Why is Saily not compatible with my phone?
If Saily shows you an incompatibility warning, it's almost always for one of three reasons: your phone doesn't have eSIM technology built-in, it does but the carrier that sold it to you has it factory-locked, or your model has already reached the limit of eSIM profiles it allows to activate at the same time.
This is not a problem exclusive to Saily. Any travel eSIM provider —including PuraSIM— relies on the phone's hardware having the eSIM chip and the original carrier not having restricted it. If you're specifically looking for what Saily is and how it works, we've already covered that in detail in our Saily eSIM guide. Here we focus only on device compatibility, which is where most people get stuck before traveling.
eSIM compatibility depends on two independent layers: the phone's hardware (does it have the chip?) and the software/firmware that the carrier or manufacturer put on top (do they allow it to be used?). A model can meet the first condition and fail the second, and that's where most error messages appear.
What is an eSIM and how does it differ from a physical SIM?
An eSIM is a chip soldered inside the phone that stores the same type of information that used to reside on the physical card: the carrier profile, the number, network credentials. The difference is that it's not inserted or changed with a fingernail; it's downloaded as a digital profile, usually by scanning a QR code or installing the profile directly from an app.
This has two practical consequences for travelers. The first is that you can activate a data plan before leaving your country, without waiting for a physical card to be delivered to you at the airport. The second is that, being a soldered and non-removable component, its availability depends entirely on the manufacturer having included it in that exact version of the model —not in the entire phone family, but in the specific regional variant you hold in your hand—.
If you're still unclear about the general concept, you should first review what an eSIM is and how it works before proceeding with the compatibility section.
What devices are eSIM compatible?
eSIM technology has been integrated into the mid-to-high ranges of major brands for several years. In general terms, these are the device families that usually include the eSIM chip in at least some of their variants:
| Brand | Families that usually include eSIM | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | iPhone XS/XR onwards | some variants sold in mainland China and Hong Kong do not have physical eSIM, only dual physical SIM |
| Samsung | Galaxy S20 onwards, Z Fold/Flip range, some recent A5x/A7x | several units sold by carriers in the US and some Asian markets come without eSIM enabled by software |
| Pixel 3 onwards (Pixel 3a in some markets was excluded) | check the exact model, not just the series name | |
| Other brands (Motorola, Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, Sony) | recent premium models increasingly | eSIM arrives much later to the mid-range; many models still do not include it |
This table is illustrative and general for eSIM technology as a whole, not an official list from any provider. Before purchasing, confirm the compatibility of your exact model on the official website of the provider you choose —including Saily's—, because this type of list changes with each model launch. For a broader list of phones by brand, also check our guide to eSIM compatible phones.
Having a compatible model is not always enough
This is where the classic "my phone is compatible, but it still won't let me" comes in. The model might be on the official manufacturer's list and still reject the eSIM profile for one of these reasons:
- Carrier lock: the phone was sold tied to a plan with a carrier, and that carrier disabled the eSIM function by software even though the chip is physically there.
- Purchase region different from usage region: some variants of the same model, sold in different markets, have different factory configurations regarding eSIM.
- Profile limit reached: many models allow saving multiple eSIM profiles but only one or two active at a time; if you already have profiles from previous trips occupying space, the installation of a new one may fail.
- Outdated operating system: old versions of iOS or Android sometimes don't properly support the installation of new eSIM profiles.
eSIM compatibility is not a single yes or no checkbox: it's the sum of the chip existing in your exact variant of the model, the carrier not having blocked it, and your operating system being up to date. If any of the three fails, the profile won't install, no matter how new the phone is.
If after reviewing this you still have specific errors during installation (not in compatibility itself), it's faster to resolve it by checking the most common problems when using an eSIM.
The most common block: phones purchased with contracts in the US
This is one of the cases that causes the most confusion. When you buy an iPhone or a Galaxy financed or subsidized by a US carrier, that unit may come with the eSIM chip deactivated by software: the restriction is applied by the carrier in its device configuration, not by the phone manufacturer. It does not appear marked as "locked" in any visible menu: simply, when you try to scan the QR code of any travel eSIM, the phone gives a generic installation error instead of explicitly saying "this unit has the eSIM restricted."
The only reliable way to confirm this is to ask the original carrier to unlock the device or check in the phone settings if the option to add an eSIM plan appears; if that option does not exist in the lines/cellular menu, even if the model is hardware compatible, it is probably restricted. This same problem can be repeated, to a lesser extent, with units purchased through carriers in other countries, not just the United States.
It should be clarified that this is not a problem exclusive to any provider: it happens equally to a user trying to activate Saily, PuraSIM, or any other travel eSIM on a phone with this factory restriction.
How to tell if your specific phone supports eSIM?
Before buying any travel eSIM, it's a good idea to check directly on your phone in less than a minute, instead of relying solely on the commercial name of the model:
- On iPhone: Go to Settings → General → About. If the phone has an eSIM, an EID number will appear on that screen. If it doesn't appear, that particular phone does not have the feature enabled.
- On Android: Go to Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections) → SIMs, or search for "add eSIM" / "add data plan" in the settings search bar. If the option appears, the phone supports it.
- Check the IMEI/EID with the carrier: some carriers have a code to check by SMS if your specific device has the eSIM enabled or restricted.
- Confirm that the phone is carrier unlocked, not just that it is "eSIM compatible" in general.
If step 1 or 2 does not show the option, that specific phone will not be able to use any eSIM, no matter which provider you choose.
How to use Saily eSIM on Android?
The process of installing an eSIM on Android follows the same general flow for virtually any provider, including Saily: the plan is purchased in the provider's app or website, a QR code or activation link is received, and that code is scanned from the phone's settings. The general steps on Android are:
- Confirm in Settings that your Android supports eSIM (see previous section).
- Connect to Wi-Fi before installing the profile; installation requires data.
- Go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM (the exact name varies depending on the phone brand: Samsung, Xiaomi, and Pixel call it differently).
- Scan the QR code provided by the vendor, or use the app/link installation option if the vendor offers it.
- Wait for the phone to confirm the profile installation and manually activate it as a data line.
- Verify that data roaming is activated for that specific eSIM line before traveling.
For full details, with screenshots and variations by Android brand, we have a dedicated guide on how to install an eSIM step by step.
How to install an eSIM on iPhone?
On iPhone, the process is more uniform across models because Apple controls both the hardware and the operating system:
- Go to Settings → Cellular (called "Mobile Data" depending on the iOS version) → Add eSIM.
- Choose "Use QR Code" and scan the one provided by the vendor, or use "Carrier Details" if they gave you direct link activation.
- Wait for the "eSIM ready to use" confirmation and give the line a name (e.g., "Travel Data") to avoid confusing it with your primary line.
- In Settings → Cellular, choose which line uses data outside your country and activate data roaming only for that eSIM.
- Temporarily deactivate cellular data for your primary line if you want to avoid roaming charges from your usual carrier.
This flow applies equally if you've specifically searched for how to activate Saily: the mechanics of installing an eSIM profile on iOS are the same regardless of the provider, because Apple controls it, not the company selling the plan.
What to check before buying any travel eSIM
Beyond phone compatibility, there are concrete and verifiable points to compare between providers before paying. This is what PuraSIM can confirm about itself, with verifiable data:
| Criterion | What to check in any provider | In PuraSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Destination coverage | if it covers the exact country you are traveling to, not just "global coverage" | more than 200 destinations |
| Support channel | if support is only via app chat, or also via email/WhatsApp, and during what hours | 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp |
| Activation time | if the plan is active instantly or requires waiting | activation in approximately 1 minute |
| Activation deadline after purchase | how many days you have from purchase until you must activate the plan | 180 days to activate the eSIM from purchase |
| Device compatibility | list of compatible models published and updated by the provider itself | the same general hardware/carrier rules described in this article apply |
If you prefer to first understand the fundamental difference between this type of technology and a traditional physical card, our comparison of eSIM vs. physical SIM may be helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my phone say it's not eSIM compatible even though the model supports it?
Most likely, the hardware does have the chip, but the carrier that sold you the phone blocked it by software, or you have already reached the limit of eSIM profiles that your model allows to save or activate at once.
Can I use two eSIMs at the same time on my phone?
It depends on the model. Many recent phones allow saving multiple eSIM profiles but only having one or two active simultaneously along with the physical line, if the phone is dual-SIM. Check the specifications of your exact model, not just the general series.
Which Samsung phones are eSIM compatible?
>In general, from the Galaxy S20 onwards and most of the Z Fold/Flip range. Be careful with units sold by carriers in the United States: several come without the function enabled by software even if the hardware includes it.
Are iPhones bought in the United States eSIM locked?
Not all, but it is common in units financed or subsidized by a US carrier. The way to confirm this is to check in Settings → General → About if an EID number appears, and if the "Add eSIM" option is available in the cellular data menu.
Do I need to unlock my phone to use a travel eSIM?
If your phone is tied to a carrier (carrier lock), yes, you need to ask that carrier to unlock it before you can install an eSIM profile from another provider, no matter which one you choose.
What if my phone is not eSIM compatible?
You simply won't be able to install any eSIM profile, from any provider. The alternative in that case is to use a local physical prepaid SIM or an international roaming plan from your own carrier.
How do I check my phone's EID?
On iPhone: Settings → General → About, and look for "EID" in the list. On Android it varies by brand, but it's usually in Settings → About phone → SIM status, or by searching for "EID" directly in the settings search bar.
Conclusion
If you've made it this far wondering why Saily rejected your phone, the cause is almost always with your device or your carrier, not the eSIM provider itself: the chip is missing, it's blocked by the original carrier, or you've already reached the limit of profiles your model allows. Check the EID in Settings before purchasing any plan, regardless of the brand you choose.
Once you confirm that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, the decision between providers comes down to comparing real coverage, support channels, and activation conditions with verifiable data, like those detailed in the table in this article. If you want to review plans by destination with over 200 destinations covered, activation in approximately 1 minute, and 24/7 support by email and WhatsApp, you can see the available options in our international eSIM collection. And if you're still organizing your entire trip, our definitive guide to eSIM for travel might be helpful.
