What Is an EID Number? Where to Find It & Why It Matters?

In the world of eSIM technology, the EID number plays a critical but often misunderstood role. It acts as the unique identity of the eSIM chip inside your device, enabling secure digital SIM activation without a physical card. This guide explains what an EID number is, how it differs from IMEI and ICCID, where to find it on your device, why it matters for eSIMs, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

1. What is EID number?

An EID (Embedded Identity Document) is a unique 32-digit serial number assigned to the eSIM chip embedded in your device. It is permanently built into the hardware at the factory and does not change, even if you install, remove, or switch between different eSIM profiles. Unlike a physical SIM card number, the EID is tied directly to the device itself rather than to a removable component.

Think of the EID as the digital fingerprint of your device’s eSIM hardware. Mobile carriers and eSIM providers use this number to identify your device and securely deliver eSIM profiles through remote provisioning. When you request a new eSIM plan, the carrier links that plan to your specific EID to ensure it is installed on the correct device.

Without an EID, eSIM activation is not possible, since the system would have no secure way to recognize or authenticate the embedded chip. You can usually find your EID in your phone’s settings under cellular or SIM information, especially on newer smartphones that support eSIM technology.

→ Start Here: What Is eSIM and How Does eSIM Work?

2. Are EID Number,  ICCID and IMEI the same?

No. Although EID, ICCID, and IMEI are all identification numbers used in mobile networks, they serve completely different purposes and identify different layers of the mobile ecosystem. The IMEI identifies the physical phone hardware, the ICCID identifies a specific SIM card or eSIM profile, and the EID identifies the embedded eSIM chip inside the device. The differences become much clearer when you look at how each identifier is used side by side in the comparison below.

In practical terms, a phone using a traditional physical SIM will have an IMEI (for the device) and an ICCID (for the SIM card). A phone that supports eSIM will have an IMEI, an EID for the embedded eSIM chip, and one or more ICCID numbers, each corresponding to an individual eSIM profile installed on that chip. In short, IMEI identifies the device, EID identifies the eSIM hardware, and ICCID identifies the SIM profile, and none of them are interchangeable.

→ Device Check: Full List of eSIM Compatible Phones (Last Updated)

3. How do I find my EID number?

There are two primary ways to find your EID number, depending on your device and situation. In most cases, you can retrieve it instantly using a universal shortcut:

• Open your phone’s dialer

• Dial *#06#

• Wait for the device information screen to appear

• Look for the EID listed alongside the IMEI (if your device supports eSIM)

If your EID does not appear after dialing #06, it usually means either the device does not support eSIM or the EID is only accessible through system settings. In that case, follow the instructions below based on your device type.

3.1. Where to find an EID number on an iPhone?

On eSIM-compatible iPhones, the EID is listed directly in the system information and does not require a SIM to be installed or active.

To locate your EID on an iPhone, follow these steps:

• Open the Settings app

• Tap General

• Tap About

• Scroll down through the device information until you see EID

• Copy or note the full 32-digit EID number exactly as shown

This method applies to all eSIM-capable iPhones (starting from iPhone XS and newer). If the EID is not visible in the About section, the iPhone either does not support eSIM or is restricted by software or region.

For cellular-enabled iPads, the steps are identical: Settings → General → About → EID.

For Apple Watch models with cellular support, the process is similar but requires accessing settings from the watch itself:

• Press the Digital Crown to open the app menu

• Open Settings

• Tap General

• Tap About

• Scroll down to locate the EID

If the Apple Watch is paired with an iPhone, the EID can also be viewed through the Watch app on the iPhone under General → About.

→ Before Activation: How to Check If My Phone Is eSIM Compatible in Simple Steps

3.2. EID Number on Android Devices

Most modern Android devices that support eSIM display the EID within the device information or SIM-related status menus, though the exact menu names vary by manufacturer.

To find your EID on an Android phone, follow these general steps:

• Open Settings

• Tap About Phone or About Device

• Look for Status, SIM Status, Status Information, or IMEI information (menu names differ by brand)

• Scroll down within that section to find the EID

On some Android devices, especially Google Pixel and certain Samsung models, the EID may also appear directly under eSIM or SIM-related settings without entering a status submenu.

As an alternative method, many Android phones will display the EID when you dial #06, showing it alongside one or more IMEI numbers. If the EID does not appear using either method, the device may not support eSIM or may require a software update.

→ Common Issue: “eSIM Not Supported” Error: Causes and How to Fix It

3.3. EID Number on Windows 10 devices

Windows 10 laptops or tablets with built-in cellular connectivity (LTE or 5G) and eSIM support store the EID within the cellular network settings.

To find the EID on a Windows 10 device, follow these steps:

• Click Start

• Open Settings

• Go to Network & Internet

• Select Cellular (or Mobile, depending on the device)

• Click Advanced options

• Scroll to the Properties section

• Locate the EID listed among the cellular device details

If the Cellular option does not appear in Network & Internet, the device likely does not support eSIM or does not have a cellular modem installed.

→ Troubleshooting Guide: eSIM Not Working? Common Problems & Fixes

3.4. EID Number on Windows 11 devices

Windows 11 devices with eSIM follow a similar path to Windows 10, with slight differences in layout and labeling.

To find your EID on Windows 11, follow these steps:

• Click Start

• Open Settings

• Go to Network & Internet

• Select Cellular (or Mobile network)

• Click Advanced options

• Check the Properties section

• Look for the EID listed with other cellular identifiers

→ Activation Help: How Long Does It Take to Activate an eSIM?

4. The importance of EID Number in eSIM Technology

The EID is a core component of how eSIM technology works behind the scenes. It enables secure, flexible, and remote SIM management through several key roles:

• eSIM activation: Carriers and eSIM providers use the EID to send the correct eSIM profile to your specific device

• Remote provisioning: The EID allows mobile plans to be downloaded and installed over the air without a physical SIM

• Multi-profile management: Multiple eSIM profiles (each with its own ICCID) can exist on one device, all tied to the same EID

• Security and authentication: The EID ensures that only your device can receive and activate eSIM profiles, reducing fraud and unauthorized access

• Troubleshooting support: When eSIM issues occur, customer support often relies on the EID to diagnose and resolve problems quickly

→ If Something Goes Wrong: eSIM Connected but No Internet? Here’s How to Fix

5. Troubleshooting

5.1. What to do if I can't find my EID Number?

If your EID isn’t visible, the first thing to check is whether your device actually supports eSIM. Only eSIM-capable devices have an EID, so phones that rely solely on physical SIM cards will not display one at all.

If your device does support eSIM, try the following checks in order:

• Restart your device to rule out temporary system glitches

• Update your operating system, as outdated software may not display EID information correctly

• Use the universal shortcut by dialing *#06# to see if the EID appears alongside the IMEI

If the EID still doesn’t appear, contact your carrier or device manufacturer. They can confirm eSIM support, verify your device model, and guide you to the correct location for retrieving the EID.

→ Security Insight: Can eSIM Be Hacked? The Truth About eSIM Security

5.2. Why doesn’t my phone show an EID when I dial *#06#?

Dialing *#06# is the fastest way to retrieve an EID, but it only works on devices that support eSIM and are configured to display it. If your phone shows only the IMEI, it usually means one of three things: the device does not support eSIM, the eSIM feature is disabled or unsupported in your region, or the operating system version does not expose the EID through this shortcut.

In these cases, checking the device settings directly or contacting the manufacturer is the most reliable way to confirm whether an EID exists.

5.3. Does the EID change if I switch eSIMs, carriers, or plans?

No. The EID never changes.

The EID is permanently embedded in the eSIM chip (eUICC) and remains the same for the lifetime of the device. What can change are the ICCID numbers, which belong to individual eSIM profiles. Each time you install a new eSIM profile or switch carriers, a new ICCID is assigned, but all profiles are still linked to the same EID.

This distinction is important when troubleshooting activation issues, as carriers may need both the EID (chip-level identifier) and the ICCID (profile-level identifier).

→ Next Step for Travelers: 10 Best eSIMs for International Travel in 2026

5.4. How to keep my EID number secure?

Although the EID cannot be used on its own to hijack your mobile service, it should still be treated as sensitive device information.

To keep your EID secure:

• Do not share it publicly or with untrusted parties

• Only provide it to legitimate carriers or eSIM providers during activation or support requests

• Avoid accessing or transmitting EID details over public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks

• Protect your device with strong passwords, biometrics, and device encryption

Keeping your EID private helps safeguard your eSIM profiles and reduces the risk of unauthorized provisioning attempts.

In conclusion, EID number is the permanent identity of the eSIM chip and underpins how eSIM activation, security, and multi-profile management work. Understanding where to find your EID and how it differs from IMEI and ICCID helps prevent setup issues, speeds up troubleshooting, and ensures smoother interactions with carriers. As eSIM technology becomes more common across phones, tablets, and laptops, this knowledge allows you to use digital SIMs with greater confidence and flexibility.