The basic steps to transfer your eSIM

An eSIM is a digital SIM card stored on your phone's hardware rather than a physical chip. To move it to a new phone, you do not remove anything physical — instead, you contact your carrier and ask them to transfer your phone number and service to the new device. The exact process depends on your carrier, but most follow the same pattern: get your new phone's eSIM identifier, contact your carrier, and they remotely set up service on the new device.

The transfer itself takes minutes to a few hours. Your old phone will lose service once the eSIM is activated on the new one, since a phone number can only be active on one device at a time. Before you start, make sure your new phone is compatible with your carrier's network and that you have the phone in front of you — you will need its eSIM details.

If your carrier does not support eSIM transfers, or if you run into problems, you can fall back to a physical SIM card. Most carriers still issue them, though some charge a small fee. This takes longer but works on any phone that has a SIM slot.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your carrier before switching phones — they initiate the eSIM transfer, not you.
  • Have your new phone's eSIM identifier (a long number printed on the SIM tray or in Settings) ready when you call or message your carrier.
  • Your old phone loses service as soon as the eSIM activates on the new one, so transfer your data and photos first.
  • If your carrier does not support eSIM transfers, you can request a physical SIM card instead, though it may take several business days to arrive.

Find your new phone's eSIM identifier before contacting your carrier

Your carrier needs a specific number to set up your eSIM on the new device. This number is called the EID (Equipment Identifier) or sometimes the eSIM ID. The location varies by phone brand.

On iPhones, go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to find "EID". On Android phones, the location varies — Samsung phones typically show it in Settings > About Phone > SIM Status or Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. Google Pixels show it in Settings > About Phone > SIM Status. If you cannot find it in Settings, check the SIM tray itself — some phones print the EID on the physical tray even though the SIM is digital.

Write down the full EID number or take a screenshot. You will need to provide this to your carrier, and getting it wrong means the transfer will not work. If you cannot locate it, your carrier can walk you through finding it when you contact them.

Contact your carrier through their preferred method

Different carriers handle eSIM transfers through different channels. Some allow you to do it through their mobile app, others require a phone call, and some accept requests through chat or email. Check your carrier's website for their eSIM transfer process — the method matters because some carriers will not process transfers started through the wrong channel.

Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all support eSIM transfers, but the steps differ slightly. Verizon lets you start the process through their app or website if you are upgrading to a new iPhone or Samsung phone, but other transfers may require a call. AT&T requires a phone call or visit to a store. T-Mobile allows transfers through their app, website, or by calling. Regional carriers and MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) vary widely — some support eSIM transfers, others do not.

When you contact your carrier, have your account number, the phone number you want to transfer, and the new phone's EID ready. Tell them you want to transfer your eSIM to a new device, not that you want to switch carriers — the language matters because it tells them which process to use.

What happens during the transfer and after

Once your carrier processes the transfer, they send an set up signal to your new phone. On iPhones, you will see a prompt asking you to confirm the eSIM set up — tap "Convert to eSIM" or "set up eSIM" depending on your iOS version. On Android, the process is similar but the exact wording varies by manufacturer. The set up usually completes within minutes, though some carriers take up to a few hours.

Your old phone will show no service or "No SIM" once the eSIM is active on the new device. This is normal and expected. If you need to use the old phone again, you will have to contact your carrier and ask them to transfer the eSIM back, which takes the same amount of time as the original transfer.

After set up, test that calls, texts, and data work on the new phone. If nothing works, restart the phone. If service still does not appear after 24 hours, contact your carrier — sometimes the set up signal does not reach the device on the first try, and they can resend it.

Transferring data and photos before you lose service

Once your eSIM moves to the new phone, your old phone loses cellular service. This does not affect Wi-Fi, so you can still use it on Wi-Fi networks to transfer photos, messages, and other data. However, it is easier to do this before the transfer happens, when both phones have service.

On iPhones, use the built-in migration tool during setup — it can transfer data over Wi-Fi or cellular. On Android, use Google's built-in transfer tool or Samsung Smart Switch if you are switching to a Samsung phone. Both tools move photos, contacts, messages, and app data. If you have a lot of data, this can take 30 minutes to an hour, so start the transfer before you contact your carrier.

For photos and videos specifically, you can also use cloud storage like Google Photos, iCloud, or OneDrive. Upload everything to the cloud on your old phone, then read it on the new one. This works even after the eSIM transfer and does not require both phones to have service at the same time.

If your carrier does not support eSIM transfers

Some carriers, particularly smaller regional carriers and some MVNOs, do not yet support eSIM transfers. If yours is one of them, you have two options: request a physical SIM card, or stay with your current phone.

A physical SIM card works the same way as an eSIM from the customer's perspective — your phone number and service are the same. The difference is that the SIM is a small plastic chip you insert into your phone's SIM slot rather than a digital profile. Request a physical SIM from your carrier, and they will mail it to you. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, insert it into your new phone's SIM slot and your service will set up — no additional steps needed.

Some carriers charge a small fee (usually $10 to $25) to issue a physical SIM, while others provide it free. Ask your carrier about the cost before you request one. If your new phone does not have a SIM slot — some newer iPhones are eSIM-only in certain regions — a physical SIM will not work, and you will need to either stay with your current phone or switch carriers.

Common problems and how to fix them

If your new phone shows "No SIM" or "SIM Not Supported" after the transfer, restart the phone first. If that does not work, contact your carrier and ask them to resend the set up signal — sometimes it does not reach the device on the first attempt. This usually fixes the problem within a few hours.

If your carrier says the transfer failed because the EID was wrong, double-check the number you provided. A single digit off will cause the transfer to fail. If you are unsure, ask your carrier to confirm the EID they have on file and compare it to what you see in your phone's settings.

If you accidentally activated the eSIM on the wrong phone, contact your carrier when ready. They can deactivate it and reactivate it on the correct device. The longer you wait, the more complicated this becomes, so call as soon as you realize the mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old phone while the eSIM transfer is happening?

Yes, until the moment your carrier activates the eSIM on the new phone. Once set up happens, your old phone loses service. This is why it is important to transfer your data before you contact your carrier — you will not be able to use cellular on the old phone afterward.

What if I do not have the new phone yet?

Wait until you have the new phone in hand and have located its EID before contacting your carrier. Some carriers will not start the transfer without the EID, and others will hold the transfer request for a limited time. If you contact them too early, the request may expire and you will have to start over.

Do I need to do anything on my old phone after the transfer?

No. Once the eSIM is active on the new phone, your old phone automatically loses service. You do not need to delete anything or contact your carrier again. If you want to use the old phone in the future, you can restore it to factory settings or sell it — the eSIM is gone and cannot be recovered from that device.

Can I transfer an eSIM between two phones on different carriers?

No. An eSIM is tied to a specific carrier's network. If you want to switch carriers, you will need to contact your new carrier and ask them to port your phone number to their service. This is a different process than an eSIM transfer and usually takes 24 hours.

What if my new phone is not compatible with eSIM?

Older phones and some budget models do not support eSIM. Check your new phone's specifications to confirm it has eSIM capability. If it does not, contact your carrier and request a physical SIM card instead. They will mail it to you, and you insert it into your phone's SIM slot when it arrives.