Why eSIM in Xiaomi is not always obvious
The eSIM technology is rapidly gaining popularity, but with Xiaomi devices, the situation remains ambiguous, unlike Apple or Samsung, where virtual support is used. SIM-The cards are clearly declared, and the Chinese brand often releases models with regional restrictions: the same modification can support eSIM in Europe, but not work with it in Russia or India.
Firmware is also confusing. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro with global MIUI supports eSIM, but the same model with Chinese firmware does not. And some devices (like the POCO F5) only get support after updates. So checking through standard methods (like IMEI search) does not always give an accurate result. In this article, current ways to check for 2026, including hidden settings and workarounds.
Method 1: Official list of Xiaomi models with eSIM
The most reliable method is to check the official data from Xiaomi, but there are pitfalls: the brand does not publish a single global list, and information on regional sites can contradict each other.
| Model | ESIM Support Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 / 13 Pro | Europe, India, Global version | It does not work on Chinese firmware (CN ROM) |
| Xiaomi 12T / 12T Pro | Europe, Latin America | MIUI 14.0.3+ required |
| POCO F5 / F5 Pro | Global version (EEA) | Support comes after update in March 2026 |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G | India, Indonesia | Only for Jio and Airtel operators |
| Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 | China (limited) | It only works with China Mobile. |
⚠️ Note: If your model is not in the table, it does not guarantee that there is no support.Some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14) receive eSIM via the table. OTA-Check the relevance of the data on the official support website.
Method 2: Checking with IMEI – Does it work for Xiaomi?
Many people recommend using services like IMEI.info or IMEI24 to learn about eSIM support, but for Xiaomi, this method only works 30% of the time, and the reason is that the databases of these services are often not updated for Chinese brands.
How to check correctly:
- Find it. IMEI device: 📱 Enter the phone application *#06# 📄 Look at the device box or in settings: Settings → The phone. → General information
Kimovil
"eSIM"
💡
If the service shows "No eSIM" but your model is in our table above, try updating the firmware. Often support is added later.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) K60) two-way IMEI (physical and virtual SIM). If the service only shows one IMEI — This does not mean that the eSIM is not available.
Method 3: Hidden Android Settings – How to Find the ESIM Menu
Even if your Xiaomi supports eSIM, the corresponding menu item can be hidden to find it:
- Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- If there is no “Add mobile fare” option (this is eSIM), try an alternative route: 🔍 Enter the esim request or mobile tariff in the settings search bar. 📱 On some firmware, the menu appears only after inserting a physical SIM.
Android 13+
##4636##In the menu that opens, select Phone Information and check for the eSIM section.
Search for the keyword "esim"|Checking through ##4636##|Physical insertion SIM menu-activate|Update MIUI last-minute-->
⚠️ Attention: On Chinese firmware (CN ROM) The eSIM menu can be blocked even with hardware support, in which case only flashing to the global version will help.
Method 4: Verification through operator applications
Some mobile operators offer their own utilities to check compatibility with eSIM, for example:
- 🇷🇺 MTS: annex “My MTS" → section “Management” SIM" → "Activate eSIM".
- 🇪🇺 Vodafone: Vodafone eSIM website with online verification.
- 🇺🇸 T-Mobile: T-Mobile eSIM Check service.
- 🇮🇳 Jio/Airtel: Mobile applications with the section "Digital" SIM".
If the carrier app sees your Xiaomi as eSIM compatible, it’s a reliable sign of support, but not having a device on the list doesn’t always mean incompatibility: carriers often limit the list of “approved” models.
Why are carriers blocking eSIMs on some Xiaomis?
Method 5: Hardware Checking – What to Look for in Characteristics
If you are just planning to buy Xiaomi and want to make sure that eSIM is supported, pay attention to the specifications:
- 📋 Chipset: eSIM requires built-in eUICC module.All Qualcomm flagship processors (Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2/3) MediaTek (Dimensity) 9000/9200) Support technology, but budget chips (e.g. Snapdragon) 480) — no.
- 🌍 Regional model code: EEA — Europe (eSIM support is likely). IN — India (50% chance, depending on operator). CN — China (usually not, except for flagships). Global - international version (to be specified).
- 📡 Support 5G: Almost. 5G-Xiaomi models are hardware ready for eSIM, but software function can be disabled.
Example: Xiaomi 13T Pro (model number 2308CPXDGY) with EEA code supports eSIM, and the same model with CN code does not. You can find out the exact code on the box or in the settings: Settings → About Phone → Model.
Method 6: Alternative methods – when nothing helps
If the standard methods did not give results, try:
- Fastboot Firmware: Some enthusiasts activate eSIM on unofficially supported models (e.g. POCO X5 Pro) by installing custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience). Risk: Warranty loss and possible mobile issues. How to check for eSIM support on custom firmware? Install a firmware with Google Dialer (e.g. LineageOS). Then type ##4636# and check for the eSIM section in the Phone Information menu.
- Support for Xiaomi: Write to Twitter Xiaomi Support or via the feedback form on the website, specifying: Model of the device. Region of purchase. MIUI version (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).
Sometimes support confirms the ability to activate eSIM, even for non-obvious models.
Test with virtual operator:
Airalo
Holafly
Xiaomi
💡
If your Xiaomi doesn’t support eSIM officially, but is hardware ready (e.g., there’s an eUICC chip), the only legal way to activate is to change firmware to a global version.
Method 7: Checking through ADB for advanced users
If you are ready for technical manipulation, you can check eSIM support through Android Debug Bridge (ADB).
Instructions:
- Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. 7 times click on MIUI Version. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
adb shell getprop | grep -i esimIf the answer is like [gsm.esim.support]: [1], the device supports eSIM.
adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 3This will result in an IMEI eSIM (different from a physical SIM).
⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB It may not work on Chinese firmware (CN ROM) constraint MIUI. In this case, unlocking the bootloader is required, which cancels the warranty.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When checking eSIM support on Xiaomi, users often encounter false results.
- ❌ "If there is no eSIM menu, there is no menu: On many models (for example, Xiaomi 12 Lite), the menu appears only after the update. MIUI Check the firmware's relevance.
- ❌ "IMEI-services show 'No eSIM' - so it doesn't support': Databases often become obsolete, POCO F5 eSIM was supported in March 2026, but many services still do not display it.
- ❌ "Chinese models never support eSIM": There are exceptions. for example, Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 works with eSIM, but only for subscribers of China Mobile.
- ❌ "If the operator does not offer eSIM, the phone is incompatible": Operators often limit the list of supported devices for marketing reasons. For example, in Russia, MTS officially supports eSIM only on iPhone and Samsung, but technically many Xiaomi are also compatible.
To avoid errors, always cross data from multiple sources: Xiaomi’s official website, IMEI databases, phone settings, and information from the operator.