

On current global Xiaomi models, check this path:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Mobile networks.
3. Look for eSIM or Manage eSIM.
4. Tap it and look for Add eSIM.

Then dial *#06# and confirm the EID. Xiaomi eSIM support is strongly tied to the exact model and region. Xiaomi 12T Pro, 13/13 Pro/13T/13T Pro, 14/14 Pro/14T/14T Pro and 15/15 Ultra global versions are in the verified list. If your Xiaomi has the right model name but no EID, do not buy a travel eSIM until support confirms the variant.

Which phones are commonly compatible with travel eSIMs?

This list is useful when you are checking a phone before purchase, but the EID and carrier-unlock checks still decide. Regional variants can differ.

Brand or device family	Models in the verified eSIM list	Notes to check before buying
iPhone	XS/XS Max/XR and later, including 11–17 families and SE 2020/2022	iPhone 14+ sold in the USA are eSIM-only
Samsung Galaxy	S20–S25 including Plus/Ultra/FE, Note 20, Z Fold 2+, Z Flip, A54/A55/A56/A35/A36	Most regions; confirm exact variant
Google Pixel	Pixel 3 and later, Pixel Fold	Some Japanese-carrier Pixel 3 phones are excepted
Xiaomi	12T Pro, 13/13 Pro/13T/13T Pro, 14/14 Pro/14T/14T Pro, 15/15 Ultra	Global versions
Motorola	Razr 2019+, Edge 40/50/60 families, Moto G53/G54/G84/G85+	Moto G models listed for Europe
Huawei and Honor	Huawei P40/P40 Pro/Mate 40 Pro/Pura 70; Honor Magic 4–7 Pro, Honor 90	Huawei models are not Chinese versions; Honor 90 listed for Europe
OPPO, OnePlus, vivo, realme	OPPO Find X3 Pro/X5/X5 Pro/N2 Flip, Reno 5A+; OnePlus 11/12/13; vivo X80/X90/X100 Pro; realme 14 Pro+	Region-dependent; Reno 5A+ listed for Japan/Europe
Sony and others	Sony Xperia 10 III Lite–10 VI, 1 IV–1 VI, 5 IV–5 V; Nothing Phone (2)/(2a)/(3); Fairphone 4/5; Sharp Aquos Sense/R; Rakuten Mini/Hand; Surface Duo	Confirm EID on the actual device
iPad Wi‑Fi + Cellular	Pro 11 2018+, Pro 12.9 3rd gen+, Air 3+, mini 5+, iPad 7+	Wi‑Fi-only iPads cannot use mobile data plans

A phone not shown in this table may still support eSIM. Do not decide from the model list alone; dial *#06#, check for EID, and then confirm the carrier lock.

What should I check before buying a travel eSIM?

Do these checks while you still have Wi‑Fi and time to contact the seller or carrier.

1. Confirm the phone is on the compatible list or shows an EID with *#06#.
2. On iPhone, confirm Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock > No SIM restrictions.
3. On Android, confirm the eSIM menu exists: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs on Pixel, Settings > Connections > SIM manager on Samsung, or Settings > Mobile networks on Xiaomi.
4. If Android does not show a clear unlock line, confirm unlock status with the original carrier or test with another provider’s SIM.
5. Check the travel eSIM plan page for the destination, data amount, validity, and hotspot availability if you plan to tether.

BeeSim plans are data-only, so they do not add a local phone number or SMS. You can install the eSIM at home by QR code or manual SM-DP+ entry, and the plan validity starts at the first connection in the destination. If you have questions about payments or refunds, use the BeeSim FAQ rather than relying on old screenshots or third-party notes.

What can go wrong, and how do I fix it?

The phone has no EID

If *#06# does not show an EID, check the exact model and region. If it is a Wi‑Fi-only tablet, it cannot use a mobile eSIM. If it is a phone that should support eSIM, update the operating system and restart, then check again. Still no EID means you should not buy a travel eSIM for that device until the manufacturer or seller confirms support.

The iPhone says something other than “No SIM restrictions”

Do not install a travel eSIM yet. Contact the carrier that locked the phone and ask for the device to be unlocked. After the carrier says it is unlocked, restart the iPhone and check Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock again.

Android shows “Add eSIM” but the phone may be locked

“Add eSIM” proves the eSIM menu exists; it does not always prove the phone is carrier-unlocked. Ask the carrier or seller for unlock confirmation. If you can, test with another provider’s physical SIM before travelling. A locked Android phone may accept the eSIM profile but block mobile data later.

The QR code will not scan

Use manual installation instead. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code > Enter Details Manually. On Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM, then choose the manual entry option if shown. On Pixel, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM, then follow the manual entry path if the QR option fails. Enter the SM-DP+ details exactly as shown in your eSIM instructions.

The eSIM installs but has no data after landing

First, make sure the eSIM line is turned on and selected for mobile data. On iPhone, use Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and select the eSIM line, then open the eSIM line and turn on data roaming if the plan instructions require it. On Samsung, use Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Mobile data and select the eSIM. On Pixel, use Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the eSIM, and turn on mobile data for that SIM.

If it still does not connect, check the plan page or support for destination-specific setup details. Do not delete the eSIM unless support tells you to; deleting it can remove the installed profile from the phone.

You need more data during the trip

BeeSim plans cannot be topped up. Buy another plan for the same destination or region, install it, and switch mobile data to the new eSIM line when needed.