Before you buy a travel eSIM, you need two things to be true: your phone has to support eSIM, and it has to be unlocked. The first is easy to check. The second trips up more Australians than you'd expect.
Here's the full compatibility list, the fastest way to confirm on your own phone, and the traps that make an eSIM "not work" even on a supported model.
The 30-second check
Skip the list and check your actual phone. Every eSIM-capable phone has an EID, a 32-digit identifier for the embedded SIM.
iPhone
Open Settings, then General, then About.
Scroll down. If you see an EID line, your iPhone supports eSIM.
You can also go to Settings, then Mobile. If there's an Add eSIM button, you're good.
Android
Open the phone dialler and type *#06#. Your IMEI will appear, and if the phone supports eSIM, an EID will appear too.
Or open Settings and search for "eSIM" or "SIM manager". An Add eSIM or Download a SIM option means you're supported.
No EID, no eSIM. It's that simple.
Compatible phones by brand
This list covers models sold in Australia. Some brands sell region-specific variants without eSIM (notably some phones sold in mainland China and Hong Kong), so if you bought your phone overseas, use the check above rather than trusting the model name.
Apple
iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2020 and 2022)
iPhone 12 series
iPhone 13 series
iPhone 14 series
iPhone 15 series
iPhone 16 series, including 16e
iPhone 17 series
Every iPhone since 2018 supports eSIM. The iPhone 14 and later sold in the US are eSIM-only with no physical SIM slot, which is worth knowing if you bought one there.
Samsung
Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25 series (all variants)
Galaxy Z Fold 2 and later, Z Flip and later
Galaxy Note 20 series
Galaxy A54, A55, A56 and newer A-series models sold in Australia
Older and cheaper Galaxy A models often don't have eSIM, so check the EID on anything below the A50 range.
Pixel 3 and 3 XL onwards, including all Pixel 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 models and the "a" variants
Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Other brands
Motorola: Razr (2019 onwards), Edge series, and recent Moto G models
OPPO: Find X3 Pro and later, Find N series, Reno A series
Xiaomi: 12T Pro, 13 series and later, some 14T models. Many Xiaomi and Redmi phones don't have eSIM, so check.
Nothing: Phone (3) and later
Huawei: P40 and Mate 40 series (older models only, and note Huawei phones don't run Google apps)
Sony: Xperia 1 IV and later, Xperia 5 IV and later, Xperia 10 IV and later
The carrier lock problem
This is the one that catches Australians most. If you got your phone on a 24 or 36 month plan, there's a good chance it's locked to that carrier. A locked phone will let you install the eSIM but won't connect to any other network, so it looks like the eSIM is broken.
How to check:
iPhone: Settings, General, About, then look for Carrier Lock. It should say "No SIM restrictions".
Android: There's no universal setting. The reliable test is to put a friend's SIM from a different carrier in the phone. If it connects, it's unlocked.
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone will all unlock a phone once it's paid off, and usually for free. Do this at least a few days before you fly, because it can take up to 48 hours to process.
Phones bought outright from Apple, Samsung, JB Hi-Fi or Officeworks are unlocked.
Dual SIM: keeping your Australian number
Almost every eSIM phone is dual SIM, which is what makes travel eSIMs so convenient. Your Australian SIM stays in the phone for calls, texts and two-factor codes, and the eSIM handles data. You choose which line does what in settings.
Some phones support two eSIMs at once, and iPhone 13 and later can hold eight or more eSIMs on the phone with two active. So if you already have your main carrier on eSIM, adding a travel eSIM is no problem.
Tablets and watches
Cellular iPads (from the iPad Pro 2018 onwards) and many Android tablets have eSIM and work with travel eSIMs. Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch use a carrier-tied eSIM for number sharing and won't accept a travel data plan.
What to do if your phone isn't on the list
If your phone doesn't support eSIM, your options are a physical SIM at your destination, carrier roaming, or a pocket Wi-Fi device. If you're due for an upgrade anyway, every current-generation phone from the major brands supports eSIM, so it won't be a problem next trip.
Phone checks out? Browse eSIM plans by destination, or see the installation steps in our FAQ.