In short: eSIM on Samsung Galaxy works across the S series from S20, on Z foldables, on several A series models (like A54 and A55), and on some tablets and watches with LTE. It's activated by scanning a QR code from Settings > Connections > SIM card manager, and the profile is installed in a couple of minutes if you do it with Wi-Fi.
Does my Samsung Galaxy have an eSIM?
Yes, if your Galaxy is a recent high-end or mid-range model. All S series from S20, Z foldables, LTE Watches, and several A series models come with an integrated eSIM chip, meaning a line profile that is installed by software instead of inserting a physical card. If you've never used one, here we explain what an eSIM is exactly and how it differs from a traditional SIM.
The quickest way to confirm if your specific unit has it: go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager and look for the "Add eSIM" option. Another quick hint: dial *#06# on the keypad; if in addition to the IMEI you see an EID (a long number of about 32 digits), your Galaxy has an eSIM. Keep in mind that versions sold in some markets — especially variants with a dual physical SIM designed for India, China or Hong Kong — may come without an eSIM even if the same model does have it in the European version.
Compatible Galaxy models (S, Z, A and tablets)
The list is long and grows every year. To avoid getting lost, here are the most common Galaxy models with eSIM grouped by family. The high-end S series has included it as standard since 2020, so if your phone is from the last five years and not a very basic range, there's a good chance it has it.
| Family | Models with eSIM | Note |
|---|---|---|
| S Series | S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 and S25 (including Ultra and FE) | eSIM + physical SIM in almost all European versions |
| Z Foldables | Z Fold 2/3/4/5/6 and Z Flip 3/4/5/6 | Compatible since the first Z Fold with eSIM |
| A Series | A54, A55 and selected recent models | Not the entire A range has it, see next section |
| Note | Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra 5G | Last Note generation with eSIM |
| Tablets | Tab S8, Tab S9 and Tab A8 with mobile connectivity | Only versions with mobile data, not Wi-Fi |
| Watch | Galaxy Watch 4/5/6/7 LTE version | Only the LTE variant, not the Bluetooth one |
If you have one of these, you can install a travel eSIM in a minute without removing your physical SIM. And if your Galaxy is not in the table or is an older model, you always have the option of an international physical chip, although you will lose the convenience of not having to look for where to buy it upon arrival.
The A series: what's the catch?
The A range causes the most confusion, and rightly so. Not all Galaxy A models have eSIM: for years Samsung reserved it for high-end models, and in the A series it was gradually added only to some models. For example, the A54 and A55 do incorporate it in their European versions, but many entry-level A models (A1x, A2x) continue to be dual physical SIM without eSIM, and probably will remain so as long as Samsung uses that slot to lower the cost of the model.
The practical rule: don't trust the model number, always check Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. If "Add eSIM" does not appear and you don't see an EID with *#06#, that specific model doesn't have it, even if another in the same series does. And if you bought the phone second-hand or had it brought from outside the EU, also check that it is not locked to an operator: this can prevent you from adding lines from other providers, even if the hardware supports eSIM.
Tip: if you buy a second-hand Galaxy for travel, ask the seller to dial *#06# and send you a photo of the screen. If the EID appears, it has an eSIM; if not, you'll need a physical card.
How to activate an eSIM on your Galaxy step by step
Activating a travel eSIM on One UI is a matter of a couple of minutes. You need to be connected to Wi-Fi and have the QR code that you receive by email after purchase handy. The process is practically identical for any eSIM, so if you want the general details with more screenshots, we also have a guide on how to install an eSIM step by step.
- Open Settings > Connections > SIM card manager.
- Tap Add eSIM and then Scan QR code.
- Point the camera at the QR code; the profile will download automatically.
- Assign a name (e.g., "Travel") to distinguish it from your usual line.
- Upon arrival at your destination, activate that eSIM as your data line and turn on mobile data and data roaming for that specific line.
An important tip: install the eSIM before leaving home or from the hotel's Wi-Fi, because downloading the profile requires an internet connection. Scanning the QR code at the destination airport, without data and without Wi-Fi, is a common mistake and one that leaves many people without a connection as soon as they land. You can also save the QR code in the gallery and, if for some reason the camera doesn't read it well (it happens with very bright screens or small QR codes), One UI allows you to enter the activation code manually from the same "Add eSIM" screen, without needing to scan anything.
Dual SIM: your usual number and travel data
The great advantage of the Galaxy is that you can keep your physical Spanish SIM active for calls and SMS (receiving bank codes, WhatsApp with your number) and use the travel eSIM only for browsing. This way you avoid your operator's roaming, which in most tariffs outside the European Union dramatically increases the cost per MB consumed, without having to change your number or notify anyone. If you're not entirely clear about what roaming is, we explain it calmly in what data roaming is.
In the SIM card manager, you choose which line uses data: set the travel eSIM as "mobile data" and leave your Spanish SIM only for calls. You can even completely turn off data for your Spanish line so it doesn't spend anything abroad, which is useful if your plan doesn't include roaming outside the EU. In One UI, you can also assign which SIM each app uses or set one line as preferred for calls and another for data, so everything is automated and you don't have to touch the settings every morning of your trip.
If you're traveling through several countries on the same itinerary, instead of installing an eSIM for each destination, you'll want one that covers the entire area with a single profile, like the eSIM for Europe if you're moving between several countries on the continent during the same trip. It's more convenient than changing profiles at each border and prevents you from running out of data just as you cross into a new country.
When you DON'T need a travel eSIM
It's important to be honest here, because you don't always need to buy anything extra. If you have a Spanish plan and you're going for a weekend to Portugal, France or any country in the European Union or the European Economic Area, your national plan already covers you at no additional cost thanks to the "roam like at home" regulation: you don't need to install any travel eSIM for that. You can see the full comparison in eSIM vs. roaming to know when each option is worth it.
Where it does make sense is outside the EU: the UK, United States, Latin American countries, Asia, or any destination where your Spanish operator applies zone 2 or zone 3 roaming, which is usually much more expensive than a local or regional eSIM. And if your Galaxy is an older model or a variant without eSIM, the realistic alternative is still an international physical chip purchased before leaving or upon arrival at the airport.
Myths and what almost no one tells you
There are several ideas circulating about eSIM on Samsung that are not entirely true, and some details you only discover when it has already happened to you.
- "If I change Galaxy phones, the eSIM transfers automatically." On iPhone, Apple does allow transferring the eSIM profile between two nearby iPhones via Bluetooth. On Samsung, this mechanism does not exist: if you change phones, the old eSIM becomes unusable and you need a new QR from the provider. Most eSIM profiles can only be installed once, so don't delete the profile from your old Galaxy thinking you can reinstall it on the new one.
- "My Galaxy is unlocked, so the eSIM will definitely work." Not always. If you bought the device financed with a Spanish operator and it is still within the permanence period, it may have a network lock that prevents adding lines from other providers, even if the hardware is eSIM compatible. Check the lock status before buying your travel eSIM.
- "American models and those imported from Asia have the same features." Variants sold for US operators and dual physical SIM versions from India, China or Hong Kong are internally different even if they have the same name externally. If you are going to buy a Galaxy on a trip to the US to bring it back, review the exact technical specifications of that unit before assuming it will have eSIM; to get around there with your own European Galaxy, the eSIM for the United States does work without problem because the eSIM is software-based, it does not depend on the phone's original operator.
- "With the profile installed I already have data." There is a step that many people skip: in addition to selecting the eSIM as the data line, you must activate data roaming specifically on that line (not on the physical SIM). If you don't, the profile is installed but it doesn't browse, and it seems like a phone failure when in reality it's an unchecked switch.
- "eSIM uses more battery than physical SIM." There is no real difference in consumption between an eSIM and a physical SIM for the same amount of data; consumption depends on signal strength and app usage, not the type of card.
Typical problems and how to solve them
Most failures in a Galaxy are not from the phone, but from configuration. The most common:
- eSIM doesn't appear: make sure One UI is updated and you're on Wi-Fi when installing it.
- No data upon arrival: check that the travel eSIM is selected as the data line and activate data roaming on that specific line (see the previous myth, it's the most typical cause).
- No coverage or "emergency calls only": manually select the operator in Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operators, instead of leaving it on automatic. In mountainous or rural areas, forcing the 3G/4G network instead of just 5G sometimes stabilizes the connection.
- QR already used: an eSIM profile can only be installed once; if you delete it or change phones, you will need a new one from the provider.
- The phone doesn't find the QR when scanning: manually enter the code from the "Add eSIM" screen; almost all providers include it as an alternative to the QR in the confirmation email.
If you're still without a connection upon landing and it's not any of these cases, contact your eSIM provider's support so they can check the profile status from their end.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Samsung Galaxy S24 have eSIM?
Yes. All Galaxy S24 models (base, Plus, and Ultra) incorporate eSIM from the factory in their European versions, in addition to the slot for a physical SIM. You can use both simultaneously in dual SIM mode without any problems.
How do I know if my Galaxy is eSIM compatible?
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager and look for "Add eSIM". If it appears, your phone supports it. You can also dial *#06#: if you see an EID number in addition to the IMEI, you have eSIM.
Do all Samsung Galaxy A models have eSIM?
No. The A series only incorporated it in some models, such as the A54 and A55 in their European versions. Many entry-level Galaxy A models still do not have eSIM, so it's advisable to check the settings before assuming anything.
Can I have my Spanish number and the travel eSIM at the same time?
Yes, that's precisely the advantage of dual SIM. You keep your physical SIM for calls and SMS, and you set the travel eSIM as the data line. This way, you can browse abroad without activating your operator's roaming for data.
How long does it take to activate an eSIM on a Galaxy?
With good Wi-Fi, a couple of minutes. You scan the QR, the profile downloads and is installed. You'll just need to select it as the data line and activate mobile data and roaming for that line when you arrive at your destination.
If I switch Samsung Galaxy phones, does my eSIM transfer to the new phone?
Not automatically. Unlike Apple, Samsung does not have a direct eSIM profile transfer system between two phones. You will need to request a new QR from your provider to install the eSIM on the new device.
Why does my Galaxy have the eSIM profile installed but no data?
Most commonly, you need to activate data roaming specifically for that eSIM line, not just select it as the data line. Check this in Settings > Connections > Mobile networks, within the eSIM profile.
Conclusion
Virtually any modern Samsung Galaxy (S series from S20, Z foldables, A54/A55, and tablets with connectivity) supports eSIM: you just need to confirm it in the SIM card manager and scan a QR with Wi-Fi before leaving home. With a travel eSIM installed on your Galaxy, you'll have data from the first minute, without changing your number or relying on your operator's roaming. And if your next destination is outside the European Union, check what coverage you need first: for a short trip within the EU, you might not even need one.
