Does the iPhone 16 have eSIM?
Yes
iPhone 16 models and the 16e have eSIM and support two active lines at once. US models are eSIM-only.
How to check on your phone in 10 seconds
- Dial *#06# in the Phone app. If an EID number appears on screen, your phone has eSIM.
What you need to know about the iPhone 16
- Two active lines at once: two eSIMs, or the physical SIM and one eSIM. You can keep your usual line active and add the travel eSIM.
- Models bought in the United States are eSIM-only: they have no tray for a physical SIM.
- Versions from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao don’t have eSIM, with one exception: the iPhone 16e sold in Hong Kong and Macao does.
- It applies to all of them: iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max and 16e.
Source: Apple · Apple · Apple · Apple · Checked on 06-10-2026
Requirement: the phone must be unlocked
As well as having eSIM, the phone must be carrier-unlocked. If you bought it from an operator and it’s locked, it may not accept an eSIM from another company: ask them before you travel.
iPhone 16 and eSIM: frequently asked questions
Can I have two active eSIMs on iPhone 16?
Yes. iPhone 16 supports two active lines at once: two eSIMs, or the physical SIM and one eSIM.
My iPhone 16 is from the US. Can I put a physical SIM in it?
No: iPhone 16 models bought in the United States have no tray and work with eSIM only. For travel data, you add the eSIM as one more line.
My iPhone 16 is from China or Hong Kong. Does it have eSIM?
If it’s a 16e from Hong Kong or Macao, yes. Other iPhone 16 models sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao don’t have eSIM. Dial *#06#: if an EID shows up, it has eSIM.