Moving your eSIM to a new device
An eSIM is a digital SIM card stored on your phone's chip rather than a physical card you can remove. To move it to another phone, you do not physically transfer anything — instead, you contact your carrier and ask them to move your phone number and service to the new device. The exact steps depend on whether your new phone is from the same manufacturer, a different one, or a different operating system entirely.
Most carriers can move an eSIM in minutes, but some require you to visit a store or wait for a confirmation code. The process is faster than ordering a new physical SIM, but slower than straightforward swapping a card between two phones. Your old phone will lose service once the transfer completes, so plan the timing carefully if you need both devices working on the same number.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your carrier directly — by phone, app, or in person — to request an eSIM transfer; they handle the technical work, not you.
- Your new phone must support eSIM and must be compatible with your carrier's network before the transfer can happen.
- Some carriers send a QR code or confirmation code to your email or phone; you scan or enter this code on the new device to complete the transfer.
- The old phone loses service when ready after the transfer, so move any data you need before starting the process.
- If the transfer fails, your carrier can usually restore the eSIM to your old phone or issue a new one within hours.
Check that your new phone supports eSIM
Not every phone can use an eSIM. Most newer iPhones (iPhone XS and later), Samsung Galaxy phones (S20 and later), Google Pixels (Pixel 3a and later), and many other recent Android devices support eSIM, but older models do not. Check your new phone's specifications on the manufacturer's website or in the phone's settings under "About Phone" or "Settings" > "Cellular" to confirm eSIM is listed as an option.
Your carrier must also support eSIM on your new phone's model. A phone that works with eSIM on one carrier may not work on another, especially if you are switching carriers. Before you start the transfer, contact your new carrier (if you are switching) or your current carrier and confirm they support eSIM on your specific phone model.
Back up your data before transferring
Once the eSIM transfer completes, your old phone will no longer have service on that phone number. Any data stored only on the old phone — photos, contacts, messages, apps — will remain there, but you will not be able to send or receive calls and texts on that device. Back up everything you need to your cloud account, computer, or the new phone before you contact your carrier.
For iPhone users, iCloud backup captures most data automatically. Android users can back up to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud depending on the phone. Transfer photos and videos to a cloud service like Google Photos or OneDrive so you can access them from any device. If you have two-factor authentication codes stored only on your old phone, write them down or move them to an authenticator app that syncs across devices.
Contact your carrier to start the transfer
Call your carrier's customer service line, use their mobile app, or visit a physical store to request an eSIM transfer. Have your account number, phone number, and the new phone's model name ready. Tell the representative you want to move your eSIM to a new device, not that you want to switch carriers (unless you are doing both). Some carriers ask you to confirm that you have the new phone in hand before they proceed.
The representative will verify your identity, confirm the new phone supports eSIM, and then initiate the transfer. Ask them how long it takes and what happens next — some carriers complete it in minutes, while others send a confirmation code or QR code to your email or phone number. Write down the representative's name and the time you called in case you need to follow up.
Complete the transfer on your new phone
If your carrier sends a QR code, open the Settings app on your new phone, go to "Cellular" or "Mobile Network," and select "Add Cellular Plan" or "Add eSIM." Point your camera at the QR code and follow the prompts. The phone will read your eSIM profile and set up service within a few minutes.
If your carrier sends a confirmation code instead, enter it in the same settings menu where you would scan a QR code. Some carriers ask you to confirm your phone number or the last four digits of your account number as an extra security step. Once you enter the code, wait for the phone to show "Cellular" or "Mobile Service Active" in the status bar. If nothing appears after 10 minutes, restart the phone and check again.
If your carrier handles the transfer entirely on their end without sending a code, your new phone should receive service automatically within 30 minutes. You may see a brief message saying "Cellular Plan Activated" or similar. If service does not appear, restart the phone and check your carrier's app to confirm the transfer completed.
What to do if the transfer fails
If your new phone does not show service after 30 minutes, restart it and check that airplane mode is off. Go to Settings and confirm that cellular data is turned on. If the phone still has no service, contact your carrier again — they can see on their end whether the transfer went through. If it did not, they can resend the QR code or confirmation code, or they can restore the eSIM to your old phone so you can try again later.
If your old phone suddenly lost service but your new phone did not gain it, the transfer may have partially completed. Call your carrier from a different phone or use WiFi calling to reach them. They can usually restore service to one phone or the other within an hour. Do not attempt to restart either phone or change settings until you have spoken to the carrier, as this can complicate the recovery.
Switching carriers and moving your eSIM at the same time
If you are switching to a new carrier and a new phone, the process is different. Your old carrier will not transfer your eSIM to a new carrier's network — instead, you will port your phone number to the new carrier and set up a new eSIM with them. Contact your new carrier first and ask them to port your number from your old carrier. They will give you a confirmation code or QR code for the new eSIM.
Set up the new eSIM on your new phone using the code or QR code the new carrier provides. Your old carrier will deactivate your old eSIM once the port completes, which usually takes a few hours. During this time, you may lose service briefly on both phones. Once the port is complete, your phone number will work only on the new carrier's network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my old phone and new phone on the same number at the same time?
No. An eSIM can only be active on one device at a time. Once the transfer completes, your old phone loses service on that number. If you need both phones working temporarily, ask your carrier about a temporary second line or use WiFi calling on the old phone until the transfer is done.
What if I lose my new phone before the transfer completes?
Contact your carrier when ready and tell them to cancel the transfer. They can restore the eSIM to your old phone or issue a new one. If the transfer already completed, they can move the eSIM back to your old phone or to a replacement device once you get a new one.
Do I need to turn off my old phone before transferring the eSIM?
No, but you should have it nearby when you contact your carrier in case they need you to confirm details. Once the transfer completes, the old phone will automatically lose service. You can power it off then, or leave it on — it will not affect the new phone's service.
Can I transfer an eSIM between two iPhones or two Android phones?
Yes, the process is the same regardless of whether both phones are from the same manufacturer. Contact your carrier, provide the new phone's model, and they will send you a QR code or confirmation code to set up on the new device.
What happens to my phone number during the transfer?
Your phone number stays the same. The eSIM transfer moves your number and service to the new phone, but the number itself does not change. You will use the same phone number on the new device that you used on the old one.