eSIM Supported Phones South Africa: Full List

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

Dual SIM and eSIM are different things. Dual SIM means the phone can hold two lines at once, either two physical cards or one physical card plus one eSIM. An eSIM is a chip embedded in the phone's hardware that stores SIM profiles digitally with no physical card needed. Phones like the iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21 support both at once. This means you can keep your Vodacom or MTN number active on your physical SIM while your HelloRoam e-sim plan handles data abroad.

eSIM is not available on all carriers. In South Africa, Vodacom and MTN support eSIM on eligible handsets, while Cell C support is more limited. You can activate your Vodacom or MTN eSIM in settings without visiting a store. Internationally, major networks in the UK, UAE, USA, and Australia support eSIM. HelloRoam provides its own eSIM data plans that work independently of your home carrier across 185+ countries. Your handset just needs eSIM hardware and a carrier-unlock to get started.

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

Your iPhone is eSIM compatible if it is an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, or any model released from September 2018 onward. Open Settings, then General, then About, and check for an EID number. If an EID appears, your iPhone has the eSIM chip. Your iPhone must also run iOS 12.1 or later and be carrier-unlocked to install a HelloRoam plan. iPhones bought in mainland China do not support eSIM.

The LG V60 ThinQ supports eSIM on select US carrier variants, specifically models sold through AT&T and Verizon in the United States. Models purchased in South Africa or other regions may not include eSIM hardware. LG stopped making smartphones in 2021, so no future software updates will add eSIM to unsupported variants. Confirm your specific model before buying a HelloRoam plan.

Android phones with eSIM support include Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 2 and newer, OnePlus 9 series and newer, Motorola Razr 40 and Edge 50 series, and select global Xiaomi 13 and 14 variants. In South Africa, Samsung A-series models (A52, A53, A54, A55) are best-sellers but they do not have eSIM hardware. You need a Galaxy S-series from the S20 onward. Budget and mid-range Android models generally do not have eSIM hardware. Chinese domestic versions of even flagship phones typically lack eSIM. Always check your exact model before buying a plan.

eSIM compatible devices include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and certain 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 onward qualifies, from the iPhone 11 through to the 16 series. Compatible tablets include cellular iPads from 2019 onward and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and S9 LTE models. Compatible smartwatches include Apple Watch Series 3 cellular and newer, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and newer. All devices must be carrier-unlocked to use HelloRoam across 185+ countries.

An eSIM is not transferable to a different phone once installed. The profile is tied to the original device and cannot be moved directly. If you replace your handset, contact HelloRoam support with your order number. Our team can re-issue a new activation code for your replacement device, usually within a few hours. Keep your order confirmation email so we can find your account quickly.

Switching between an eSIM and a physical SIM is straightforward. Go to your phone's cellular settings, choose which line handles your default data, and toggle between your physical SIM and your eSIM as needed. No restart is needed and you do not have to remove any hardware. Both lines stay installed at the same time, so your Vodacom or MTN number stays active while your HelloRoam eSIM handles data abroad.

eSIM activation on HelloRoam takes about 2 minutes. Scan the QR code with your phone camera, your device downloads the eSIM profile, and the plan activates automatically. eSIM activation works the same on any compatible i phone or Android phone from the list. No store visit and no SIM card in the post. Do not wait until you reach OR Tambo International or Cape Town International. Install the plan at home a day before you fly. Vodacom and MTN customers can keep their home number on the physical SIM while the HelloRoam e-sim handles data abroad, saving you from Vodacom's R29 per MB charges.

Cellular iPads and Android tablets with eSIM hardware work with HelloRoam data-only plans. Compatible iPad models 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 tablet models cannot use eSIM. Confirm you have the Wi-Fi plus Cellular version of your tablet before purchasing a plan.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 supports eSIM on all three models: S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra. Samsung added eSIM hardware from the Galaxy S20 series onward, and every flagship Galaxy S since then includes it. Your S21 must be carrier-unlocked to install a third-party eSIM plan. Go to Settings, About Phone, and confirm no carrier lock is shown. HelloRoam eSIM plans work on the S21 across 185+ countries.

Getting your handset carrier-unlocked in South Africa means contacting your network directly. Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C process unlock requests within 2 to 5 business days for devices that are fully paid off. Submit the request through their online portals or by calling customer service. On iPhone, check Settings, General, About, then Carrier Lock. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', your phone is ready for a HelloRoam eSIM plan. On Android, dial *#06# and check for an EID. No EID means no eSIM hardware regardless of lock status.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 supports eSIM across all variants: S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra. Samsung includes eSIM hardware in every Galaxy S flagship from the S20 onward. Your S22 must be carrier-unlocked to add a HelloRoam plan. Go to Settings, About Phone, Status, and look for an EID number to confirm eSIM hardware is present. S22 users can run a physical SIM and an eSIM at the same time, keeping their home number active while using travel data abroad.

To know if your phone is unlocked, check the carrier lock status directly 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; an EID listed alongside the IMEI confirms your phone has eSIM hardware. On Android, go to Settings, Connections, SIM Card Manager, and look for a carrier lock indicator. If your phone is locked, contact Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C and request a device unlock. South African networks typically process these requests within 2 to 5 business days.

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 carrier. If it activates, the phone is unlocked. You can also dial *#06# to view your IMEI number; Apple's IMEI check tool at checkcoverage.apple.com shows lock status. 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 while HelloRoam handles travel data in 185+ countries.