eSIM on iPhone: which iPhones take an eSIM, and adding a travel eSIM
In short
Apple UK says an eSIM works on “an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later” (checked on 26 October 2026, Apple, page of 25 October 2026). Apple adds exceptions for models sold in China mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, so the model name alone is not proof: check your own iPhone before you buy (below). The page prints no model-by-model list, and neither do we.
On this page
This site is not affiliated with Apple or any of the networks mentioned here; we sell eSIMs. How we compare
You may not need a travel eSIM: if your UK network already includes your destination, your own line works. If you do want one, check two things first. The iPhone must be unlocked, and it must be on Wi-Fi when you install.
Which iPhones support eSIM?
Apple UK names the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR as the oldest eSIM models, and says “or later” for everything after them (checked on 26 October 2026, Apple). The same page asks you to connect the iPhone to Wi-Fi to add one.
The same page lists regional exceptions. In China mainland only a few recent models support eSIM, and in Hong Kong and Macao “certain iPhone models feature Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards”. An iPhone bought abroad may be one of them. Before you pay, check your own phone: dial *#06# and look for an EID, look for Add eSIM under Settings → Mobile Service (on some iPhones: Mobile Data), and check the lock below. eSIM compatible phones has the full check.
What Apple UK states, and what it leaves out:
| Question | Apple UK says | Not stated on the page |
|---|---|---|
| Oldest model | iPhone XS, XS Max, XR | A full list of newer models |
| Regional models | China mainland: only a few recent models; Hong Kong and Macao: certain models use two nano-SIM cards | Which Hong Kong and Macao models |
| Wi-Fi needed to install | Yes, bar some eSIM-only models in some countries | Which models, which countries |
| Number of eSIMs | “up to eight or more” can be managed | A per-model figure |
| Two eSIMs on at once | iPhone 13 models and later | — |
| Software | iOS 17.4 or later for QR-in-mail and link methods | A minimum iOS for the Camera scan |
| eSIM Quick Transfer | iOS 18.4 or later on both iPhones, same Apple Account, Bluetooth on | Which UK networks support it |
| Delete an eSIM | A new eSIM then comes from your network | — |
Source: Apple support pages 118669, 109317, 118227 and 102421, checked on 26 October 2026.
Check the lock before you buy any eSIM. Go to Settings → General → About: Apple says “No SIM Restrictions” appears next to Network Provider Lock when the iPhone is unlocked (Apple).
A locked iPhone cannot take another provider’s eSIM. Apple says that “to use two network providers, your network provider must unlock your iPhone” (Apple). Vodafone, for one, says your device “must be network unlocked to use a Vodafone eSIM” (checked on 26 October 2026, Vodafone). Ask the network that sold the phone to unlock it, then look again at the Network Provider Lock line.
eSIM-only iPhones: what changes
Apple UK’s only statement on eSIM-only models is that, in some countries and regions, they “can activate without a Wi-Fi network” (checked on 26 October 2026, Apple). The page names no model and no country.
So we print no list of eSIM-only iPhones. If your iPhone has no SIM tray, an eSIM is the only way to add a plan, and your network or ours must supply one.
Networks have their own limits too, separate from Apple’s. Lebara says new customers can use its eSIM on an iPhone Air only (checked on 24 October 2026, Lebara). That is Lebara’s rule for its own plans, not a statement about which iPhones take an eSIM. On another iPhone, ask your network before you plan around a UK eSIM. Samsung and Pixel are covered in phones that take an eSIM.
How many eSIMs can an iPhone hold?
Apple says an iPhone can “manage up to eight or more eSIMs”, but only some of them can be on at once (checked on 26 October 2026, Apple).
Active lines are a smaller number. Apple’s Dual SIM page says two active phone numbers work on an iPhone XS or XR and later. Two eSIMs on at the same time need “iPhone 13 models and later” (Apple).
Your iPhone uses one mobile data line at a time. A common set-up for a trip is the travel eSIM for data and your UK line for calls and texts. Which line carries data is a setting, covered in the iPhone steps of our install guide.
Add a travel eSIM to your iPhone
Scan the QR code from your order e-mail with the Camera app and tap the notification; Apple’s page also covers links and manual entry (checked on 26 October 2026, Apple). Install before you travel, at home on Wi-Fi. On most of our plans the days start when the eSIM first connects at your destination, so installing early costs no days; check the activation rule shown on your plan.
To add eSIM on iPhone from Settings instead: Settings → Mobile Service (on some iPhones: Mobile Data) → Add eSIM. If the order e-mail gives a manual activation code, the route is Settings → Mobile Data → Add Mobile Plan → Enter Details Manually. Then label your lines, so you can tell “Travel” from your UK number.
The steps in full live in how to install a travel eSIM. To turn on data roaming for the eSIM line, see data roaming settings. Menus can differ by model and software version, so follow the labels your iPhone shows.
Heading to Europe? Our Europe eSIM is data only; check first whether your UK plan already covers the trip.
eSIM Quick Transfer is not how a travel eSIM gets in
eSIM Quick Transfer moves a number from one iPhone to another. It needs both iPhones signed in to the same Apple Account, the old one unlocked, Bluetooth on, and iOS 18.4 or later on both (Apple). The plan on the new iPhone “will deactivate your previous SIM”.
It also depends on your network supporting it. Three says Quick Transfer “is only available on iPhones and a number of Android devices” (checked on 26 October 2026, Three). Steps for each network are in transferring an eSIM. A travel eSIM goes in by QR code or link.
After the trip: turn the line off, don’t delete it
Turning the travel line off keeps the eSIM on the iPhone. In Settings → Mobile Service, tap the number and switch off Turn On this Line (Apple).
Deleting is final. Apple says that if you erase an eSIM, “you’ll need to contact your network provider to get a new one”, and not to erase one as a troubleshooting step unless your network tells you to (checked on 26 October 2026, Apple). The FAQ below has Apple’s path; what each network says about deleting is in removing an eSIM.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get an eSIM on my iPhone?
Scan the QR code from your order e-mail with the Camera app, or go to Settings → Mobile Service (on some iPhones: Mobile Data) → Add eSIM. Your iPhone must be on Wi-Fi, so do it at home before you fly. The full steps are in our install guide.
Do eSIMs change your phone number?
No. A second eSIM adds a second line; your UK line keeps its number. Apple says Dual SIM “enables you to have two active phone numbers”. A travel eSIM from us is data only, so calls and texts stay on your UK number, under your UK network’s roaming rules.
What happens if I delete an eSIM?
The line stops working on that iPhone, and Apple says you then need to contact your network provider to get a new eSIM. Apple’s path is Settings → Mobile → Delete eSIM; with several plans, tap the plan, then Delete Plan (Apple). Apple also says not to erase an eSIM to fix a fault unless your network tells you to. To keep a line for later, turn off Turn On this Line instead.
Sources checked: Apple: use eSIM on iPhone (en-gb 118669) · Apple: travel eSIM and Dual SIM (en-gb 118227) · Apple: use Dual SIM (en-gb 109317) · Apple: erase an eSIM (en-gb 102421) · Vodafone: eSIM · Lebara: eSIM help · Three: eSIM support.
Unfamiliar term? See the eSIM glossary.
Not sure how much data to take? Work it out from your trip length and how you use your phone.