eSIM Supported Phones NZ: Check Your Device

Most phones store between 5 and 10 eSIM profiles but run only 1 or 2 at once. iPhones before the 13 store up to 8 profiles and activate one at a time. iPhone 13 and newer run two active eSIMs with no physical SIM required. Samsung Galaxy phones typically hold 5 to 7 profiles. You can swap between stored HelloRoam profiles without scanning a new QR code each time.

Dual SIM and eSIM are two different things. Dual SIM means a phone holds two physical SIM cards in separate slots. eSIM is a chip built into the phone that downloads SIM profiles digitally, with no card to insert. Many phones combine both: a physical SIM tray plus an eSIM chip. HelloRoam uses the eSIM slot for travel data while your physical SIM keeps your Spark, One NZ, or 2degrees number active.

eSIM is not available on every carrier. In New Zealand, Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees all support eSIM on compatible handsets. Coverage varies widely by country and network outside New Zealand. HelloRoam provides its own eSIM data plans that work independently of your home carrier across 185+ countries. Your phone just needs eSIM hardware and a carrier-unlock to get started.

The Honor 400 Lite does not currently support eSIM. Honor reserves eSIM for premium flagship models sold outside China. Budget and mid-range Honor phones, including the 400 Lite, use physical SIM cards only. Check our full eSIM compatible phones list for a device that works with HelloRoam before your next trip.

iPhones from the XS onwards are eSIM compatible, covering every iPhone 11 through 16 model and the SE (2nd and 3rd generation). To check your specific iPhone, go to Settings, General, About, and look for an EID number. If an EID appears, your iPhone has eSIM hardware. Your iPhone must also be carrier-unlocked and running iOS 12.1 or later to install a HelloRoam plan.

The LG V60 ThinQ does not support eSIM. LG discontinued its smartphone range in 2021, and the V60 uses a physical nano-SIM only. No software update can add eSIM hardware to any LG model. If you need travel data for a trip to London, Tokyo, or Fiji, you need a compatible device from Apple, Samsung, or Google to use HelloRoam.

Android phones with eSIM include Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 2 and newer, and OnePlus 9 series and newer. Select flagship models from Motorola, Sony, and Xiaomi international variants also support eSIM. Most budget and mid-range Android phones 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 cover four categories: smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops. Phones with esim include iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and Google Pixel 2 and newer. Every i phone from XS through 16 is on the list. Cellular iPads from 2019 onwards and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and S9 support eSIM for data-only travel plans. Apple Watch Series 3 and newer plus select Windows laptops with LTE or 5G also include eSIM. HelloRoam supports all of these across 185+ countries.

An eSIM is not transferable to a new phone once installed. The HelloRoam eSIM profile stays tied to the device where you first activated it. If you switch phones, contact HelloRoam support with your order number and we re-issue a new activation code for your replacement handset. Keep your order confirmation email so we can find your account quickly.

Switching between eSIM and a physical SIM is straightforward. Open your phone's cellular settings, pick the line you want as your default data connection, and toggle between eSIM and physical SIM as needed. You do not need to restart or remove any hardware. Both can stay installed at the same time, so your Spark or One NZ number stays active while HelloRoam covers travel data.

Apple Watch eSIM works with your home carrier plan, not with travel eSIM providers like HelloRoam. When you travel to places like London, Tokyo, or Bali, your Apple Watch connects to your iPhone's HelloRoam eSIM data over Bluetooth for calls, texts, and app notifications. Standalone international watch plans from Spark, One NZ, or 2degrees typically cost extra as a separate monthly add-on.

Cellular iPads and Android tablets with eSIM hardware work with HelloRoam data-only plans. Compatible iPad models start from the iPad Pro (2018), iPad Air (2019), iPad mini (2019), and the standard iPad (2019). Wi-Fi-only tablet models cannot use eSIM. Confirm you have the Wi-Fi plus Cellular version of your tablet before you buy a plan.

An 'eSIM not supported' message usually points to one of three things: a carrier lock, a software update waiting to install, or a regional device variant without eSIM hardware. Dial *#06# and check for an EID. No EID means no eSIM hardware and no fix exists. Contact HelloRoam support to confirm your device is compatible before purchasing a plan.

To check if your phone is carrier-free, go to Settings, General, About, and read the Carrier Lock field on iPhone. It should read 'No SIM restrictions.' On Android, try inserting a SIM from a different network. If it connects, the phone is unlocked. Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees typically process unlock requests within 2 to 5 business days for eligible handsets.

If your eSIM is not recognised, restart your phone and install any pending software updates first. Then confirm the eSIM profile is set to active in your cellular settings. eSIM activation issues on an i phone are usually fixed by going to Settings, Cellular, then selecting the HelloRoam plan and toggling it on. Most recognition issues clear after a restart. If the problem continues, contact HelloRoam support with your device model and order number. Our team will re-verify or re-issue your activation code, usually within 2 hours.

To know if your phone is unlocked, check the carrier lock status on your device. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, About, and scroll to Carrier Lock. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', your phone is carrier-unlocked and ready for a HelloRoam eSIM. You can also dial *#06# to display your IMEI number alongside an EID, which confirms eSIM hardware. On Android, go to Settings, Connections, SIM Card Manager, and check for a carrier lock indicator. If your phone is locked, contact Spark, One NZ, or 2degrees and request a device unlock.

To check if an iPhone is unlocked, open Settings, tap General, then About, and look for Carrier Lock near the bottom. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', your iPhone is carrier-unlocked. A second method: insert a SIM from a different carrier. If it connects, 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 onwards includes it. Your iPhone 11 needs iOS 12.1 or later and must be carrier-unlocked. The iPhone 11 runs one physical nano-SIM alongside an eSIM, so your Spark or One NZ number stays active while HelloRoam covers travel data in 185+ countries.