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Is my phone eSIM compatible? How to check before you buy
A travel eSIM only works on a phone that supports eSIM and is not locked to a network. Here is a 60-second test, a table of the main brands, and the exceptions that catch people out.
The short answer
Two things must be true: your phone must support eSIM, and it must not be locked to a network. In practice that means an iPhone XS, XS Max or XR (2018) or newer, a Samsung Galaxy S20 or newer, or a Google Pixel 3 or newer, bought unlocked or unlocked since. Regional models are the exception, so test your own phone rather than trusting the model name.
The 60-second check
- Dial
*#06#. If you see an EID (a long number) alongside the IMEI, your phone has eSIM hardware. - iPhone: open Settings, General, About. Look for an EID entry, and for Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means the phone is unlocked.
- Android: look in Settings, About phone, for an EID, or in your SIM settings for an option such as Add eSIM. Menu names vary by maker.
- Not sure about the lock? Ask your network. A locked phone will not accept a travel eSIM.
- Cross-check your exact model against Airalo's official device list before you buy.
Which phones support eSIM?
This is a summary of Airalo's device list and common exceptions. Always check your exact model, because regional variants can differ.
| Brand | Generally supported | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone XS, XS Max and XR (2018), and every later iPhone, including the SE models. | Models sold in some regions, for example mainland China, can lack eSIM. Check before you rely on it. |
| Samsung Galaxy | Galaxy S20 series and later, Note 20, and Z Fold and Z Flip models. | The S20 FE does not support eSIM. Some regional models, including many sold in South Korea, do not either. |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 3 and later. | Some Pixel 3 units sold in certain regions, for example Australia and Taiwan, lack eSIM. |
| Other Android | Many recent Motorola, Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi and Sony models. | Support varies a lot by model and region. Check Airalo's device list. |
Some iPads and Windows laptops also support eSIM. Airalo's device list covers them.
Is your phone unlocked?
A network-locked phone will not accept an eSIM from another provider. If your phone came from a UK network, it may still be locked. Ofcom rules mean UK networks have not been allowed to sell locked phones since December 2021, and networks have processes to unlock older ones, so ask yours. If you are buying second-hand, ask the seller to confirm the phone is unlocked and check the Carrier Lock line yourself.
Using your UK SIM and a Morocco eSIM together
All eSIM phones can keep a physical SIM and an eSIM at the same time. That is the setup you want: your UK SIM for calls and texts, the Morocco eSIM for data.
Phones can store several eSIM profiles. Airalo says iPhones typically store between five and ten, and Samsung Galaxy, Pixel and other Android phones five to seven. How many can be active at once depends on the model, so you do not need to delete anything to make room for a trip.
If your phone is not compatible
- Buy a SIM at the airport. Kiosks in arrivals sell tourist SIMs against your passport. See the SIM card vs eSIM comparison.
- Use a compatible spare phone for data and your own phone for everything else.
- Lean on Wi‑Fi and offline maps. It is workable for a short trip, if inconvenient.
Compatible? The next step is installing your eSIM.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone 11 support eSIM?
Yes. Every iPhone from the XS, XS Max and XR (2018) onward does, apart from regional models that lack it. Check your exact model.
Does the iPhone SE support eSIM?
Most device lists include the second and third generation SE (2020 and 2022). Confirm with Airalo's device list for your model.
Can I use a travel eSIM on a phone from my UK network?
Only if it is unlocked. A phone locked to a network will not accept an eSIM from another provider.
How do I know if my phone has an eSIM?
Dial *#06#. If an EID appears alongside the IMEI, the phone has eSIM hardware.
Will installing a travel eSIM affect my UK number?
No. Keep your UK SIM active for calls and texts, and use the eSIM for mobile data.
See current Morocco eSIM plans
Fixed prices, set up before you fly, ready when you land.