Does Your Samsung Support eSIM? Models, Regional Versions and a 30-Second Check
"Does my Samsung support eSIM?" cannot be answered from the model name alone, because the same handset ships with different configurations in different markets. Here is which series generally support it, why some regional versions are an exception, and the only check that settles it - the one you run on the phone in your hand.
Which Samsung models support eSIM
For international and US versions, these series generally include eSIM:
| Series | Support |
|---|---|
| Galaxy S | S20 onward, including Plus and Ultra |
| Galaxy Z Fold | Z Fold 2 onward |
| Galaxy Z Flip | Z Flip onward |
| Galaxy Note | Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra |
| Galaxy A | Some models, with the widest regional variation |
| Galaxy Tab | Several Tab S models |
Treat this as a direction, not a guarantee. What decides it is the sales version and software on your particular device.
Regional versions are the catch
Samsung sets eSIM support per market. The clearest documented example is Taiwan: in February 2025 Samsung's local mobile division explained that carrier practices there made eSIM comparatively inconvenient, so the phones ship with dual physical SIM slots instead. Phones bought in several other markets in the region are configured the same way.
This is worth knowing before you follow a setup tutorial. Most Samsung eSIM walkthroughs online assume an international unit, so if the menu item simply is not there, you have not made a mistake - your version does not have the feature. Information checked October 2026; manufacturer policy can change, so your handset is always the final word.
The reliable check takes thirty seconds
*#06#. If the panel shows a 32-digit EID as well as the IMEI, the phone has eSIM.On iPhone the path differs: Settings, General, About, then scroll for "Available eSIM" or an EID field. The full device list is on our eSIM compatible devices page.
Once you know it works
- Installation needs a connection. Scanning the QR code requires the phone to be online, so do it on home Wi-Fi.
- Installing and activating are separate. Install before you travel, switch on data roaming after you land. Installing early does not start the plan clock, though the product page is the authority on that.
- Keep your home number in the phone with its data roaming off, so you still receive verification codes without roaming charges.
- One profile per phone is steadiest. Hotspot sharing works, but whether other devices connect depends on the handset and it is not meant to run all day.
With compatibility settled, pick by destination: the three Japan eSIMs, the Korea eSIM guide, or start from how much data you actually need.
If your phone has no eSIM
Then it is a physical SIM or a pocket Wi-Fi router. The differences in cost, setup time and convenience are laid out in choosing how to get online abroad. Check first, buy second - doing it the other way round is what costs money.
Samsung eSIM FAQ
Does my Samsung Galaxy support eSIM?
It depends on which regional version you bought. International and US Galaxy S models from the S20 onward, the Z Fold and Z Flip foldables and the Note 20 series generally support eSIM. Some regional versions ship with the feature disabled, so the model name alone does not answer the question - check the handset itself.
Why do some Samsung phones sold in one country lack eSIM when the same model has it elsewhere?
Samsung configures hardware and software by market. In Taiwan, for example, Samsung's local mobile division said publicly in February 2025 that local carrier practices made eSIM less convenient to use there, so the phones ship with two physical SIM slots instead. It is a sales-version difference, not a fault and not a setting you can switch on.
How do I check whether my phone supports eSIM?
Two ways. Open the dialler and enter *#06#: if a 32-digit EID appears alongside the IMEI, the handset has eSIM. Or go to Settings, Connections, SIM manager and look for an Add eSIM option. If neither is there, the phone does not support it.
What are my options if the phone has no eSIM?
A physical SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi router. The trade-offs in cost, time and convenience are set out in our comparison of connectivity options. Checking compatibility before you buy is the simplest way to avoid paying for something you cannot install.
Can tablets use an eSIM?
Some can. Several Galaxy Tab S models support eSIM. The test is the same: look for an EID, or for an Add eSIM option in the SIM manager.
Related reading
Five common causes and the steps to work through on a Samsung handset.
Two very different situations - read before you switch devices.
eSIM, local SIM, roaming and pocket Wi-Fi compared.
Six reasons, and what to check before you install.
