Switching from an iPhone to an Android phone? You can often transfer your eSIM in a few minutes, without calling your carrier. On a Google Pixel or a Samsung Galaxy, you start the transfer on your new Android, scan a QR code with your iPhone and confirm. If your carrier doesn't support this yet, your carrier gives you a new eSIM for your Android instead, usually with a QR code. This guide shows you both ways, step by step.
Before you start: what you need
- Your iPhone on the latest iOS. Apple's guide covers iOS 26.3 and later. Check in Settings > General > Software Update.
- An Android phone that supports the transfer, such as a recent Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy, updated to its latest software. Google says to ask your carrier which models and software versions work.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, with both phones next to each other.
- A phone that works with your carrier. If your new Android was bought from another carrier, make sure it's unlocked. See how to unlock your phone.
- A supported carrier. Google and Samsung both list these, among others:
- USA: AT&T, Cricket, FirstNet, T-Mobile, Verizon
- Canada: Bell, Koodo, Lucky Mobile, Telus, Virgin Plus
- UK: EE
- Some carriers in France, Germany, Japan, Mexico and Switzerland
The lists differ a little between Google (Pixel), Samsung (Galaxy) and Apple, so check the one for your phone. Carriers in India, the UAE and Australia aren't on these lists at the moment, and in the UK only EE is. If your carrier isn't listed, use the carrier method further down.
Tip: turn off iMessage and FaceTime on your iPhone before you start. Once your number moves, your iPhone can't do it over your mobile network any more (more on this further down).
How to transfer an eSIM from iPhone to Android in Settings
This is the quickest way if your carrier and phones are supported. You start on your Android, then confirm on your iPhone.
On a Google Pixel
- On your Pixel, open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Transfer a SIM from another phone > iPhone.
- Follow the steps on screen until your Pixel shows a QR code.
- On your iPhone, scan the QR code with the Camera app.
- On your iPhone, select the phone number you want to move and tap Continue.
- Double-click the side button on your iPhone when asked, to confirm the transfer.
Source: Google: Transfer a SIM to a new phone and Apple: Transfer an eSIM from iPhone to Android.
On a Samsung Galaxy
- On your Galaxy, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM.
- Tap Transfer SIM from iPhone, then Next. A QR code appears.
- On your iPhone, scan the QR code.
- On your iPhone, select the phone number, tap Continue, then confirm the transfer.
- Your number moves to your Galaxy. Tap Settings on your Galaxy to go back.
Or start from your iPhone
Your Android must already be on its eSIM setup screen. Then, on your iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular (Mobile Service on some iPhones) and, under Transfer to Android, tap Transfer eSIM. Tap Continue, scan the QR code on your Android, select your number and confirm with a double-click of the side button.
While setting up a new Android
You can also move your eSIM together with your photos, contacts and messages while you set up your Android. Scan the setup QR code with your iPhone camera, pick your data, then tap Continue to move your eSIM. You can start the same flow on your iPhone in Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Transfer to Android. Apple says this full transfer needs a compatible version of Android 17, so check with your phone maker.
Once the transfer is done, your number no longer works on your iPhone. Make a test call from your Android.
Can't scan the QR code? Use the session ID and pairing code
If your iPhone can't read the QR code, you can link the two phones with codes instead. In this direction, the codes are on your Android and you type them on your iPhone.
- On your iPhone, tap Other Options on the QR code screen.
- Find the session ID and pairing code on your Android. If you don't see them, tap Other Options on your Android too.
- Enter both codes on your iPhone and tap Continue.
On a Samsung Galaxy, tap Enter a passcode instead on the QR code screen and follow the steps. Moving the other way? Our guide to transferring an eSIM from Android to iPhone explains where the codes are in that case.
If your carrier isn't supported: get a new eSIM from your carrier
An eSIM can't be copied from one phone to another by hand. If the built-in transfer doesn't work for you, your carrier issues a new eSIM for your Android. Google says your existing eSIM can still work if a transfer isn't successful.
Use your carrier's app or website
Many carriers let you move your number to a new phone in their app or online account. You'll usually need your Android's EID and IMEI. Not sure where to find them? See what an EID number is.
Scan a QR code on a Google Pixel
Ask your carrier for an eSIM QR code. Then go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM and follow the steps (Google: Set up a new eSIM).
Scan a QR code on a Samsung Galaxy
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager, tap Add eSIM, then Scan QR code. If your carrier gave you a code instead, tap Enter activation code on the same screen (Samsung: Galaxy eSIM). More help: how to get a QR code from your carrier.
In India: Jio and Airtel
- Jio says a Jio eSIM can move from an iPhone to an Android. You 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 an automated call. Jio says it takes about 2 hours (Jio: transfer your eSIM).
- Airtel asks you to send an SMS to 121 with your registered email, confirm the request and the consent call, then scan the QR code it emails you. Your old SIM keeps working until the new one is active (Airtel: transfer an eSIM to another phone).
On other networks, ask your carrier how to move your eSIM to your new Android. For every other case, see how to move an eSIM from one phone to another.
Turn off iMessage before you switch
If your number stays registered with iMessage, texts from iPhone users can keep going to iMessage instead of your new Android. Apple's fix (Apple: Deregister iMessage):
- Still have your iPhone with its line active? Go to Settings > Apps > Messages and turn off iMessage, then Settings > Apps > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime. Apple says you need to be on your mobile network for this, so do it before you move your eSIM.
- Already switched? Use Apple's online deregistration on the same page. You enter your phone number and the code Apple texts you.
Can you transfer a travel eSIM from iPhone to Android?
Not with the built-in transfer. It only works with the carriers on the lists above, and travel eSIM providers aren't on them. Whether you can install a travel eSIM again on a new phone depends on the provider and the plan. So before you delete a travel eSIM from your iPhone, ask the provider what to do.
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 remove it from your iPhone, and we'll tell you what works for your plan.
Planning a trip with your new Android? If it supports dual eSIM, it can hold your home number and a travel eSIM at the same time, so you keep your number for calls and texts and use local data abroad. Here are data-only plans for some of the trips our readers take most.
10 GB plans for the USA, Europe (including the UK) and the Middle East (including the UAE and Saudi Arabia) · Going somewhere else? Find your destination
If the transfer fails
- Don't delete the eSIM on your iPhone until your Android shows signal and you can make a call. If you erase an eSIM, you need a new one from your carrier (Apple: How to erase an eSIM).
- Check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both phones, and keep them close together.
- Update both phones to the latest iOS and Android version.
- Use the codes (session ID and pairing code, or a passcode on Galaxy) if the QR code won't scan.
- Contact your carrier. Google says that if your phone doesn't detect the eSIM transfer, your carrier can activate the eSIM for you.
Installed but no signal? See how to fix an eSIM that's not activating.
FAQs
Can you transfer an eSIM from iPhone to Android?
Yes. On a supported Pixel or Galaxy, with a supported carrier, you can move it in Settings in a few minutes. With other carriers, ask your carrier for a new eSIM for your Android.
How do I transfer my eSIM from iPhone to Samsung?
On your Galaxy, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM > Transfer SIM from iPhone, then scan the QR code with your iPhone and confirm.
Can I transfer my eSIM from iPhone to Android without a QR code?
Yes. Tap Other Options on your iPhone and type the session ID and pairing code shown on your Android. On a Galaxy, use Enter a passcode instead.
Do I need to contact my carrier?
Not if your carrier is supported by your Android phone maker. Otherwise, yes: your carrier sends a new eSIM to your Android by app, website or QR code.
Will I keep my phone number?
Yes. You move the same line to your Android. Apple says the number no longer works on your iPhone once the transfer is done.
Can I use my iPhone SIM card in an Android phone?
If you have a physical SIM card, yes, as long as it fits your Android's SIM tray and the phone isn't locked to another carrier. An eSIM has no card, so you move it with the steps above.
I have signal but no mobile data. What do I do?
Check that mobile data is on for the new line. If it still doesn't work, you may need your carrier's APN settings.
Can I copy my travel eSIM from my iPhone to a new Android phone?
Not with the built-in transfer. Ask your travel eSIM provider before you delete it. With SimOptions, some eSIMs can be scanned again from the same QR code, depending on the plan, so contact our support first.