Check carrier lock and regional phone models

Two phones with the same marketing name can require different checks before using a travel eSIM. One may be locked to a carrier. Another may be a regional model with different SIM capabilities. Resolve these questions before you choose a package.

Carrier lock and screen lock are different

Carrier lock restricts which mobile providers the phone can use. A screen passcode protects access to the device. Knowing the passcode or being able to sign in does not establish that the phone can use another carrier.

On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and inspect Carrier Lock. Apple's guidance says No SIM restrictions means the phone is unlocked. If it is locked, only the carrier can arrange unlocking; Apple cannot do it for you. See Apple's unlocking instructions.

For an Android phone, use its official support guidance and ask the original carrier if you cannot establish the status. Do not use an unrelated phone's menu screenshot as proof for your model.

Prepare a useful carrier request

Tell the carrier the phone model and that you want to use a different mobile provider while traveling. Ask whether the device is unlocked, whether any eligibility conditions remain, and how you can verify completion. Account-specific terms and timing come from that carrier.

If you bought the phone secondhand, ask the seller for its carrier history. Avoid paying for an eSIM while the status remains unresolved. A QR code or another SIM profile cannot remove the restriction.

Check the regional version separately

Find the model number in About settings or the original documentation, then look it up with the manufacturer. The market where the phone was sold can affect SIM and eSIM features. This is why a broad statement such as “all recent phones work” is not a reliable buying rule.

Samsung's guidance notes that availability can vary by region, model, and carrier. Apple's travel guidance also includes regional qualifications. Read the current documentation for your own device rather than applying a blanket rule to a country.

Keep a compact compatibility note

Save the exact model, purchase region, software version, and confirmed lock status. Add the name of the travel plan when you ask its provider to check compatibility. You can share that information without sending a full activation code or a screenshot containing private account details.

Continue with the compatibility checklist, then choose the appropriate installation guide.