Fresim

IMEI Number & eSIM Compatibility: eSIM & Mobile Connectivity Explained

Your IMEI identifies your phone, while the EID identifies its eSIM chip. Learn how to check both, why they matter for eSIM compatibility, and how to install.

Updated 16 October 2026

In one sentence

An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is the unique 15-digit number that identifies your phone on mobile networks, and it is one of the things you check when working out whether your device can use an eSIM.

In detail

Every phone with a cellular modem has an IMEI, much like a serial number for the hardware itself. Phones that support eSIM usually have two IMEIs, one for the physical SIM slot and one for the eSIM, so you may see IMEI and IMEI2 on your screen. Separately, an eSIM-capable phone has an EID (eSIM Identifier), a 32-digit number that identifies the built-in eSIM chip. The IMEI alone does not prove your phone supports eSIM, but the presence of a second IMEI or an EID is a strong sign that it does. Your IMEI also reveals whether the phone is carrier locked or has been reported lost or stolen, which can stop any SIM or eSIM from working.

How it works

The 15-digit IMEI is split into a type code that identifies the make and model, a serial portion unique to your handset, and a final check digit. Networks look up this number to decide whether a device is allowed to connect, and shared blocklists let carriers refuse phones reported lost or stolen. The EID works differently: it names the eSIM chip inside your phone so that a mobile plan profile can be delivered to that specific chip and no other.

Why travellers should care

Before you fly, checking your IMEI and carrier lock status takes about a minute and can save you from landing with a phone that refuses to accept a travel eSIM. Dial *#06# on most phones to see your IMEI numbers and, on many models, the EID as well. If your phone is unlocked and eSIM-capable, a Fresim eSIM arrives by email and you tap Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4+) or Install on Android (Android 10+) to set it up.

Related terms

  • Device Compatibility
  • Carrier Lock
  • IMEI Check
  • EID
  • Dual SIM

Example

Priya is flying from Sydney to Lisbon with an iPhone she bought on a monthly plan. A week before the trip she dials *#06# and sees two IMEI numbers plus an EID, so she knows the phone has eSIM hardware. In Settings under General then About, she finds that Carrier Lock says No SIM restrictions, which means it is unlocked. After buying a Portugal eSIM from a creator's Fresim store, she taps Install in the delivery email and the eSIM is ready to use. Her travel partner, on another device, scans the QR code from Priya's screen to install theirs.

Key takeaway

Dial *#06# before you travel to confirm your phone shows two IMEIs or an EID, then make sure it is carrier unlocked so an eSIM can work abroad.

Frequently asked questions

What are the IMEI and EID numbers?

The IMEI is a 15-digit number that identifies your phone's hardware, while the EID is a 32-digit number that identifies the eSIM chip inside it. Your IMEI is used by networks to recognise your device and check whether it has been blocked, and an eSIM-capable phone usually has two of them, one for the physical SIM and one for the eSIM. The EID is only used for eSIM, so some phones without eSIM support do not have one. Dial *#06# on most phones to see both.

How do I get my 32-digit EID number?

You find your 32-digit EID in your phone's settings or by dialling *#06#, because it is stored on the device rather than issued to you. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then About, and scroll down to EID, where you can touch and hold to copy it. On Android, open Settings, then About phone, then look under SIM status or IMEI information for the EID, though menu names vary by brand. If no EID appears, your phone probably does not support eSIM. You do not need your EID to use the one-tap install on a Fresim eSIM.

Can I check if my phone supports eSIM using the IMEI?

Not reliably, because the IMEI identifies your phone model but does not list its features. The quickest checks are to dial *#06# and look for a second IMEI or an EID, or to look up your exact model on the manufacturer's website. Most iPhones from the XS and XR (2018) onwards support eSIM, though versions sold in mainland China generally do not. Many recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones support it too, so always check your exact model.

Can a carrier-locked phone use a travel eSIM?

Usually not, because a carrier-locked phone only accepts plans from the network that locked it. On iPhone, check Settings, then General, then About, and look for Carrier Lock, which should read No SIM restrictions. On Android, the setting varies by brand, so ask your carrier or try a SIM from another network. If your phone is locked, contact your carrier to request an unlock before you travel, as it can take several days.

Will a blacklisted IMEI stop my eSIM from working?

Yes, a blacklisted IMEI can stop any SIM or eSIM from connecting to networks that honour the blocklist. A phone is usually blacklisted when it is reported lost or stolen, or when a payment plan on it is unpaid. You can run a free IMEI check through your carrier or a public IMEI checker to see the status. This is a particular risk with second-hand phones, so check the IMEI before you buy one.

Where you'll use this

More esim glossary

Sources

  • Apple Support — Find the IMEI number on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
  • GSMA — SGP.22 RSP Technical Specification (Consumer eSIM)
  • 3GPP — TS 23.003 Numbering, addressing and identification (IMEI structure)
  • Google Pixel Help — Find your IMEI number and SIM information on a Google Pixel phone