How to Transfer eSIM to New Phone: A Complete Guide

If you’re using an eSIM, transferring it to your new phone can feel a little tricky at first. It’s not like the old days when you could just pop out a physical SIM card and slide it into the new device. With an eSIM, things are all digital now—but the good news is, it’s actually easier than you think once you know the steps.

In this 2025 guide, I’ll walk you through how to transfer your eSIM to a new phone, whether you’re switching from iPhone to iPhone, Android to Android, or even between the two. We’ll also talk about what to do if your transfer doesn’t go as planned and share a few pro tips to keep your data and connection safe.

Let’s make sure your new phone is ready to go—without losing your network or spending hours on the phone with your carrier.

What Is eSIM and Why Transfer It?

Before we jump into the steps, let’s quickly talk about what an eSIM actually is.

An eSIM is basically a digital version of your regular SIM card. Instead of a small chip you insert into your phone, an eSIM is built right into your device. It stores your mobile plan and lets you connect to your carrier’s network without needing any physical card.

That means no more tiny trays or searching for SIM ejector pins. You can set up your phone by scanning a simple QR code or through your carrier’s app. Pretty convenient, right?

Now, here’s why transferring your eSIM matters. When you get a new phone, your mobile plan doesn’t move automatically. If you don’t transfer your eSIM, your number and data plan will stay on the old device. In other words, you might lose access to calls, messages, or data until you set it up again.

Transferring your eSIM keeps your number, data plan, and service active without missing a beat. It’s especially important if you use your phone for work, travel, or online payments.

So, let’s make sure your new phone gets connected smoothly. In the next part, we’ll look at a few quick things to check before you start transferring your eSIM.

Preparation Before Transferring eSIM

Before you move your eSIM to a new phone, take a minute to prepare. It might sound boring, but these quick checks can save you a lot of time later.

1. make sure both your old and new phones support eSIM. Most newer models do, but it’s always smart to double-check. You can look it up in your phone’s settings or on the manufacturer’s website.
2. don’t delete your eSIM from the old phone yet. Many people do this too early and end up losing access before the transfer is complete. Keep it active until your new phone confirms the setup.
3. connect your new phone to Wi-Fi and update it to the latest software version. Some carriers require the latest system update for the transfer to work properly.

If you’re moving between two iPhones, make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple ID. For Android users, check that you’re using the same Google account. This makes it easier for your phone to recognize your number during setup.

5. back up your important data. While eSIM transfers rarely affect your files, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Once you’ve got all that ready, you’re set to start transferring your eSIM. Let’s begin with iPhones, since Apple’s transfer process is usually the easiest.

How to Transfer eSIM to a New iPhone (2025 Update)

If you’re switching to a new iPhone, the good news is that Apple has made eSIM transfers super easy. In most cases, you can move your mobile plan in just a few taps. Let’s go through it step by step.

1. Start the setup on your new iPhone

When you turn on your new iPhone for the first time, follow the setup guide until you reach the “Set Up Cellular” screen. Here, you’ll see an option called “Transfer from Nearby iPhone.”

2. Keep both phones close together

Place your old iPhone next to your new one. Your old phone should show a pop-up asking if you want to transfer your eSIM. Tap Continue and confirm your plan.

3. Wait for the transfer to finish

This part usually takes a few minutes. Keep both phones connected to Wi-Fi and make sure they stay unlocked during the process.

4. Check your connection

Once the transfer is complete, your new iPhone should automatically connect to your carrier’s network. Open Settings > Cellular to confirm your plan is active. You can also try making a quick call or browsing the web to be sure everything works.

5. Delete the eSIM from your old phone (optional)

After confirming that your new iPhone is working fine, you can safely remove the eSIM from your old device. Go to Settings > Cellular, tap your old plan, and select Remove eSIM.

If you don’t see the transfer option or if it fails, don’t worry. You can still activate your eSIM by scanning a new QR code from your carrier. Just contact them and ask for a new eSIM profile.

That’s it. Your eSIM should now be working perfectly on your new iPhone. Next, let’s look at how to transfer eSIMs on Android phones, since the steps can vary a bit depending on the brand.

How to Transfer eSIM Between Android Phones

Switching between Android phones is just as simple once you know where to look. The exact steps can be a little different depending on the brand, but the idea is the same — you move your eSIM profile from your old phone to your new one through your settings or carrier app.

Let’s go through the main options for different Android brands.

a. Samsung Galaxy Phones (S23, S24, Fold Series)

If you’re using a Samsung device, you can usually move your eSIM using Smart Switch.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Smart Switch app on both phones.
2. Place them close together and select Transfer via Wi-Fi or Cable.
3. When asked what you want to transfer, include your SIM and eSIM settings.
4. Wait for the transfer to complete, then check your new phone’s SIM Manager to make sure your plan is active.

If Smart Switch doesn’t move your eSIM automatically, don’t worry. You can always open your carrier’s app and reinstall your eSIM from there. Some carriers let you generate a new QR code right inside the app.

b. Google Pixel Phones (Pixel 7 to Pixel 9)

Google makes this process very smooth thanks to the eSIM Transfer Tool.

1. Turn on your new Pixel and follow the setup steps until you reach the network setup screen.
2. When prompted, choose Transfer SIM from another device.
3. Make sure your old Pixel is nearby and unlocked.
4. Confirm the transfer on both phones and wait until your plan appears on the new device.

That’s it. Your eSIM should activate automatically once the transfer finishes.

c. Other Android Brands (Oppo, Xiaomi, OnePlus, etc.)

For most other Android phones, you might need to reinstall your eSIM manually. This sounds harder than it is. Just contact your carrier and ask them to send a new QR code for your plan.

Once you receive it:

1. On your new phone, open Settings > Connections > SIM Manager (or similar).
2. Choose Add eSIM or Download eSIM using QR code.
3. Scan the code and wait for activation.

If your carrier supports eSIM via app, you can log in and install it directly from there instead of scanning a code.

How to Transfer eSIM from iPhone to Android (and vice versa)

Switching between iPhone and Android can be exciting, but it’s also where most people get stuck with their eSIM. The truth is, you can’t directly move an eSIM between these two systems. Apple and Android handle eSIMs differently, so you’ll need to set it up again instead of transferring it.

But don’t worry, it’s still easy once you know how to do it.

If you’re moving from iPhone to Android

1. Contact your carrier and ask them to send you a new eSIM QR code.
2. On your new Android phone, open Settings > Connections > SIM Manager (or a similar option).
3. Tap Add eSIM or Download eSIM using QR code, then scan the new code.
4. Wait for the activation to finish. Once it’s working, go back to your old iPhone and remove the eSIM from Settings > Cellular to avoid confusion.

This way, your carrier deactivates the old eSIM and activates it on your new device safely.

If you’re moving from Android to iPhone

The process is very similar.

1. Ask your carrier to issue a new eSIM or resend your QR code.
2. On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM.
3. Scan the QR code and follow the prompts to finish setup.
4. Once the new eSIM is active, remove the old one from your Android phone.

It’s important not to delete your eSIM on the old phone too early. Wait until you’re fully connected on your new device first.

A quick tip

If you travel often, you can also get a travel eSIM instead of reusing your old one. Travel eSIMs are easy to install, usually cheaper, and they don’t affect your main number. They’re perfect if you just want mobile data on your new phone without going through your main carrier again.

Next, let’s go over some common problems people run into during eSIM transfers and how you can fix them fast.

Troubleshooting: Common eSIM Transfer Issues

Even when you follow every step, eSIM transfers don’t always go smoothly. Sometimes your new phone just refuses to connect, or the QR code doesn’t work. Don’t panic — most of these problems have quick fixes. Let’s go through the most common ones.

1. Your eSIM won’t activate

If your phone shows “Activation failed” or “Unable to activate eSIM,” start by restarting both devices. Then make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi, not mobile data. Some carriers require a stable internet connection to verify your plan.

If it still doesn’t work, contact your carrier’s customer service and ask them to resend your eSIM QR code. Once you scan the new one, it should activate right away.

2. The QR code doesn’t scan or has expired

This happens often when you try to reuse an old QR code. Many carriers allow each eSIM code to be used only once. If you see an error message, request a new one from your carrier. It usually arrives by email within a few minutes.

When scanning, make sure your camera lens is clean and the code is clearly visible on your screen.

3. The phone says “eSIM already in use”

This means your plan is still active on another device. Go back to your old phone, open the SIM Manager or Cellular Settings, and remove the eSIM. After that, try again on your new phone.

If you’ve already deleted the eSIM but still see this message, your carrier might need to reset it on their side. A quick support chat usually solves it.

4. No signal or weak connection after transfer

After moving your eSIM, it can take a few minutes for the network to reconnect. Try turning on Airplane Mode for 10 seconds, then turning it off again. If that doesn’t help, go to Settings > Cellular and make sure your eSIM plan is toggled on.

You can also check if your carrier’s APN settings transferred correctly. Some Android phones need a quick manual update under “Mobile network settings.”

5. You deleted the eSIM before transferring

Don’t worry, this one’s fixable too. Just contact your carrier and ask them to reactivate your eSIM or send you a new QR code. As long as your number is still active, they can reissue it for you.

Get a Travel eSIM for Your New Phone

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Everything’s digital — just pick your destination, scan a QR code, and you’re online within minutes. Our eSIMs work with all major carriers, include clear setup guides, and come with a refund guarantee if your plan doesn’t activate.

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