The short version
How you transfer an eSIM depends almost entirely on whether both phones are the same brand. iPhone to iPhone is close to automatic. Android to Android usually works during setup. Crossing between iPhone and Android, or using an older device, means going back to your carrier for a new QR code. And travel eSIMs are a separate case: most cannot be transferred at all.
| Moving from → to | How it works | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone → iPhone | Quick Transfer during setup, or Settings on the new phone | Easy — often one tap |
| Android → Android | Transfer prompt during setup, if carrier supports it | Usually easy |
| iPhone → Android | New QR code from your carrier | Needs carrier |
| Android → iPhone | New QR code from your carrier | Needs carrier |
| Any → older device | New QR code from your carrier | Needs carrier |
| Travel eSIM → any phone | Usually not possible | Buy a new plan |
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iPhone to iPhone
Apple calls this eSIM Quick Transfer and it is the smoothest path available. Keep both phones nearby, unlocked, on Wi-Fi, and with Bluetooth on.
- During setup of the new iPhone, watch for the "Transfer your eSIM" or "Set Up Cellular" prompt and select the line you want to move.
- Confirm on the old iPhone when it asks.
- Wait for activation — the line stops working on the old phone once the new one is live.
- If you already finished setup: on the new iPhone open Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM, then Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
Android to Android
Android eSIM transfer improved considerably from Android 14 onward, and both Google and Samsung support moving an eSIM during device setup. It depends on your carrier participating, which not all do.
- Start setup on the new phone with both devices to hand and on Wi-Fi.
- Choose the option to copy a SIM or transfer an eSIM when prompted.
- Confirm on the old phone.
- If no prompt appears, open Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add eSIM on the new phone and look for a transfer option.
- If there is none, your carrier does not support it — request a new QR code instead.
Manufacturer transfer tools can be narrower than they appear. HONOR's eSIM Transfer, for instance, only works with specific carriers in select regions including Europe and Mexico, rather than universally.
iPhone to Android, or Android to iPhone
There is no direct transfer between the two ecosystems. You need your carrier to issue a fresh eSIM profile for the new device.
- Contact your carrier — app, website, or store — and ask for an eSIM swap or reissue for a new device.
- Have the new phone's IMEI and EID ready. Dial *#06# on the new phone to find both.
- Receive the new QR code.
- Install it on the new phone over Wi-Fi before removing or deactivating anything on the old one.
- Confirm calls and data work, then delete the old profile.
Can I transfer a travel eSIM?
Usually not, and it is worth understanding why rather than treating it as a policy quirk. A travel eSIM profile is issued and bound to the device that installs it, and the activation code is typically single-use. Once installed, it belongs to that handset.
The practical consequences:
- Install the plan on the phone you are actually taking. Installing it on an old handset first is a common and expensive mistake.
- Do not delete a travel eSIM profile mid-trip to tidy up — reinstalling it may not be possible.
- If you change phones mid-trip, expect to buy a new plan. Some providers will reissue as a goodwill gesture; none guarantee it.
- Buying a new phone before a trip? Wait until it arrives, then install.
When a transfer goes wrong
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer option missing | Carrier does not support it, or OS too old | Request a QR code reissue from your carrier |
| Line dead on both phones | Transfer stalled part-way | Contact your carrier — they can reactivate on either device |
| New phone has no signal after transfer | Profile active but network not attached | Restart the new phone; toggle Airplane Mode |
| Old phone still shows the line | Stale profile left behind | Delete the old eSIM once the new one is confirmed working |
| "Cannot transfer this eSIM" | Travel or single-use profile | Not transferable — buy a plan for the new device |
A short checklist
- Both phones charged and on the same Wi-Fi.
- Bluetooth on for iPhone Quick Transfer.
- Your carrier account login to hand, in case you need a reissue.
- The new phone's IMEI and EID noted, via *#06#.
- Do not wipe or trade in the old phone until the new line is verified working.
Frequently asked questions
How do I transfer my eSIM to a new phone?
Between two iPhones, use eSIM Quick Transfer during setup or via Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM, Transfer From Nearby iPhone. Between two Android phones, use the transfer prompt during setup. Moving between iPhone and Android requires a new QR code from your carrier.
Can I transfer an eSIM from iPhone to Android?
Not directly — there is no cross-platform transfer. Contact your carrier for a new eSIM profile for the Android device, and have its IMEI and EID ready, which you can find by dialling *#06#.
Can I transfer a travel eSIM to another phone?
Usually no. Travel eSIM profiles are bound to the device that installs them and the activation code is normally single-use. Install the plan on the phone you are actually travelling with, and expect to buy a new plan if you change devices.
Do I lose service while transferring an eSIM?
Briefly. The line stops working on the old phone as it activates on the new one, typically for a few seconds to a few minutes. Keep both devices on hand and do not erase the old phone until the new one is confirmed working.
What is eSIM Quick Transfer?
Apple's feature for moving an eSIM between two nearby iPhones without contacting your carrier. Both phones need to be unlocked, on Wi-Fi, with Bluetooth enabled. It appears during new-iPhone setup or under Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM.
Can I transfer an eSIM without contacting my carrier?
Yes for iPhone to iPhone via Quick Transfer, and often for Android to Android if your carrier participates. Cross-brand moves and older devices always need the carrier to issue a new profile.
Sources & further reading
Daniel Reyes
eSIM & Mobile Networks Writer
Daniel is a telecoms writer who has covered mobile networks and eSIM technology since 2019. He breaks down carrier coverage, device compatibility, and activation step by step.