There’s a very specific moment most people discover eSIM exists: they’re trying to set up a second number, or switching carriers without wanting to wait three days for a physical SIM to arrive in the mail, or they’ve just landed overseas and someone tells them they can just “add a local plan from their phone.” Then comes the follow-up question nobody warns you about, which is whether their phone can actually do it.
The short answer is that most modern smartphones sold in Australia do support eSIM. The longer answer involves some regional quirks, a few carrier caveats, and at least one famous exception where a specific phone model sold in Australia deliberately had eSIM disabled. So let’s go through it properly.
What Is an eSIM, and Why Does It Matter?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built directly into your phone, allowing you to activate a mobile plan without inserting a physical card.
Instead of popping in a plastic SIM, you either scan a QR code from your carrier or tap through a few menus, and your plan activates. The whole thing typically takes a few minutes. You can also store multiple plans on the same device and switch between them, which is handy if you travel, have separate work and personal numbers, or just want to compare carriers without the commitment of a 12-month contract and a tiny piece of plastic in a small envelope.
In Australia, the three major carriers (Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone) all support eSIM, as do a growing number of MVNOs. That said, not every smaller provider has rolled it out yet, so if you’re with a less common carrier, it’s worth double-checking their support page before assuming it’ll work.
How to Check If Your iPhone Supports eSIM
The quickest way to check eSIM support on an iPhone is to go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data on Australian devices) and look for an “Add eSIM” option.
If you can see it, you’re good. If you can’t, either your phone doesn’t support eSIM, or your carrier hasn’t enabled it.
You can also verify it through Settings > General > About. Scroll down and look for a section labelled “Digital SIM” or “Available SIM.” If there’s an IMEI number listed there (sometimes labelled IMEI2 or Digital SIM IMEI), your phone has eSIM capability.
Which iPhones Support eSIM in Australia?
Apple introduced eSIM support with the iPhone XR and XS in 2018, and every iPhone released since then supports it in Australia.
That means if you’re running anything from the iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max onwards, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation, released 2020, and 3rd generation, released 2022), you’re covered.
A few things worth knowing:
- iPhones purchased in mainland China, and most models from Hong Kong and Macao, generally do not support eSIM. If you bought your phone overseas, it’s worth checking.
- From iPhone 13 onward, you can have two eSIMs active simultaneously.
- The iPhone 17 Air, released in September 2025, is eSIM-only in Australia. There’s no physical SIM tray. This is because of its extremely slim design (around 5.6mm thin), and it’s currently the only iPhone model sold in Australia that doesn’t offer a physical SIM option.
- The US iPhone 14 and 15 series are also eSIM-only, but Australian versions of those models retain the physical SIM slot alongside eSIM.
How to Check If Your Android Supports eSIM
On most Android phones, you can check eSIM support by going to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager and looking for an “Add eSIM” option.
The exact path varies slightly depending on the manufacturer and Android version. On some phones it’s under Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network. On others you might see it listed as “Add Mobile Plan” or “Download SIM.” The terminology is inconsistent, which is mildly irritating, but the function is the same. If the option is there, eSIM is supported.
There’s also a shortcut: open your phone app and dial *#06#. This brings up your device information, and if you see an EID (Embedded Identity Document) number listed, your phone has an eSIM chip. No EID means no eSIM.
Which Samsung Phones Support eSIM in Australia?
Samsung Galaxy phones from the S20 series onward generally support eSIM in Australia, as do the Z Fold and Z Flip foldable ranges.
A few Samsung exceptions to keep in mind:
- The Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition) and S21 FE do not support eSIM. The S23 FE and S24 FE do.
- Samsung phones sold in China, Taiwan, and some other markets often have eSIM disabled at the hardware level, even if the international version of the same model supports it.
- All Galaxy FE (Fan Edition) models except the S23 FE and S24 FE lack eSIM support.
If you’re not sure about your Samsung model, go to Settings > About Phone and check the exact model number, then cross-reference it with Samsung’s support site.
Which Google Pixel Phones Support eSIM in Australia?
Google Pixel phones have supported eSIM since the Pixel 2 XL, and the Pixel 3a (released 2019) is generally considered the starting point for reliable global eSIM support.
Here’s the Australian-specific quirk worth flagging: the original Google Pixel 3, when purchased in Australia, does not support eSIM. Google disabled it for the Australian market on that specific model. The Pixel 3a and every Pixel released after it are fine for eSIM in Australia. It’s an odd edge case, but if you or someone you know has an older Pixel 3 (not 3a) bought locally, that’s why eSIM won’t work on it.
What About Other Android Brands?
Oppo, Motorola, OnePlus, Sony, and Xiaomi have rolled out eSIM support across various models, but it’s less consistent than Apple or Samsung.
- Oppo: eSIM support started with the Find X3 Pro in 2021. Not all Oppo models support it, and dual SIM is limited on some Australian models.
- Motorola: A handful of Edge and Razr series models support eSIM, but Motorola’s eSIM rollout has been slower than the major brands.
- OnePlus: The OnePlus 11, 12, and 13 support eSIM.
- Sony Xperia: Select flagship Xperia models support eSIM, but availability varies by region.
For any of these brands, the safest approach is to check the manufacturer’s official specs page for your exact model number rather than relying on the general brand name. A mid-range phone from any of these manufacturers may or may not have eSIM support even if the flagship does.
Your Phone Might Support eSIM But Still Be Carrier Locked
Even if your phone supports eSIM at the hardware level, you may not be able to use it with a different carrier if your device is locked.
A carrier-locked phone is tied to the network it was purchased through, and it can only use that carrier’s plans, whether physical SIM or eSIM. This is more common with phones bought on payment plans directly from a carrier.
To check if your iPhone is unlocked, go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to “Carrier Lock.” It should say “No SIM restrictions” if the phone is unlocked. If it says anything else, contact your carrier. Most Australian carriers will unlock a device once the payment plan is complete, and some will do it earlier on request.
On Android, the carrier lock status is usually under Settings > About Phone > Status or Settings > Connections > More Connection Settings. It varies by manufacturer. Your carrier’s customer service line is the most reliable way to confirm and arrange an unlock if needed.
Which Australian Carriers Support eSIM?
Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone all support eSIM for both postpaid and prepaid plans, though the setup process and availability differs slightly between them.
A few specifics:
- Telstra: eSIM is available on postpaid and prepaid plans. Activation is done through the My Telstra app or by contacting support.
- Optus: eSIM available for postpaid plans, with prepaid eSIM support on compatible devices. Optus also offers Number Share (for $5/month), which lets you share your number with a compatible wearable via eSIM.
- Vodafone: Postpaid customers can switch to eSIM through the Vodafone app. Prepaid is a bit clunkier: you still need to activate a physical SIM first before you can switch to eSIM.
Beyond the big three, a number of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators that run on top of Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone’s networks) also support eSIM, including Yomojo, Superloop, and others. If you’re with a smaller provider, check their website directly or give them a call, as eSIM support is still being rolled out inconsistently across the MVNO market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my phone is eSIM compatible in Australia?
The fastest way to check is through your phone’s settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) and look for an “Add eSIM” option. On Android, go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager and check for “Add eSIM.” You can also dial *#06# on any Android phone: if you see an EID number appear, your device has an eSIM chip. Keep in mind that your phone also needs to be carrier-unlocked to use eSIM with a provider other than the one it was originally purchased through.
Does the iPhone 17 Air only have eSIM in Australia?
Yes. The iPhone 17 Air (released September 2025) is eSIM-only in Australia, with no physical SIM tray. This is unique among currently sold iPhones in Australia. All other iPhone 17 models (the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max) still include both a physical SIM slot and eSIM support for Australian buyers.
Can I use eSIM on a prepaid plan in Australia?
Yes, but availability varies by carrier. Telstra and Optus support eSIM on prepaid plans. Vodafone prepaid requires you to activate a physical SIM first before switching to eSIM. If you’re with an MVNO, check directly with your provider, as eSIM prepaid support is not universal across smaller carriers yet.
Do all Samsung Galaxy phones support eSIM?
No. Samsung’s eSIM support varies significantly by model and region. The Galaxy S20 series and newer generally support eSIM in Australia, as do the Z Fold and Z Flip foldable lines. However, Fan Edition (FE) models prior to the S23 FE do not support eSIM, and phones purchased in certain markets (particularly China and some others) often have eSIM disabled even if the international version supports it.
Is the Google Pixel 3 eSIM compatible in Australia?
No. The original Google Pixel 3 sold in Australia does not support eSIM. Google disabled the feature for the Australian market on that specific model. The Pixel 3a and all subsequent Pixel models sold in Australia do support eSIM. If you have a Pixel 3 (not 3a), you’ll need a physical SIM.
What if I can’t find the eSIM option in my settings?
If you can’t find an “Add eSIM” option, either your phone doesn’t support eSIM, your carrier hasn’t enabled it, or your device is carrier locked. Try the *#06# dial code on Android to check for an EID number. If there’s no EID, eSIM isn’t supported at the hardware level. If there is an EID but the option isn’t showing in settings, contact your carrier, as it may need to be enabled on their end.
The eSIM situation in Australia is reasonably straightforward if your phone is less than a few years old and you’re with one of the major carriers. The edge cases (that Pixel 3, certain Samsung FE models, overseas-purchased phones with regional eSIM restrictions) are worth knowing about before you assume everything will just work. But for the majority of people on current hardware, the Settings app will tell you everything you need to know in about thirty seconds.