iPhone eSIM Compatibility: The Full List (iPhone 8 to iPhone 17)

Does your iPhone support eSIM? Full compatibility list from iPhone XR/XS to iPhone 17, dual-eSIM support, and regional exceptions (China, Hong Kong).

Every iPhone released since 2018 supports eSIM — but the details differ by model and by the country where the phone was sold. Here is the complete picture before you buy a travel eSIM.

Quick answer: which iPhones support eSIM?

  • iPhone XR, XS, XS Max (2018) — first eSIM iPhones: one physical SIM + one eSIM.
  • iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max — yes: one physical SIM + one eSIM.
  • iPhone SE (2020 and 2022) — yes: physical SIM + eSIM.
  • iPhone 12 series — yes: physical SIM + eSIM.
  • iPhone 13 series — yes, and first to support two active eSIMs at once.
  • iPhone 14, 15, 16, 17 series — yes; US models dropped the physical SIM tray entirely and are eSIM-only.
  • iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X and older — no eSIM support. These need a physical SIM.

How many eSIMs can an iPhone hold?

iPhone 13 and later can store eight or more eSIM profiles and keep two active at the same time — for travel that means your home line stays reachable while a travel eSIM handles data. Models from XR through 12 store multiple profiles but can only use one eSIM at a time alongside the physical SIM.

The regional exceptions that catch travellers

  • Mainland China models (and some Hong Kong/Macau models) have no eSIM — they use dual physical SIMs instead. If your iPhone was bought in mainland China, check Settings before relying on eSIM abroad.
  • Hong Kong iPhone 13 mini / 12 mini / SE are single-SIM with eSIM support — slightly different from global models.
  • US iPhone 14 and later are eSIM-only. There is no SIM tray, so a travel eSIM is not optional — it is the only way to use a foreign plan.

How to check your specific iPhone

Open Settings → General → About and scroll to Available SIM or Digital SIM. You can also dial *#06# — if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. A carrier-locked iPhone will refuse foreign eSIMs, so make sure the phone is unlocked before travelling.

Setting up a travel eSIM on iPhone

  1. Buy your plan — for example an eSIM for Japan or Europe — and you'll receive a QR code by email instantly.
  2. On Wi-Fi, go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code and scan.
  3. Label it "Travel", set it as your data line, and keep your home line active for calls/SMS.
  4. Turn off data roaming on your home line — this is the step that prevents surprise bills.

That's it — the eSIM connects to a local network the moment you land. Browse all 200+ destinations or start with our most popular guides: Turkey, USA, Thailand.