Apple was one of the first major manufacturers to adopt eSIM technology, starting with the iPhone XS and XR in 2018. Since then, every new iPhone model has included eSIM support. In the US, Apple removed the physical SIM tray entirely starting with the iPhone 14 lineup, making those devices eSIM-only. This guide covers every eSIM-compatible iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch so you can confirm your device works before buying an eSIM plan.
Which Apple devices support eSIM?
| Model | eSIM | eSIM Only |
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
| No | No | |
| No | No |
What you need to know before buying
Carrier-Locked iPhones Cannot Use Third-Party eSIMs
If you purchased your iPhone through a carrier on an installment plan, it may be locked to that carrier. A carrier-locked iPhone will reject eSIM profiles from other providers, including travel eSIM services. Before purchasing a travel eSIM, check your lock status in Settings > General > About and look for the "Carrier Lock" field. If it says "SIM locked," contact your carrier to request an unlock. In the US, carriers are required to unlock devices once you have paid off the device in full and met any contract obligations. T-Mobile typically unlocks after 40 days of active service, AT&T after 60 days, and Verizon automatically unlocks after 60 days. If you bought your iPhone directly from Apple at full price, it should already be unlocked.
China and Hong Kong iPhone Models Do Not Support eSIM
Apple sells special iPhone variants in mainland China and Hong Kong that replace the eSIM with a second physical nano-SIM slot. These models have no eSIM chip at all and cannot be upgraded or modified to support eSIM. If you purchased your iPhone in China (model numbers ending in /A for China or ZA/A for Hong Kong), you will not be able to use any eSIM service regardless of software updates. The only exception is the iPhone 13 mini and later sold in Hong Kong, which includes eSIM alongside the nano-SIM tray. If you plan to use eSIM frequently for travel, make sure to purchase your iPhone from Apple in the US, Europe, Japan, or another region where eSIM is standard. You can verify your model by checking Settings > General > About > Model Number.
US iPhone 14 and Later Are eSIM-Only (No SIM Tray)
Starting with the iPhone 14 series (released September 2022), Apple removed the physical nano-SIM tray entirely from all US models. This means US-purchased iPhone 14, 15, 16, and 16e devices can only connect to cellular networks via eSIM. If you rely on physical SIM cards when traveling, this is a significant change. The good news is that these models support storing up to 8 eSIM profiles and running 2 simultaneously, so you can keep your home carrier on one eSIM line and a travel eSIM on the second. Note that iPhone 14 and later models sold outside the US (except China) still have a nano-SIM tray alongside eSIM, so this restriction applies specifically to the US variant.
Dual eSIM Requires iPhone 13 or Later
While the iPhone XS introduced eSIM in 2018, those early models (XS, XR, 11 series, 12 series, SE 2nd gen) only support a single eSIM profile active at a time alongside the physical nano-SIM. If you want to run two eSIM profiles simultaneously (for example, your home carrier on eSIM #1 and a travel eSIM on eSIM #2, with no physical SIM at all), you need an iPhone 13 or later. The iPhone 13 was the first generation to support dual active eSIM. All iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16 models, and the SE 3rd generation and iPhone 16e support this feature. If you have an older iPhone, you can still use a travel eSIM, but you will need to use the physical SIM tray for your home carrier.
iPads and Apple Watches Have Separate eSIM Limitations
iPad eSIM works independently from your iPhone, so you can install a travel eSIM directly on a cellular iPad. However, only Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad models include eSIM; Wi-Fi-only models have no cellular hardware at all. Apple Watch eSIM operates differently. It mirrors your iPhone's cellular plan through a feature called Number Sharing, which requires your carrier to support Apple Watch pairing. Most travel eSIM providers do not support Apple Watch directly. You cannot install a standalone travel eSIM on an Apple Watch the same way you would on an iPhone or iPad. If you need cellular connectivity on your Apple Watch while abroad, you will generally need an international roaming plan from your home carrier.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my iPhone supports eSIM?
Go to Settings > General > About and look for the "Available SIM" or "eSIM" section. If you see an IMEI listed under "Digital SIM" or "eSIM," your device supports it. You can also go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (or Add Cellular Plan on older iOS versions). If that option appears, your iPhone has eSIM capability.
How many eSIM profiles can I store on my iPhone?
iPhone 13 and later models (including the SE 3rd generation and iPhone 16e) can store up to 8 eSIM profiles, though only 2 can be active at the same time. Older models like the iPhone XS, XR, 11 series, 12 series, and SE 2nd generation can store multiple profiles but only activate 1 eSIM at a time alongside the physical SIM.
Can I use a travel eSIM and keep my regular phone number active?
Yes. On iPhones with dual SIM capability, you can keep your home carrier active on one line (either physical SIM or eSIM) while using a travel eSIM for data on the second line. Go to Settings > Cellular to set your travel eSIM as the default for data while keeping your home line for calls and texts. This way you stay reachable on your regular number.
Do I need to remove my physical SIM to use an eSIM?
No. On iPhones with a SIM tray (iPhone XS through 13 series, and non-US iPhone 14/15/16 models), the eSIM works alongside your physical nano-SIM. You can have both active simultaneously. On US iPhone 14 and later models, there is no SIM tray, so eSIM is your only option.
Will a travel eSIM work on my carrier-locked iPhone?
It depends. Some carrier-locked iPhones will accept a secondary eSIM from a different provider, but many will not. The safest approach is to unlock your iPhone before traveling. Contact your carrier to confirm your unlock status, or check in Settings > General > About under "Carrier Lock." An unlocked iPhone will accept eSIM profiles from any compatible provider.
Can I transfer my eSIM to a new iPhone?
Yes. Apple introduced eSIM Quick Transfer, which lets you move an eSIM from your old iPhone to a new one during the setup process, or later through Settings > Cellular. Both devices need to be running iOS 16 or later, and the carrier must support eSIM transfer. For travel eSIMs, you can usually just install a fresh profile on your new device using the original QR code or the provider's app.
Does my iPad support travel eSIM plans from third-party providers?
Yes, as long as you have a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad model with eSIM. Most travel eSIM providers like Airalo, Holafly, and others support iPad installation. The process is the same as on an iPhone: scan a QR code or use the provider's app. Wi-Fi-only iPad models do not have any cellular hardware and cannot use eSIM.
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