eSIM Supported Phones UK: Check Your Handset

Most handsets store between 5 and 10 eSIM profiles but can only activate 1 or 2 at a time. iPhones before the 13 store up to 8 profiles and activate one at a time. iPhone 13 and newer run two active eSIMs without a physical SIM card. Samsung phones typically store 5 to 7 profiles. You can switch between stored HelloRoam profiles instantly without scanning a new QR code.

Dual SIM and eSIM are separate technologies. Dual SIM handsets hold two physical SIM cards in separate slots. eSIM is a chip built into the handset that downloads SIM profiles digitally, with no card to insert. Many modern phones combine both: one physical SIM slot plus an embedded eSIM. An iPhone XS or newer runs your EE, Vodafone, O2, or Three nano-SIM in the tray whilst the HelloRoam eSIM handles data abroad. That means your UK number stays active and you get local network speeds without swapping any cards.

eSIM availability varies by network. In the UK, EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three all support eSIM activation on compatible handsets. International carriers vary widely by country. HelloRoam provides its own eSIM data plans that work independently of your home network across 185+ countries. Your phone just needs eSIM hardware and a carrier unlock to get started.

The Honor 400 Lite is not confirmed to support eSIM as of April 2026. Honor typically reserves eSIM for premium flagship models sold outside China. Budget and mid-range Honor phones use physical SIM cards only. Check the Honor specifications page for your exact model before purchasing. For travel data, browse our full eSIM compatible phones list to find a device that works with HelloRoam.

iPhones from the XS onward are eSIM compatible, including every iPhone 11 through 16 model and the SE (2nd and 3rd generation). To check your specific iPhone, open Settings, General, About, and look for an EID number. An EID confirms eSIM hardware is present. Your iPhone must also be carrier-unlocked and running iOS 12.1 or later to install a HelloRoam eSIM.

The LG V60 ThinQ does not support eSIM. LG did not include eSIM hardware in the V60 or any other V-series handset. LG stopped making smartphones in 2021, so no future software update can add eSIM. If you need travel data abroad, you will need a phone from Apple, Samsung, Google, or another brand on the eSIM supported phones list.

Android phones with eSIM include flagship models from Samsung (Galaxy S20 and newer), Google (Pixel 2 and newer), OnePlus (9 series and newer), Motorola (Razr 40 and newer), and select Xiaomi, Oppo, and Sony models. Most budget and mid-range Android handsets do not have eSIM hardware. Chinese and Hong Kong regional variants often lack eSIM even when the global version supports it. Check your exact model before buying a HelloRoam plan.

eSIM compatible devices include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops. Phones with eSIM include iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and Google Pixel 2 and newer. Cellular iPads from 2018 onward and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and S9 support eSIM. Apple Watch Series 3 and newer and select Windows laptops with LTE also include eSIM. HelloRoam supports all of these across 185+ countries.

An eSIM is not transferable to a new phone once installed. If you want to know how to transfer eSIM to a new device, the answer is that you cannot move the profile directly. Your HelloRoam eSIM stays tied to the original handset where you activated it. If you switch phones, contact HelloRoam support with your order number and we can re-issue a new eSIM activation code for your replacement device. Keep your order confirmation email for faster support.

eSIM replaces the physical SIM card with a digital profile downloaded to a chip built into your handset. A physical SIM is a removable plastic card you slot into a tray. The key difference is that eSIM lets you add data plans instantly by scanning a QR code, whilst a physical SIM requires a shop visit or postal delivery. HelloRoam uses eSIM for instant activation across 185+ countries.

eSIM activation on HelloRoam takes about 2 minutes. You scan a QR code with your phone's camera, your device downloads the eSIM profile, and the plan activates automatically. No shop visit, no waiting for a SIM card in the post. EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three customers can keep their home SIM active whilst the HelloRoam eSIM handles data abroad.

Cellular iPads and Android tablets with eSIM hardware work with HelloRoam data-only plans. Compatible iPads include the iPad Pro from 2018 onward, iPad Air from 2019 onward, iPad mini from 2019 onward, and the standard iPad from 2019 onward. Wi-Fi-only models do not have cellular capability and cannot use eSIM. Confirm you have the Wi-Fi plus Cellular version before purchasing.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 supports eSIM on all models: S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra. Samsung included eSIM starting with the S20 series, and every flagship Galaxy S model since then has it. Your S21 must be carrier-unlocked to install a third-party eSIM. Go to Settings, About Phone, and confirm no carrier lock is active. HelloRoam eSIM works on S21 across 185+ countries.

Your UK network must unlock your handset before you can install a third-party eSIM. Contact EE, Vodafone, O2, or Three and request a device unlock. Ofcom rules require all four UK networks to unlock handsets for free on request. Most unlock requests are completed within 24 hours for fully paid-off devices. On iPhone, check Settings, General, About, then Carrier Lock. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', your handset is ready for a HelloRoam eSIM. On Android, look for a carrier lock indicator under Settings, Connections, SIM Card Manager.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 supports eSIM on all variants: S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra. Samsung includes eSIM hardware in every Galaxy S flagship from the S20 onward. Your S22 needs to be carrier-unlocked to add a HelloRoam eSIM. Go to Settings, About Phone, Status, and check for an EID number to confirm eSIM hardware. S22 users can run a physical SIM and eSIM together whilst travelling abroad.

Checking your lock status takes about a minute. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, About, and scroll to Carrier Lock. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', your handset is carrier-unlocked. You can also dial *#06#: an EID alongside the IMEI confirms eSIM hardware. On Android, go to Settings, Connections, SIM Card Manager, and look for a lock indicator. If your handset is locked, contact EE, Vodafone, O2, or Three and request a device unlock. Ofcom rules require all UK networks to do this for free. Once unlocked, your handset is sorted for a HelloRoam eSIM plan.

To check if an iPhone is unlocked, open Settings, tap General, then About, and look for Carrier Lock near the bottom of the screen. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', your iPhone is carrier-unlocked. A second method: insert a SIM card from a different network. If it activates, the phone is unlocked. You can also dial *#06# to view your IMEI number. Your iPhone must be carrier-unlocked to install a HelloRoam eSIM plan.

iPhone 11 eSIM is fully supported on all three models: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Apple added eSIM to the iPhone XS and XR in 2018, and every iPhone from the 11 series onward includes it. Your iPhone 11 eSIM setup requires iOS 12.1 or later and a carrier-unlocked device. The iPhone 11 runs one physical nano-SIM alongside an eSIM, keeping your home number active whilst HelloRoam handles travel data in 185+ countries.