How to check if your phone has eSIM in 10 seconds (dial *#06#)
Key facts
- Dialing *#06# reveals an EID number if your phone has eSIM hardware — the check takes ten seconds and costs nothing.
- iPhone XR and newer, Galaxy S20 and newer, Pixel 3 and newer, and most phones from 2020 on support eSIM.
- A carrier-locked phone will not install a third-party eSIM even when the EID appears, so confirm the unlock status first.
- VoaSim charges one price per duration for all 170 destinations, from USD 18.90 for 5 days to USD 106.90 for 60 days.
- Validity starts at the eSIM's first connection abroad, so install at home and keep the line off until you land.
Check if your phone has eSIM
Before you buy any travel eSIM, you need one answer: does your phone actually support it? The check takes ten seconds and works on every brand, no app or account needed.
Below is the universal test, the menu-by-menu confirmation for iPhone and Android, the unlocked-phone rule people forget, and what to do if the EID does not show up.
The 10-second universal test: *#06#
Open the phone app, type *#06# and wait. The screen fills with device codes. Look for a line labeled EID — a long 32-digit number.
- EID appears → your phone has eSIM hardware. You can install a VoaSim eSIM.
- Only IMEI appears, no EID → the device most likely has no eSIM chip, or it is a regional variant without it.
This code works on iPhone, Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, Xiaomi and almost every other brand, because it is a GSM standard, not a manufacturer feature. It does not use data and costs nothing.
Two things the code cannot tell you: whether the phone is carrier-locked, and whether your software is up to date. Both matter, and both are covered further down. If the EID is there and the phone is unlocked, you are ready to check the price for your trip.
Confirm it in the settings menu (iPhone and Android)
If you want a second confirmation, or the dialer code is blocked on your device, check the settings menu instead.
iPhone: Settings → General → About. Scroll down. If you see EID, and Settings → Cellular shows an option like "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan", the phone is ready.
Android (Samsung): Settings → Connections → SIM manager. If there is an "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan" option, you are set. On Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Download a SIM instead.
Menu names shift slightly between Android versions, so use the search box inside Settings and type "eSIM" or "SIM". If nothing comes up and *#06# showed no EID, your phone is physical-SIM only. VoaSim does not sell physical SIM cards, so in that case you would need a local SIM at the destination or a different device.
Which phones support eSIM
Rough guide, so you know what to expect before testing:
| Brand | Supported from |
|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone XR / XS and newer |
| Samsung Galaxy | Galaxy S20 and newer |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 3 and newer |
| Other brands | Most models released from 2020 on |
Two known exceptions worth checking with *#06# rather than assuming: some Samsung units sold in specific markets shipped without eSIM, and several older Pixel models had carrier restrictions. The dialer code settles the argument in both cases.
US iPhone 14 and later models have no SIM tray at all — they are eSIM-only, which means a travel eSIM is the natural fit. See the full list of supported devices and setup steps in our guides section.
The step most people skip: is the phone unlocked?
An eSIM-capable phone that is still tied to a carrier contract will refuse to install a third-party profile. The EID shows, the QR code scans, and the line never activates.
How to check: call your carrier and ask if the device is "unlocked for use with other carriers". Phones bought outright are usually unlocked. Phones financed on a monthly plan are often locked until the contract is paid off. Unlocking is free in most countries once you qualify, and it is a request your carrier handles.
A fast practical test: borrow a friend's physical SIM from a different carrier. If it gets signal, the phone is unlocked. Also update your operating system before travel — old iOS and Android builds handle eSIM profiles poorly.
If you already installed an eSIM and it shows no signal, our free eSIM Rescue tool runs the diagnosis for any brand, not just VoaSim.
Your phone has eSIM — what a VoaSim plan costs
One price per duration, the same for every destination among 170 covered destinations. Today's prices include a 15% promo:
| Duration | Price | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days | USD 18.90 | USD 3.78 |
| 7 days | USD 23.90 | USD 3.41 |
| 10 days | USD 30.90 | USD 3.09 |
| 15 days | USD 42.90 | USD 2.86 |
| 30 days | USD 61.90 | USD 2.06 |
| 60 days | USD 106.90 | USD 1.78 |
Data is truly unlimited: no cap, no throttling, no hidden fair-use clause. Trips of 1 to 4 days pay the 5-day package, and 90 days is the maximum per eSIM. A second eSIM in the same order gets 10% extra off. The Europe plan covers 50 countries with a single eSIM, including the UK, Switzerland, Turkey, Norway and Iceland.
From check to connected: how installation works
Pay by international credit or debit card in USD through Stripe. The QR code lands in your email within minutes, with an invoice, plus a WhatsApp heads-up if you left a number.
Install before you fly, while you are on home Wi-Fi. Scan the QR, follow the iPhone or Android step-by-step, then leave the eSIM line switched off until you land. On Android specifically, do not turn on the eSIM's data before the trip — the validity clock starts at the first connection to a network at the destination, not at purchase.
Your physical SIM and your number stay active, so WhatsApp keeps running on your usual number. Just turn off your home carrier's data roaming so nothing bills by accident. The plan is data only: no phone number and no traditional voice calls, though app calls and maps work normally over data. If the eSIM will not connect and support cannot fix it, you get a 100% refund — details on our trust page.
Why trust VoaSim?
Registered company with an invoice on every purchase, USD payment via Stripe with no hidden fees, human support and a guarantee: if the eSIM will not connect and support cannot fix it, you get 100% back.