An EID — eUICC Identifier — is a 32-digit number that identifies the embedded SIM chip inside your phone. Every eSIM-capable device is manufactured with exactly one EID, and it never changes, no matter how many eSIM profiles you install, delete or transfer.
Think of the EID as the address of an empty apartment building. Individual eSIM profiles are the tenants: they move in and out, but the building keeps the same address.
EID vs IMEI vs ICCID — the three numbers people confuse
In practice: if a support agent asks for your EID, they want to know about your phone's eSIM hardware. If they ask for your ICCID, they want to look up one particular plan. If they ask for your IMEI, they are checking the handset.
- EID (32 digits): identifies the eSIM chip built into the device. One per device, permanent, hardware-level.
- IMEI (15 digits): identifies the device itself for the mobile network. Used for warranty, theft blocklists and carrier unlocking.
- ICCID (19–20 digits): identifies a specific SIM profile — a plan — not the device. Each eSIM plan you install has its own ICCID, and it disappears when you delete that profile.
How to find your EID on iPhone
If you do not see an EID row at all, your iPhone either does not support eSIM or is a mainland-China model, which ships without eSIM hardware. iPhone XR, XS and newer support eSIM everywhere except mainland China.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then About.
- Scroll down to the EID row. On dual-eSIM iPhones there may be one EID covering both slots.
- Touch and hold the number to copy it, or tap it to show a QR code you can photograph.
How to find your EID on Android
Android skins move this menu around more than iOS does. If none of the paths above works, the dialler code *#06# is the most reliable fallback.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings > About phone > Status information > IMEI information, or Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM, where the EID is shown.
- Google Pixel: Settings > About phone > scroll to EID.
- Most other Android phones: Settings > About phone > SIM status, or dial *#06# — on eSIM-capable devices this screen shows the EID alongside the IMEI.
Why would an eSIM provider ask for my EID?
Most travel eSIMs, including Wanderly's, do not need your EID. The QR code you receive is not device-bound, so you can install it on whichever eSIM-capable phone you are actually carrying.
- Carrier-issued profiles: some mobile network operators generate a profile that is cryptographically bound to one specific EID. That profile will only install on that device.
- Compatibility checks: an EID proves the device physically has eSIM hardware, which a model number alone does not (regional variants differ).
- Support diagnostics: when a download fails, the EID lets the provider look up whether the profile was ever delivered to that chip.
Is it safe to share your EID?
Sharing an EID with your carrier or eSIM provider is normal and low-risk. On its own the number does not let anyone install a profile onto your phone, read your data or track your location — profile installation still requires either physical access or an activation code issued to you.
That said, treat it as you would an IMEI: give it to a company you are already doing business with, not to a stranger in a forum thread or an unsolicited caller.
Common EID problems
- No EID shown: the device has no eSIM hardware, or it is a mainland-China variant.
- EID shown but downloads fail: usually a carrier lock or a network problem during download, not an EID issue.
- EID changed after a repair: possible if the logic board was replaced. Any profiles tied to the old EID need reissuing.
- Two EIDs listed: some dual-eSIM devices expose one per slot. Either is valid; give a provider the one matching the slot you intend to use.
Frequently asked questions
What is an EID number?
The EID (eUICC Identifier) is a permanent 32-digit number that identifies the eSIM chip built into your device. It is one per device and never changes when you add or remove eSIM plans.
How do I find my EID number?
On iPhone: Settings > General > About, then scroll to EID. On most Android phones: Settings > About phone > SIM status, or dial *#06#.
Is the EID the same as the IMEI?
No. The IMEI is a 15-digit number identifying the handset; the EID is a 32-digit number identifying the eSIM chip inside it. A phone has both.
Is the EID the same as the ICCID?
No. The ICCID identifies a single SIM profile or plan and changes with each plan; the EID identifies the chip and never changes.
Do I need my EID to buy a travel eSIM?
Usually not. Travel eSIM QR codes are typically not device-bound, so you only need an unlocked, eSIM-capable phone.
Is it safe to give someone my EID?
It is safe to share with your carrier or eSIM provider. The number alone cannot be used to install a profile or access your data.
If your phone shows an EID, it can run a travel eSIM — you can be online abroad in a couple of minutes.
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