Which Samsung phones are eSIM compatible?
Galaxy S, Note20, and the Z family (Fold and Flip) from 2020 onwards come with eSIM pre-installed; the A series includes it only in specific models and regions. The quickest way to confirm is to dial *#06# on your phone: if an EID number appears in addition to the IMEI, your device has eSIM.
This matters because an eSIM is essentially a SIM card that is already soldered inside the phone instead of coming in a physical card that you insert into a tray. It is activated by scanning a QR code or installing a profile from an app, and you can use it to have an additional data line — for example, one for your usual number and another for internet when traveling — without touching the physical SIM you already use. Samsung was one of the first manufacturers to adopt it massively, so if you have a recent Galaxy, there's a good chance it has it.
Complete list by line: S, Note, Z Fold and Z Flip
This is the clearest way to locate your model: by line and generation. Don't memorize the table, just check which row your phone falls into.
| Samsung Line | Models with eSIM | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S | S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, S22, S22+, S22 Ultra, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE, S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE, S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge | The S20 FE and S21 FE are the exception: in several versions and operators, eSIM is not enabled. The S23 FE was the first "FE" to consistently include it. |
| Galaxy Note | Note20, Note20 Ultra | Last Note generation Samsung released; both with eSIM. |
| Galaxy Z Fold | Z Fold2, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6 | The original 2019 Galaxy Fold used a physical SIM, not eSIM. |
| Galaxy Z Flip | Z Flip, Z Flip3, Z Flip4, Z Flip5, Z Flip6 | The entire Flip family, from the first model, includes eSIM. |
| Galaxy A | A35, A36, A54, A55, A56 (in specific models and regions) | This is the most irregular line: the same model number can have eSIM in one region and not in another. |
If your Galaxy doesn't appear in any row —for example, an A14, an A04, or an M-series—, it almost certainly only works with a physical SIM. Even so, the table is a general guide: the real confirmation is always given by the phone itself, as you'll see in the next section.
How to check your exact model in three steps
As you've just seen, even within the same line, there can be exceptions. That's why the table data is a starting point, not the final word. These three methods give you the answer directly from your phone:
- Dial Code. Open the Phone app, dial *#06# and press call. A screen with several codes opens: IMEI, IMEI2 (if it's dual physical SIM) and, if your device supports eSIM, an EID number. If EID does not appear, the phone does not have eSIM.
- System Settings. Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. If you see the option "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan", your Galaxy supports it. If the SIM menu doesn't even show that option, it doesn't have it.
- Device Status (unlocked or not). Go to Settings > About phone > Status. There you can confirm if the phone is unlocked for all operators. A Galaxy with pre-installed eSIM but sold "tied" to a single operator may have that function blocked by software, even if the hardware has it.
The *#06# code does not depend on you having an active eSIM or being connected to the internet: it only reads the phone's hardware. It is the most reliable test, even more so than asking a salesperson.
Why two identical Galaxy phones can behave differently
Here's the detail that confuses people the most: two Samsung phones with the same model name — say, two Galaxy S23s — can have different results when checking for eSIM. It's not that one is "broken"; it's that Samsung manufactures different variants depending on the market and the operator each unit is destined for, and some of those variants have the eSIM disabled by software even if the chip is physically there.
This happens mainly in two scenarios: phones purchased through an operator that sells them "tied" to their network (some plans in the United States work this way), and units manufactured for markets like China or Hong Kong, where Samsung often disables eSIM by default. If you bought your Galaxy unlocked — without a contract with an operator — and in an official store in your country, it's much less likely that you'll encounter this.
For the region where Samsung sells the most in Latin America — Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Peru — a practical pattern is worth more than the global technical sheet: the S line, the Z line (Fold and Flip), and the Note20 almost always have eSIM working without problems, while the A range — which sells the most due to price — has it active in fewer cases than people assume, even when the same model number does have it in Europe or Asia. Before assuming that an A55 or an A35 supports it in your country, it's advisable to confirm it with the *#06# code from the previous point.
What if your phone is not a Samsung?
eSIM is not exclusive to Samsung. iPhones (since XS), Google Pixel (since Pixel 3), and recent models from Motorola, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Oppo also include it in several of their versions. The logic for checking is the same: the *#06# code works on Android in general, and on iPhone you can go to Settings > General > About and look for the EID. If your phone is not a Galaxy, in this guide on eSIM compatible phones we review other brands with the same level of detail.
If you've never heard the term "eSIM" until this article, it's worth taking a step back: in what an eSIM is and how it works we explain the complete concept, without assuming you already know what it's about.
eSIM and physical SIM together: what each Galaxy allows
One of the points that generates the most doubt is whether you can use eSIM and physical SIM at the same time, or if one replaces the other. The answer depends on the model and whether it is a single or dual physical tray version:
| Configuration | What it means in practice | Typical Models |
|---|---|---|
| Physical SIM + eSIM (dual active) | You can have two lines working at the same time: one with your usual physical chip and another with an eSIM, each with its own number or data plan. | Most Galaxy S, Z Fold, and Z Flip in their international/unlocked version. |
| Dual physical SIM (no eSIM) | The phone accepts two physical chips in the same tray, but does not have an internal eSIM chip. | A good part of the A and M range sold in Latin America. |
| eSIM only (no physical tray) | The device has no tray for physical SIM; all lines, including the main one, are activated via eSIM. | Some specific versions of Z Fold and Z Flip sold in markets like the United States. |
If your goal is to travel, the "Physical SIM + eSIM" configuration is the most convenient: you leave your usual chip to receive calls and SMS from your usual number, and you use the eSIM only for mobile data at your destination, without physically touching anything or risking losing your original card.
Real example: preparing a Galaxy for a trip
Imagine you live in Mexico City, have a Galaxy S23, and in three weeks you're traveling to Peru for ten days. Before leaving, you follow the same process described above: you dial *#06#, confirm that the EID appears, and you already know that your phone supports eSIM. With that resolved, there are two paths: buy a physical chip upon arrival at Lima airport, or install the eSIM before traveling and arrive with data working as soon as you land.
The practical difference is when you get connected. With a physical chip, you depend on finding the right counter at the airport, waiting in line, and sometimes showing documents. With a pre-installed eSIM, the profile is already saved on your phone before boarding the plane, and you only activate it upon landing; you can check the map, hail a ride, or announce your safe arrival from the moment you exit the aircraft. If you've never installed one, the complete step-by-step — with screenshots of each screen — is in how to install an eSIM.
This same example applies equally whether the destination is Colombia, Chile, Argentina, or any of the more than 200 destinations where PuraSIM has coverage: the eSIM-compatible phone is the same, only the country of the plan you install changes.
Travel eSIM vs. local operator eSIM
Having an eSIM-compatible Galaxy doesn't mean the only option is to buy a line with your usual operator at roaming prices, or that you have to look for a local operator as soon as you land. There's a third way specifically designed for short trips: a data eSIM that's installed before you leave and activated where you need it, with no contract or number change.
This doesn't replace your main line — that stays on your physical SIM, with your number and WhatsApp contacts — but it adds mobile data ready to use at your destination. It's the difference between roaming (your own operator charging you for using networks in another country) and a travel eSIM (an independent data line, contracted directly for that destination). If you want to delve deeper into when each is convenient, the complete comparison is in eSIM vs. roaming, and if the doubt is more about eSIM vs. traditional physical SIM, we solve it in eSIM vs. physical SIM.
Once you understand the theory, the natural next step is to choose your destination and activate. In the international eSIM collection you can see the available plans by country; installation takes only a few minutes and activation itself occurs in approximately 1 minute once you arrive at your destination. You have 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp if anything is unclear during the process, and up to 180 days from purchase to activate the eSIM when the trip actually arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Do Galaxy A phones have eSIM in Latin America?
Some recent models like the A35, A36, A54, A55, and A56 include it in certain regions, but in Latin America it's common to find versions of these same models without eSIM enabled. Don't assume it by the model name: confirm it with the *#06# code on your own phone.
Do I need an unlocked phone to use eSIM?
It's not a technical requirement of eSIM itself, but if your Galaxy is "tied" to an operator, that operator may have blocked the option to add another line, including an eSIM. An unlocked phone, purchased without a contract, is less likely to have that function restricted.
Can I have both eSIM and physical SIM active at the same time on my Samsung?
In models with dual configuration (most Galaxy S, Z Fold, and Z Flip in their unlocked version), yes. You can receive calls and SMS via your usual physical SIM while using mobile data via the eSIM, or vice versa, depending on how you configure it in the SIM card manager.
What should I do if my Samsung was purchased with an operator and I can't find the eSIM option?
First, check Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. If "Add eSIM" does not appear even though your model should have it according to the list in this guide, it is likely that the operator blocked it by software at the time of sale. In that case, the solution involves managing the unlock directly with that operator.
How many eSIMs can I store on a Galaxy even if I only use one at a time?
It depends on the model, but generally, recent Galaxy phones allow you to store several eSIM profiles in the phone's memory (for example, one for each country you visit frequently) even if only one is active at a given time. Switching between saved profiles is done from the same SIM manager menu, without reinstalling anything.
Does eSIM work the same in all countries?
The technology is the same in any country, but the coverage of each plan depends on which eSIM you install. A travel eSIM designed for a specific destination only provides data in that country or region; for another destination, you need to install (or activate) the corresponding profile for that country.
What should I do if my Samsung doesn't appear on any compatibility list?
Trust the result of the *#06# code on your own device more than any list, including this one. Lists are compiled by line and generation, but Samsung constantly releases regional variants; the EID on your phone is the definitive answer.
Conclusion and next step
If you have a Galaxy S, a Note20, or any Z Fold or Z Flip from 2020 onwards, it's highly likely that your phone is already ready for eSIM without you having to do anything special. If your model is from the A range, the only way to be sure is to check it yourself with the *#06# code or from the SIM card manager, because the same model number can behave differently depending on where you bought it.
Once you confirm your phone is compatible, the rest is simple: you choose the country you're traveling to, install the profile before leaving, and arrive with data working from the airport. If you haven't taken that first step yet, the installation guide in the previous section walks you through each screen. And if your next trip is still in the planning phase, the definitive eSIM guide for travel covers everything you need to sort out before packing, including the most common problems people report when using eSIM for the first time.
