Learn how to transfer eSIM from one iPhone to another with and without a carrier, step-by-step.
Transferring eSIM from one iPhone to another is not straightforward, so people are often be confused when executing this action. To help you out, this guide will instruct you step-by-step through different practical eSIM transfer methods.
Here you will learn:
In this article
Before learning step-by-step methods to transfer eSIM between iPhones, it is essential to know more about eSIM transfer:
People often need to transfer eSIM when:
The main reasons to transfer an eSIM between iPhones are to maintain cellular service, data plans, phone numbers when getting a new iPhone or changing iPhones for certain reasons. The specific transferring steps may vary by carrier, but in this guide, we will give general guidance on the eSIM transfer process.
You can transfer eSIM while setting up the iPhone at the beginning. While setting up your new iPhone, you will get a message about transferring your mobile service plan. If having this message, you can transfer eSIM during setup. However, be aware that not many cellular carriers offer this feature.
There are 03 main ways to transfer your eSIM from one iPhone to another:
This method works if your mobile carrier supports automatic eSIM transfer process.
This method works for those iPhone 15/14 series running on iOS 16/17.
This methods applies if your cellular carrier DOES NOT support automated eSIM transfer.
You can do it manually in 02 ways:
eSIM Quick Transfer is a new and effective way to move an eSIM from one iOS device to another without having to contact the cellular carrier. Popular eSIM transfer methods involve contacting the carrier to request a new QR code or eSIM pofile information. By using eSIM Quick Transfer, you can move an eSIM between iPhones locally via bluetooth.
However, you need to know that NOT all mobile operators support “automatic” eSIM transfer or Quick Transfer.
► Find out which wireless carriers that support eSIM Quick Transfer.
Below are some images illustrating a wireless carrier support and does not support eSIM Quick Transfer. These are steps during eSIM transfer process.
If you see Add cellular plan and there are phone numbers listed or something similar, it indicates that your carrier supports the automatic eSIM Quick Transfer.
Now we will go into detail each method to transfer eSIM from the previous iPhone to the new iPhone after setup.
Before you start the transfer, make sure you have the following:
Pro Tip:
It is also recommended to perform a data backup on both iPhones to preserve your important information, like contacts or settings.
This eSIM transfer method works for eSIM profile from cellular carriers that support eSIM Quick Transfer feature. The requirement is that both iPhones must run on iOS 16 or later. Learn how to update your iPhone.
This eSIM transfer method is a new featured introduced by Apple to iPhones 15/14 series running on iOS 16/17.
You can take the following steps to transfer eSIM to the new iPhone via bluetooth:
Manual eSIM transfer works if automatic transfer is not supported.
Some common reasons why you can’t transfer eSIM to a new iPhone are:
Updating the iOS to its latest version is simple but can fix eSIM transfer issues well.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install
The process will take several minutes, depending on the internet speed and download size.
The cache in network settings can prevent the eSIM transfer. Reseting the network of your iPhones can fix the Internet.
You just need to turn off the iPhone and turn it on after 1-2 minutes.
Resetting the whole iPhone will fix data / esIM transfer problems. But you need to back up data first to avoid losing any important information after reseting the device.
This is the final solution if the issue persists. You can head to your carrier’s website and go to Contact Page to look for Hotline or Chat icon to present your problem.
Or you can also contact Apple by heading to Apple Support contact page. Choose the product (iPhone), select one of the issues mentioned in the list. Alternatively, you can go to “How would you like to get help?” section and tap on Chat / Phone call.
You need to get the QR code from your carrier. Just contact them.
It depends. Some carriers allow users to use the QR code multiple times while some only give one-time QR code.
In that case, you need to delete the eSIM from the old iPhone and add it as the new eSIM on the new iPhone.
You need to contact your carrier for help. They will help fix the issue.
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