What is an EID number (and how to find it)

Troubleshooting a connection issue and support asks for your EID number? If you don’t know what that is, you aren’t alone. The embedded identity document (EID) is a critical component for connecting your device to a mobile network without a physical SIM card.

This guide explains what an EID number is, why it matters for your eSIM, and how to find it on your iPhone or Android device.

Common EID number uses

The EID is the bridge between your device and the mobile network. Because you can’t physically swap a chip to change carriers, the EID allows this process to happen virtually.

Here are its three main functions:

• Remote provisioning (activation). When you buy an eSIM plan, the network uses your EID to verify your device and “download” the SIM profile to the embedded chip. This process, called remote provisioning, replaces the need to insert a plastic card.
• Security and authentication. The EID is unique to your specific device hardware and duplications aren’t possible. This creates a secure, encrypted link between your phone and the carrier, preventing SIM cloning and fraud.
• Multi-profile management. A single EID can store multiple eSIM profiles simultaneously. This allows you to switch between a home plan and a travel plan via your phone settings. You don’t need to swap physical cards.

The EID handles the technical heavy lifting in the background, allowing you to switch plans digitally rather than manually.

IMEI vs. ICCID vs. EID: What's the difference?

It’s easy to confuse these technical acronyms because cell phone providers use these identifiers for eSIM provisioning. Here is a quick breakdown of how they differ:

Understanding this distinction is helpful if technical support asks for your device details during troubleshooting. Knowing which number is which saves time.

How to find your EID number

Finding your EID number is straightforward. The fastest way to view it on any device (iPhone or Android) is to open your phone keypad and dial *#06#. A screen will pop up displaying your device information, including the EID.

If that doesn’t work, you can find it in your settings.

On iPhone

Here’s how to find the EID on an iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > General > About.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
3. Your 32-digit number appears next to EID.

On Android

Here’s how to find your EID number on these common Android phones.

Samsung

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap About phone.
3. Select Status or Status information and look for your EID number.

Pixel

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap About phone.
3. Select SIM status and find your EID number.

Xiaomi

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap About phone.
3. Find Detailed info and specs.
4. Navigate to Status and select EID to find your number.

On your device box

If you can’t turn on your phone, you can often find the EID printed on the original retail packaging. Look for the sticker with the barcodes on the side or back of the box. The EID is usually listed near the IMEI and Serial Number.

Do you need an EID number with holiday.com?

If you use the holiday.com app to install your eSIM, you generally don’t need to find or enter your EID number manually. Our system checks your device's compatibility and performs EID verification in the background during setup.

You’ll only need to provide this number when troubleshooting a complex connection issue with our support team.

The EID number is your key to eSIM connectivity

While the EID number sounds technical, it’s simply the digital serial number that allows you to ditch physical SIM cards. By uniquely identifying your eSIM chip, it enables you to switch carriers and activate data plans instantly.

Now that you know where to find it, you can troubleshoot connection issues faster and get back to enjoying your trip.