Most smartphones released since 2019 support eSIM. Before purchasing a Halo data plan, confirm two things: your device has eSIM hardware, and the eSIM slot is not locked by your carrier.
Check your device supports eSIM
iPhone
Your iPhone supports eSIM if it is an iPhone XS or later. This includes iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Air. The iPhone 17 Air is eSIM only and has no physical SIM tray.
The minimum iOS version is set by the model, not by Halo: the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR need iOS 12.1, and later models need whatever version they shipped with. Our compatibility checker shows the exact minimum for your model.
Separately, iOS 17.4 or later is needed to install in one tap from the link we send you. On earlier versions you install by scanning the QR code instead, which works on every supported iPhone.
To check your iOS version: open Settings > General > About. The Software Version line shows your current iOS version.
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Galaxy Z Flip and later, and Galaxy Z Fold and later all support eSIM. The minimum Android version depends on the model: the Galaxy S20 needs Android 10. Our compatibility checker shows the exact minimum for your model.
To check: open Settings > About phone > Software information.
Google Pixel
Google Pixel 3 and later support eSIM. The Pixel 3, 3 XL, 3a, and 3a XL need Android 9; later models need whatever version they shipped with, and our compatibility checker shows the exact minimum for yours. On the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, eSIM support is limited to specific carriers in some regions; from the Pixel 3a onwards there is no such limit.
To check: open Settings > About phone. The Android version line shows your current version.
Other Android devices
Many recent devices from Motorola, Xiaomi, Oppo, and other manufacturers support eSIM. Dial *#06# on your device. If an EID (a 32-digit number) appears alongside your IMEI, your device has eSIM hardware.
Check your device is not carrier-locked
Some devices support eSIM hardware but have the eSIM slot locked by a mobile carrier. This is common on devices purchased on a contract or finance plan.
iPhone
Open Settings > General > About. Look for Carrier Lock. It should read “No SIM restrictions”. If it shows anything else, contact your carrier to unlock your device before purchasing a Halo eSIM.
Android
Dial *#06#. If an EID appears, your device has eSIM hardware. Contact your carrier to confirm the eSIM slot is unlocked.
If your device is carrier-locked, a Halo eSIM will not work. Halo offers full refunds for purchases made before checking compatibility, but checking first saves you time.
Regional caveats
- Mainland China: iPhone models sold in mainland China (model numbers ending in /A) do not include eSIM hardware. Our compatibility checker flags this for the model you choose.
- Hong Kong and Macao: iPhone XS through iPhone 12 models sold in Hong Kong and Macao use dual nano-SIM instead of eSIM. Later models are not affected by that restriction, but an iPhone bought in either region may still not support eSIM, so check yours in the compatibility checker before you buy.
- Japan: Some carrier-specific Samsung models have eSIM disabled. Confirm with your carrier before purchasing.
- South Korea: Samsung models sold in South Korea before the Galaxy S23 have eSIM disabled, and a carrier unlock does not enable it. The Galaxy S23 and later are not affected.