Quick answer
Every iPhone released from autumn 2018 onward supports eSIM. That means the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max were the first, and everything since — the 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 families, plus the second-generation SE and later — supports it too. If your iPhone is an XR or newer, you can use a travel eSIM. If it is an iPhone X, 8 or older, you cannot, and no iOS update will change that.
The confusion people run into is not whether older iPhones support eSIM — they do — but how many eSIMs they can hold at once, and whether a physical SIM tray is present. Those two things did change over the years.
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iPhone eSIM support, model by model
| iPhone model | eSIM? | Physical SIM tray? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 family | Yes | No in US, yes elsewhere | Multiple eSIMs stored, two active |
| iPhone 16 family | Yes | No in US, yes elsewhere | Multiple eSIMs stored, two active |
| iPhone 15 family | Yes | No in US, yes elsewhere | Multiple eSIMs stored, two active |
| iPhone 14 family | Yes | No in US, yes elsewhere | First US eSIM-only iPhones |
| iPhone 13 family | Yes | Yes | First to run two eSIMs active at once |
| iPhone 12 family | Yes | Yes | One eSIM active plus one nano-SIM |
| iPhone 11 family | Yes | Yes | One eSIM active plus one nano-SIM |
| iPhone XS / XS Max | Yes | Yes | First iPhones with eSIM |
| iPhone XR | Yes | Yes | First iPhones with eSIM |
| iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020) and later | Yes | Yes | One eSIM active plus one nano-SIM |
| iPhone X, 8, 8 Plus and older | No | Yes | No eSIM hardware — cannot be added |
| iPhone SE (1st gen, 2016) | No | Yes | No eSIM hardware |
The three moments that changed
2018 — the iPhone XR and XS introduced eSIM
These were the first iPhones with an eSIM chip, and they introduced Dual SIM to the iPhone: one physical nano-SIM plus one eSIM, both active. For travel this is still the ideal arrangement — home number in the tray, travel data on the eSIM.
2021 — the iPhone 13 allowed two active eSIMs
From the iPhone 13 onward you can have two eSIMs active simultaneously, rather than one eSIM plus one physical SIM. This matters if your home carrier line is already an eSIM: on an iPhone 12 or earlier you would have to choose between your home eSIM and a travel eSIM, while on a 13 or later you can run both.
2022 — US iPhone 14 models lost the SIM tray
All four US iPhone 14 models shipped with no physical SIM slot at all, making them the first eSIM-only iPhones sold in the United States. That has continued through the 15, 16 and 17 in the US. Models sold outside the US generally retained a tray. This is why a US iPhone and a European iPhone of the same model can behave differently.
Setting up a travel eSIM on an older iPhone
The process is the same on an iPhone XR as on an iPhone 17:
- Buy your destination plan before you fly — installation needs Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings, then Cellular (or Mobile Service on newer iOS).
- Tap Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Scan the QR code from your Flysimio email.
- Label the new line something obvious like "Travel" so you do not mix it up.
- When you land, set the travel line as your Cellular Data line and turn Data Roaming off on your home line.
On an iPhone 12 or older, remember that you have one eSIM slot. If your home carrier line is already an eSIM, you will need to either convert it back to a physical SIM or replace it temporarily — an iPhone 13 or later avoids this entirely.
What about older iPads?
Every Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad since 2018 has eSIM, and the current lineup — iPad with A16, iPad Pro with M4, iPad Air with M2, iPad mini with A17 Pro and later — is eSIM-only with no tray at all. Wi-Fi-only iPads have no SIM hardware of any kind and cannot use an eSIM. See our iPad guide for the full breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone 13 support eSIM?
Yes. The iPhone 13 supports eSIM and was the first iPhone able to run two eSIMs active at the same time, in addition to its physical nano-SIM tray. It is an excellent phone for travel eSIMs for that reason.
Does the iPhone 12 support eSIM?
Yes. The iPhone 12 supports one active eSIM alongside one physical nano-SIM. Unlike the iPhone 13 and later it cannot run two eSIMs at once, so if your home line is already an eSIM you can only have one at a time.
Does the iPhone XR support eSIM?
Yes. The iPhone XR, along with the XS and XS Max, was among the first iPhones with eSIM when it launched in 2018. It supports one eSIM plus one physical nano-SIM.
What is the oldest iPhone with eSIM?
The iPhone XR, XS and XS Max from 2018. Any iPhone older than these — including the iPhone X, 8, 7 and the original SE — has no eSIM hardware and cannot use a travel eSIM.
Does the iPhone X support eSIM?
No. The iPhone X from 2017 has no eSIM chip, despite being only one year older than the XR. This is the most common mix-up in iPhone eSIM compatibility. Check Settings, General, About for an EID — the iPhone X will not show one.
How do I check if my iPhone has eSIM?
Open Settings, then General, then About, and scroll to look for an EID entry. If an EID is listed, your iPhone has eSIM. You can also check whether Settings, Cellular offers an Add eSIM option.
Sources & further reading
Daniel Reyes
eSIM & Mobile Networks Writer
Daniel is a telecoms writer who has covered mobile networks and eSIM technology since 2019. He breaks down carrier coverage, device compatibility, and activation step by step.