How to Move an eSIM Between iPhone and Android

Moving an eSIM between iPhone and Android requires your carrier to issue a new eSIM profile for the destination device. Unlike moving from one iPhone to another — where Apple’s eSIM Quick Transfer handles the process device-to-device — there is no equivalent cross-platform mechanism supported by most carriers. You contact your carrier, they re-issue the eSIM profile, and you install it on the new device via QR code or a carrier app.

This guide covers the full process in both directions (iPhone to Android and Android to iPhone), what to expect, and a recent exception on the newest OS versions that changes this picture for some carrier and device combinations.

Why Direct Cross-Platform Transfer Is Not Available

eSIM Quick Transfer is an Apple feature. It relies on a short-range wireless connection between two iPhones and requires carrier support on the network side. Google has not built an equivalent feature for Android devices, and Apple has not extended Quick Transfer to Android (with the narrow exception described below).

The underlying reason is architectural: an eSIM profile is tied to the eUICC chip of the receiving device. Moving a profile from one eUICC to another requires the carrier’s SM-DP+ server to authorize the transfer and issue a new profile bound to the destination chip. Apple’s Quick Transfer automates this handshake between two iPhones when the carrier supports it. No equivalent automation exists for the iPhone-to-Android or Android-to-iPhone path for most carriers.

For background on how eSIM profiles are managed at the chip and specification level, see What Is an eSIM? and eSIM Profile Limits: How Many You Can Store and Use.

The Cross-Platform Quick Transfer Exception

Apple introduced an extension to eSIM Quick Transfer: when both the carrier and the destination Android device support the feature, eSIM Quick Transfer can operate across platforms (iPhone to Android). The reverse direction — Android to iPhone — follows a similar path where supported.

This extension is available only on the newest OS versions and only where the carrier has explicitly enabled it. Apple’s support pages note the iPhone must run the latest iOS version that supports the feature and the Android device a recent compatible Android version, with the exact minimum versions differing by transfer direction. Support is limited and carrier-specific, so check your carrier’s and Apple’s current support pages (Transfer an eSIM from iPhone or iPad to Android, Transfer your eSIM from Android to iPhone) for the requirements that apply.

Carrier support for this feature is limited. In Japan, KDDI (covering its au, UQ mobile, and povo brands) was the first carrier to enable cross-platform Quick Transfer, in early 2026. Support elsewhere varies — check your carrier. If your carrier has not announced cross-platform Quick Transfer support, assume the standard carrier re-issue process applies.

If your use case is iPhone to iPhone, the full Quick Transfer guide is at eSIM Quick Transfer: Move an eSIM to Another iPhone.

Before You Start: Back Up and Note Your Details

Before making any carrier-level change, complete these steps on the old device:

1. Back up the device fully. Use iCloud Backup for iPhone or Google One / a local backup for Android. A backup provides a recovery point if the transfer process encounters an error.
2. Note your carrier account credentials. You will need your account login, PIN, or password to verify identity during the re-issue request.
3. Do not delete the eSIM profile from the old device yet. Keep it active until the new profile is confirmed working on the new device. Deleting the profile before the new one is active causes a gap in service.
4. Check that your new device supports eSIM. eSIM support is a hardware requirement. For a full compatibility reference, see eSIM-Compatible Devices and How to Check Yours.
5. Note your plan name and phone number. After completing the transfer, verify that the plan name and number shown in the new device’s SIM settings match. Discrepancies indicate a provisioning issue that needs carrier attention before relying on the new device for service.
6. Confirm your two-factor authentication (2FA) situation. If your phone number is registered as a 2FA method for email, banking, or other accounts, schedule the eSIM transfer at a time when you will not urgently need to receive SMS verification codes. Service is typically interrupted for a few minutes during provisioning.

General Cross-Platform Transfer Flow

Regardless of direction (iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone), the process follows the same three-stage structure.

Stage 1: Remove or Disable the eSIM on the Old Device

You do not need to delete the eSIM profile before contacting your carrier — in fact, it is better not to. The carrier deactivates the old profile when they issue the new one. However, if your carrier instructs you to delete the profile first as part of their verification process, follow their guidance.

To remove an eSIM on iPhone: Settings → Cellular → tap the plan → Remove Cellular Plan.

To remove an eSIM on Android: the exact path varies by manufacturer. On Pixel devices: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → tap the eSIM → Delete eSIM. On Samsung Galaxy: Settings → Connections → SIM card manager → tap the eSIM → Delete.

Stage 2: Contact Your Carrier and Request a Re-Issue

Reach your carrier through their app, website, or phone support. Tell them you are switching to a new device on a different platform and need an eSIM profile re-issued for the new device.

Carriers use various terms for this process: “eSIM transfer”, “eSIM re-issue”, “profile transfer to new device”, or “eSIM swap”. The key information you will need to provide:

• Your account verification credentials (PIN, password, or last four digits of your ID)
• The EID of the new device — the unique identifier for the eUICC chip, equivalent to an IMEI but for the eSIM slot

On Android: dial *#06# to display the EID (it appears alongside the IMEI). Alternatively, go to Settings → About Phone → SIM status and look for the EID field.

On iPhone: go to Settings → General → About and scroll to the EID field.

Possible re-issue fee: Some carriers charge a SIM reissue fee for issuing a new profile to a different device. The amount varies by carrier and whether the request is made online or in-store. Check your carrier’s fee schedule before proceeding.

Stage 3: Install the eSIM on the New Device

After the carrier issues the new profile, they provide either a QR code or an activation code (SM-DP+ address). Install it on the new device using the standard method for that platform.

For iPhone (QR code): Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code and scan the code. See How to Set Up eSIM on iPhone via QR Code for the full step-by-step.

For Android (QR code): Go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM (on Pixel) or Settings → Connections → SIM card manager → Add mobile plan (on Samsung). Scan the QR code when prompted.

Once the new profile is downloaded and active, the carrier deactivates the old profile automatically.

iPhone to Android: Specific Notes

When moving from iPhone to Android, confirm the following before contacting your carrier:

Carrier lock status on the Android device. A carrier-locked Android device can only accept eSIM profiles from the carrier it is locked to. If your new Android device is locked to a different carrier, unlock it before proceeding.

Android version and eSIM support. eSIM on Android became broadly available with Android 9 and later, but actual support depends on the device manufacturer and model. Budget Android devices released before 2022 often lack eUICC hardware. Verify by checking Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs for an “Add eSIM” option, or by dialing *#06# and checking whether an EID is displayed.

APN settings. After installing the eSIM on Android, you may need to configure APN settings manually if your carrier’s profile does not set them automatically. Your carrier’s support page lists the correct APN values for Android.

Dual SIM configuration after the move. If your Android device has a physical SIM slot, that slot is available for a second line after the eSIM is active. Configure which line handles calls, SMS, and data from Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs (Pixel) or Settings → Connections → SIM card manager (Samsung).

Android to iPhone: Specific Notes

When moving from Android to iPhone, Apple’s support documentation (Transfer your eSIM from Android to iPhone) notes that some carrier and device combinations support a transfer from Android to iPhone directly, while others require contacting the carrier for a new eSIM profile. Check Apple’s documentation and your carrier’s guidance for your specific combination.

For the standard carrier re-issue path, the process is the same as described in the general flow: contact your carrier, request a new eSIM profile for your iPhone, then install it using the QR code or manual entry method. See How to Set Up eSIM on iPhone via QR Code for installation instructions.

Physical SIM to eSIM conversion at the same time. If you are also switching from a physical SIM to eSIM as part of this device change, the process is the same — your carrier re-issues your subscription as an eSIM profile for the new iPhone. For the full conversion flow, see How to Switch from a Physical SIM to an eSIM.

Contrast: iPhone to iPhone (Same Platform)

For reference, same-platform transfers between two iPhones work differently. If your carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer, you can move the eSIM from the old iPhone to the new iPhone device-to-device — no carrier contact required, no QR code, and the process completes in a few minutes.

Quick Transfer requires iOS 16 or later on both devices, physical proximity, and carrier support on the network side. The full process is documented in eSIM Quick Transfer: Move an eSIM to Another iPhone.

If your carrier does not support Quick Transfer for iPhone-to-iPhone moves either, the same carrier re-issue flow described in this guide applies.

Android-to-Android transfers follow the same general pattern as cross-platform moves: no direct device-to-device transfer mechanism exists. Contact your carrier, request a new eSIM profile for the new Android device, and install it via QR code or activation code.

What Happens to the Old eSIM Profile

When the carrier issues a new eSIM profile for the new device, they deactivate the old profile on their system. You do not need to take action on the old device for this — the carrier’s network deactivates the old profile when the new one activates.

However, the deactivated profile may remain visible in the old device’s settings until you delete it manually. To keep settings tidy:

• iPhone: Settings → Cellular → tap the old plan → Remove Cellular Plan.
• Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → tap the eSIM → Delete eSIM.

If you are handing the old device to someone else, erase all content and settings before doing so. On iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. On Android: Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset.

Troubleshooting

Carrier says your new device is not eSIM-eligible

Some carriers maintain device eligibility lists and restrict eSIM issuance to specific models. If the carrier says your device is not eligible but you believe it supports eSIM, escalate with your device model and EID. Carriers update eligibility lists periodically.

QR code does not work

eSIM QR codes are single-use. If the code was scanned but the download did not complete, the code may be invalidated. Contact your carrier and request a new QR code. Do not attempt to reuse a code from a previous failed attempt.

New eSIM installed but no mobile service

After installing the eSIM profile, wait two to five minutes for the network to register the new device. If service does not appear, toggle Airplane Mode on and off to force network re-registration. If the problem persists, restart the device. Confirm with your carrier that the new profile is marked as active on their backend — silent provisioning failures are possible.

”Transfer From Nearby iPhone” option does not appear (cross-platform Quick Transfer)

This option appears only on the newest OS versions when your carrier supports cross-platform Quick Transfer. If the option does not appear, your carrier likely does not support the feature for your specific combination, or your OS version does not meet the requirement. Use the standard carrier re-issue process described in this guide.

Service not restored after re-issue on Android

If the eSIM profile appears installed in Settings but data or calls do not work, check the APN configuration. On Pixel: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → tap the eSIM → Access Point Names. On Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Access Point Names. If no APN is listed, add one manually using the values from your carrier’s support page. Restart the device after saving APN settings.

Carrier charges a re-issue fee you did not expect

If your carrier applies a fee and you believe it should not apply — for example, because their website describes the service as free — gather evidence before contacting support: a screenshot of the relevant support page or terms, the date you accessed it, and the channel you used for the request (app, website, or in-store). Fees and their conditions change, and customer service agents can sometimes waive a fee or match what a published policy states. If the carrier’s online self-service channel charges a fee but their in-store channel does not (or vice versa), completing the request through the other channel is a practical alternative.

Old device still shows the eSIM as active after re-issue

After the carrier issues a new profile for the new device, the old profile is deactivated on the network side. The old device’s Settings may still display the profile as present — and in some cases as “active” — because the device cannot check its own network deactivation status without a data connection. This is cosmetic: the profile cannot register to the network after deactivation. To remove the stale entry, delete the profile manually: on iPhone, go to Settings → Cellular → tap the plan → Remove Cellular Plan; on Android, follow the path for your manufacturer noted above. If you are selling or transferring the old device, delete all eSIM profiles and perform a factory reset before handing it over.

Transfer Method Comparison

FAQ

Can I transfer my eSIM directly from iPhone to Android?

In most cases, no. Direct eSIM transfer between iPhone and Android is not supported by the majority of carriers. You need to contact your carrier and request a new eSIM profile (re-issue) for the Android device. The exception is the cross-platform Quick Transfer feature on the newest OS versions: Apple extended eSIM Quick Transfer to cross-platform pairs where the carrier has specifically enabled the feature. Check your carrier’s support page to confirm.

Will my phone number change when I move my eSIM to a new platform?

No. Moving your eSIM to a different device — whether iPhone or Android — is a profile transfer, not a number port. Your phone number, plan, and contract stay the same. Only the eSIM profile is re-issued to a new device.

Does my carrier charge a fee to re-issue an eSIM for a new device?

Carrier policies vary. Some carriers re-issue at no additional charge; others apply a SIM reissue or conversion fee. Check your carrier’s website or contact their support before initiating the process. The fee structure can differ between online and in-store requests.

What should I do before removing my eSIM from the old device?

Back up the old device fully before making any carrier-level change. Note down your carrier’s customer support contact and account credentials. Do not delete the eSIM profile from the old device until the new profile is confirmed active on the new device.

Can I use the same QR code to install the eSIM on the new device?

No. eSIM QR codes are single-use. Once a QR code has been scanned and used for a profile download — even if the download did not complete — the code is invalidated. When your carrier re-issues an eSIM profile for your new device, they will provide a new QR code or activation code.

Related Guides

• eSIM Quick Transfer: Move an eSIM to Another iPhone — ES-06: the iPhone-to-iPhone transfer path, including Quick Start setup-time and post-setup flows
• How to Switch from a Physical SIM to an eSIM — full conversion guide for existing subscribers switching SIM type
• What Is an eSIM? — how eUICC chips and the GSMA SGP.22 specification work
• eSIM Profile Limits: How Many You Can Store and Use — how many profiles your device can hold and what happens when it reaches capacity
• eSIM-Compatible Devices and How to Check Yours — full compatibility reference for iPhone, Android phones, and tablets

To compare eSIM plans for your destination, use SimFinder Travel →

Sources:

• Set up eSIM on iPhone - Apple Support
• Transfer your eSIM from Android to iPhone - Apple Support
• Transfer your eSIM to a new iPhone - Apple Support
• Get a SIM or eSIM & add it to your Pixel phone - Google Pixel Help
• Multiple enabled profiles - Android Open Source Project