Which phones sold in Ethiopia actually support eSIM
Not sure if your phone supports eSIM? Here is how to check an iPhone or Android, and why phones bought in Ethiopia can differ from the spec sheet.
Many phones sold in Ethiopia support eSIM, but not all of them, and the spec sheet online can be wrong for the phone in your hand. Phones sold in different regions are sometimes built differently. The surest way to know is to check your own phone, which takes about a minute and is covered below.
Why can’t I trust the spec sheet?
A phone’s specifications are usually written for one version of that phone, often the one sold in the US or Europe. The same model name can ship in several regional versions, and some of those versions have eSIM disabled or missing.
This matters in Ethiopia because phones arrive through many routes: official retailers, shops that import from Dubai or China, second-hand sellers, and relatives who bring them back from abroad. You may not know which regional version you have, and the spec sheet cannot tell you.
How do I check if my iPhone supports eSIM?
There are two quick checks.
Dial *#06#. If your screen shows an EID (a long string of digits), your iPhone has an eSIM.
Check in Settings. Open Settings, then General, then About, and scroll down. If you see an EID listed, your phone supports eSIM.
If there is no EID, the phone does not support eSIM, even if the same model does elsewhere.
How do I check if my Android phone supports eSIM?
The quickest check works on Android too. Open your phone app and dial *#06#. If your screen shows an EID (a long string of digits) alongside the IMEI numbers, your phone supports eSIM. If you see only IMEI numbers and no EID, it does not.
If the code shows nothing useful on your brand of phone, try these:
- Look in your SIM settings. Open Settings, then look for SIM or Mobile network. If you see an option to add an eSIM, your phone supports it.
- Check online. See the next section.
- Search the compatibility list. Look up your exact model on our compatibility list.
Can I check online instead?
Yes. Enter your phone’s IMEI (the number you see when you dial *#06#) into the eSIM check tool on imei.info, and it tells you whether that device supports eSIM. This is useful if you are about to buy a second-hand phone, because you can ask the seller for the IMEI and check it before you pay.
Use it alongside the EID check on the phone itself, since the phone in your hand is the final word.
Which phones are most likely to have eSIM?
Phone makers have added eSIM support over several years, so age matters. These are rules of thumb, not guarantees:
- iPhone: most models from the iPhone XS and XR (released in 2018) onwards support eSIM, except versions sold for certain regions.
- Samsung: recent flagship phones generally support it, but regional versions can differ, and budget models vary a lot.
- Google Pixel: most Pixel phones from the Pixel 3 onwards support it.
- Popular budget brands: many phones from brands such as Tecno, Infinix and itel have no eSIM, though some newer models do. Always check the exact model.
If your phone is a few years old, or a budget model, check before you plan on using an eSIM.
What about phones bought outside Ethiopia?
If your phone was bought abroad, brought in by a relative, or purchased second-hand, check the region it was made for. On an iPhone, open Settings, then General, then About, and look at the model number. The letters after the model number’s digits show the region. Phones made for mainland China, for example, do not support eSIM.
For any phone with an unclear history, the EID check above is the surest test. If the EID is there, the phone supports eSIM. If it isn’t, it doesn’t.
Does my phone need to be unlocked?
Yes. An eSIM works only on a phone that is not locked to one carrier. If you bought your phone from a mobile operator on a contract or payment plan, it may be locked. Phones sold outright in shops are usually unlocked, but it is worth asking.
A locked phone may refuse the eSIM even when the hardware supports it. If you are unsure, ask the shop or operator that sold you the phone.
What if my phone doesn’t support eSIM?
You still have options. You can roam on your Ethiopian SIM, buy a local SIM at your destination, or ask someone with a compatible phone about sharing data. None are as convenient as an eSIM, but all work. Our guide to getting data abroad when your card doesn’t work covers the trade-offs.
If you are about to buy a new phone and you travel often, eSIM support is worth checking before you buy. Ask the seller to show you the EID on the phone, not just the box.
What if I’m still not sure?
Dial *#06# and look for an EID, search your model on our compatibility list, or run your IMEI through the imei.info eSIM check. If those leave you uncertain, our support team can help you work it out before you spend anything. For a quick explanation of how eSIM works, read what is an eSIM. When you are ready, pick your destination.
