Does the Google Pixel 8 Have eSIM?

Yes — the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro both support eSIM, and the Pixel 8 was the first Pixel generation able to run two eSIMs at the same time.

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Before buying a travel eSIM

Check your exact model and purchase region, look for Add eSIM in the SIM settings and ask your home carrier to confirm that the handset is unlocked.
Compare your model and purchase region with the table below. A second IMEI can belong to a physical SIM and does not prove eSIM support.
Choose plans for your destination and check coverage, validity and what starts the activation clock. Install over Wi-Fi following the instructions for the plan you bought.

Want to try Wanderly first? Read the free eSIM trial requirements, including account eligibility, supported coverage and the no-charge card check, before claiming.

Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro ship with eSIM alongside a physical nano-SIM tray. The Pixel 8 generation also added dual-eSIM support, so you can keep two downloaded profiles active at once rather than one eSIM plus one plastic SIM.

For travel that means you can add a data plan without disturbing your home line at all — useful if your carrier's SIM is the one thing you do not want to remove.

To confirm eSIM is available on your unit, open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and look for the option to download a SIM.

Pixel 8 eSIM support

Model	eSIM support
Pixel 8	eSIM + nano-SIM, or two active eSIMs
Pixel 8 Pro	eSIM + nano-SIM, or two active eSIMs
Pixel 8a	eSIM + nano-SIM
Pixel 8 (carrier-locked units)	eSIM present but third-party profiles blocked until unlocked

Regional caveats and limits

Dual-eSIM on the Pixel 8 requires a recent Android build — update before you travel if the second profile will not activate.
Carrier-locked Pixels will not accept a third-party travel eSIM.
Japanese-market Pixels are sold through carriers and are more often locked than unlocked import units.
Deleting an eSIM profile on a Pixel is permanent; the plan cannot be reinstalled from the same QR code.

How to set up an eSIM on Google Pixel 8

Connect to Wi-Fi and turn off any VPN.
Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.
Tap the + next to SIMs, then choose to download a SIM instead.
Scan the QR code from your order email, or enter the activation code manually.
Rename the line "Travel" and set it as the mobile data SIM, leaving calls on your home line.
Turn on Roaming for the travel line once you land.

Roaming is set per line, so it has to be enabled on the travel eSIM rather than your home number. See how to turn on data roaming for the exact path on iPhone and Android. Moving to a different handset later? Read how to transfer an eSIM to a new phone first. Travel eSIM transfers depend on the plan; contact support before deleting a profile because its QR code may not be reusable.

Once your Google Pixel 8 is set up, the plan itself is the last step — travellers heading out with one usually start with Benin eSIM, Rwanda eSIM, Kenya eSIM, Colombia eSIM, Argentina eSIM or South Korea eSIM. Browse all destinations.

Sources and verification

Compatibility details were last verified on August 27, 2026 against official manufacturer documentation. Regional carrier restrictions can still vary by model number and where the phone was purchased.

Need help identifying the eSIM hardware? Read what an EID number is and where to find it.

Google Pixel Help: Use two SIMs on your Pixel phone

Frequently asked questions

Does the Google Pixel 8 have eSIM?

Yes. The Pixel 8, 8 Pro and 8a all support eSIM alongside a physical nano-SIM tray.

Can the Pixel 8 use two eSIMs at once?

Yes. The Pixel 8 generation introduced dual-eSIM, so two downloaded profiles can be active simultaneously.

How do I add a travel eSIM to a Pixel 8?

Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap +, choose to download a SIM instead, then scan your QR code.

Why can't I add an eSIM to my Pixel 8?

The handset is almost certainly carrier-locked. Ask your carrier to unlock it before installing a third-party plan.

Does the Pixel 8 still have a SIM tray?

Yes. Unlike recent US iPhones, the Pixel 8 keeps a nano-SIM slot in every market.

Once your Google Pixel 8 is confirmed compatible and unlocked, compare travel plans by destination. On phones with Dual SIM, you can keep your home line enabled; your home carrier may charge for calls, texts or roaming.

Browse plans by destination

Compare Google Pixel eSIM support

See the Pixel model timeline, regional exceptions and Android setup guidance.

Read: Google Pixel eSIM compatibility guide