All compatible devices

Does the iPhone 8 Have eSIM?

No — the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus have no eSIM, and neither do the iPhone 7, iPhone 6s or the original 2016 iPhone SE. They take one physical nano-SIM. The iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020), which uses the same body as the iPhone 8, does have eSIM.

Which iPhones have eSIM?Local SIM or pocket Wi-Fi instead

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus launched in 2017 with a single nano-SIM tray and no eSIM chip, so a travel eSIM cannot be installed on them, whichever plan or provider you choose.

The iPhone SE (2nd generation) from 2020 looks almost identical to the iPhone 8, with the same Home button and Touch ID, but it does have eSIM. Check Settings > General > About: if Model Name says iPhone SE and an EID row is present, follow the iPhone SE guide instead.

iPhone 8 and other iPhones without eSIM

ModeleSIM support
iPhone 8 (A1863, A1905, A1906 Japan)No eSIM — one nano-SIM only
iPhone 8 Plus (A1864, A1897, A1898 Japan)No eSIM — one nano-SIM only
iPhone 7 (A1660, A1778, A1779 Japan)No eSIM — one nano-SIM only
iPhone 7 Plus (A1661, A1784, A1785 Japan)No eSIM — one nano-SIM only
iPhone 6s (A1633, A1688, A1700) and 6s Plus (A1634, A1687, A1699)No eSIM — one nano-SIM only
iPhone SE 1st gen, 2016 (A1662, A1723, A1724)No eSIM — one nano-SIM only
iPhone X (2017)No eSIM — one nano-SIM only
iPhone SE 2nd gen, 2020 (A2275, A2296)eSIM + nano-SIM. The mainland-China A2298 has no eSIM
iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and latereSIM supported, with regional exceptions — see each model's guide

Staying connected abroad without eSIM

  1. A travel eSIM needs eSIM hardware, and no software update or app adds it. Do not buy an eSIM plan for this phone.
  2. A local or travel physical SIM works if the phone is unlocked. Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock should say ‘No SIM restrictions’. If it does not, contact your home carrier; eSIM hardware alone does not mean the phone is unlocked.
  3. Otherwise use your home carrier's roaming, a pocket Wi-Fi device, or a hotspot from a travelling companion's eSIM-capable phone. Compare the three options.

Regional caveats and limits

  • No iOS update adds eSIM to an iPhone 8. It is a hardware feature.
  • Model numbers A1863, A1905 and A1906 are iPhone 8; A1864, A1897 and A1898 are iPhone 8 Plus. None of them has eSIM.
  • A foreign physical SIM only works if the phone is carrier-unlocked.
  • With one SIM tray, your home number is offline while a travel SIM is in the phone.

How to stay connected abroad on an iPhone 8

  1. Check Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. It should say ‘No SIM restrictions’ before you rely on a foreign SIM.
  2. Buy a local prepaid nano-SIM on arrival, or a travel SIM before you leave, and swap it into the tray with a SIM tool.
  3. Keep your home SIM somewhere safe; you will need it to receive texts to your own number when you get back.
  4. Follow the SIM's APN and roaming instructions. A travel SIM bought abroad usually needs Data Roaming on; a local SIM usually does not.
  5. Or skip the SIM: use a pocket Wi-Fi device or a hotspot from a companion's eSIM-capable phone.

Travelling with an eSIM-capable phone instead? Compare coverage and activation rules for trips to Canada eSIM, Mexico eSIM, Vietnam eSIM, Zambia eSIM, Angola eSIM or Cape Verde eSIM. Browse all destinations.

Sources and verification

Compatibility details were last verified on November 11, 2026 against official manufacturer documentation. Regional carrier restrictions can still vary by model number and where the device was purchased.

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

Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone (supported models)Apple: Identify your iPhone modelApple: Check your iPhone's carrier lock

Frequently asked questions

Does the iPhone 8 have eSIM?

No. The iPhone 8 has one physical nano-SIM tray and no eSIM. Apple's eSIM support starts with the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR.

Does the iPhone 8 Plus have eSIM?

No. Like the iPhone 8, the 8 Plus takes one nano-SIM and has no eSIM chip.

Does the iPhone 7 have eSIM?

No. The iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 6s and older iPhones all use a single physical nano-SIM.

What is the oldest iPhone with eSIM?

The iPhone XS, XS Max and XR from 2018 are the earliest iPhones Apple lists for eSIM. The iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020) also has it.

How do I tell an iPhone 8 from an iPhone SE 2nd generation?

Settings > General > About shows the Model Name and model number. The SE 2nd generation is A2275, A2296 or A2298 (mainland China, no eSIM); the iPhone 8 is A1863, A1905 or A1906.

Is the iPhone 8 dual SIM?

No. It holds one nano-SIM and has no eSIM, so it can only use one line at a time.

Can I use a travel eSIM on an iPhone 8?

No. Use a physical travel or local SIM in an unlocked iPhone 8, roam on your home plan, or connect to a pocket Wi-Fi or a companion's hotspot.

The iPhone 8 cannot use a travel eSIM. If you upgrade or travel with an eSIM-capable, unlocked phone, compare travel plans by destination.

Browse plans by destination

Not sure which iPhones support eSIM?

Our full breakdown covers every eSIM-capable iPhone model and how to check yours.

Read: Which iPhones have eSIM?

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