Short answer: every iPhone since the 2018 XR/XS generation — with one big exception (mainland China) and a growing set of eSIM-only models.
Settings → Cellular
If you see "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan", you are eSIM-ready.
Dial *#06#
An EID number in the list means the eSIM hardware is there.
Check the carrier lock
Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock should say "No SIM restrictions".
| Model | eSIM | Dual active eSIM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro / 18 Pro Max (2026) | eSIM-only in the twelve eSIM-only markets; physical SIM + eSIM elsewhere. One of the five iPhones with eSIM in mainland China, where it activates by eSIM or nano-SIM | ||
| iPhone Duo (2026) | eSIM-only, mainland China included - Apple lists no nano-SIM activation for it | ||
| iPhone 17 / 17 Pro / 17 Pro Max (2025) | eSIM-only (no tray) in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan and the Gulf; physical SIM + eSIM elsewhere. Mainland-China units are dual nano-SIM with no eSIM | ||
| iPhone Air (2025) | eSIM-only worldwide, mainland China included - no SIM tray in any market | ||
| iPhone 17e (2026) | eSIM-only in the twelve eSIM-only markets; physical SIM + eSIM elsewhere. One of the five iPhones with eSIM in mainland China | ||
| iPhone 16e (2025) | eSIM-only for US-purchased models; physical SIM + eSIM elsewhere. No eSIM if bought in mainland China | ||
| iPhone 16 series (2024) | eSIM-only for US-purchased models; physical SIM + eSIM elsewhere | ||
| iPhone 15 series (2023) | eSIM-only for US-purchased models; physical SIM + eSIM elsewhere | ||
| iPhone 14 series (2022) | First US eSIM-only generation; physical SIM + eSIM elsewhere | ||
| iPhone SE 3rd gen (2022) | Physical SIM + eSIM, with dual eSIM support | ||
| iPhone 13 series (2021) | First generation with two ACTIVE eSIMs at once | ||
| iPhone 12 series (2020) | One active eSIM + physical SIM | ||
| iPhone SE 2nd gen (2020) | One active eSIM + physical SIM | ||
| iPhone 11 series (2019) | One active eSIM + physical SIM | ||
| iPhone XS / XS Max / XR (2018) | First eSIM iPhones; one active eSIM + physical SIM | ||
| iPhone X and older (2017 and earlier) | No eSIM hardware - physical SIM only |
The exceptions that trip people up
Yes. The iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max all support eSIM alongside a physical SIM (one eSIM active at a time). Exception: iPhone 11 units sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao have no eSIM - they use dual physical SIM slots instead.
Yes. All iPhone 12 models support one active eSIM plus a physical SIM. Exception: units sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao are dual nano-SIM instead - except the iPhone 12 mini, which does have eSIM in Hong Kong and Macao. From the iPhone 13 onward you can run two eSIMs actively at the same time.
Yes - and the iPhone 13 was the first generation supporting two ACTIVE eSIMs simultaneously, so you can keep your home line and a travel eSIM both live without a physical SIM involved.
Yes. The 2018 generation (XS, XS Max, XR) introduced eSIM to the iPhone: one active eSIM alongside the physical SIM. Note that XR and XS Max units sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao are dual nano-SIM and lack eSIM - though the iPhone XS does have eSIM in Hong Kong and Macao.
Two 10-second checks: (1) Settings > Cellular - if you see "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan", eSIM is supported. (2) Settings > General > About, or dial *#06# - if an EID number appears, the phone has eSIM hardware. Also check Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock says "No SIM restrictions" before buying a travel eSIM.
Only on the five models Apple lists for mainland China: iPhone 18 Pro (A3715), iPhone 18 Pro Max (A3718), iPhone Duo (A3721), iPhone 17e (A3635) and iPhone Air (A3518), on China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. Of those, iPhone Duo and iPhone Air activate by eSIM only; the 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and 17e can activate by either eSIM or a physical nano-SIM. Every other iPhone bought there is dual nano-SIM and cannot install an eSIM at all. Apple also warns that eSIMs from carriers outside mainland China cannot be installed while you are in mainland China, though you can activate one once you travel abroad; the device holds up to two eSIMs, so you may need to delete one first.
US iPhones from the iPhone 14 (2022) onward have no physical SIM tray. On the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and 17e, eSIM-only spread to twelve markets: the United States, the US Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Guam, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. The iPhone Air is eSIM-only everywhere, mainland China included. Europe, the UK and most of Latin America keep the nano-SIM tray.
Not sure about your specific device? Check the full compatibility list for all brands or ask us at support@esimfly.net before buying.
