You can transfer an eSIM to another iPhone by removing it from the old phone and adding it to the new one through your carrier's system

An eSIM is a digital SIM card stored on your phone's chip rather than a physical card. When you switch iPhones, you do not move the eSIM itself — instead, you remove the eSIM profile from your old phone and download it again on your new one. The process takes 10 to 30 minutes and requires your carrier's help or access to your carrier account online.

The exact steps depend on whether you are switching to a new iPhone immediately or keeping both phones for a while. It also matters whether your carrier lets you manage eSIMs through their app or website, or whether you need to call them.

Key Takeaways

  • You must remove the eSIM from your old iPhone before you can add it to your new one — the same eSIM profile cannot be active on two phones at once.
  • Most carriers let you remove and re-download an eSIM through their website or app without calling, though some require a phone call.
  • If you set up your new iPhone using Quick Start and iCloud backup, the eSIM will not transfer automatically — you must add it separately after setup.
  • Keep your old iPhone powered on and nearby during the transfer, because you may need to confirm the change through a text message or carrier app.
  • If your carrier does not support eSIM transfers online, call their customer service line before you power off your old phone.

How to remove an eSIM from your current iPhone

Before you can use the eSIM on a new phone, you must delete it from your old one. Go to Settings > Cellular > Manage Cellular Plans (or Mobile Plans, depending on your iOS version). Find the plan you want to transfer and tap the three dots or menu icon next to it.

Select Remove Plan or Delete. Your carrier may ask you to confirm the removal through a text message or a prompt in their app. Do not remove the eSIM until you are ready to add it to your new iPhone, because some carriers will not let you re-download it immediately if you delete it by mistake.

If you cannot find the Manage Cellular Plans option, your iPhone model or iOS version may not support eSIM management through Settings. In that case, contact your carrier directly — they can remove the eSIM from their end and send you a QR code or download link to add it to your new phone.

Adding the eSIM to your new iPhone

On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. You will see options to scan a QR code, enter details manually, or use your carrier's app. Most carriers send you a QR code by email or text message after you remove the eSIM from your old phone — scan that code with your new iPhone's camera.

If you do not have a QR code, open your carrier's app on the new iPhone and look for an option like Add eSIM, Activate eSIM, or Transfer eSIM. The app will walk you through downloading the plan. Some carriers also let you enter your phone number and account PIN manually instead of using a QR code.

The download usually takes 2 to 5 minutes. Your carrier may send a confirmation text to your old phone or new phone — follow any prompts to complete the activation. Once the eSIM is active on your new iPhone, you can power off your old phone.

What to do if Quick Start does not transfer your eSIM

If you set up your new iPhone using Quick Start (the feature that copies data from your old iPhone), the eSIM will not transfer automatically. Quick Start copies apps, photos, and settings, but not eSIM profiles. You must add the eSIM separately after Quick Start finishes.

The reason is security: eSIMs are tied to your carrier account, not to your iCloud backup. Your carrier needs to authorize the transfer on their end before your new phone can use the plan. Do not assume the eSIM transferred just because your other data did — check Settings > Cellular to confirm the plan appears on your new phone.

When your carrier requires a phone call

Some carriers do not let you remove and re-download eSIMs through their app or website. In that case, you must call their customer service line and ask them to transfer the eSIM to your new phone. Have your old iPhone and new iPhone both nearby, because the representative may need to confirm details on both devices.

Tell the representative your old phone number, your account PIN or the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new iPhone's IMEI number (found in Settings > General > About). They will remove the eSIM from your old phone and send you a QR code or download link for your new one. This process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

If your carrier's phone line has a long wait, ask whether they offer chat support through their website or app — many carriers can process eSIM transfers through chat just as quickly as by phone.

Troubleshooting common eSIM transfer problems

If your new iPhone shows an error when you try to download the eSIM, the most common cause is that the eSIM is still active on your old phone. Go back to your old iPhone and make sure you completed the removal process in Settings > Cellular. If the plan still appears there, tap it again and select Remove Plan.

If you see a message saying the eSIM cannot be downloaded, your carrier's system may not have processed the removal yet. Wait 5 to 10 minutes and try again. If the problem persists, contact your carrier — they can check whether the eSIM is still locked to your old phone on their end and manually release it.

If your new iPhone has no cellular signal after you add the eSIM, restart the phone by powering it off and on again. If that does not work, go to Settings > Cellular and toggle Cellular Data off and on. If you still have no signal, contact your carrier to confirm the eSIM is fully activated on their network.

Keeping your old phone active during the transfer

Leave your old iPhone powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular service while you transfer the eSIM. Your carrier may send a confirmation text or push notification to your old phone asking you to approve the transfer. If you power off the old phone too early, you may miss that notification and the transfer could fail.

Once your new iPhone shows the eSIM is active and you have cellular signal, you can power off your old phone. If you plan to sell or give away your old iPhone, make sure to sign out of iCloud and remove it from your Apple ID account before you hand it over — this is separate from removing the eSIM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same eSIM on two iPhones at the same time?

No. An eSIM profile can only be active on one phone at a time. If you try to add it to a second phone while it is still active on the first, the second phone will show an error. You must remove it from the old phone before the new phone can use it.

What if I do not have a QR code from my carrier?

Contact your carrier and ask them to send you a QR code by email or text message. If they cannot send one, ask whether you can enter your phone number and account PIN manually in your iPhone's Cellular settings, or whether you can use their app to download the eSIM instead.

Will I lose service during the transfer?

You will lose service on your old iPhone once you remove the eSIM, but you should have service on your new iPhone within a few minutes of downloading the eSIM. If you need to stay reachable during the transfer, use Wi-Fi calling on your old phone until the new phone is ready.

Do I need to contact my carrier before I transfer my eSIM?

Not always. If your carrier has an app or website where you can manage eSIMs, you can usually transfer it yourself without calling. But if you are unsure whether your carrier supports self-service eSIM transfers, call them before you remove the eSIM from your old phone.

What happens to my old iPhone after I remove the eSIM?

Your old iPhone will no longer have cellular service on that plan. If you want to sell or give it away, you can still use it on Wi-Fi. Make sure to erase it completely and sign out of your Apple ID before you hand it over to someone else.