Samsung eSIM Compatibility Guide 2026: Which Galaxy Phones Support eSIM

Samsung's Galaxy lineup has supported eSIM technology for several years now, but compatibility varies considerably depending on the model, the region it was purchased in, and sometimes even the specific carrier version of a device. If you are planning international travel and want to use an eSIM for data instead of paying roaming fees or hunting for a local SIM card, the first step is confirming that your specific Galaxy phone actually supports it.

This guide breaks down which Samsung Galaxy models support eSIM, how to check your specific device and region, how to activate an eSIM step by step, and how to troubleshoot the most common problems travelers run into. Whether you have a recent Galaxy S series flagship, a Galaxy Z Fold or Flip, or an older Galaxy A series phone, this guide will help you figure out exactly where you stand.

TLDR: Samsung eSIM Compatibility at a Glance

• Galaxy S20 series and newer, Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series, and Galaxy Note 20 series generally support eSIM, though regional variants sold in some markets may not.
• Many Galaxy A series models from the A54 and newer support eSIM, but this varies significantly by region and carrier.
• Devices sold through certain carriers, particularly in the United States before recent years, sometimes had eSIM disabled at a software level even on otherwise compatible hardware.
• You can check eSIM support directly on your device by going to Settings, then Connections, then SIM Manager, and looking for an option to add an eSIM.
• Activation typically takes a few minutes and requires a WiFi connection, your eSIM QR code or activation link, and a device that is unlocked or carrier-permitted to add additional SIM profiles.

Why eSIM Matters for Samsung Galaxy Travelers

Samsung's Galaxy phones are among the most popular Android devices worldwide, and an increasing share of models support eSIM, which lets you add a digital SIM profile without needing a physical card. For travelers, this means you can purchase and install a local or regional data plan before you even leave home, then activate it the moment you land, all while keeping your home SIM active for calls and texts.

This is particularly useful for business travelers who need to keep their primary number reachable, digital nomads who frequently switch between countries, and anyone who has ever struggled to find a SIM card kiosk after a long international flight.

Which Samsung Galaxy Models Support eSIM

Galaxy S Series

Samsung's flagship S series has included eSIM support since the Galaxy S20 series, released in 2020. This includes:

• Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
• Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, S21 FE
• Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
• Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE
• Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra
• Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, and newer models

That said, regional variants matter. Some versions sold in South Korea and certain other markets historically shipped without eSIM functionality enabled, even though the hardware itself supports it. If you purchased your phone in a market where eSIM was not officially supported at launch, it is worth checking your specific model number against Samsung's support documentation.

Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip Series

Samsung's foldable lineup has supported eSIM since their early generations:

• Galaxy Z Fold, Z Fold2, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6, and newer
• Galaxy Z Flip, Z Flip3, Z Flip4, Z Flip5, Z Flip6, and newer

Foldables are often well suited to dual-SIM travel setups since users already tend to be early adopters comfortable with managing multiple connectivity profiles.

Galaxy Note Series

The Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra, released in 2020, support eSIM. Earlier Note models, including the Note 10 series, generally do not, though there were some regional exceptions worth checking individually.

Galaxy A Series

The A series is where things get more complicated. eSIM support in Samsung's mid-range lineup has rolled out unevenly:

• Galaxy A54 5G and newer A-series models in some regions support eSIM, particularly European variants.
• Many earlier A series models, and some current models sold in markets like the United States, do not support eSIM even if the same model number sold elsewhere does.

If you have an A series phone and are planning to rely on eSIM for travel, checking your specific device settings before your trip is essential, since assumptions based on the model name alone can be misleading.

Samsung Galaxy eSIM Support by Series

Series	eSIM Support	Notes
Galaxy S20 and newer	Yes, generally	Some regional variants may have eSIM disabled, check device settings
Galaxy Z Fold / Z Flip (all generations)	Yes	Supported since the original Fold and Flip
Galaxy Note 20 / Note 20 Ultra	Yes	Earlier Note models generally do not support eSIM
Galaxy A54 5G and select newer A series	Varies by region	European variants more likely supported than US variants
Galaxy A series before A54	Generally no	Check device settings to confirm
Galaxy S10, Note 10, and older	No	Released before Samsung's eSIM rollout

Why Samsung's eSIM Rollout Has Been Inconsistent

Unlike Apple, which controls both hardware and software for a relatively small number of iPhone models each year, Samsung produces an enormous range of devices across multiple price tiers, and each model can have several regional variants built around different chipsets, modems, and carrier agreements. A Galaxy A54 sold in Germany may use different internal components than the "same" Galaxy A54 sold in the United States, and eSIM support depends on both the modem hardware and whether Samsung and the carrier enabled the feature in software for that specific variant.

This is also why some travelers report that a software update suddenly added or enabled eSIM support on a device that did not previously show the option. Samsung has gradually expanded eSIM availability through firmware updates in some regions as carrier agreements were finalized, so even if your phone did not support eSIM when you bought it, it is worth checking again after major software updates, particularly One UI updates tied to a new Android version.

How to Check If Your Samsung Galaxy Supports eSIM

The most reliable way to confirm eSIM support is directly on your device, since this accounts for regional and carrier variations that generic model lists cannot.

Step-by-Step Check

1. Open Settings on your Galaxy phone.
2. Tap Connections.
3. Tap SIM Manager.
4. Look for an option labeled Add eSIM or similar.

If you see this option, your device and current carrier configuration support eSIM. If you do not see it, your specific device or carrier version may not support eSIM even if the general model lineup does elsewhere.

Checking Your EID Number

Every eSIM-capable device has a unique EID (eSIM Identifier) number, similar to an IMEI for physical SIMs. You can find this under Settings, About Phone, Status Information, or sometimes under SIM Manager directly. Having this number ready can speed up activation with some eSIM providers, though many travel eSIMs only require scanning a QR code.

How to Activate an eSIM on a Samsung Galaxy

Before You Travel

1. Purchase your eSIM plan and receive your QR code or activation details, typically via email.
2. Connect your phone to WiFi, since eSIM installation requires an internet connection.
3. Go to Settings, then Connections, then SIM Manager, then Add eSIM.
4. Choose to scan a QR code, or enter the activation details manually if your provider gave you a code instead of a QR image.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete installation.

Setting Up Dual SIM for Travel

Once your eSIM is installed, go to SIM Manager to configure how your phone uses each SIM. Most travelers set their eSIM as the data line while keeping their home SIM active for calls and texts, which avoids roaming data charges while staying reachable on your usual number. You can configure this under SIM Manager by tapping on "Mobile Data" and selecting your eSIM line.

When to Activate: Before or After Landing

Many travel eSIMs can be installed before your trip but should only be activated (meaning the data plan validity period starts) once you land or are ready to use it, depending on the provider's specific plan type. Check your provider's instructions, since activating too early can mean your data validity period starts before your trip does.

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: The Galaxy S23 Business Traveler

Marcus travels frequently for work and uses his Galaxy S23 Ultra with two eSIM profiles installed: one for his home country and one regional Europe eSIM he activates whenever he lands in the EU. Switching between them takes seconds in SIM Manager, and he never needs to handle a physical SIM tray.

Scenario 2: The Galaxy A Series Traveler Who Discovers No eSIM Support

Priya purchased a Galaxy A series phone in the United States and assumed it would support eSIM based on online research about the model generally. When she checked SIM Manager before a trip, she found no eSIM option, since her specific US carrier variant did not include eSIM support. She ended up purchasing a physical local SIM at her destination instead, a reminder that checking your specific device before relying on eSIM for an upcoming trip matters more than general model research.

Scenario 3: The Galaxy Z Fold Digital Nomad

Elena works remotely and moves between countries every few months with her Galaxy Z Fold5. She keeps a regional eSIM active for whichever continent she is currently on, switching plans as she crosses borders, and uses her foldable's larger screen to manage everything through SIM Manager without issue.

Tips and Best Practices

Before You Buy an eSIM

• Always check SIM Manager on your specific device before purchasing an eSIM plan, since regional variants can differ even within the same model name.
• If you bought your phone secondhand or through a carrier-locked deal, confirm the device is unlocked or carrier-permitted to add additional SIM profiles.
• Note your EID number in advance in case your provider requires it during activation.

During Activation

• Always install your eSIM over WiFi rather than mobile data, since the installation process itself requires a stable internet connection.
• Do not scan the same QR code twice on different devices, since most eSIM QR codes can only be used once and scanning it again can trigger an error or invalidate the profile.
• Take a screenshot of your QR code or save the activation details somewhere accessible offline, in case you need to reinstall.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

• "Add eSIM" option missing in SIM Manager: Your specific device or carrier variant likely does not support eSIM, regardless of what the general model supports elsewhere.
• QR code scan fails: Ensure your phone's camera has permission to access SIM Manager's scanner, and that you are connected to WiFi during the scan.
• eSIM installed but no signal: Go to SIM Manager and confirm the eSIM line is enabled and set as your active data line, and that data roaming is turned on for that line.
• "This QR code has already been used" error: This typically means the eSIM profile was already installed on another device, or was previously installed and removed from this device. Contact your eSIM provider for a new QR code if needed.
• Phone shows eSIM as installed but data does not work: Restart your device after installation, since this resolves many cases where the network registration does not complete automatically.

Samsung eSIM vs Physical SIM for Travel

Factor	eSIM	Physical SIM
Setup before travel	Install before you fly, activate on arrival	Must purchase after arrival or order by mail in advance
Keeping your home number active	Easy with dual SIM, both lines active simultaneously	Requires removing your home SIM, or a dual-SIM phone with two physical slots
Switching between countries	Install multiple profiles, switch in settings	Requires physically swapping SIM cards
Risk of losing the SIM	None, it is built into the device	Small physical card can be lost or damaged
Availability on arrival	Active immediately if installed in advance	Depends on finding a vendor and completing registration

Managing Multiple eSIMs on a Samsung Galaxy

One of the most useful features for frequent travelers is the ability to store several eSIM profiles on a single Galaxy device, even if only one or two can be active for data at any given time. This means you can install a Europe-wide eSIM, a separate Southeast Asia eSIM, and your home carrier's eSIM all on the same phone, then simply switch the active data line in SIM Manager as you move between regions, without needing to reinstall anything each time.

To switch between installed eSIM profiles, open SIM Manager, tap on the profile you want to use, and toggle it on for mobile data. You can rename each profile under SIM Manager to make this easier, for example labeling them "Europe Trip" or "Japan Data" so you do not need to remember which profile corresponds to which destination months later.

Storage Limits and Profile Management

While storage limits vary by model and software version, most recent Galaxy flagships can hold several eSIM profiles simultaneously. If you travel frequently and accumulate unused profiles from past trips, periodically removing old ones from SIM Manager can help avoid confusion when selecting your active data line, though this generally does not cause technical issues even if left in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Samsung Galaxy support eSIM?

Most Galaxy S series phones from the S20 onward, all Z Fold and Z Flip models, and the Galaxy Note 20 series support eSIM. Galaxy A series support varies by model and region. Check Settings, Connections, SIM Manager, and look for "Add eSIM" to confirm on your specific device.

Why doesn't my Galaxy A series phone show an eSIM option?

eSIM support in the A series rolled out unevenly across regions and models. Even if a model name supports eSIM in one country, the variant sold in another country may not. There is no workaround for this if your specific device's hardware or carrier configuration does not include eSIM support.

Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time on a Samsung Galaxy?

Yes, most eSIM-compatible Galaxy phones support dual SIM with one physical SIM and one eSIM active simultaneously, which is the most common setup for travelers who want to keep their home number reachable while using a local data plan.

Do I need to unlock my Samsung Galaxy to use a travel eSIM?

If your phone is carrier-locked, it may restrict adding eSIM profiles from other providers. Contact your carrier to confirm your device's unlock status before purchasing a travel eSIM.

How many eSIM profiles can I store on a Samsung Galaxy?

This varies by model, but many recent Galaxy phones can store multiple eSIM profiles even though typically only one or two can be active at a time. Check SIM Manager to see how many profiles are currently installed on your device.

What happens if I factory reset my phone with an eSIM installed?

A factory reset typically removes installed eSIM profiles. Make sure you have your original QR code or activation details saved before resetting, since you may need to reinstall the eSIM afterward, and some providers limit how many times a single QR code can be used.

Can I transfer my eSIM to a new Samsung Galaxy?

This depends on your eSIM provider. Some travel eSIM providers do not support transferring an active plan to a new device, since the eSIM profile is generally tied to the EID of the device it was installed on. Check with your provider before switching phones if you have an active plan.

Conclusion

Samsung has steadily expanded eSIM support across the Galaxy lineup since 2020, but model-by-model and region-by-region differences mean the only reliable way to confirm support is checking your specific device's SIM Manager settings. For most Galaxy S series, Z Fold, Z Flip, and Note 20 owners, eSIM travel plans are a straightforward way to get connected the moment you land without hunting for a local SIM card.

If your device supports eSIM, browse Esimify's eSIM plans for destinations around the world, and check the Esimify travel blog for destination-specific connectivity guides to help plan your next trip.