How to Move an eSIM From One Phone to Another (iPhone and Android)

Yes, you can move an eSIM from one phone to another. On a new iPhone, eSIM Quick Transfer moves your number from your old iPhone in a few taps. Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones have a similar built-in transfer, and you can now even move an eSIM between Android and iPhone. If your carrier doesn't support these transfers, it gives you a new eSIM for your new phone by app, QR code or link. This guide shows you every method, step by step, and what to do with a travel eSIM.

Before you begin

Check these points before you transfer your eSIM to a new phone:

• Your new phone supports eSIM. Not sure? See how to check eSIM compatibility.
• Your new phone works with your carrier. If it was bought from another carrier, it may need to be unlocked first. See how to unlock your phone.
• Both phones are updated to the latest iOS or Android version, charged, and next to each other.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on. Your new phone needs an internet connection to download the eSIM.
• Your old phone is unlocked and you know its passcode. You'll confirm the transfer on it.
• Your data is backed up, so your photos, contacts and messages move too.

Important: don't delete the eSIM from your old phone before the new one works. Apple says that if you erase an eSIM, you need to contact your carrier to get a new one (Apple: How to erase an eSIM).

Which eSIM transfer method works for you?

There are four ways to move an eSIM. Which one you use depends on your phones and your carrier:

• Built-in transfer between two phones of the same kind: eSIM Quick Transfer from iPhone to iPhone, or the SIM transfer from Android to Pixel or Galaxy. No call to your carrier needed, if your carrier supports it.
• Built-in transfer between Android and iPhone: available with some carriers since iOS 26.
• eSIM Carrier Activation: your carrier links an eSIM to your new phone, and you follow the steps on screen.
• A new eSIM from your carrier: by QR code, carrier app or link. This works for almost any phone and is the fallback when the other methods aren't available.

How to move an eSIM from iPhone to iPhone with eSIM Quick Transfer

If your carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer, you can move your number from your old iPhone to your new one without contacting your carrier. Apple says you need (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone):

• both iPhones signed in to your Apple Account,
• both on iOS 18.4 or later, next to each other with Bluetooth on,
• your old iPhone unlocked with its passcode.

During setup of your new iPhone

When your new iPhone asks you to transfer your phone number, follow the steps on screen. With iOS 26 or later, you can move more than one number at once.

After setup, in Settings

1. On your new iPhone, open Settings and tap Cellular (Mobile Service in some countries).
2. Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
3. Choose the number you want to transfer. If you don't see a list, tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
4. On your old iPhone, tap Transfer to confirm. If asked, enter the code shown on your new iPhone.
5. Wait for the plan to activate on your new iPhone.
6. If you see a banner saying Finish Setting Up Your Carrier's Cellular Plan, tap it to finish on your carrier's website.

Once the eSIM is active on your new iPhone, the SIM on your old iPhone stops working. Make a test call to check.

If your carrier uses eSIM Carrier Activation

Some carriers send the eSIM straight to your new iPhone. When you see Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed, tap it, then tap Continue. If your carrier gave you a QR code instead, scan it with the Camera app and tap Cellular Plan Detected. More help: how to get a QR code from your carrier.

How to move an eSIM from one Android phone to another

Pixel and Galaxy phones can take your eSIM or physical SIM from your old Android phone. Menu names can differ a little by model and software version.

To a Google Pixel

Google says both phones need Android 12 or later, the current version of Google Play Services and a screen lock (Google: Transfer a SIM to a new phone).

• During setup: keep your old phone nearby, choose the SIM you want to move, tap Transfer, then Activate, and follow the steps on screen.
• After setup: go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Transfer SIM from another device.

Depending on your carrier, the steps can be slightly different. If your Pixel doesn't find the transfer, contact your carrier to activate the eSIM. Google says your old phone or eSIM can still work if the transfer fails.

To a Samsung Galaxy

Samsung calls this eSIM Instant Transfer. Your new Galaxy must be unlocked for it to work (Samsung: SIM cards for your Galaxy phone).

1. On your new Galaxy, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM.
2. Tap Transfer SIM from another phone. On some models it's called Transfer SIM from Galaxy/Android phone.
3. On your old phone, tap Transfer in the pop-up and enter the code shown on your new Galaxy.
4. On your new Galaxy, select the number you want to move and tap Transfer. Then tap Transfer on your old phone.
5. When it's done, tap Done on your old phone. The eSIM activates on your new Galaxy.

Samsung lists the carriers that may allow this, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon in the USA, Bell, Rogers and Telus in Canada, and EE and O2 in the UK (Samsung: Galaxy eSIM and supported carriers). If yours isn't on the list, ask your carrier for a new eSIM.

Other Android phones

Other brands have their own menus, and support depends on the brand and your carrier. Look in your phone's SIM or mobile network settings for a transfer option. If there's none, use your carrier's app or ask for a QR code (see below).

How to move an eSIM between Android and iPhone

With iOS 26 or later, some carriers and phone makers support eSIM transfer between Android and iPhone in both directions (Apple). You pair the phones with a QR code, or with a session ID and pairing code if the QR code won't scan. The steps and the supported carriers are different in each direction, so we explain them in two separate guides:

• How to transfer an eSIM from Android to iPhone
• How to transfer an eSIM from iPhone to Android

Switching away from iPhone? Turn off iMessage and FaceTime first, so texts from iPhone users reach your new phone.

If your carrier doesn't support transfer: get a new eSIM

You can't copy an eSIM from one phone to another by hand. If the built-in transfer isn't available, your carrier issues a new eSIM for your new phone. You'll usually need your new phone's EID and IMEI. See what an EID number is.

With your carrier's app or website

Many carriers let you move your number to a new phone in their app or online account. On iPhone, Apple says some carrier apps can also transfer your number from your previous phone.

With a QR code on iPhone

Scan the code with the Camera app and tap Cellular Plan Detected. If the QR code is in an email, tap and hold it, then tap Add eSIM. Tap Continue, then Add Cellular Plan. No QR code? Go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan > Enter Details Manually (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone).

With a QR code on Android

• Google Pixel: go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM and follow the steps (Google: Set up a new eSIM).
• Samsung Galaxy: go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM > Scan QR code. If you got a code instead, tap Enter activation code.

In India: Jio and Airtel

• Jio: request a new eSIM in the MyJio app (search "eSIM", then Switch to eSIM) or by SMS to 199 with your new phone's EID and IMEI, then confirm on the automated call. Jio says it takes about 2 hours (Jio: transfer your eSIM).
• Airtel: send an SMS to 121 with your registered email, confirm the request and the consent call, then scan the QR code Airtel emails you. Your old SIM keeps working until the new one is active (Airtel: transfer an eSIM to another phone).

Can you move a travel eSIM to a new phone?

Usually not with the built-in transfer. Quick Transfer and the Android transfer work with supported carriers, and travel eSIM providers are generally not on those lists. Whether you can install a travel eSIM again on another phone depends on the provider and the plan. If it can't be moved, ask the provider for a new QR code for your new phone.

For SimOptions eSIMs, our eSIM FAQ says that depending on the eSIM you bought, you may be able to scan the same QR code again. Contact our support before you delete the eSIM from your old phone, and we'll tell you what works for your plan.

Getting a new phone before a trip? Set it up first, then install your travel eSIM on the new phone, so you don't have to move it later. If your phone supports dual eSIM, your home number stays on it next to the travel eSIM.

20 GB plans for Europe (including the UK), the USA and Asia · Going somewhere else? Find your destination

After the move: check and clean up

1. Make a test call and send a text from your new phone.
2. Turn on mobile data for the new line and check that it works.
3. Remove the old eSIM only once everything works. Apple says to erase an eSIM after you've moved its plan or number to another device, or before you sell or give away your phone. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular and tap Delete eSIM. If you have more than one plan, tap the plan first, then Delete Plan. Our guides show how to delete an eSIM on iPhone and on Android.
4. Keep your travel eSIM until you've checked with the provider that you can install it again.

If your eSIM transfer doesn't work

• Try again. Google says to retry first, then contact your carrier if the problem stays.
• Check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both phones, and keep them close together.
• Update both phones to the latest software and restart them.
• Check that your new phone is unlocked and supports your carrier.
• Contact your carrier. It can activate the eSIM on your new phone or send you a new one.

Installed but no signal? See how to fix an eSIM that's not activating.

FAQs

Can an eSIM be transferred to another phone?

Yes. Use eSIM Quick Transfer between iPhones, the SIM transfer on Pixel or Galaxy, or the Android and iPhone transfer, if your carrier supports it. Otherwise your carrier gives you a new eSIM for your new phone.

Do I need to contact my carrier to move my eSIM?

Not if your carrier supports the built-in transfer. If it doesn't, or the transfer fails, your carrier sends a new eSIM to your new phone.

Will I keep my phone number?

Yes. You move the same line, with the same number, to your new phone.

Can I use the same eSIM on two phones at once?

No. Apple says the plan on your new iPhone deactivates the SIM on your old one when it activates. If you want a line on two devices, ask your carrier.

How many times can you transfer an eSIM?

Apple, Google and Samsung don't give a limit in their guides. Your carrier may have its own rules, so ask them if you switch phones often.

Can I move my eSIM back to my old phone?

Yes, the same way: run the transfer again from the phone that has the eSIM now, or ask your carrier for a new eSIM for the old phone.

Can I move a physical SIM to an eSIM on my new phone?

Often, yes. Apple and Google both say you can transfer a physical SIM to an eSIM on a new phone, depending on your carrier. To change a SIM card into an eSIM on the same phone, see how to convert your physical SIM to eSIM.

I deleted my eSIM before moving it. What now?

Contact your carrier and ask for a new eSIM. For a travel eSIM, contact the provider you bought it from.