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Does iPhone 11 Have eSIM? Quick Answer for Travelers

Last Updated: November 2025 | Verified Pricing & Compatibility

Yes, in most cases the iPhone 11 does have eSIM support and works as a dual SIM phone with one physical nano‑SIM and one digital eSIM. That means you can keep your home SIM in the tray and add a travel eSIM plan on top, without swapping plastic cards. If you’re flying soon with an iPhone 11 and wondering if you can just add a travel eSIM instead of hunting for a local SIM at the airport, the good news is: usually yes. There are a few region‑specific models and carrier locks that can limit iPhone 11 eSIM use, but you can check this in a few seconds in Settings. In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to confirm your own phone, set it up, and avoid common pitfalls before your next trip.

Does the iPhone 11 Have eSIM? The Short, Clear Answer

Yes, the iPhone 11 does have eSIM support and is designed as a dual SIM iPhone 11 using one physical nano‑SIM plus one built‑in eSIM. You can use two plans at the same time, which is especially handy for travel: keep your home number on the physical SIM and add a local or international data eSIM for cheap data abroad.

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM chip that’s soldered inside your phone. Instead of inserting a plastic card, you download a mobile plan over the internet. With iPhone 11 eSIM support, you typically:

Buy a plan from a carrier or travel eSIM provider.
Receive a QR code (scannable activation code) or manual details.
Add it via the iPhone 11’s Cellular settings in a couple of minutes.

You don’t need any tools, and there’s no risk of losing your main SIM in a hotel room or airplane seat.

Apple first added eSIM to the iPhone lineup with the iPhone XS and XR, and the iPhone 11 family continues the same dual SIM setup: one nano‑SIM + one eSIM in most regions, according to Apple’s official specs.

There are a few regional models and carrier situations that behave differently, though. Before you buy a travel eSIM, it’s worth checking your own device and carrier in the next sections.

Are There Any iPhone 11 Models That Don’t Support eSIM?

Not every single iPhone 11 behaves exactly the same with eSIM. The main exception is models sold in mainland China, where many units use dual physical SIM (two nano‑SIM slots) and do not support eSIM at all. If your iPhone 11 has a SIM tray that holds two separate nano‑SIM cards and you bought it in mainland China, it may be one of these variants.

Some Hong Kong or Macau versions can also differ, so if you purchased your phone in those regions, it’s a good idea to double‑check.

There are also carrier‑locked devices that technically support eSIM but may only allow eSIM profiles from that specific carrier. That can block independent travel eSIM plans.

For iPhone 11 units bought in the US, Europe, and most of Asia, iPhone 11 eSIM compatibility is generally there. Still, the best move is to confirm inside Settings, which we’ll do next.

The Fastest Way to Check if YOUR iPhone 11 Supports eSIM

The easiest way to check iPhone 11 eSIM compatibility is right on the device. You don’t need a model list or a degree in telecom—just the Settings app and 5 seconds.

Here’s how to check if iPhone 11 supports eSIM:

Open Settings.
Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data, depending on your region).
Look for an option like “Add eSIM”, “Add Cellular Plan”, or “Set Up eSIM”.
If you see any of these options, your iPhone 11 supports eSIM with your current carrier setup.

If you see the “Add eSIM” or “Add Cellular Plan” button, that’s a strong sign your iPhone 11 eSIM settings are ready and your phone can add digital SIM plans.

How to interpret what you see:

If the option is present:
- Your phone hardware supports eSIM.
- Your current software and carrier combo is allowing eSIM.
- You’re safe to start looking at travel eSIMs (after checking carrier lock, covered below).
If the option is missing:
- Possible reasons include:
  - Your iOS version is outdated. Try updating: Settings → General → Software Update.
  - Your phone is carrier‑locked, and that carrier hasn’t enabled eSIM on your plan.
  - You have a region variant without eSIM, such as some mainland China models.

If you still don’t see “Add eSIM/Add Cellular Plan” after updating iOS and restarting, check your Carrier Lock status and, if needed, your model number in the next section. Most importantly, don’t buy a travel eSIM until you’re sure the menu is there.

Optional: Check Your Model Number (For Extra Certainty)

If you like being extra sure, you can verify your iPhone model number to see what region it belongs to.

Follow these steps for iPhone model number verification:

Open Settings.
Tap General.
Tap About.
Look for Model Number and tap it once if it shows a short code to reveal the full code (e.g., Axxxx).

This model code tells you what market your iPhone 11 was made for. If you suspect you have a China‑only variant—for example, you see two SIM slots in the tray—search your model code online with “Apple iPhone 11” or check Apple’s official documentation on iPhone models and regions.

For most users, the earlier Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM check is enough. The model number step is just a nice extra layer if you’re still unsure.

Carrier Lock & Other Requirements for Using eSIM on iPhone 11

Even if your phone supports eSIM, you also need to think about carrier lock and a few basic requirements before buying a travel plan.

First, what is carrier lock?

Carrier Lock shows whether your iPhone is restricted to one carrier’s SIM/eSIM.
If your phone is locked, it might only accept SIMs and eSIMs from that carrier.
If it’s unlocked, you can usually use travel eSIM plans from other providers.

How to check your carrier unlock status:

Open Settings.
Tap General.
Tap About.
Scroll to Carrier Lock.
- If it says “No SIM restrictions”, your iPhone 11 is unlocked.
- If it shows any other message, your phone is likely locked to a specific carrier.

What this means for iPhone 11 carrier‑locked eSIM compatibility:

Unlocked iPhone 11:
- You can generally add eSIMs from travel providers or foreign carriers.
Carrier‑locked iPhone 11:
- You might be able to use eSIM, but often only from that same carrier.
- Some carriers support their own eSIM, but not independent travel eSIMs.

Other requirements for smooth eSIM carrier restrictions handling:

Update to the latest iOS version so eSIM menus and features work properly.
Confirm that your carrier supports eSIM at all, especially if you want to move your main line to eSIM.

Many US travelers realize at the airport that their locked iPhone 11 only accepts their home carrier’s eSIM, so it’s worth checking all this at home. Don’t buy a travel eSIM before you know whether your iPhone 11 is unlocked and your carrier supports eSIM.

How Dual SIM Works on the iPhone 11 (Physical SIM + eSIM)

The iPhone 11 dual SIM (nano + eSIM) setup is simple once you see how it behaves day to day. The device supports dual SIM using one physical nano‑SIM in the tray and one eSIM profile in software.

So, does iPhone 11 support dual SIM with eSIM? Yes—it lets you run:

One physical nano‑SIM line, and
One eSIM line,

both active at the same time.

Key iPhone 11 dual‑SIM features:

You can make and receive calls and texts on both lines (depending on your plan and roaming settings).
You can store multiple eSIM profiles, but only one eSIM can be active at a time.
You cannot have two eSIMs active simultaneously on iPhone 11.

For travelers, this dual SIM functionality is one of the best parts of using an older iPhone 11:

Keep your home nano‑SIM in the tray:
- Great for receiving banking OTPs, iMessage, or calls from home.
Add a travel eSIM as a second line:
- Use it as your main mobile data line abroad.
- Set the travel eSIM as the data line in Settings.

You can choose in Settings which line handles:

Mobile data,
Default voice calls,
Messages.

If you already use an eSIM as your main line at home and want to add a travel eSIM, remember:

iPhone 11 only lets you keep one eSIM active at a time.
You might need to switch between eSIM profiles or use a physical local SIM instead.

On trips, many people keep the home nano‑SIM just for important messages and run all travel data through the eSIM to avoid roaming bills.

Real Travel Scenarios with iPhone 11 + eSIM

To make this more concrete, here are a few realistic ways to use iPhone 11 for international travel with eSIM:

Short vacation (7–10 days):

Keep your home SIM in the physical slot for iMessage, banking, and any urgent calls.
Add a travel eSIM plan for navigation, ride‑hailing apps, social media, and translation.
Set the eSIM as the data line so your home SIM doesn’t rack up roaming fees.

Business trip:

Install a travel eSIM with enough data for video calls and email.
Use your iPhone 11 as a hotspot/tethering source for your laptop.
Always check the plan’s rules, because some eSIMs limit or block hotspot usage.

Digital nomad / long‑term travel:

Store multiple eSIM profiles for different regions (for example, Europe, Southeast Asia, US).
Switch between profiles as you move countries, instead of buying a new physical SIM each time.
Keep your home line on the nano‑SIM for long‑term access to accounts tied to your original number.

All of this works without opening the SIM tray mid‑trip, which is a small but very real quality‑of‑life upgrade on the road.

How to Set Up an eSIM on iPhone 11 (Step-by-Step)

Once you know your phone is compatible, the iPhone 11 eSIM setup guide is straightforward. Here’s how to enable eSIM on iPhone 11, ideally over Wi‑Fi before your departure.

Before you start, make sure:

Your iPhone 11 has enough battery and is connected to Wi‑Fi.
You have your eSIM QR code or activation details (SM‑DP+ Address and Activation Code) from your provider.
You’ve confirmed compatibility and carrier unlock in the earlier sections.

Follow these digital SIM activation steps using QR code or manual entry:

Connect your iPhone 11 to a stable Wi‑Fi network.
Open Settings, then tap Cellular (or Mobile Data).
Tap “Add eSIM” or “Add Cellular Plan”.
Point the camera at your eSIM QR code, or tap “Enter Details Manually” and paste the SM‑DP+ Address and Activation Code provided by your eSIM provider.
When you see “Cellular Plan Detected”, tap “Continue” and then “Add Cellular Plan” to confirm.
When prompted, choose which line will use mobile data, and turn on Data Roaming for the eSIM when you arrive in your destination country.

That’s the basic QR code eSIM setup. Many travel eSIMs only fully activate once you’re physically in the destination country, so don’t panic if you see “No Service” until you land.

App‑based eSIM setup (common with travel providers):

Install the provider’s app from the App Store.
Create an account, buy a plan, and choose “Install eSIM” inside the app.
iOS will show a “Cellular Plan Detected” popup; follow the prompts to finish.

Always keep your QR code email or activation details archived. If you ever remove the eSIM by accident, you may need those details to add it again.

Quick Troubleshooting if eSIM Doesn’t Show or Won’t Activate

If your iPhone 11 eSIM not working on the first try, don’t stress—eSIM is usually fixable with a few simple checks.

Case 1: No “Add eSIM/Add Cellular Plan” option:

Go to Settings → General → Software Update and install the latest iOS.
Restart your iPhone 11.
Re‑check Carrier Lock under Settings → General → About.
If you bought your phone in mainland China or see two SIM slots in the tray, it might be a model without eSIM support.

Case 2: eSIM installed but no signal:

Go to Settings → Cellular and tap the eSIM line; make sure it’s turned on.
Set the eSIM as your Mobile Data line in the same menu.
Toggle Airplane Mode on, then off.
Confirm you’re in a country where the eSIM plan actually has coverage.
For travel, ensure Data Roaming is enabled for that eSIM line.

If you’ve tried all this and still can’t connect, it’s time to contact your eSIM provider’s support and explain you’re troubleshooting eSIM activation issues on iPhone 11. They can check if the plan is active, if the profile was configured correctly, or if there’s a local network issue.

Using Travel eSIMs with iPhone 11: What to Look For

Once you’ve confirmed compatibility, the next step is choosing between different travel eSIM plans. The best travel eSIMs for iPhone 11 depend more on your destination and habits than on the phone itself.

Key things to compare:

Coverage:
- Single‑country eSIMs are often cheaper and optimized for one destination.
- Regional eSIMs (like Europe or Southeast Asia) work across multiple countries.
- Global eSIMs cover many regions but usually cost more per GB.
Data allowance and validity:
- Light trips: 1–3GB / 7 days can be enough for maps and messaging.
- Longer or heavier use: 5–10GB / 15–30 days is more comfortable.
- Always check both GB and validity days.
Speed and FUP (Fair Usage Policy):
- Some “unlimited” plans slow your speed after a high‑speed data cap.
- This is fine for basic browsing but not for heavy video streaming.
Hotspot/tethering:
- Not all travel eSIM plans allow hotspot on iPhone 11.
- If you plan to use your phone as a hotspot for your laptop, check this specifically.
Price vs usage:
- It’s better to pick a slightly larger plan than to run out mid‑trip and scramble for top‑ups.

The iPhone 11 dual SIM design makes it easy to keep your home nano‑SIM and add a travel eSIM, so you don’t need to choose between being reachable and saving on roaming.

Platforms like BitJoy act as a digital travel solution, letting you compare different travel eSIM options across 190+ destinations, purchase a plan that fits your trip, and activate it digitally on your iPhone 11. It’s one convenient way to avoid jumping between multiple carrier sites, especially if you prefer flexible payments like cards or crypto.

Frequently Asked Questions About iPhone 11 eSIM

Can iPhone 11 use two eSIMs at the same time?

No. The iPhone 11 only supports one active eSIM plus one physical nano-SIM simultaneously. You can store multiple eSIM profiles on your device, but only one can be active at any given time. If you need to switch between eSIMs, you'll need to toggle them on/off in Settings → Cellular. Note that iPhone 13 and newer models allow dual active eSIMs.

Will using an eSIM void my iPhone 11 warranty?

No. eSIM is an official Apple feature built into the iPhone 11 from the factory. Installing and using eSIM profiles does not void your warranty in any way—it's no different from connecting to WiFi or downloading an app.

Can I remove and reinstall the same eSIM on my iPhone 11?

It depends on your provider's policy. Some providers (like theBitJoy) allow you to reinstall using the same QR code if you accidentally delete the eSIM profile. Others issue one-time-use QR codes that become invalid after first installation. Always save your eSIM activation email—you may need it if you switch devices or need to reinstall.

Do I need WiFi to install an eSIM on iPhone 11?

Yes, for the initial installation. Your iPhone needs an internet connection (WiFi or mobile data from your physical SIM) to download the eSIM profile. Once installed, the eSIM typically activates when you arrive at your destination country and connect to a local network. You can install your travel eSIM at home before departure using your home WiFi.

Can I use an eSIM and physical SIM from different carriers on iPhone 11?

Yes, as long as your iPhone 11 is carrier-unlocked. This is exactly how most travelers use dual SIM: keep your home carrier's physical SIM for receiving calls and texts (like banking OTPs or family messages), and add a travel eSIM from a different provider for affordable data abroad. You can choose which line handles data, calls, and messages in Settings → Cellular.

What happens if my travel eSIM runs out of data mid-trip?

Most providers let you top up or purchase additional data through their app or website. With theBitJoy, you can buy a new plan and install it alongside your existing eSIM profile (though only one can be active at a time). Some providers offer automatic top-ups, while others require manual purchases. Always monitor your data usage in Settings → Cellular → [eSIM Line] to avoid running out unexpectedly.

Is eSIM safe and secure on iPhone 11?

Yes. eSIM technology uses the same security standards as physical SIM cards and is approved by Apple, Samsung, Google, and major carriers worldwide. Installing an eSIM is as secure as downloading an app from the App Store. The eSIM profile is encrypted and stored in your iPhone's secure element. Providers like theBitJoy never access your personal number, calls, or messages—only your travel data plan is activated.

Can I switch my existing phone number to eSIM on iPhone 11?

Yes, many carriers support converting your physical SIM to eSIM (called "eSIM Carrier Activation"). The process varies by carrier: some let you convert directly through Settings → Cellular → Convert to eSIM, while others require contacting customer support. Check with your home carrier first. Note that this is different from adding a separate travel eSIM—conversion moves your existing number to eSIM format.

Conclusion: Is the iPhone 11 Good Enough for eSIM and Travel in 2025?

In short, yes—the iPhone 11 eSIM support still makes it a solid travel companion in 2025. In most regions, it offers dual SIM (nano + eSIM), so you can keep your home number and add a travel eSIM for affordable data. The main caveats are region‑specific models (like some mainland China versions) and carrier‑locked phones, plus whether your carrier actually supports eSIM.

From real‑world trips, an iPhone 11 running a travel eSIM feels modern and convenient: quick to set up, easy to check in Settings, and flexible enough for most eSIM technology for travelers use cases. As long as you follow the simple compatibility and carrier checks above, you’ll be in good shape.

If your iPhone 11 passes the checks, it’s smart to install a travel eSIM before your next flight so you land connected. Marketplaces like BitJoy let you browse and activate travel eSIM plans ahead of time, so all that’s left when you arrive is to enjoy your trip—not hunt for a SIM kiosk.