The Samsung Galaxy S20 series launched in 2020 and remains widely used in India in 2026 — particularly popular in the secondhand and refurbished market where it represents excellent value. The S20 fully supports eSIM technology, making it one of the older Samsung flagships that still delivers modern connectivity features.
Whether you own the eSIM on Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, or S20 Ultra, this guide covers everything you need — from confirming eSIM compatibility to activating with Jio, Airtel, and Vi, setting up dual SIM, and fixing the specific issues that S20 users encounter with eSIM in 2026.
- Check now – Does Samsung S21 Ultra Support eSIM?
Does Samsung Galaxy S20 Support eSIM?
Yes — the Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra all support eSIM. However, variant checking is especially important for the S20 series as multiple variants were sold globally with different features.
S20 variant eSIM compatibility:
| Model | Variant | eSIM Support |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S20 (SM-G980F) | Global/India | ✅ Yes |
| Galaxy S20 (SM-G981B) | 5G Global | ✅ Yes |
| Galaxy S20 (SM-G980F/DS) | Dual SIM | ✅ Yes |
| Galaxy S20+ (SM-G985F) | Global/India | ✅ Yes |
| Galaxy S20 Ultra (SM-G988B) | Global/India | ✅ Yes |
| Galaxy S20 (US carrier variants) | AT&T/Verizon | ⚠️ Check EID |
| Galaxy S20 (China variant) | China | ❌ No eSIM |
Confirm eSIM Support on S20
Method 1 — Dial code:
Dial *#06# — if an EID number appears alongside the IMEI, eSIM is supported.
Method 2 — Settings:
Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager → If Add mobile plan appears, eSIM is ready.
Indian Carriers Supporting eSIM on Galaxy S20
| Carrier | eSIM Support | Activation Method |
|---|---|---|
| Jio | ✅ Yes | MyJio app or SMS |
| Airtel | ✅ Yes | Airtel Thanks app or store |
| Vi (Vodafone Idea) | ✅ Yes | Vi app or store |
| BSNL | ⚠️ Limited | Store visit required |
Before You Activate eSIM on Galaxy S20
Checklist:
- ✅ Stable Wi-Fi — required during profile download
- ✅ One UI updated — Settings → Software Update → install latest available
- ✅ QR code ready — from carrier app, email, or store
- ✅ Phone unlocked — carrier-locked S20 may reject third-party eSIM profiles
- ✅ EID confirmed — dial *#06# to verify eSIM support
- ✅ Active physical SIM — OTP sent to registered number during activation
One UI Version on Galaxy S20 — What to Expect
The S20 received Android updates up to Android 13 with One UI 5.1 — its final official update. In 2026, most S20 units run:
- One UI 5.1 (Android 13) — Latest official version
- One UI 4.1 (Android 12) — Common on unupdated devices
- One UI 3.1 (Android 11) — Older software, still works for eSIM
SIM settings location varies slightly:
| One UI Version | SIM Settings Location |
|---|---|
| One UI 5.1 | Settings → Connections → SIM Manager |
| One UI 4.1 | Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager |
| One UI 3.1 | Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager |
Recommendation: Update S20 to One UI 5.1 before eSIM activation — best eSIM management interface and most stable network handling.
How to Activate eSIM on Samsung Galaxy S20 — All Methods
Method 1: QR Code Activation (Recommended)
Works with all Indian carriers:
- Open Settings
- Tap Connections
- Tap SIM Card Manager (or SIM Manager on One UI 5.1)
- Tap Add mobile plan
- Tap Scan carrier QR code
- Pointthe S20 camera at the QR code from the carrier
- Tap Confirm when profile details appear
- Wait 30–60 seconds for download and installation
- Tap Done
eSIM profile now active — visible in SIM Card Manager.
Method 2: Activation Code (Manual Entry)
Use when QR code sent to same device being activated:
- Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager
- Tap Add mobile plan
- Tap Enter activation code
- Type or paste code from carrier
- Confirm and wait for installation
Method 3: Jio eSIM Activation on S20
Via MyJio App:
- Open MyJio
- My Account → Get eSIM
- Verify with OTP
- App detects S20 — pushes eSIM profile directly
Via SMS:
- Dial *#06# → note last 15 digits of EID
- Send “SIMCHG <15-digit EID>” to 199
- Reply 1 to confirm
- Jio sends QR code via SMS or email
- Scan using Method 1
Note for secondhand S20: If the phone was previously activated with a different Jio account, the previous eSIM profile may need deletion first — SIM Card Manager → existing eSIM → Delete.
Method 4: Airtel eSIM Activation on S20
Via Airtel Thanks App:
- Open Airtel Thanks
- Account → My Plan → Switch to eSIM
- Verify OTP
- App detects S20 → pushes profile or provides QR code
- Scan/confirm on S20
Via Airtel Store:
Visit with S20 and Aadhaar — takes 10–15 minutes.
Method 5: Vi eSIM Activation on S20
Via Vi App:
- Open the Vi app
- My Account → SIM Services → Get eSIM
- Verify OTP
- Complete in-app activation steps
Method 6: Store Activation
Visit a Jio, Airtel, or Vi store with:
- Samsung Galaxy S20
- Aadhaar card
- Registered mobile number
- EID screenshot from *#06#
Setting Up Dual SIM on Galaxy S20
S20 supports one physical nano-SIM + one eSIM simultaneously.
Configure After Activation
- Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager
- Both SIMs appear — tap each to rename:
- Physical SIM → “Jio Personal”
- eSIM → “Airtel Work”
Set Default SIM Preferences
Calls:
- Choose default call SIM
- Or Always ask — S20 prompts per call
SMS:
- Select primary messaging SIM
Mobile Data:
- Choose one SIM for internet
- Switch from SIM Card Manager or quick settings
Best Dual SIM Setups for S20 Indian Users
Setup 1 — Personal + Work:
- Physical SIM: Jio (personal + data)
- eSIM: Airtel (work number)
Setup 2 — Network Coverage:
- Physical SIM: Airtel (better voice)
- eSIM: Jio (better 4G data)
Setup 3 — Cost Saving:
- Physical SIM: Primary number
- eSIM: Cheaper data plan
Setup 4 — Travel:
- Physical SIM: Indian number (always active)
- eSIM: International travel plan (Airalo/Nomad)
S20-Specific eSIM Considerations
Exynos vs Snapdragon S20
The S20 sold in India uses the Exynos 990 processor. Both Exynos and Snapdragon variants support eSIM — no difference in eSIM functionality between processor variants.
S20 Battery and Dual SIM
The S20 has a 4,000mAh battery — running dual SIM adds minor battery overhead. On Exynos 990 this is manageable — expect 5–10% additional battery drain from continuous dual SIM operation.
S20 5G and eSIM
The S20 5G (SM-G981B) supports 5G — eSIM on this model can use 5G networks where available from Jio and Airtel. Standard S20 (SM-G980F) is 4G only.
End of Software Support
The S20 received its final official One UI update in 2023. In 2026, it runs One UI 5.1 — eSIM functionality remains fully supported despite no new major Android updates. Security patches may still be available.
Secondhand S20 eSIM Considerations
Very important for secondhand S20 buyers:
- Check EID first — dial *#06#
- Delete previous eSIM profiles — SIM Card Manager → existing eSIM → Delete
- Verify phone is unlocked — carrier-locked secondhand S20 will reject new eSIM profiles.
- Factory reset recommended — ensures clean state before new eSIM activation
Managing eSIM Profiles on Galaxy S20
S20 stores multiple eSIM profiles but activates only one alongside physical SIM.
Switch Between Profiles
- Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager
- Tap eSIM profiles or current eSIM
- Select profile to activate
- Tap Enable
- Confirm switch — wait 2 minutes for network registration
Delete eSIM Profile
- Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager
- Tap eSIM profile
- Tap Delete eSIM profile
- Confirm
Important: Deletion is permanent on the device. Contact carrier for re-issuance before deleting.
Common eSIM Problems on Galaxy S20 and Fixes
“Add mobile plan” not visible in SIM Card Manager
Fix 1: Update One UI — Settings → Software Update.
Fix 2: Dial *#06# — confirm EID appears. No EID = variant does not support eSIM.
Fix 3: Phone carrier-locked — contact original carrier or seller to unlock.
QR code scan fails
Fix: Clean rear camera. Increase brightness on QR code display. Move to better lighting. Use manual code entry as an alternative.
eSIM downloads but shows “Not activated”
Fix: Restart S20 after installation. SIM Card Manager → eSIM → toggle off and on. Wait 3 minutes.
Network not registering after eSIM activation.
Fix: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Network operators → Search manually → select carrier manually.
Mobile data not working on eSIM.
Fix: SIM Card Manager → Mobile Data → confirm eSIM selected. Check APN: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Access Point Names → verify carrier APN is configured.
Jio APN settings (manual):
- Name: Jio
- APN: jionet
- Protocol: IPv4/IPv6
Airtel APN settings (manual):
- Name: Airtel
- APN: airtelgprs.com
- Protocol: IPv4
S20 randomly switching between SIMs
Fix: Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager → Mobile Data → disable Allow switching data between SIMs if you want fixed data SIM.
eSIM profile deleted after One UI update
Rare issue on S20: Some S20 users reported eSIM profiles disappearing after major One UI updates. If this occurs, contact the carrier for re-issuance — provide EID from *#06# screen.
“SIM not provisioned MM#2” error
Fix: Carrier-side provisioning incomplete. Call Jio (199), Airtel (121), or Vi (199) — request re-provisioning of eSIM profile to your S20’s EID.
eSIM Transfer — Moving to S20 from Another Device
From another Samsung:
- Note S20’s EID from *#06#
- Contact carrier — inform switching to Galaxy S20
- Carrier deactivates old device eSIM
- Generates new QR code for S20’s EID
- Scan on S20
From iPhone to S20:
Same process — carrier re-issues eSIM for new device EID regardless of previous device brand.
Galaxy S20 eSIM vs Physical SIM Comparison
| Feature | Physical SIM | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Move to another phone | ✅ Instant | ❌ Carrier re-issuance |
| Dual SIM | ✅ With eSIM | ✅ With physical SIM |
| Travel plans | ❌ Buy local SIM | ✅ Download instantly |
| Lost/damaged SIM | ✅ Replace physical | ❌ Need carrier re-issue |
| Carrier switching | Slow | Fast |
| India support | ✅ Universal | ✅ Jio/Airtel/Vi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Galaxy S20 FE support eSIM?
The Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition, SM-G780F) supports eSIM in most markets including India. Verify by dialing *#06# — EID confirms support.
Can I use eSIM and physical SIM simultaneously on S20?
Yes — S20 supports one physical nano-SIM and one eSIM active simultaneously. Both receive calls and SMS — one SIM handles data at a time.
My S20 was purchased in UAE/Singapore — will an Indian eSIM work?
Most international S20 variants support eSIM. If the phone is unlocked (not carrier-locked), Indian carrier eSIM profiles should work. Verify EID via *#06# and confirm the phone is unlocked before attempting activation.
Does S20 support 5G eSIM with Jio or Airtel?
The S20 5G (SM-G981B) supports 5G — Jio and Airtel 5G work on eSIM if your area has 5G coverage. Standard S20 (SM-G980F) is 4G only, regardless of eSIM or physical SIM.
What happens to S20 eSIM during factory reset?
Factory reset deletes all eSIM profiles permanently. Before resetting: note carrier details → contact carrier post-reset for re-issuance → provide new EID if it changes (it typically does not change on Samsung devices).
Can I transfer eSIM from S20 to new Samsung S25?
eSIM cannot transfer directly between devices. Contact the carrier with S25’s EID — they deactivate the S20 eSIM and generate a new profile for S25. Your number and plan remain unchanged.
Is Galaxy S20 still good enough for eSIM use in 2026?
Yes — eSIM functionality on S20 is fully operational in 2026. The phone may not receive new Android versions, but eSIM provisioning is handled at the carrier and hardware level, not dependent on Android updates.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S20 handles eSIM setup reliably in 2026 — particularly after updating to One UI 5.1, which provides the best SIM Manager interface for the S20 generation. Whether you activate through Qa R code, the MyJio or Airtel Thanks app, or visit a carrier store, the process is straightforward and works consistently on all three major Indian carriers.
For secondhand S20 buyers especially — check EID first via *#06#, clear any previous eSIM profiles, ensure the phone is carrier-unlocked, and then activate. The S20’s eSIM implementation is stable and reliable even in 2026.
