Is My Phone eSIM Compatible? A Traveller's Checklist for Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong

What "eSIM compatible" actually means

An eSIM is a small chip soldered inside your phone. It holds a digital profile instead of a plastic card. "Compatible" means two things: the hardware includes an eSIM chip, and the software lets you add a profile. Some phones have the chip but the manufacturer or carrier has disabled the menu. Some phones have the menu but are locked to one carrier.

For a travel eSIM, you also need the phone to be carrier-unlocked. If your phone is locked to your home network, a travel eSIM from yuzu will not activate, even if the hardware supports it.

The 30-second EID check

1. Open Settings.
2. Search for EID (on iPhone: Settings > General > About; on Android: Settings > About phone > SIM status or similar).
3. If you see a long number labelled EID, your phone has eSIM hardware.
4. If you also see Add eSIM or Add cellular plan, the software is ready.

If you cannot find an EID, check your phone's official spec page or the yuzu phone compatibility page before buying.

Quick compatibility table by brand

Brand	Typical eSIM support	What to check
Apple iPhone	iPhone XS, XR and newer (2018 onwards)	Settings > General > About > EID
Samsung Galaxy	Most S20 series and newer flagships; some A-series	Settings > Connections > SIM manager
Google Pixel	Pixel 3 and newer (some regional variants differ)	Settings > Network & internet > SIMs
Huawei	P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro and newer (varies by region)	Settings > Mobile network > SIM management
Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo	Select flagship models only	Check the official spec sheet
Sony, Asus, Motorola	Select models	Check the official spec sheet

This table is a starting point, not a guarantee. Regional variants of the same model can differ. For example, some phones sold in mainland China have eSIM hardware disabled. Always confirm on your own device.

Carrier lock: the hidden blocker

iPhone: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. If it says "No SIM restrictions", you are unlocked.

Android: the wording varies. Look for "Network unlock", "SIM lock" or "Carrier lock" in Settings. If you are unsure, ask your carrier for an unlock code before you travel.

A locked phone will not accept a yuzu eSIM. Unlocking is usually free once your contract allows it, but it can take a few days, so do it before you book flights.

Dual-SIM: how a travel eSIM works alongside your home number

Most eSIM-compatible phones can run two lines at once: your physical home SIM and a travel eSIM, or two eSIMs on newer iPhones. You choose which line handles calls, which handles data, and which handles SMS.

A practical setup for Japan, South Korea, China or Hong Kong:

• Home SIM: keep it active for calls and SMS (useful for bank codes).
• yuzu eSIM: set as the data line.
• Data roaming: turn it off on your home SIM so you are not billed for roaming.

On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > choose your yuzu line. On Android: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > choose your data SIM.

Country notes for Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong

Japan: eSIM works on all major networks. If your phone is eSIM-only (for example, a US iPhone 14 or newer), you will rely entirely on the eSIM for connectivity. Buy the Japan eSIM in the Japan store.

South Korea: coverage is strong nationwide, including KTX routes. The same EID and unlock checks apply. Buy the South Korea eSIM in the South Korea store.

China: eSIM support on phones sold in mainland China is often disabled, and some travel eSIMs do not route data the same way as a local SIM. Check your phone's EID first, then read the plan details in the China store before buying.

Hong Kong: most eSIM-compatible phones work normally. Buy the Hong Kong eSIM in the Hong Kong store.

What to do if your phone is not compatible

You have three options:

1. Use a physical SIM. Some yuzu plans and many local carriers offer a plastic SIM. Check the destination store for physical options.
2. Use a pocket Wi-Fi. Rent one at the airport or in advance. This works with any phone.
3. Upgrade or borrow. If you travel often, an eSIM-compatible phone is worth it. If this is a one-off trip, pocket Wi-Fi is usually cheaper than a new phone.

Before you buy: a five-point checklist

• EID number visible in Settings
• "Add eSIM" option available
• Phone is carrier-unlocked
• You know whether your phone uses a physical SIM, eSIM, or both
• You have read the plan details in the destination store (Japan, South Korea, China or Hong Kong)

If all five are ticked, you are ready to buy. If any are missing, check the yuzu help centre or the phone compatibility page first.

Installing your eSIM

Once you have bought a plan, you will receive a QR code. Installation takes a few minutes:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings and choose "Add eSIM" or "Add cellular plan".
3. Scan the QR code.
4. Label the line (for example, "Japan yuzu").
5. Set it as your data line.

Do this before you fly, while you still have reliable Wi-Fi. The yuzu setup guides walk through QR installation, activation and compatibility step by step.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Buying before checking the EID. The most common reason an eSIM fails is that the phone never supported eSIM in the first place.
• Forgetting the carrier lock. A locked phone will not activate any travel eSIM.
• Leaving data roaming on. This can trigger charges on your home SIM.
• Installing at the airport on weak Wi-Fi. Install at home.
• Assuming all models of a brand are the same. Regional variants differ, especially in China.

When to ask for help

The yuzu help centre covers QR installation, activation and compatibility questions. If you have already ordered and want to check your order, use order lookup. If you are still deciding, start with the phone compatibility page, then buy the eSIM for your destination.