To transfer an eSIM from one iPhone to another, use eSIM Quick Transfer: on the new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Set Up Cellular (or Add eSIM), choose the number from your old iPhone (or tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone), then tap Transfer on the old iPhone. Both iPhones need iOS 18.4 or later, the same Apple Account, Bluetooth on, and must be next to each other with the old iPhone unlocked. Your carrier also has to support Quick Transfer. If it doesn’t, the carrier can activate the eSIM another way (see below). When the eSIM activates on the new iPhone, the old one stops working.
Moving to a new Android phone instead? Pixel and Galaxy phones have a similar Transfer SIM from another device option. Switching between iPhone and Android? There’s now a built-in route for that too. See the iPhone ↔ Android transfer guide.
Pick your route
| Moving from → to | Method | Old phone needed? |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone → iPhone | eSIM Quick Transfer (setup screen or Settings > Cellular) | Yes, nearby and unlocked |
| Android → Android | Transfer SIM from another device (Pixel) / SIM manager > Add eSIM (Galaxy) | Yes |
| Android ↔ iPhone | Built-in cross-platform transfer (iOS 26+). Full guide | Yes |
| Old phone lost, broken or erased | Carrier reissues the eSIM (QR code, app, Carrier Activation) | No |
Before you start: checklist
- [ ] Back up the old phone (iCloud or computer backup for iPhone).
- [ ] Update both iPhones to iOS 18.4 or later (Settings > General > Software Update). iOS 26 or later lets you move more than one number at once.
- [ ] Sign in to the same Apple Account on both iPhones.
- [ ] Turn on Bluetooth and keep both phones charged and next to each other.
- [ ] Connect the new iPhone to Wi-Fi.
- [ ] If the new iPhone came from a carrier, check it’s unlocked or locked to the same carrier. How to check.
- [ ] Don’t erase, trade in or reset the old phone until the new one passes the tests at the end.
How to transfer an eSIM to a new iPhone during setup
When you set up a new iPhone with Quick Start, iOS offers to move your phone number:
- Turn on the new iPhone and bring it next to the old one. Follow Quick Start.
- When asked to transfer your phone number, choose the line(s) to move. Physical SIMs and eSIMs both work.
- Confirm on the old iPhone if prompted.
- Finish setup. When the plan activates on the new iPhone, the old iPhone’s SIM is deactivated.
Skipped it during setup? Use the Settings method below.
How to transfer an eSIM from one iPhone to another in Settings
Step 1: Open Cellular settings on the new iPhone
Go to Settings > Cellular and tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
Step 2: Choose the number to transfer
Pick the number from the list of plans on your other iPhone. No list? Tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
Step 3: Confirm on the old iPhone
Follow the prompt on the old iPhone and tap Transfer. If asked for a verification code, enter the code shown on the new iPhone.
Step 4: Wait for activation
Keep both phones nearby until the plan activates on the new iPhone. The old iPhone’s SIM is deactivated at that point.
Step 5: Finish with the carrier if prompted
If a Finish Setting Up Your Carrier’s Cellular Plan banner appears, tap it. Some carriers complete the transfer on their own web page.
Step 6: Test the new line
Turn Wi-Fi off and check: outgoing call, incoming call, SMS, a web page on cellular data. Then set Default Voice Line and Cellular Data if you have more than one line.
Moving a physical SIM from your old iPhone to eSIM on the new one
eSIM Quick Transfer also works when the old iPhone uses a physical SIM. Choose it in the setup prompt or under Set Up Cellular, and it arrives on the new iPhone as an eSIM if your carrier supports it. This matters because US models of iPhone 14 and later have no SIM tray. Want to convert on the same phone instead? See how to switch from a physical SIM to eSIM.
How to transfer an eSIM to a new Android phone
Google Pixel
Both phones need Android 12 or later, an up-to-date Google Play services app, and a screen lock set.
- During setup: keep the old phone nearby, choose the SIM to transfer, tap Transfer / Activate, and follow the prompts.
- After setup: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Transfer SIM from another device.
If the transfer isn’t detected, contact your carrier to activate the eSIM. Google notes your existing phone keeps working if the transfer doesn’t go through.
Samsung Galaxy
On the new Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM and choose the option to transfer from your other phone, then confirm on the old phone. Smart Switch copies your apps and data but not the phone line, so do the eSIM step separately.
Other Android brands: look in Settings for “SIM manager” or “SIMs”, or use the carrier’s app. More detail: how to install an eSIM on Android.
How to transfer an eSIM without the old phone (lost, broken or wiped)
Quick Transfer and the Android transfer tools need the old phone, so if it’s lost, broken or already erased, your carrier has to reissue the eSIM:
- Contact the carrier (app, chat, store or phone) from another device and verify your identity.
- Ask them to move your number to an eSIM on your new phone.
- They’ll use eSIM Carrier Activation (on iPhone, a Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed notification appears: tap it, then Continue) or send a QR code (scan with the Camera, or Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code).
- Make a test call. If you lost the phone, ask the carrier to block the old device too.
Can you transfer a travel eSIM to a new phone?
It depends on the provider, not on iOS. Many prepaid travel eSIMs are tied to the phone they were first installed on, and their QR code works only once. Before you delete one from the old phone:
- Check the provider’s app or help center for a transfer/reinstall option.
- If there isn’t one, finish using it on the old phone or ask support whether they can reissue it.
- Buying fresh for the new phone? See how to get an eSIM and how to install and activate an eSIM.
If the transfer fails or the option is missing
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| No “Transfer From Nearby iPhone” / number not listed | Same Apple Account on both? Bluetooth on? Both on iOS 18.4+? Old iPhone unlocked and nearby? Restart both and try again. |
| “Transfer” isn’t offered for your number | Your carrier or plan may not support Quick Transfer (common with some prepaid, business and international plans). Use the carrier’s app or ask for Carrier Activation / a QR code. |
| Stuck on “Activating” | Stay on Wi-Fi and give it a few minutes, then restart the new iPhone. If it’s still stuck, contact the carrier. See eSIM not working. |
| New phone shows “No Service” | Check the line is on and selected for Cellular Data, then go through eSIM not working. |
| Both phones now show no service | The line was deactivated on the old phone but didn’t finish on the new one. Contact the carrier to reissue the eSIM. |
Don’t keep deleting and re-adding the eSIM. It can leave you needing a new QR code.
FAQ
How do I transfer my eSIM from one iPhone to another?
On the new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Set Up Cellular (or Add eSIM), choose your number or tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone, then tap Transfer on the old iPhone. Both need iOS 18.4 or later, the same Apple Account and Bluetooth on.
Can I transfer my eSIM to another phone without contacting my carrier?
Usually, yes. eSIM Quick Transfer (iPhone) and Transfer SIM from another device (Pixel) work without calling the carrier, if your carrier supports them. If it doesn’t, or the option is missing, the carrier can reissue the eSIM.
How do I transfer an eSIM to a new iPhone without the old phone?
You can’t use Quick Transfer without the old iPhone. Contact your carrier to reissue the eSIM to the new iPhone through eSIM Carrier Activation or a new QR code.
How do I transfer my eSIM if my old phone is broken?
If the old phone won’t turn on or unlock, ask your carrier to move the number to an eSIM on the new phone. They’ll verify your identity and send Carrier Activation or a QR code.
What is eSIM Quick Transfer?
It’s Apple’s built-in way to move a phone number (eSIM or physical SIM) from one iPhone to another over Bluetooth, without a QR code. It needs iOS 18.4 or later on both iPhones, the same Apple Account, and a carrier that supports it.
Will my old iPhone stop working after the eSIM transfer?
The old iPhone’s cellular line stops working once the plan activates on the new iPhone. The iPhone still works on Wi-Fi, but don’t erase it until the new line passes a call, text and data test.
Can I transfer more than one eSIM to my new iPhone?
Yes. With iOS 26 or later, you can transfer more than one phone number to your new iPhone with Quick Transfer.
Can I share one eSIM between two phones?
No. An eSIM is active on one phone at a time. Transferring it moves the line, and the old phone loses service. Your carrier may offer a separate line or a watch/tablet plan instead.
Can I transfer an eSIM from Android to iPhone?
Yes, on iOS 26+ with a compatible Android 16+ phone and a participating carrier. Follow our Android ↔ iPhone eSIM transfer guide.
Related guides
- How to transfer an eSIM between iPhone and Android
- How to switch from a physical SIM to eSIM
- How to install and activate an eSIM
- How to remove an eSIM from iPhone
- How many eSIMs can an iPhone 17 have?
- eSIM not working? Fixes in order
Sources
- Apple Support: About eSIM on iPhone (eSIM Quick Transfer requirements and steps; iOS 26 multi-number transfer; Carrier Activation; QR code). https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669
- Google Pixel Help: Transfer a SIM to a new phone. https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16115951
- Samsung US: SIM cards for your Galaxy phone or tablet. https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10001619/