# eSIM Device Compatibility and Readiness

Prepare the phone

FIELDNOTES · DEVICE CHECK

Illustrative readiness steps. This page does not detect or verify your device.

## Check the device you have in hand.

Use the manufacturer’s guidance for the exact model and market variant. A product family name is not enough to establish eSIM support. Confirm the operating system and any device requirements attached to the selected plan.

### Carrier lock

A phone locked to its original carrier may refuse another carrier’s eSIM. Ask the current carrier about unlocking before purchasing a service the phone cannot use.

### Stored profiles and active lines

The number of profiles a device stores can differ from the number of lines it can use at once. Check active-line limits and which line will handle data, calls and messages.

## Give the customer a path on the same phone.

Use the supported installation link when available. Keep QR and manual setup available through the private customer journey. Explain how to display a QR code on a second screen when scanning is the appropriate method.

### Prepare the connection

Use a working internet connection to obtain the profile. Confirm the plan’s activation trigger before installing ahead of travel.

### Keep setup private

Installation details grant access to the profile. Share them through the authorized installation flow and keep them out of public screenshots or ordinary analytics.

## Verify the selected line after installation.

Choose the intended data line and apply the plan’s roaming instructions. Test the services included in the offer. Successful installation is a device result; it does not establish that mobile data, calls or SMS are working.

### Changing phones

Confirm the provider’s replacement or transfer process before removing a profile. Reusing an old activation code on another device is not a guaranteed transfer method.

### When the phone refuses setup

Keep the device model, installation method and exact error with the support request. Check the step reached before recommending deletion or another purchase.

## Check the manufacturer’s guidance

- [iPhone travel and eSIM guidance](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118227): Check carrier lock and the available installation arrangements.
- [Pixel carrier compatibility](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7107188?hl=en): Review unlocking and carrier compatibility for your Pixel phone.

## Questions before you choose

### Can this page detect whether my phone is compatible?

This page explains the checks. Confirm the exact model, market variant and carrier status with the manufacturer and the selected provider; the illustration does not inspect your device.

### Does an eSIM-capable device have to be unlocked?

To use a different carrier’s service, the device must permit that carrier. Check lock status and the selected plan before purchase.

### Can I keep my existing line?

Many devices support more than one line, but active-line limits and data selection depend on the device and carrier. Confirm the combination you intend to use.

### Should I delete a profile when installation fails?

Check the service’s recovery and reinstall rules first. Deleting a profile can remove the setup needed to recover the existing plan.

## Prepare the next step

- [eSIM installation](/esim-api/features/installation): Help customers install on their device and get connected with clear guidance.
- [Coverage and networks](/esim-api/features/coverage): Match the plan to the destination.
- [Travel eSIMs](/esim-api/features/travel): Bring destination data, installation and top-ups into your travel experience.
- [Connectivity operations](/esim-api/features/operations): Bring orders, billing, network status and support into one service history.

## Scale without  losing control.

Organize teams in workspaces, control API access, and trace changes through audit logs.

Harbor Organization
Workspaces Production Sandbox

### Delivery agent

API key · Customer operations team
Active
Permissions Access
Email Read & write
SMS Read & write
WhatsApp Read Read & write
AL Alex Lee Admin  Permissions updated

### Audit log

Production
 API key updated Alex Lee · 09:42:18 UTC

Workspace
Production

Resource
Delivery agent

WhatsApp
Read Read & write

Succeeded

 [Workspaces](/docs/guides/workspaces)[Team roles](/docs/guides/users-teams-roles)[API authentication](/docs/guides/authentication)
[Explore Enterprise](/enterprise)

## Start with eSIM. Build across channels with Bird.

[Get started](/dashboard/signup?returnTo=%2Fdashboard%2Fw%2Fesim) · [Contact Sales](/demo?product=esim)

[Email](/email-api) · [SMS](/sms-api) · [WhatsApp](/whatsapp-api) · [Apple Messages](/apple-messages-api) · [Voice](/voice-api)



## Related resources

- [eSIM connectivity guide](/docs/guides/esim/overview) (docs)
- [What is an eSIM?](/explained/esim/what-is-an-esim) (answer)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=esim)
