How to transfer your eSIM to a new iPhone (every way)

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into the iPhone, and US iPhones since the iPhone 14 only use eSIM. That makes switching phones simpler than swapping a card, as long as you pick the right method. Below is every way to move your number, from the two-tap transfer between iPhones to carrier activation when your old phone is gone.

Before you start

• Update both iPhones. eSIM Quick Transfer needs iOS 18.4 or later on both.
• Sign in with the same Apple Account on both iPhones.
• Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both, and keep them next to each other.
• Know your old iPhone’s passcode. You may also need your carrier account PIN.
• If the new iPhone came from a different carrier, check that it is unlocked first.

How to transfer eSIM to new iPhone during setup

Transfer an eSIM from Android to iPhone

With iOS 26, an iPhone 11 or later can take an eSIM directly from an Android phone running Android 16 or later, if your carrier supports it. In the US, that includes AT&T, FirstNet, T-Mobile and Verizon. Put both phones side by side with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on. On the iPhone, tap Set Up Cellular, then Transfer from Android; if the iPhone is already set up, go to Settings › Cellular › Add eSIM › Transfer from Android. A QR code appears; follow the prompts on the Android phone to scan it and confirm.

If your carrier or phone does not support this, the carrier can activate a new eSIM on the iPhone instead. Moving everything else, like contacts and photos, is a separate step with Apple’s Move to iOS app during setup.

No old phone, or the transfer fails

• Carrier activation: many carriers push the eSIM straight to the new iPhone once you confirm the switch in their app or on the phone. A notification says Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed; tap it.
• QR code: the carrier emails or shows a QR code. Go to Settings › Cellular › Add eSIM › Use QR Code and scan it.
• Carrier app: the Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile apps can move your line to a new device after you sign in.
• Store visit: bring photo ID to a carrier store if online verification fails. It is quick and free.

Moving from a physical SIM card

If your old iPhone uses a plastic SIM card and your new US iPhone has no SIM tray, the number still moves easily. During setup, Quick Transfer can convert the physical SIM into an eSIM on the new iPhone with supported carriers. On the old iPhone you may also see Convert to eSIM in Settings › Cellular, which turns the card into an eSIM before you switch. Otherwise, ask your carrier to issue an eSIM for the new phone. Remove the old card afterward; it stops working once the eSIM is active.

Can I keep the number on both phones?

No. One phone line works on one phone at a time, so the old iPhone loses service when the new one activates. If you want calls on both, look at your carrier’s number sharing service, or add a second line. An Apple Watch with cellular shares your number through a separate feature, which comes next.

Cellular Apple Watch

When you move your Apple Watch to the new iPhone during setup, its cellular plan usually moves with it. If the watch says it cannot connect to cellular afterward, open the Watch app on the new iPhone, tap Cellular, and set up the plan again. Some carriers need you to remove and re-add the watch line in their app.

Carrier notes for the US

• Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile: support eSIM Quick Transfer between iPhones and transfer from Android. If it fails, use the carrier app or call; you may be asked for your account PIN.
• Prepaid brands such as Visible, Mint Mobile, Cricket and Metro: support varies. Many use their own app or website to move the eSIM, so start there if Quick Transfer does not offer your number.
• Business lines: may need the account administrator to approve the transfer.

Two lines, travel and dual SIM

An iPhone can store several eSIMs and use two at once. If you had a work line or a travel eSIM on the old iPhone, move each one separately; Quick Transfer lists every eSIM it finds. Travel data eSIMs from other companies sometimes cannot be moved and need to be reinstalled from the provider’s app. After the transfer, check Settings › Cellular to label each line and choose which one is used for calls and data. Our guide to what an eSIM is explains dual SIM in more detail.

eSIM transfer not working?

Switching carriers at the same time?

Quick Transfer only moves a line within the same carrier. If you are switching to a new carrier with your new iPhone, the new carrier ports your number instead. You give them your old account number and a transfer PIN, which you get from your current carrier’s app or website, and they activate a new eSIM on the iPhone. Keep your old service active until the port finishes, or you could lose the number.

After the transfer

• Make a test call and send a text from the new iPhone, and open a web page with Wi-Fi turned off to check cellular data.
• Check that iMessage and FaceTime show your phone number in Settings › Apps › Messages › Send & Receive.
• Move your apps, photos and messages if you have not already. See how to transfer data to a new iPhone.
• Before selling the old iPhone, erase it. When asked about the eSIM, choose to delete it; your line already lives on the new phone.