Which iPhones Support eSIM?

Every iPhone released since 2018 supports eSIM. According to Heyroamio, that list runs from the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max through the entire 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 series, plus the SE (2nd and 3rd generation).

The iPhone 13 series was the first to allow two eSIMs to be active simultaneously, meaning users could run two phone lines without a physical SIM card. With the iPhone 14, Apple took a bigger step in the United States by eliminating the physical SIM tray and making eSIM the only option for U.S. models. The iPhone Air goes even further, becoming the first iPhone to be eSIM-only in every market worldwide, not just the United States. 

Meanwhile, all iPhone SE models, starting with the 2nd-generation SE (2020), support eSIM but continue to include a physical nano-SIM tray in all regions, giving users the flexibility to use either type of SIM.

The table below maps every eSIM-compatible iPhone at a glance. "Dual eSIM" means the device can run two active lines simultaneously, both stored digitally, which is distinct from simply supporting eSIM.

Which iPhones Do Not Support eSIM?

Any iPhone released before 2018 lacks eSIM support entirely. The affected models are listed below.

The iPhone X is one of the most common sources of confusion. Although it has a modern design and was released just one year before the iPhone XS, it predates Apple's introduction of eSIM support and lacks the hardware required for eSIM functionality. As a result, the iPhone X can only use a physical nano-SIM card.

How to Set Up eSIM on Your iPhone

Once you've confirmed your iPhone supports eSIM, activating it takes less than five minutes. Here's exactly how to do it, whether you're setting up a new line, switching from a physical SIM, or adding a travel eSIM.

What you'll need before you start:

• An eSIM-compatible, network-unlocked iPhone

• A QR code, carrier app link, or activation details from your carrier

• A Wi-Fi connection for the initial setup

Steps to activate your eSIM:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Tap Cellular, then tap Add eSIM.

3. Choose how you want to add your plan. You have three options: scan a QR code from your carrier, use a carrier app, or enter details manually.

4. If scanning a QR code, point your camera at the code your carrier sent you. The profile will download automatically.

5. Follow the on-screen prompts to label the line (for example, "Personal" or "Travel") and set your call and data preferences.

6. Toggle the new eSIM on and enable data roaming if you're setting up a travel plan.

Switching from a physical SIM to eSIM:

If you're converting an existing number, your carrier handles the transfer on their end. Most major U.S. carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, support eSIM conversion entirely online without a store visit. Contact your carrier or use their app to request the switch, then follow the same steps above once you receive your activation QR code.

Using Quick Transfer:

On newer iPhones, Apple's Quick Transfer feature lets you move an eSIM from your old device to a new one without contacting your carrier at all. Go to Settings, tap Cellular, and look for the option to transfer your existing plan. Both devices need to be nearby and connected to the same Apple ID.

Adding a travel eSIM: 

If you're heading abroad and want a local data plan, the process is similar. Purchase a travel eSIM before you leave, scan the QR code you receive, and the eSIM profile is stored on your device, ready to activate when you land. You can keep your primary number active on a second line at the same time, so you won't miss calls or verification messages while you're away.

Which Carriers Support eSIM on iPhone?

eSIM support on your iPhone also depends on your carrier. Most major U.S. networks have supported it since 2018, but coverage varies for smaller providers and international operators.

Major U.S. carriers:

All four of the largest U.S. networks support fully online iPhone eSIM activation. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile allow you to activate, convert, or add a line via their apps or websites without visiting a store. Visible, which runs on Verizon's network, is fully eSIM-compatible and popular for its straightforward prepaid plans.

Prepaid and smaller U.S. carriers:

Prepaid carriers, including Mint Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Google Fi, Boost Mobile, and US Mobile, all support eSIM activation on compatible iPhones. Check your specific carrier's website to confirm availability before switching, as plan-level support can vary.

International carriers:

Outside the U.S., eSIM adoption among major networks is also common. Carriers in the UK and Europe, including Vodafone, EE, and O2, support iPhone eSIM. If you're traveling internationally, a local travel eSIM is often a more affordable option than activating roaming through your home carrier. You can add a travel eSIM digitally before you leave, so you're connected the moment you land.

Does the iPhone 17 have a Physical SIM Card?

In the U.S. and several other regions, including Canada and Japan, the iPhone 17 is eSIM-only. There is no physical SIM tray, and the device supports dual eSIM, storing up to 8 eSIM profiles on-device with two lines active simultaneously.

For U.S. travelers, this means you cannot simply swap in a foreign SIM card when abroad. You must either use your carrier's international roaming plan or activate a local travel eSIM before or after landing. Travel eSIM services offer iPhone-compatible plans that can be added digitally in minutes, so you're not dependent on finding a SIM shop on arrival.

Outside the U.S., iPhone 17 models typically retain a nano-SIM tray alongside eSIM support. That regional split applies equally to the iPhone 14, 15, and 16 series.

The iPhone Air goes further still. It is eSIM-only worldwide, with no physical SIM tray in any market, making it the first iPhone to fully shift to digital-only SIM management.

eSIM Is the Future, and Most iPhones Are Already There

If your iPhone is from 2018 or later, it supports eSIM. That covers the majority of iPhones in use today, from the XR and XS through the entire 14, 15, 16, and 17 series. U.S. models from the iPhone 14 onward dropped the physical SIM tray entirely, making eSIM the only option. International models still include a nano-SIM slot, though eSIM works alongside it. The iPhone Air takes it a step further as the first model to go eSIM-only worldwide. If you're on an older device, the iPhone X or earlier, you'll need a physical SIM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use eSIM on two carriers at once?

On iPhones that support dual eSIM, yes. You can store multiple eSIM profiles on the device and run two lines simultaneously, which is useful for keeping a local number active while adding a travel eSIM abroad.

Does iPhone eSIM work in Europe?

Yes, provided your carrier supports international roaming, or you add a travel eSIM for a European network. Most major carriers offer eSIM-compatible international plans, and a local European eSIM is easy to activate before or after you land.

Can I switch from a physical SIM to eSIM on my iPhone?

Yes. If your iPhone supports eSIM and your carrier offers it, you can convert your existing number to an eSIM through your carrier's app or by contacting them directly. No new SIM card is required.

How do I activate an eSIM on my iPhone?

Go to Settings, then Cellular, then Add eSIM. You can scan a QR code from your carrier, use a carrier app, or enter details manually. Most major U.S. carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Visible, support eSIM activation entirely online without visiting a store.

How many eSIM profiles can an iPhone store?

iPhones from the XR and XS through iPhone 12 can store multiple eSIM profiles, with only 1 eSIM active at a time alongside a physical SIM. iPhone 13 and later support up to 8 stored profiles with 2 active simultaneously.

Do prepaid carriers support iPhone eSIM?

Yes. Prepaid carriers, including Mint Mobile, Visible, Cricket Wireless, and Google Fi, all support eSIM activation on compatible iPhones. Check your specific carrier's website to confirm eSIM availability before switching.

What happens to my eSIM if I sell or trade in my iPhone?

Erase your iPhone before transferring it to remove all stored eSIM profiles. Go to Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Erase All Content and Settings. Your carrier number is not lost. You can re-activate it on your new device by contacting your carrier or using their app.

Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time on an iPhone?

Yes, on models that still have a SIM tray. That includes iPhone 13 and earlier, the SE 2nd- and 3rd-generation models, and international iPhone 14 through 17 models. This is called Dual SIM mode. U.S. iPhone 14 and later are eSIM-only, so they support two simultaneous eSIM lines but no physical SIM.