eSIMratEID (the eSIM chip identifier)
by RonyThe EID (eUICC Identifier) is the unique 32-digit identifier of the eSIM chip (eUICC) built into a phone, a watch or a tablet. It identifies the chip itself, not the plan: it never changes, even as you install or delete eSIMs. Some carriers and providers ask for it to check a device's compatibility or to prepare an eSIM.
Why it matters when travelling
Most travel eSIM providers do not require the EID at purchase: you get a QR code and the install happens without it. But it serves in three situations: when a provider checks your phone's compatibility before purchase, when technical support needs to find your chip to unblock a failing install, and when a local carrier (notably in Asia) registers the device.
The useful reflex: knowing how to find it in 10 seconds, especially abroad with a support agent asking for it.
The misconception
“The EID is the serial number of my eSIM.”
It is not: the EID identifies your phone's chip, not the eSIM you install. Every installed eSIM has its own number, the ICCID. Remember the trio: EID = the chip, IMEI = the phone, ICCID = the plan.
In practice, device by device
On iPhone
- Open Settings, then General, then About.
- Scroll to the EID section: the 32-digit number appears.
- Universal alternative: dial *#06# in the Phone app, the EID shows next to the IMEI.
On Android
- Open Settings, then About phone.
- Look for the SIM status or EID section depending on the brand (Samsung, Google, Xiaomi…).
- The *#06# method also works on virtually every eSIM-capable Android.
EID, IMEI, ICCID: which identifies what
| Identifier | What it identifies | Format | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| EID | The phone's eSIM chip (eUICC) | 32 digits | *#06# or Settings |
| IMEI | The phone itself | 15 digits | *#06# |
| ICCID | An installed SIM or eSIM profile (the plan) | 19-20 digits, starts with 89 | Settings, SIM section |
What it changes when you compare
If a provider asks for your EID before purchase, that is rather a good sign: it checks your device is compatible before taking your money. Conversely, no serious provider needs your EID for a simple quote: only give it inside a purchase flow or to official support.
Compare eSIM plans by destination
The rat's tip: Note your EID in your travel notes before leaving. The day an install stalls at the airport, you will not be digging through settings on 3% battery.
See also
Frequently asked questions
Is it risky to share my EID?
The EID alone gives access to neither your line nor any billing. Share it only with a provider you are buying from or with its official support, as you would a serial number.
My phone shows no EID, is that normal?
Yes: if there is no EID in the settings nor via *#06#, your phone has no eSIM chip. It is therefore not compatible with travel eSIMs, whatever the brand of the plan.
Does the EID change when I change eSIM?
Never. The EID is etched into the phone's chip. It is the eSIM profiles (and their ICCIDs) that come and go.