How to find out if there is an eSIM in Xiaomi: Check and activate

Modern smartphones are increasingly abandoning physical slots for SIM-For owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco, compatibility with this technology is becoming critical, especially when planning trips abroad. Many users buy a device based on marketing promises, but face a reality where functionality can be limited to regional features or a specific firmware version.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to find out if there is an eSIM in a Xiaomi phone using built-in system tools, special engineering codes and third-party services. You will learn how to distinguish global versions of smartphones from Chinese ones, understand why there may not be a necessary item in the menu, and get a step-by-step algorithm of actions to activate a digital number.

Search for eSIM settings in the MIUI and HyperOS interface

The most obvious and quickest way to check is to visually view your device's settings menu. MIUI and the new HyperOS can hide these options if the system does not detect the corresponding hardware or if the region of use does not support the function. SIM-maps and mobile networks.

Inside the control menu SIM-If you use cards, look for a button that says "Add a tariff plan" or "Add eSIM." If you don't have one, try switching the region in your system settings. Often users forget that some features require a change of location to a country where the technology is widespread, such as Singapore or India.

Note the status bar: if you try to add a profile, you see a second network indicator, so the module is working correctly. In some versions of the firmware, the virtual card control point may be hidden under the "Additional Settings" subsection. If you don't find these items, don't jump to conclusions - you may need manual activation through the engineering menu or IMEI check.

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Before searching for settings, make sure your carrier supports eSIM technology and has provided you with the right options. QR-activation code, as without it to check the operation of the module will not work.

Use of engineering codes for module diagnostics

If the GUI doesn't give a definitive answer, hidden engineering menus come to the rescue, a powerful tool for diagnosing the hardware of a smartphone. To access the testing, open the standard Phone app and dial the combination ##4636##. This command opens the testing menu, where you can see detailed information about the state of the network.

In the list that opens, select Phone Information, which displays SIM slot data. If your device supports virtual cards, you can see the switch or the second slot information, even if the physical card is not inserted. In some cases, it displays the IMS Status status, which must be registered for VoLTE and eSIM to work.

⚠️ Warning: Be extremely careful when changing any settings in the engineering menu. Accidental activation of unknown functions or reset of the radio module can lead to signal loss or unstable network operation.

Another useful code is *#06#. When dialing it, all device identifiers are displayed on the screen. If the phone supports the technology, you will see two IMEIs: one for a physical slot and a second, often marked as IMEI2 or eSIM. The absence of a second number or the "Null" mark may indicate that the eSIM module is hardware disabled or missing in this version of the smartphone.

Compatibility checks on the list of models and IMEI

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are the same, even if they are called the same. Support for virtual SIM cards depends on the specific modification and market for which the device was released. Global versions (Global ROM) are more often equipped with the necessary chip, while Chinese versions (CN ROM) may not have this feature, even if they are externally identical.

To verify the exact identity, find the IMEI on the box or in the settings and enter it on specialized aggregator sites such as IMEI.info or the official Xiaomi support site. These resources will provide a complete specification of your device, including the presence or absence of the eUICC module.

Below is a table of popular models, where the probability of supporting the technology is indicated depending on the region of release:

It is important to understand that even having a chip on the spec list does not guarantee work in your country. Operators must maintain profiles for your region. If you bought a phone brought from China and reflashed it to a global version, hardware support for eSIM is unlikely to appear, since it is a physical component of the board.

Differences between Global and Chinese Firmware

One of the hardest things to do is to understand the difference between the shell and the hardware, and users often confuse Global ROM (the official global firmware) and Global Version (a device built for the global market), and if you refashion a Chinese phone to global firmware, it won't add a missing eSIM module.

Chinese firmware (CN ROM) software blocks many features, including Google services and often virtual card management menus. Even if hardware allows, the software will prevent the profile from being activated, in which cases enthusiasts resort to installing third-party menus or patches, but this requires deep knowledge and can disrupt banking applications.

Check the build number in the About Phone section. If the letter C is at the end of the number (e.g. V14.0.3.0.TKRCNXM), it indicates the Chinese version (CN). Global versions are marked with the letters MI (Global), EU (Europe), RU (Russia) and other regional codes. Having the right firmware is the first step to success, but it is not a guarantee of a chip.

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Reflashing a Chinese smartphone to a global version of MIUI will not add eSIM support if the module is physically absent from the device’s motherboard.

Step-by-step instructions for activating a digital profile

If you're convinced that support is available, you can start setting up, and this process requires a stable Wi-Fi connection, because the profile is downloaded from the operator's network. QR-code received from your service provider or manual activation data.

Follow the following steps in strict sequence:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• ➕ Click the button “Add tariff plan” or “Add eSIM».
• 📷 Select "Scan" QR-code and point the camera to the operator code.
• 📥 Wait for the profile to load and confirm activation.

Once successfully booted, you’ll be able to switch between a physical and virtual SIM in settings.The system allows you to use one active line for calls and data at the same time, but modern Xiaomi flagships often support Dual SIM Dual Standby mode, allowing you to keep both numbers active.

The activation process may require confirmation via SMS to the main number or login to the operator's personal account. If the scan fails the first time, try to increase the brightness of the screen or enter activation data manually if the operator allows it. Errors when entering the confirmation code can block the profile, so be careful.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users often encounter errors, one of the most common is the message “failed to add a tariff plan”, which can be due to the locking of the operator who sees that the device is locked under another provider, or with an incorrectly set date and time in the system.

Another problem is that the eSIM disappears after the system update, and the MIUI or HyperOS update can reset regional settings or switch the modem to a mode that does not support virtual cards, which can be helped by resetting the network settings (not completely resetting the phone!) or resetting the region in the settings.

• 🔄 Network Error: Check if the mobile internet is on the main SIM during activation.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: Some operators do not operate eSIM outside the issuing country.
• 📱 Incompatibility: Make sure that QR-The code is designed for eSIM, not for the usual SIM.

⚠️ Note: If after multiple activation attempts the system says "Card is busy" or "Profile is invalid", do not try to reset the phone. QR-code, as older codes often have a limited expiration date or a single use.

In rare cases, the problem lies in the damage to the eUICC chip itself, which requires contacting the service center. However, most often it is a problem of software conflicts or inattention when entering data. The use of official accessories and original chargers also reduces the risk of voltage surges that can affect the operation of the radio module.