What is an eSIM and why is it beneficial for your next trip?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card integrated into your phone: you don't physically insert it; you activate it with a QR code or through an app. On Android, it serves the same purpose as a plastic SIM—connecting you to a network and using data—without having to find a store when you arrive in another country.
If you've never used one, it's normal to think it sounds complicated. It's not. The goal of this article is to explain, without jargon, which Android phones have it, how to activate it, and what to expect the first time you use it on a trip.
Imagine you're traveling from Mexico City to Madrid. Before, your only option upon landing was to activate your Mexican carrier's roaming (expensive and sometimes slow) or queue at an airport counter to buy a physical SIM. With an eSIM, you activate the data plan from the app before boarding the plane, and when you land, your phone is already connected to a local network. That's the real change this technology brings: it's not faster for fashion's sake, it's faster because it saves you steps.
Which Android phones have eSIM?
Not all Android phones have an eSIM: it's a feature that depends on the model, year of manufacture, and, in some cases, the region where the phone was purchased. Generally, you'll find it in mid-to-high-end and high-end models from recent years, while more affordable entry-level models still usually rely only on a physical SIM.
These are examples of Android lines that include eSIM in most of their versions. Use them as a starting point, not a closed list: support varies depending on the carrier and the country where you bought the device, so it's always best to confirm with the step in the next section.
| Brand | Lines with eSIM (examples) | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 3 and newer | Most variants have it; some units sold outside official stores might not have it activated | |
| Samsung | Galaxy S20 and newer, Note20, Z Fold and Z Flip (all generations) | In some markets, the "physical SIM only" version exists alongside the eSIM-enabled one |
| Motorola | Razr (foldables) | Motorola's "classic" mid-range models rarely include it |
| Honor | Newer Magic series | More limited availability depending on the country |
| Oppo | Find N (foldables) | Uncommon outside of high-end models |
If your Android phone is not listed here, it doesn't mean it doesn't have an eSIM: it means you should check the device directly, which is what we'll look at next.
How to check if your Android phone is eSIM-compatible?
The most reliable way is to ask the phone itself, not to guess by the model. Go to Settings, search for "Mobile networks" or "Connections" and see if an option to "Add eSIM", "Add data plan" or "Add mobile plan" appears. If that option exists, your Android is compatible.
Another quick way: dial *#06# from the phone dialer. Next to the IMEI of the physical card, some manufacturers also show an "EID", which is the unique identifier of the integrated eSIM. If you see an EID, your phone has it.
Keep two often-overlooked nuances in mind:
- Carrier lock. A phone might physically have an eSIM and still not allow you to install plans from other carriers because it's locked to the original carrier. This is independent of whether it "has" or "doesn't have" an eSIM.
- Regional versions. The same model, purchased in different countries, sometimes comes with or without an eSIM depending on local regulations. That's why the serial number or country of purchase can change the answer even if the model is identical.
Where is the eSIM on Android?
The path changes a bit depending on the manufacturer, but the general pattern is this:
- Settings (the gear icon).
- Connections or Network & Internet, depending on the brand.
- SIM Manager or Mobile networks.
- There you will see the option "Add eSIM", "Add mobile plan" or "Add data plan".
On Pixels, it's usually in Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM. On Samsung Galaxy, in Settings → Connections → SIM card manager → Add mobile plan. If your phone uses a different custom skin, the internal search bar in Settings (the magnifying glass icon) usually finds it quickly if you type "eSIM".
How to install an eSIM on an Android phone?
The entire process takes just a few minutes and is virtually the same regardless of the eSIM provider:
- Obtain the QR code or manual activation code from your eSIM provider.
- Go to Settings → Connections (or Network & internet) → SIM Manager.
- Tap "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan".
- Choose "Scan QR code" and point the camera at the code, or enter the manual code if you can't scan.
- Wait for the phone to confirm the profile download (a few seconds with stable Wi-Fi).
- Activate mobile data for that eSIM and, if you're traveling, confirm that "data roaming" is enabled for that particular line.
A detail that almost no one uses and that saves you from a classic problem at the airport: if the QR code is sent to you by email or WhatsApp before the trip, you don't need to have it open on another screen in front of the camera. On most Android phones, you can take a screenshot of the QR and, when scanning, choose the "Select from gallery" option instead of using the live camera. This avoids the classic problem of trying to scan a code from another phone's screen with poor lighting or weak Wi-Fi in the waiting room.
As we've seen, the exact path changes a bit from brand to brand, but the order of the steps is the same on almost any recent Android device.
eSIM vs. physical SIM on Android: practical differences
Neither is "better" in all cases. eSIM wins in speed and convenience for short trips; a physical SIM still makes sense as a primary line in some scenarios. This table summarizes the differences that truly matter when deciding:
| Aspect | eSIM | Physical SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Digital, via QR or code, no physical store needed | Requires a plastic card and sometimes in-person processing |
| Changing phones | Reinstalled from scratch on the new device | Physically moved from one phone to another |
| Losing or damaging the card | Not applicable, no physical part to lose | Real risk, especially during travel |
| Dual line (personal + travel) | Almost all compatible Androids allow physical SIM + eSIM active simultaneously | Depends on whether the phone is physical dual SIM |
| Availability upon arrival in another country | Activated before leaving or as soon as you land, with Wi-Fi | Depends on finding an open point of sale |
The most common combination among travelers is to keep the physical SIM with the usual number (for calls and messages) and use the eSIM only for data during the trip. This way, you keep your contact number without paying roaming charges per megabyte.
eSIM vs. traditional roaming: what changes when using data abroad?
Traditional roaming is when your own carrier (from your country) allows you to use data abroad by connecting to a partnered network there, almost always under an additional package that you activate before traveling or that is charged per usage. A travel eSIM, on the other hand, is a data plan independent of your usual carrier, contracted directly for your destination.
The biggest practical difference is control: with roaming, you depend on what your originating carrier negotiated with the destination country's network, whereas with an eSIM, you choose the plan, the amount of data, and for how many days you need it, without your main line being exposed to out-of-plan charges.
The question that truly matters isn't "eSIM or roaming?", but "do I want my usual carrier to decide my connection in another country, or do I prefer to choose the plan myself before boarding the plane?".
If you want to delve deeper into this comparison with more technical detail, there's a complete guide at eSIM vs. roaming.
A real-world example: from Mexico to Spain with an eSIM on your phone
Let's revisit the trip from Mexico City to Madrid that we mentioned at the beginning, but with all the steps. A few days before flying, the person buys an online data plan for Spain, receives the QR code by email, and scans it from Settings → Connections → SIM Manager on their Android, still connected to their home Wi-Fi.
The phone downloads the eSIM profile in seconds. The activation itself takes approximately 1 minute once that line is turned on, though it's best to leave it deactivated until the day of the flight if the plan has a fixed start date, to avoid wasting validity days prematurely.
Upon landing in Madrid, with the phone still in airplane mode, they activate the airport Wi-Fi just to confirm everything is in order, then turn off airplane mode. The eSIM automatically connects to a local network, and data starts working without needing to find any counter. The Mexican physical SIM remains in the other tray, receiving calls and messages with the usual number, without incurring data roaming charges.
This same pattern—buy before leaving, activate at home with Wi-Fi, turn on the line on the day of the trip—is what avoids most of the headaches you'll see in the next section.
Common errors when using an eSIM on Android (and how to avoid them)
Most problems with eSIM on Android are not with the technology itself, but with the order in which things are done. These are the most frequent:
- Scanning the QR without Wi-Fi. Profile download requires internet. If you try to activate it on the plane or without signal, it will keep loading and seem like it "doesn't work."
- Activating eSIM data without turning off physical SIM roaming. If you leave both lines with mobile data on, the phone might continue using the physical SIM and generate charges you wanted to avoid.
- Installing the eSIM and accidentally deleting it before use. Many eSIM profiles can only be installed once per phone. If you delete it "to test," in some cases, the same code cannot be reinstalled.
- Not checking the APN. Rarely necessary to adjust, but if after activating the eSIM you can't browse despite having signal, check that the Access Point Name (APN) is configured according to the provider's instructions.
- Buying the plan at the last minute. It's best to allow time to install it calmly, with stable Wi-Fi, instead of doing it in a rush at the airport queue.
If you've already encountered any of these and didn't know how to solve them, there's a dedicated guide on common eSIM problems.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have two active eSIMs at the same time on an Android phone?
It depends on the model. Many recent Android phones allow you to install multiple eSIM profiles and have up to two active lines at once (one physical and one eSIM, or two eSIMs), but the exact limit of stored profiles varies by manufacturer.
Do older or low-end Android phones have eSIM?
Generally, no. The feature is concentrated in mid-range to high-end models released in recent years. Entry-level devices usually rely only on physical SIMs.
Can an eSIM be transferred to another phone?
Not always. Some providers allow reinstalling the same profile on another device from their app; others generate a new profile linked to the first phone where it was installed. It's best to check with the provider before changing devices.
Does eSIM consume more battery than a physical SIM?
There is no significant difference between the two in battery consumption. What does consume more is having two mobile data lines active at the same time, regardless of whether one is physical or digital.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM, or can I do it with mobile data?
Wi-Fi is ideal, especially if you're activating it before traveling. It can also be installed using mobile data from another line, but Wi-Fi is usually more stable for downloading the profile without interruptions.
What happens to my eSIM if I lose my phone or it gets stolen?
The eSIM is linked to the physical device, so you cannot use it on another phone. If your primary line was an eSIM, notify your original carrier; if it was a travel eSIM, notify its provider to deactivate that line.
Does eSIM work the same as a physical SIM in airplane mode?
Yes. Airplane mode disconnects all lines equally, whether physical or digital. When you turn it off, each line reconnects to the network according to how you have it configured.
Conclusion
If your Android is from recent years and mid-range to high-end, it most likely already has an integrated eSIM: you just need to confirm it in Settings and, if you're traveling, activate it calmly with Wi-Fi before you leave. It's the difference between arriving in another country and connecting immediately, or having to look for a SIM card counter.
If you want to start from scratch, first review what an eSIM is exactly in what is an eSIM, or if your question is more specific about models, check eSIM compatible phones and the comparison eSIM on Android vs iPhone. For the complete step-by-step installation, with screenshots, see how to install an eSIM, and if your next trip includes several countries, it's worth reading the complete guide to eSIM for travel.
Once you're sure your Android is compatible, PuraSIM offers data plans for over 200 destinations, with activation in approximately 1 minute and 180 days from purchase to activate it when you need it. Support is available 24/7 in all languages via email and WhatsApp, in case anything doesn't go as expected during installation. You can view all available plans by country in the international eSIM collection.
