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SIM & eSIM Basics

eSIM Quick Transfer: Move an eSIM to Another iPhone

When you get a new iPhone, you have two paths for moving your eSIM. If your carrier supports it, eSIM Quick Transfer handles the entire transfer device-to-device in a few minutes — no carrier app, no QR code, no store visit. If your carrier does not support Quick Transfer, you contact them to get a new QR code or activation code and install the eSIM on the new iPhone from scratch.

This guide covers both paths. Quick Transfer is specific to iPhone (iOS 16 and later) and requires carrier support. The carrier re-issue fallback works regardless of carrier.

When You Need to Transfer an eSIM

An eSIM is embedded in your device (see What Is an eSIM? for the technical background). You cannot physically remove it and insert it into another iPhone the way you would a nano-SIM card. This means any of the following situations require deliberate action to move your plan to a new device:

  • Upgrading to a new iPhone — the eSIM does not move automatically when you restore from a backup.
  • Device replacement after loss or theft — the eSIM remains associated with the lost device until your carrier transfers or re-issues it.
  • Hardware repair requiring a device swap — if Apple or a repair center replaces your iPhone unit, your eSIM does not carry over.

In all three situations, the starting point is the same: confirm whether your carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer. If yes, use the Quick Transfer method. If not, use the carrier re-issue method.

eSIM Quick Transfer: What It Is and What It Requires

eSIM Quick Transfer is an Apple feature available on iPhone that lets you move an eSIM from one iPhone to another without requesting a new profile from your carrier. Apple introduced this with iOS 16 in 2022.

The transfer works over a short-range wireless connection. Your carrier’s network validates the request on the server side and authorizes the profile to move to the new device.

Requirements for eSIM Quick Transfer:

RequirementDetail
iOS versioniOS 16 or later on both the source and destination iPhone
ProximityBoth iPhones must be physically close to each other during the transfer
ConnectivityBoth iPhones need an internet connection (Wi-Fi or an active mobile line)
Carrier supportThe carrier that issued the eSIM must support Quick Transfer

Carriers known to support eSIM Quick Transfer:

In the United States, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon document eSIM Quick Transfer flows on their own support pages and appear in Apple’s carrier support list. Support outside the United States varies by carrier and region. Check your carrier’s support page or contact them directly to confirm.

If your carrier is not listed as supporting Quick Transfer — or if you cannot confirm support — use the carrier re-issue method described later in this guide.

Transfer During iPhone Setup (Quick Start)

The easiest time to transfer an eSIM is when you are setting up a new iPhone for the first time. iOS presents the option automatically as part of the Quick Start setup flow.

What you need before starting:

  • Your current (source) iPhone nearby, turned on, and running iOS 16 or later
  • Your new (destination) iPhone, powered on and not yet set up
  • Both devices connected to power or with sufficient battery

Steps:

  1. Place both iPhones close together. When you power on the new iPhone, the Quick Start screen appears. Bring your current iPhone close to it.

  2. Follow the Quick Start prompts. Your current iPhone shows an animation. Use it to scan the pattern displayed on the new iPhone. This authenticates the transfer.

  3. Choose how to transfer data. You can restore from an iCloud backup, restore from a local backup, or transfer directly from the old iPhone. All three paths preserve your eSIM transfer option.

  4. When prompted to transfer your phone number. During setup, iOS displays a screen asking whether to transfer your cellular plan. Tap Transfer when this screen appears.

  5. Confirm on the source iPhone. Your current iPhone displays a confirmation prompt. Tap Transfer to approve. The eSIM transfer begins.

  6. Wait for the transfer to complete. A progress indicator appears. Keep both devices close together and do not interrupt the process. When complete, the eSIM is active on the new iPhone.

  7. Verify the transfer. On the new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular and confirm the plan appears and shows as active. Make a test call or open a webpage using cellular data to verify connectivity.

The eSIM is removed from the old iPhone once the transfer is confirmed. If no other cellular line remains active on the old iPhone, the status bar shows “No SIM”.

Transfer After Setup (Settings → Cellular)

If you have already completed the initial setup of your new iPhone without transferring the eSIM, you can still initiate a Quick Transfer afterward — as long as your carrier supports it and both devices meet the requirements.

Steps:

  1. On the destination iPhone (your new iPhone), open Settings.

  2. Tap Cellular.

  3. Tap Add eSIM (or Add Cellular Plan, depending on your iOS version).

  4. Tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone (this option appears if iOS detects a compatible source device nearby).

  5. On the source iPhone (your old iPhone), a notification or prompt appears asking you to confirm the transfer. Tap Transfer.

  6. Wait for the transfer to complete. Keep both iPhones close together. A progress screen is shown on the destination iPhone.

  7. Verify the eSIM is active. In Settings > Cellular on the new iPhone, confirm the plan is present and the line is turned on.

If the Transfer From Nearby iPhone option does not appear in step 4, it means either the source iPhone is not nearby, one of the devices does not meet the iOS version requirement, or your carrier does not support Quick Transfer. In that case, proceed to the carrier re-issue method.

If Your Carrier Does Not Support Quick Transfer

When Quick Transfer is not available, the process shifts to a standard eSIM re-issue. Your carrier issues a new eSIM profile for your existing plan, and you install it on the new iPhone. Your plan, phone number, and contract remain unchanged — only the eSIM profile is replaced.

Step 1: Contact your carrier.

Reach your carrier through their app, website, or phone support. Tell them you are moving to a new iPhone and need to transfer your eSIM. Carriers refer to this process using various terms: “eSIM transfer”, “eSIM switch”, “re-issue”, or “port eSIM to new device”.

Step 2: Complete any verification required.

Your carrier will verify your identity before issuing the new profile. This typically involves confirming your account details or entering a verification code sent to your registered email or number.

Step 3: Receive the new QR code or activation code.

The carrier provides one of the following:

  • A QR code (delivered on-screen or by email)
  • An SM-DP+ address and activation code (for manual entry)

Step 4: Install the eSIM on the new iPhone.

Once the new profile is installed and active, your old eSIM profile is invalidated. You do not need to take any action on the old iPhone for this — the carrier’s network deactivates the old profile when the new one activates.

Transferring Between Different Operating Systems (iPhone to Android)

eSIM Quick Transfer is an Apple feature. It does not work between iPhone and Android.

If you are switching from an iPhone to an Android device, there is no device-to-device transfer mechanism. You must contact your carrier and request a new eSIM profile for the Android device. The carrier issues either a QR code or an activation code. The setup process on the Android side follows the standard Android eSIM installation flow, not the iPhone Quick Transfer process.

The reverse direction is more nuanced: Apple’s “Transfer your eSIM from Android to iPhone” support page indicates that some carrier/device combinations support a transfer from Android to iPhone, while others require contacting the carrier for a new eSIM profile. Check Apple’s documentation and your carrier’s guidance for your specific case.

After the Transfer

On the New iPhone

After a successful transfer, verify the following in Settings > Cellular:

  • The plan appears under your cellular lines
  • Turn On This Line is enabled
  • Cellular Data is set to the transferred eSIM (especially important if you have more than one line)
  • The plan name and phone number are correct

Make a test call and load a webpage over cellular data to confirm the line is fully active.

On the Old iPhone

After a Quick Transfer, the eSIM is removed from the source iPhone automatically. You do not need to delete it manually. However, if you are handing the old iPhone to someone else — or selling it — you should erase all content and settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

If the transfer was done via carrier re-issue, the old eSIM profile remains visible in Settings on the old iPhone but is deactivated on the carrier’s network. Delete it to keep your Settings tidy: Settings > Cellular > tap the old plan > Remove Cellular Plan.

Troubleshooting

”Transfer From Nearby iPhone” option does not appear

This option appears only when iOS detects a compatible source device nearby. Check the following:

  • Both iPhones are running iOS 16 or later (confirm in Settings > General > About > Software Version)
  • The source iPhone is powered on, unlocked, and within Bluetooth/Wi-Fi range
  • Both devices have Wi-Fi or cellular internet enabled
  • Your carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer — if not, this option will not appear regardless of device conditions

If all conditions are met and the option still does not appear, restart both devices and try again.

Transfer appears to complete but eSIM is not active on new iPhone

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular on the new iPhone. If the eSIM line is listed but turned off, tap it and enable Turn On This Line.
  2. Confirm Cellular Data is set to the transferred line.
  3. Toggle Airplane Mode on and off to force the device to re-register on the network.
  4. Wait two to five minutes — network-side propagation can take a short time after a transfer.

If the plan does not appear at all in Settings, contact your carrier. Provide your account details and the IMEI of the new iPhone (found in Settings > General > About).

”This carrier doesn’t support this feature”

This message confirms your carrier does not support eSIM Quick Transfer. Use the carrier re-issue method described above. The carrier will provide a new QR code or activation code to install the eSIM on your new iPhone.

eSIM missing from both iPhones after a failed transfer

If a transfer was interrupted and the eSIM no longer appears on either device, contact your carrier immediately. The carrier can see the current status of your eSIM profile on their system and can re-issue it or restore it to the source device. Do not attempt to reinstall from a previously saved QR code — that code is single-use and will not work after the transfer was initiated. For broader activation errors not specific to transfer, see eSIM Won’t Activate? How to Fix Common Setup Issues.

FAQ

Does eSIM Quick Transfer delete the eSIM from my old iPhone?

Yes. eSIM Quick Transfer moves the profile — it does not copy it. Once the transfer is confirmed, the eSIM is removed from the source iPhone and activated on the destination iPhone. The carrier’s network reflects this change automatically.

Which carriers support eSIM Quick Transfer?

In the United States, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon support eSIM Quick Transfer. Support varies by country and carrier. Check your carrier’s support page or contact them directly to confirm whether they support the feature before starting a transfer.

Do both iPhones need to be on iOS 16 or later?

Yes. eSIM Quick Transfer requires iOS 16 or later on both devices (Apple introduced Quick Transfer in iOS 16 in 2022). Apple’s current documentation recommends iOS 18.4 or later on both devices for the most reliable experience. If either device runs an older iOS version, the transfer option will not appear. Update both devices before attempting the transfer.

Can I transfer an eSIM from iPhone to Android?

No. eSIM Quick Transfer is an Apple feature and does not work between iPhone and Android. To use an eSIM on an Android phone, you need to contact your carrier and request a new QR code or activation code for the Android device.

What happens if the transfer is interrupted halfway through?

If the transfer is interrupted — for example, by the devices moving out of range or a network error — the eSIM may remain on the source iPhone or be left in an inconsistent state. Do not move the devices apart during transfer. If the transfer fails, restart both devices and try again. If the eSIM is no longer visible on either device, contact your carrier to re-issue it.

Can I transfer a travel eSIM using Quick Transfer?

eSIM Quick Transfer requires carrier support on the network side. Travel eSIM providers generally do not support Quick Transfer. To move a travel eSIM to another device, contact the provider and ask whether they can re-issue the profile. Policies vary widely by provider. If you are installing a travel eSIM on a new device for the first time, see Your First Travel eSIM: Step-by-Step Guide.

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

Sources:

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