Learning how to transfer an eSIM to a new phone is usually easier than expected. The safest method keeps your old phone active until the new phone passes every service test.
An eSIM transfer moves your carrier-issued cellular profile to another compatible device. It does not move your photos, apps, passwords, or messages. Handle those items through Apple Quick Start, Google backup, Samsung Smart Switch, or another data-transfer service.
Most transfers follow one of three paths: a native phone-to-phone transfer, eSIM carrier activation, or manual QR code provisioning. Your carrier, phone model, software version, and account security settings decide which path appears. Apple, Google, and Samsung direct unsupported transfers back to the carrier.
Critical warning: Never delete the active eSIM from your old phone first. Confirm calls, texts, and cellular data on the new phone before removing anything.
Before You Transfer an eSIM to a New Phone
Prepare both phones before starting, because most failures come from missing connectivity or account verification.
- Charge both phones and keep them beside each other.
- Update both devices to the newest available software.
- Turn on Bluetooth on both phones.
- Connect both phones to a stable, working Wi-Fi network.
- Unlock the old phone and keep its screen passcode available.
- Sign in to your carrier account and confirm its security method.
- Keep the account owner’s phone nearby for one-time verification.
- Record the new phone’s IMEI and 32-digit EID number.
- Do not erase, trade in, or reset the old phone yet.
The Wi-Fi dependency matters. Your new phone needs an internet route to contact the carrier activation server and download the encrypted eSIM profile.
Bluetooth lets supported native transfer tools discover, pair, and authenticate the two nearby phones. Samsung specifically requires updated software, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for supported iPhone-to-Galaxy transfers. Apple requires nearby devices with Bluetooth enabled for eSIM Quick Transfer.
Check Whether the New Phone Is Carrier-Locked
A carrier lock can block activation when the new phone belongs to another network.
For an iPhone, open Settings > General > About. Find Carrier Lock. The phone is unlocked when it shows No SIM restrictions. A listed carrier usually means that network still controls activation eligibility.
Android lock menus vary by manufacturer and carrier. Check the original purchase account, carrier app, or device-unlock page. A phone can support eSIM hardware while still rejecting another carrier’s profile.
You usually do not need an unlocked phone when moving service within the same carrier. However, the target phone must remain compatible with that carrier and account type.
How to Transfer an eSIM From iPhone to iPhone
Use Apple’s eSIM Quick Transfer when your carrier supports the native transfer option.
Apple requires both iPhones to use the same Apple Account, stay nearby, use Bluetooth, and run iOS 18.4 or later. The old iPhone must also be unlocked with its passcode.
Transfer During New iPhone Setup
- Turn on the new iPhone and place it beside the old iPhone.
- Follow the Quick Start prompts on both screens.
- Choose the phone number or cellular plan you want to transfer.
- Approve the request on the old iPhone.
- Enter any verification code shown on the new iPhone.
- Wait until the new iPhone shows active cellular service.
- Make a call and test cellular data before continuing.
Transfer After Completing iPhone Setup
- Open Settings on the new iPhone.
- Tap Cellular.
- Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
- Select the available phone number.
- Tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone when no number appears.
- Approve the transfer on the old iPhone.
- Complete any carrier webpage or verification prompt.
- Wait for activation, then restart the new iPhone.
When the new iPhone activates successfully, Apple deactivates the previous SIM or eSIM automatically. The old phone may still display an inactive plan label until you remove it later.
Do not manually delete that old label until the new phone receives calls and uses cellular data.
How to Transfer an eSIM to a New Android Phone
Use the Android transfer option when your phone and carrier expose it inside SIM settings.
Android menu names vary, so follow the path matching your phone brand.
Google Pixel to Pixel or Supported Android
- Open Settings on the new Pixel.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Tap SIMs.
- Tap Add SIM.
- Tap Transfer SIM from another device.
- Keep the old phone nearby and unlocked.
- Select the line you want to move.
- Approve the transfer and activation prompts.
- Wait for the new Pixel to connect.
Google also offers this option during initial phone setup. If the transfer fails repeatedly, Google directs users to retry and then contact the carrier.
Samsung Galaxy to Galaxy or Supported Android
- Open Settings on the new Galaxy phone.
- Tap Connections.
- Tap SIM manager.
- Tap Add eSIM.
- Choose Transfer SIM from another device.
- Select the old phone type when requested.
- Approve the request on the old device.
- Enter the displayed verification code.
- Select the number and confirm the transfer.
- Wait for the new Galaxy to register on the network.
Samsung may display slightly different labels across One UI versions. The key path remains Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM on current supported Galaxy devices.
How to Transfer an eSIM Between iPhone and Android
Cross-platform transfers now work on selected devices and carriers, but support remains limited.
Transfer From iPhone to Samsung Galaxy
Supported Galaxy phones can request a direct transfer from an iPhone.
- Update both phones and connect both to Wi-Fi.
- Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
- Open Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM on Galaxy.
- Tap Transfer SIM from iPhone.
- Tap Next to display the pairing QR code.
- Scan that code with the old iPhone.
- Select the phone number on the iPhone.
- Confirm the transfer on both devices.
- Wait for Galaxy activation to complete.
Samsung lists AT&T, FirstNet, T-Mobile, and Verizon among supported U.S. carriers for this framework. Carrier, phone, and software eligibility can still restrict the option.
Transfer From Android to iPhone
With iOS 26, some carriers and selected Android manufacturers support direct cross-platform eSIM transfer. Otherwise, contact the carrier for eSIM Carrier Activation or a QR code.
On a supported iPhone:
- Open Settings > Cellular.
- Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
- Choose Other Options when shown.
- Tap Transfer from Android.
- Scan the displayed QR code with the Android phone.
- Select the number on the Android phone.
- Approve the transfer and wait for activation.
Current support can be device-specific. For example, T-Mobile documents direct Pixel-to-iPhone transfers only for certain Pixel and iPhone combinations.
Transfer From iPhone to Google Pixel
Supported Pixels may show an iPhone transfer option inside Android SIM settings.
- Open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.
- Tap Add SIM.
- Tap Transfer a SIM from another device.
- Choose iPhone.
- Scan the Pixel’s QR code with the iPhone.
- Select the number and confirm the move.
- Finish the prompts on both phones.
When this option does not appear, use your carrier’s website, app, or QR code instead.
How to Transfer an eSIM With a Carrier QR Code
Use QR code provisioning when native phone-to-phone transfer is unavailable.
First, request a fresh eSIM QR code from your carrier. Carriers may send it through email, an account portal, a retail activation card, or support chat.
Keep another screen available because the new phone’s camera must scan the code. Request a replacement code if the phone rejects the original one.
Scan a Carrier QR Code on iPhone
- Open the Camera app and scan the QR code.
- Tap the Cellular Plan Detected notification.
- Tap Continue.
- Tap Add Cellular Plan.
- Enter the carrier confirmation code when requested.
You can also open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code. Apple also supports carrier links, carrier apps, and manual activation details.
Scan a Carrier QR Code on Android
On Pixel, open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM. Follow the prompts and scan the carrier QR code.
On Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM > Scan QR code. Some models can also search for an assigned mobile plan automatically.
Carrier-Specific eSIM Transfer Options
Your carrier may require account-level approval even when the phone shows a native transfer button.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile supports setup through current iPhone, Pixel, Samsung, Motorola, and other device menus. When a device requests a QR code, T-Mobile can provide one through support.
Some deleted Samsung profiles can also be recovered after T-Mobile login and two-factor authentication.
Verizon
Connect the new phone to Wi-Fi and install the latest My Verizon app. Sign in, open the Mobile tab, select the line, then choose Change or replace device on this line or Activate or get SIM.
Only an Account Owner or Account Manager can move an existing Verizon line. Verizon may use the old phone or another account line for authentication.
AT&T
AT&T requires compatible devices and may block changes while Wireless Account Lock remains enabled.
Connect both devices to Wi-Fi, open AT&T’s eSIM management flow, choose Switch the device used on my line, and complete the one-time PIN challenge. AT&T Prepaid customers may need customer support for device-to-device eSIM changes.
How to Find the EID and IMEI for Manual Activation
Carriers use the IMEI to identify the phone and the EID to identify its embedded eSIM hardware.
The GSMA standard defines the EID as a unique 32-digit eUICC identifier.
Find EID and IMEI on iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap About.
- Scroll to the eSIM section.
- Find EID, IMEI, or IMEI2.
- Touch and hold a number to copy it.
Apple places IMEI and other hardware identifiers inside the About page.
Find EID and IMEI on Google Pixel
- Open Settings.
- Tap About phone.
- Find IMEI 1 and IMEI 2.
- Tap SIM status when the EID is not immediately visible.
- Select the eSIM or second SIM slot.
- Copy the EID and IMEI requested by your carrier.
Current Pixel menus place IMEI information under Settings > About phone. Many Pixel models show the EID under the second SIM’s status page. You can also dial *#06# to display it directly.
Find EID and IMEI on Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings.
- Tap About phone.
- View the listed IMEI numbers.
- Tap Status information when more details are needed.
- Open IMEI information or SIM card status.
- Record the eSIM IMEI and EID shown.
Samsung confirms that IMEI information appears under Settings > About phone. Some Galaxy versions place eSIM details one level deeper under Status information.
You can also dial *#06# on many phones. If an EID appears, the device includes eSIM hardware. AT&T uses this check in its eSIM guidance.
What to Do When eSIM Is Stuck on “Activating”
Use this three-step sequence before deleting any cellular plan.
1. Restore the Activation Connection
Confirm Wi-Fi works by opening a webpage. Turn Bluetooth off and on, then disable Airplane Mode. Keep both phones nearby and unlocked.
2. Restart and Recheck the Carrier Profile
Restart the new phone completely. Then reopen Cellular or SIM settings and check the plan status.
On iPhone, open Settings > General > About and accept any carrier settings update. Apple and Verizon both recommend restarting during activation troubleshooting.
I often see users assume their service is broken after the transfer screen finishes. In many cases, one clean restart completes the network registration and restores service.
3. Ask the Carrier to Reissue the Profile
Contact the carrier from another phone. Provide the new phone’s EID, eSIM IMEI, account PIN, and phone number.
Ask the agent to verify that the profile targets the correct EID. Then request another eSIM carrier activation push or QR code.
Do not delete the old profile as a general troubleshooting step. Apple warns that deleting an eSIM can require a new carrier-issued profile.
What Happens to the eSIM on the Old Phone?
Successful native transfers normally deactivate service on the old phone.
Apple deactivates the previous SIM when the new iPhone plan activates. Verizon also deactivates service on the old phone after moving the number.
Other Android and carrier workflows may leave an inactive profile label behind.
Test the new phone before deleting that label:
- Turn off Wi-Fi on the new phone.
- Place an outgoing call.
- Ask someone to call your number.
- Send and receive a text message.
- Open a webpage using cellular data.
- Check voicemail and mobile hotspot access.
After every test passes, remove the inactive old profile if needed. On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular, select the plan, then tap Delete eSIM or Delete Plan.
Factory Resetting Is Not the Same as Deleting an eSIM
A factory reset erases personal content, while eSIM removal deletes the carrier profile.
On iPhone, Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings offers a choice to keep or delete the eSIM. Deleting it can require carrier reactivation.
Never factory-reset the old phone until the new phone passes every service test. When selling or trading the old phone, erase its remaining eSIM only after the transfer succeeds.
Final Checklist: How to Transfer an eSIM to a New Phone Safely
The safest way to transfer an eSIM to a new phone keeps both devices connected until service works.
- Use native eSIM Quick Transfer when your carrier supports it.
- Keep Bluetooth enabled and connect both phones to working Wi-Fi.
- Verify the new phone’s carrier lock and network compatibility.
- Use a carrier app, website, activation push, or QR code when needed.
- Keep the IMEI, EID number, account PIN, and verification phone available.
- Never delete the old eSIM before testing calls, texts, and cellular data.
- Restart the new phone when activation finishes but service remains unavailable.
- Contact the carrier when the profile targets the wrong EID or stays stalled.
Once those checks pass, safely erase the old profile. You can then prepare the previous phone for resale, trade-in, or reuse.