All compatible devices

Does the iPhone X Have eSIM?

No — the iPhone X has no eSIM. It takes one physical nano-SIM card only. Apple's eSIM support starts with the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, released the following year (2018).

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

The iPhone X, released in 2017, has a single nano-SIM tray and no eSIM chip. Apple lists the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR as the first iPhones that can use an eSIM. They look almost the same from the front as the X, so check which one you have before buying a travel plan.

Open Settings > General > About. If Model Name says iPhone X and there is no EID row, the phone cannot use an eSIM. If it says iPhone XS or XS Max and an EID is listed, it can: the iPhone XR guide covers setup, because the three 2018 models work the same way.

iPhone X and the models around it

ModeleSIM support
iPhone X (A1865, A1901, A1902 Japan)No eSIM — one nano-SIM only
iPhone XS (2018)eSIM + nano-SIM, except models bought in mainland China
iPhone XS Max (2018)eSIM + nano-SIM, except mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao models, which take two nano-SIMs
iPhone XR (2018)eSIM + nano-SIM, except mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao models, which take two nano-SIMs
iPhone 8 / 8 Plus (2017)No eSIM — one nano-SIM only

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 X. It is a chip inside the phone, not a software feature.
  • Model number A1865, A1901 or A1902 (Japan) is an iPhone X. Tap Model Number in Settings > General > About to reveal the A-number.
  • An iPhone XS or XS Max bought in mainland China has no eSIM, and an XS Max from Hong Kong or Macao takes two nano-SIM cards instead. The XS sold in Hong Kong and Macao does use eSIM.
  • A local or travel physical SIM only works if the iPhone X 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 X

  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: Models with two nano-SIM cardsApple: Check your iPhone's carrier lock

Frequently asked questions

Does the iPhone X have eSIM?

No. The iPhone X has one physical nano-SIM tray and no eSIM. Apple's eSIM support starts with the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR from 2018.

Is the iPhone 10 the same as the iPhone X?

Yes. The X is the Roman numeral ten, so "iPhone 10" and "iPhone X" are the same 2017 phone, and it has no eSIM.

Does the iPhone XS have eSIM?

Yes, except models bought in mainland China. It runs one eSIM alongside a physical nano-SIM; two active eSIMs arrived with the iPhone 13.

Does the iPhone XS Max have eSIM?

Yes, except models sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, which take two nano-SIM cards instead of an eSIM.

How can I tell an iPhone X from an iPhone XS?

Settings > General > About shows the Model Name. An iPhone X also has model number A1865, A1901 or A1902 and no EID row; an eSIM-capable XS lists an EID.

Is the iPhone X dual SIM?

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

Can an update or app add eSIM to an iPhone X?

No. eSIM needs a dedicated chip in the phone. No iOS version, app or setting can add it to an iPhone X.

Can I use a Wanderly travel eSIM on an iPhone X?

Not on the iPhone X itself. A Wanderly plan can run on an unlocked, eSIM-capable phone, which can then share a hotspot with the iPhone X.

The iPhone X 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?

Other devices