Is Your US Phone Ready for a Travel eSIM? A Two-Minute Check

TL;DR: Two things decide whether a travel eSIM will work on your phone: it must support eSIM, and it must be unlocked from your carrier. HOAM's terms also make you responsible for checking both. You can check at home in a couple of minutes.

Step 1: Does your phone support eSIM?

iPhone: According to Apple, eSIM setup needs an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or later. In the US, all iPhone 14 and later models are eSIM only, so they have no physical SIM card to swap.

Android: Support depends on the phone maker and model. Check the maker's support page for your exact model. For Pixel phones, Google's help page says some Pixel phones can use eSIM, so look up yours.

HOAM also shows a list of eSIM-compatible devices at checkout. HOAM notes that the list is not exhaustive and that new devices may not be on it yet.

Step 2: Is your phone unlocked?

A phone locked to a carrier may not accept another provider's plan. HOAM's terms require a network-unlocked device.

iPhone: Open Settings, tap General, tap About. If "No SIM restrictions" appears next to Carrier Lock, your iPhone is unlocked. Apple notes that only your carrier can unlock it, and it can take the carrier a few days to complete a request.

Android: Menus differ by maker and carrier. Ask your carrier whether your phone is unlocked, or check your maker's support page.

If the phone is locked, ask your carrier what it takes to unlock it, and start early.

Step 3: Get ready to install

• Connect to Wi-Fi. Apple's eSIM setup guidance says to connect to a Wi-Fi network or hotspot.
• Keep your home SIM or eSIM in place. Your phone can hold more than one line.
• You install the HOAM eSIM from a QR code sent to your email. On iPhone, Apple describes scanning the QR code with the Camera app and tapping Cellular Plan Detected, or, on iOS 17.4 or later, touching and holding the QR code and tapping Add eSIM.
• Do it before you fly. HOAM's destination pages tell travelers to set up the eSIM before the flight.

If something does not work

• No eSIM option in Settings. Your phone may not support eSIM, or its software may need an update.
• Install fails. Try a different Wi-Fi connection and scan again.
• No data abroad. On an iPhone, make sure the travel eSIM is the line selected for Cellular Data and that Data Roaming is on for that line. HOAM support is available 24/7 and replies in the language you booked in.

For the basics, see What is an eSIM?. See HOAM plans.

References (checked 19 Oct 2026)

• Apple, Set up eSIM on iPhone
• Apple, How to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier
• Apple, Prepare to use eSIMs with Apple devices
• Google, Get a SIM or eSIM and add it to your Pixel phone
• HOAM terms and conditions (section 2.5)
• HOAM Italy destination page