Does my phone support eSIM?

The quickest answer: look for an EID. On an iPhone, go to Settings → General → About and scroll down — if you see an EID (or an "Available SIM" entry), the phone supports eSIM. On most Android phones, open the dialler and type *#06# — if an EID number appears alongside the IMEI, you are good to go.

As a rough rule: iPhone XS, XR and everything after, Google Pixel 3 and after, and Samsung Galaxy S20 and after all support eSIM. Below is the proper check, the model list, and the two things that catch people out.

The ten-second check

iPhone

1. 1

   Open Settings

   Then tap General.

2. 2

   Tap About

   Scroll down past the model and serial number.

3. 3

   Look for EID

   An EID line means eSIM is supported. On newer iPhones you may see Available SIM or Digital SIM instead — same thing.

Android

1. 1

   Dial the info code

   Open the phone dialler and type the code *#06# — it does not place a call, a device info screen appears instead.

2. 2

   Look for EID

   If an EID is listed under or beside the IMEI, the phone supports eSIM.

3. 3

   Or check settings

   Go to Settings → Network & internet → SIMs (wording varies) and look for Add eSIM or Download a SIM instead. If that option exists, you are supported.

Commonly compatible models

Two things that catch people out

Carrier lock

A phone bought on contract can be locked to the network that sold it. It might support eSIM perfectly well and still refuse a new one. Hand-me-down phones — the older handset passed to a younger sibling — are the usual culprit.

The fix is free: ask the original network to unlock it. Most do it within a day or two once the handset is paid off. Worth doing before setting up a child's first phone — see first phone for your child.

Region variants

The same model name can be a different phone depending on where it was sold. Some Chinese, Hong Kong and Japanese variants ship without eSIM hardware even though the UK version has it. Grey-import phones and holiday purchases are where this shows up.

What else you need

• Wi-Fi or data while you install — a minute or two is plenty.
• The phone in your hands. You cannot install someone's eSIM from your own device; they scan their own QR code.
• An up-to-date OS, ideally. Not strictly required, but eSIM handling got much smoother in recent iOS and Android versions.

Passed the check? What now

Then you are ready. Every Huddle line is an eSIM: your own UK number, unlimited UK calls and texts, and data to suit you — all on one bill with the rest of your huddle, cheaper for everyone with each line you add. See the plans, or read how family mobile plans work first.

When your QR code arrives, how to set up your eSIM takes you through the install. Huddle runs on eSIM Copilot, so the eSIM your phone downloads is issued the same way as on any major network.