Moving an eSIM to a new phone

Two different things hide behind one question. Your own carrier line can move to a new iPhone in a minute. A travel eSIM cannot: the profile installs once, on one phone, and a new phone needs a new plan. Knowing which one you hold saves a support ticket.

Your carrier eSIM

iPhone to iPhone Setup assistant, or Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Transfer From Nearby iPhone. Both on iOS 16 or newer, Bluetooth on, old phone unlocked. Some carriers require a call instead.
Android to Android Pixel and Samsung offer a transfer step in setup for supported carriers. Otherwise the carrier reissues the profile as a QR code.
Across platforms Android to iPhone or back: no direct transfer. The carrier issues a new eSIM and cancels the old one.

Your travel eSIM

The profile is issued for one install. It does not transfer with Quick Transfer, does not come back after deletion, and does not follow a backup restore. Two rules follow: install it on the phone you are taking, and do not delete it until the plan is used up. If you switch phones mid-trip, the remaining data stays on the old phone; a new phone needs a new plan.

New phone before the trip Buy the plan after the new phone is in your hands and install it there over Wi-Fi. › Installing: iPhone and Android The QR from the email, or the code typed by hand. Two minutes. › Not connecting after landing Six checks in order of likelihood, before you touch the profile. ›

Common questions

block Can I transfer a travel eSIM to a new iPhone?

No. A travel eSIM profile is issued for one install. iPhone Quick Transfer moves carrier lines; it does not carry a travel profile to the new phone. Buy a fresh plan for the new phone.

phone_iphone How do I move my own carrier eSIM to a new iPhone?

During setup, or later in Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Transfer From Nearby iPhone, with both phones on iOS 16 or newer and Bluetooth on. If the carrier does not support the transfer, ask it for a new QR code.

android And from Android to iPhone, or between Androids?

Android to iPhone: no direct transfer; the carrier issues a new eSIM. Between Androids: Pixel and Samsung have a transfer step in setup for supported carriers; otherwise the carrier reissues the profile.

schedule I am getting a new phone before the trip

Buy the travel eSIM after you have the new phone and install it there. If you already installed it on the old phone and have not used it, write to us from the order page.

warning Will a factory reset remove the eSIM?

On iPhone, Erase All Content asks whether to keep the eSIMs; choose to keep them. On Android a reset usually removes the profiles. A removed travel profile cannot be restored.