You cannot transfer an eSIM directly from iPhone to Samsung, but you can move your service by contacting your carrier

An eSIM is a digital SIM card stored on your phone's chip, not a physical card you can remove and hand over. When you switch phones, the eSIM stays locked to your old device. To move your service to a Samsung phone, you must ask your carrier to deactivate the eSIM on your iPhone and issue a new one for your Samsung. The process takes a few minutes to a few hours depending on your carrier, and you will need your Samsung phone in hand before you start.

The exact steps vary by carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and smaller carriers like US Mobile or Mint Mobile each have their own process. Some let you do it through an app or website; others require a phone call. The good news is that your phone number and plan stay the same; only the device changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your carrier before you switch phones — they must deactivate the eSIM on your iPhone and create a new one for your Samsung.
  • Have your Samsung phone powered on and ready when you call or start the transfer, because some carriers will send the new eSIM to it immediately.
  • The transfer usually takes minutes to a few hours; during that time your iPhone will lose service, so plan accordingly.
  • If your Samsung does not support eSIM, your carrier can issue a physical SIM card instead, which takes one to three business days to arrive by mail.
  • Keep your iPhone powered on during the transfer if your carrier asks you to confirm the change on both devices.

How Verizon handles eSIM transfers

Verizon lets you move an eSIM through the My Verizon app or by calling 611 from any phone. If you use the app, open it, go to Account, then Devices, find your iPhone, and select "Switch to a different device." The app will walk you through scanning a QR code on your Samsung. If you call, a representative will deactivate the eSIM on your iPhone and send a new one to your Samsung over the air — you do not have to do anything on the iPhone side.

Verizon's app method is faster if it works, but calling 611 is more reliable if you run into trouble. Either way, your service switches within minutes. Your iPhone will show no signal once the transfer completes, and your Samsung will receive the new eSIM automatically if it is connected to Wi-Fi or a mobile network.

How AT&T handles eSIM transfers

AT&T requires a phone call to move an eSIM. Call 611 from your iPhone or any phone and tell the representative you want to switch to a Samsung. They will ask for your account number and the phone number you want to move. They will then deactivate the eSIM on your iPhone and send a new one to your Samsung. The new eSIM arrives as a notification on your Samsung within a few minutes if it is connected to Wi-Fi.

AT&T does not offer a self-service app option for eSIM transfers, so calling is your only route. The call usually takes five to ten minutes. Keep your Samsung nearby and powered on so you can accept the eSIM when it arrives.

How T-Mobile handles eSIM transfers

T-Mobile offers both app and phone options. You can use the T-Mobile app on your iPhone to request a transfer — open the app, go to Account, select your line, and choose "Switch to a different device." You will be asked to confirm your Samsung model and will receive a QR code to scan on your new phone. Alternatively, call 611 and a representative will handle the transfer for you over the phone.

T-Mobile's app method is usually the fastest, taking just a few minutes from start to finish. If you use the app, your Samsung must be nearby so you can scan the QR code. If you call, the representative will send the eSIM to your Samsung, and it will arrive within minutes.

What to do if your Samsung does not support eSIM

Older Samsung models and some budget Samsung phones do not have eSIM capability. If your phone does not support it, tell your carrier during the transfer process. They will issue a physical SIM card instead, which will arrive by mail in one to three business days. During that wait, your service will be inactive unless your carrier can temporarily move you to a loaner phone or activate the SIM early at a store.

If you need service immediately and your Samsung lacks eSIM, visit a carrier store in person. Staff can often activate a physical SIM card on the spot or provide a temporary solution while you wait for the card to arrive. Call ahead to confirm the store has SIM cards in stock for your carrier.

Steps to take before you transfer

Back up your iPhone data to iCloud or a computer before you switch. Your contacts, photos, and messages will not transfer automatically to your Samsung just because you move the eSIM — the eSIM only moves your phone number and cellular service. Use Google's Move to Android app or manually transfer files after you set up your Samsung.

Confirm that your Samsung supports eSIM by checking the phone's specs on Samsung's website or the retailer's listing. Write down your carrier's customer service number and your account number before you start the transfer, so you have them ready if you need to call. Power off your iPhone only after your carrier confirms the transfer is complete and your Samsung shows a signal.

What happens if the transfer fails

If your Samsung does not receive the new eSIM after thirty minutes, restart it and check that it is connected to Wi-Fi or a mobile network. If it still does not arrive, call your carrier and ask them to resend it. They can also check whether the eSIM was successfully deactivated on your iPhone.

If your iPhone still shows signal after the transfer, the eSIM was not fully deactivated. Call your carrier and ask them to complete the deactivation manually. Do not use the iPhone for calls or data once your Samsung is active, because both phones cannot use the same eSIM at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my phone number when I switch from iPhone to Samsung?

Yes. Your phone number is tied to your carrier account, not to the eSIM itself. When your carrier moves your service to a new eSIM on your Samsung, your number moves with it. You will have the same number on your new phone.

Do I need to go to a store to transfer my eSIM?

No. Most carriers let you transfer through an app or by calling customer service. You only need to visit a store if your Samsung does not support eSIM and you need a physical SIM card activated immediately, or if you run into technical problems the carrier cannot solve over the phone.

Will I lose service during the transfer?

Yes, briefly. Your iPhone loses service as soon as the eSIM is deactivated, and your Samsung receives the new eSIM within minutes. The gap is usually just a few minutes, but plan for up to an hour if the carrier is slow to send it. You will not receive calls or texts during that time.

What if I change my mind and want to go back to my iPhone?

Call your carrier and ask them to move the eSIM back to your iPhone. They will deactivate it on your Samsung and reactivate it on your iPhone. The process is the same as the original transfer and takes a few minutes.

Can I use my old physical SIM card in my Samsung if I had one before?

No. eSIMs and physical SIM cards are separate systems. If you are switching from an iPhone with an eSIM, you must get a new eSIM for your Samsung. If your Samsung does not support eSIM, your carrier will mail you a new physical SIM card instead.