EID Number: What It Is, How to Find It & EID vs IMEI vs ICCID

An EID number is the 32-digit identifier of your device’s eSIM hardware (eUICC). On iPhone, open Settings → General → About. On Google Pixel, open Settings → About phone → SIM status. It identifies the hardware that stores eSIM profiles, rather than your phone number or a single data plan.

This guide explains where to find it on phones and watches, how to check a number before submitting it, and what to do when it is missing or rejected. It also compares EID, IMEI, and ICCID so you can supply the right identifier during setup.

What is an EID Number?

An EID number is the unique 32-digit identifier of an eUICC, the component that stores downloadable eSIM profiles in an eSIM-capable phone, tablet, or watch. Google calls it an Embedded Identity Document; the GSMA specification describes the eUICC identifier and how it is assigned. See GSMA’s EID definition and assignment specification.

Think of the EID as the identifier for the eSIM hardware, rather than your telephone number or one purchased plan. Adding, disabling, or deleting a profile does not create a new EID for that same eUICC. A replacement device has its own identifier.

An eSIM lets a compatible device download a carrier profile instead of inserting a removable SIM for that service. Providers can use the EID to identify the destination for provisioning and to investigate installation issues. You may never need to enter it yourself: the setup method depends on the provider.

You can find the EID in supported device settings, and sometimes on the original packaging or in a manufacturer account. It is not limited to a single Settings screen. In this guide, EID refers to the mobile eSIM identifier; government electronic IDs and Aadhaar enrollment IDs are separate identifiers.

Why your EID number matters

Most people only need their EID during setup or support. These are the main situations where it can help:

• eSIM activation: a provider may ask for the EID to assign a downloadable profile to the correct device. Other setup flows use a QR code or app without asking you to type it.
• Changing providers or traveling: have the number ready if the new provider requests it, but check the exact model, carrier lock, and plan compatibility too. An EID alone does not guarantee acceptance.
• Troubleshooting: support may compare the EID you submitted with the device receiving the profile, alongside the order, IMEI, and error message.
• Device support: Apple lists EID among the identifiers that can help identify a device when contacting support. It is an identifier, rather than proof that the person supplying it owns the account.

If a form asks for an IMEI or ICCID, use that field’s identifier. Pasting a valid EID into an IMEI field will not solve an activation problem.

How to find your EID number

Start with the route for your device below. Menu labels vary by model, software, and region, so an Android guide should not assume that every brand uses the same screen.

• iPhone: Settings → General → About; scroll to EID.
• Google Pixel: Settings → About phone → SIM status; look for EID.
• Supported Samsung Galaxy phones: Settings → About phone → Status information; look for EID.
• Dial-pad shortcut: on some phones, entering *#06# displays EID as well as IMEI. If it shows only IMEI, use the manufacturer’s Settings instructions instead.

What does an “EID number check” tell you? Finding the EID checks the identifier available on your device. A 32-digit format check does not establish that the phone is unlocked, that a particular carrier will accept it, or that an eSIM order is active. Use the provider’s official compatibility tool when offered; it may ask for IMEI, EID, or both. Do not substitute one number for another.

For a manual EID field, copy the number from Settings when possible. Confirm it contains 32 numeric digits after removing display spaces, and compare the beginning and end with the device screen. This catches common entry mistakes without pretending to validate eligibility. Never generate a replacement EID or pay a public “checker” to change it.

On iPhone, cellular iPad, and Apple Watch

iPhone and eSIM-capable cellular iPad:

1. Open Settings → General → About.
2. Scroll to EID.
3. Touch and hold the number to copy it into an official setup or support form.

Can I check my EID online? For an Apple device associated with your account, Apple’s device identifier guide says to sign in at account.apple.com, choose Devices, and select the device to view its EID and other identifiers. This is an authenticated owner-account method, not a public lookup from a phone number.

Apple also documents original packaging and a connected computer using Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes as alternatives. On an iPhone that has not been set up, the information button on the Hello screen is another place to check. Use Apple’s guide for the details that fit your situation.

Apple Watch with cellular: open Settings → General → About on the watch. On its paired iPhone, open Watch → My Watch → General → About. Apple’s Watch information guide lists EID among the information available there. Use the watch’s own EID when activating watch service, rather than the iPhone’s.

eSIM availability depends on the exact hardware and purchase region. A model-family name alone is not sufficient, and a GPS-only watch does not become cellular by adding a phone eSIM.

On Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, and Android devices

Samsung Galaxy: open Settings → About phone → Status information and find EID. Samsung’s eSIM guide also points to the original box. Its support page is regional and explicitly warns that models and menus differ by purchase location; follow the local instructions for your exact device if yours differs.

Google Pixel: open Settings → About phone → SIM status and find EID, or check the box. Google’s Pixel identifier instructions distinguishes this from IMEI (SIM slot 2), which is a separate identifier. Do not assume tapping IMEI 2 will show your EID.

OnePlus: confirm eSIM support for the exact model and regional variant first. Check its device information and eSIM settings using the model’s user guide, or ask OnePlus support for the route on your OxygenOS version. A generic “Wi-Fi & network → SIM & network → Advanced” path should not be treated as valid for every OnePlus phone.

Huawei: on supported devices covered by Huawei’s eSIM instructions, use Settings → About phone → Show EID. The manufacturer notes that the feature varies by country and carrier. Avoid assuming that every version of a particular model supports it.

Other Android phones: use the manufacturer’s device-specific guide. About phone, SIM status, or an eSIM information screen may contain the EID, but the label and route vary. If *#06# does not display it, that alone is not a complete compatibility test.

On Google Pixel Watch and Samsung Watch

Google Pixel Watch with LTE: open Settings → Connectivity → Mobile → SIM status and scroll to the EID. Follow Google’s Pixel Watch LTE guide for the supported setup and carrier requirements.

Samsung Galaxy Watch with LTE: open Settings → About watch → Status info. From a paired phone, Samsung documents Galaxy Wearable → Watch settings → About watch → Status information. See Samsung’s Galaxy Watch LTE guide; screens can differ by watch and software.

Use the identifier from the watch you are activating. Wearable plans can have separate carrier and account requirements, including support for the associated phone line. A travel eSIM sold for a phone should not be assumed to work on a watch just because both devices show an EID.

What to do if your EID number doesn’t show

Separate a missing EID from a rejected activation request. A wrong menu, an unsupported regional variant, and a provider error require different checks. Do not buy another eSIM or erase your current profiles before finding out which situation applies.

Can’t find your EID number?

1. Confirm the exact device: check the model number and purchase region against the manufacturer’s eSIM information. Two IMEI numbers alone do not prove that the device supports your chosen eSIM service.
2. Use the correct menu: follow the brand-specific steps above rather than relying only on the dial-pad shortcut. Look at the original box, or the authenticated Apple Account method when applicable.
3. Restart and check software: if the model is supported but the expected field is absent, restart it and check for an official software update. An update cannot be assumed to add missing eSIM hardware.
4. Ask the manufacturer: if the EID is still blank or says Not Available, provide the model, region, software version, and a description of the screen. Ask whether that variant supports eSIM and whether service is needed.

A public database cannot manufacture the missing hardware identifier. Avoid flashing unofficial software or factory-resetting the device just to make an EID appear.

Once you have confirmed compatibility and any required carrier unlock, you can compare BitJoy eSIM plans for a future trip. Check the individual plan’s supported devices and coverage before choosing; the product cards below do not diagnose a missing EID.

EID doesn’t work for eSIM activation

An EID identifies hardware; it is not an eSIM activation code. If a manual installation screen asks for an SM-DP+ address and activation code, use the information supplied with the order, not the 32-digit EID. A QR code displaying your EID is also different from a provider’s profile-download QR code.

1. Check the field and format: confirm that the provider requested EID, then copy all 32 digits from the intended device. Remove spaces only as instructed by the form.
2. Check eligibility: confirm the exact device and region, carrier unlock status, and whether the provider accepts that model. For iPhone, Apple’s eSIM setup guide explains setup requirements; Apple’s carrier-unlock guide explains how to check Carrier Lock and request an unlock.
3. Check the order instructions: use a working internet connection and the installation method supplied for that specific plan. Make sure the profile is intended for this device.
4. Capture the error: tell the provider the exact message, device model, software version, and steps already attempted. An invalid number, an unsupported device, and an already-used code should not be treated as the same problem.

For a BitJoy order, follow the BitJoy Help Center or contact BitJoy support with your order number and purchase email. Share the EID through trusted support only if requested. A correct EID by itself will not add data, renew a plan, or unblock an account.

Keep existing working profiles until the provider explains the recovery options. Do not delete an eSIM, reset network settings, or factory-reset the phone as the first response to a rejected EID.

Is an EID number the same as an IMEI or SIM card number?

No. EID identifies the eUICC, IMEI identifies mobile equipment, and ICCID identifies a SIM card or eSIM profile. None of these is your telephone number or the profile’s activation code.

The GSMA device identifier reference distinguishes a 15-digit IMEI from a 16-digit IMEISV, which includes software-version information. They should not be described as interchangeable IMEI lengths. The GSMA consumer provisioning specification describes the ICCID format for eSIM profiles.

EID vs. ICCID: one eUICC can store multiple profiles with their own ICCIDs. An ICCID identifies the profile even when it is not the active data line. Do not assume every reinstallation, top-up, or carrier change necessarily produces a new ICCID; ask whether a new profile is being issued. Our ICCID guide explains where to find that separate number.

Practical uses of the EID number

You rarely need an EID during everyday browsing. Its practical value is in identifying the correct eSIM hardware during setup and support. Keep the following distinctions in mind when activating service, moving to a new device, or responding to a lost phone.

eSIM activation and carrier setup

A provider may request the EID when assigning a profile to an eligible device. Other supported flows use an app, a QR code, a preassigned plan, or a carrier transfer. Follow the method your provider supplies rather than trying to activate service by entering the EID alone.

The identifier helps tell systems which eUICC is involved; certificates, provisioning controls, and the provider’s account checks handle separate security functions. GSMA’s eSIM certificate explanation explains the role of certificates and mutual authentication.

Switching eSIMs or restoring on a new phone

A new phone has its own EID. If your provider asks for it, supply the destination phone’s number rather than the old phone’s. Whether you can transfer a line directly, need a replacement profile, or must contact support depends on the provider, devices, and plan.

Having the EID does not guarantee an automatic restore or a reusable QR code. Confirm transfer and reinstallation rules before deleting the old profile. For the difference between turning a profile off and deleting it, see What Happens If I Delete an eSIM on iPhone or Android?.

Lost, stolen, or blocked phone cases

The EID is not a remote-lock command. If your phone is lost or stolen, contact the carrier about suspending the line and reporting the device, then use the manufacturer’s lost-device tools to protect it.

• Line suspension: limits use of the carrier service; it is separate from locking the screen or erasing personal data.
• Equipment blocking: T-Mobile’s lost-device guidance describes reporting the IMEI to a shared database. This should not be described as a universal EID blacklist.
• Remote device protection: use Apple Find My or the applicable manufacturer tool for location and locking, subject to its setup and connectivity requirements.

A support agent may ask for device identifiers, but sharing an EID does not itself lock the phone, erase data, or prevent every possible new eSIM installation.

Illustration of phone theft: line suspension, IMEI reporting, and a lost-device tool serve different purposes.

EID number privacy and security

An EID is a persistent device identifier. Keep it out of public posts and unnecessary forms, while sharing it with a trusted carrier or manufacturer when their setup or support process requires it. It should not be treated as your account password or as the cryptographic key used to protect a profile.

Can someone hack my eSIM with EID?

An EID alone is not enough to copy your eSIM service onto another phone. It identifies the eUICC; it does not reveal the profile’s private credentials. GSMA provisioning uses authentication and certificate-based security rather than simply accepting a number as permission to clone a line.

Account compromise and fraudulent requests to move service are separate concerns. Protect your carrier account credentials and verification codes, and contact the provider through its official channel if you see an unexpected transfer or activation notice. Do not dismiss an account alert just because your EID has not changed.

Illustration of account security; the EID alone is not a key that can clone an eSIM.

How carriers use EID for network security

During provisioning, systems can use an EID to identify the intended eUICC. Identification and authentication are different tasks: certificates and cryptographic protocols establish trust between the provisioning entities. GSMA’s eSIM certificate explanation explains this distinction.

Do not assume that every connection to a cell tower checks an EID as a password, or that knowing an EID gives someone network access. Likewise, lost-device IMEI blocking and account suspension are separate from the EID’s provisioning role.

Best practices to protect your EID

• Share deliberately: use the provider’s official app, website, or support channel. Hide EID, IMEI, order details, and QR activation codes in public screenshots.
• Protect account access: use a strong password and the additional verification options your provider offers. Never send your password or one-time sign-in codes to an unsolicited contact.
• Secure the device: use a passcode and available biometric lock, and keep official software updates current.
• Check requests: if a message asks for identifiers unexpectedly, navigate to the carrier’s official support channel yourself. Do not assume that a VPN makes a suspicious website or phishing form trustworthy.

These steps protect access to your device and account without implying that the EID itself is an activation secret.

Frequently asked questions about EID numbers

These answers cover common questions about EID availability, unlocking, activation errors, and the differences between device identifiers. Use the detailed device steps above when you need to copy the number.

Do all phones have an EID?

No. A physical-SIM-only phone does not necessarily contain an eUICC or have an EID. Even within a model family, purchase-region variants can differ. Check the manufacturer’s information for the exact model rather than assuming every recent phone or every Dual SIM device has one.

Can I use my EID to unlock my phone?

No. The EID is not an unlock code. A carrier may request your IMEI and account details when reviewing a carrier-unlock request, but eligibility and approval depend on that carrier’s rules. Neither pasting an EID nor changing it removes a carrier lock.

What if my EID number is blocked?

Ask the provider what the exact error means. “Invalid EID,” “device not eligible,” a used activation code, and a suspended account can require different action; they do not establish a single universal “blocked EID” condition.

Copy the number from the intended device, check the required field and format, then provide the exact error through official support. Do not buy a replacement number or assume a new eSIM order will override the rejection.

How do I find my EID number on Android?

Use the brand-specific route: Pixel uses Settings → About phone → SIM status; supported Samsung devices commonly use Settings → About phone → Status information. Other manufacturers and regional variants can differ. The *#06# shortcut may display EID, but a missing entry on that screen alone does not settle compatibility.

What is the EID number on an iPhone?

It is the 32-digit identifier of the eUICC in an eSIM-capable iPhone. Find it in Settings → General → About. Confirm support for the exact regional variant rather than assuming that every iPhone released after a particular model has the same SIM hardware. A cellular Apple Watch has its own EID, separate from the paired phone’s.

Is the EID the same as the IMEI?

No. EID identifies the eUICC and uses 32 digits. IMEI identifies mobile equipment and uses 15 digits; a Dual SIM device may have two IMEIs. Use whichever identifier the provider requests, and do not substitute one for the other.

Related guides

• What Is an eSIM?
• What Is an ICCID Number and How Can You Find It?
• What Happens If I Delete an eSIM on iPhone or Android?

For an existing order, follow the supplied installation instructions or contact BitJoy support. For a new trip, confirm device compatibility and carrier unlock status before choosing BitJoy eSIM plans.