How to disable an eSIM on iPhone: quick guide

How to disable an eSIM on iPhone: the steps

To disable an eSIM on iPhone, open Settings, tap Cellular, select the eSIM plan you want to turn off, and tap Turn Off eSIM Line. The process takes less than a minute, does not delete the plan, and you can reactivate it later from the same menu, without reinstalling any QR code.

Here are the complete steps, as you will see them on the screen:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Cellular (on older iOS models it may appear as "Mobile Data").
You will see a list of lines. Look for the one that corresponds to your eSIM: it usually appears with the name of the operator or the plan (for example, the destination country if you bought it for a trip).
Tap that line to enter its settings.
Scroll down to the bottom and tap Turn Off eSIM Line.
Confirm when the system asks you to.

With that, the line is turned off: it stops consuming data, it stops appearing as active in the status bar, and your iPhone returns to using your main line (physical or eSIM) for calls, messages, and data. If you want to first understand exactly what an eSIM does within the system, this article on how an eSIM works on iPhone explains it in more detail.

One detail that confuses many people: disabling is not the same as deleting. If you only tapped "Turn Off eSIM Line," the plan is still saved on your iPhone, ready to be turned on again when you need it. If what you are looking for is to delete it completely, there is an additional step that we will see below.

Disabling vs. deleting an eSIM: the difference that saves you a headache

The iPhone gives you three levels of control over an eSIM, and each has a different effect on your data and whether you can retrieve the plan later. Confusing them is the number one reason someone accidentally deletes an eSIM that still had unused data.

Action	What happens to the plan	Can it be reversed?	When to use it
Turn off mobile data for that line	Stops consuming data, but the line remains "active" in the system	Yes, with one tap	You want to stop consumption for a while without touching anything else
Disable eSIM line	The line is completely turned off (data, calls if it had them)	Yes, by reactivating it from the same menu	You finished your trip but might return to that destination
Delete eSIM	The profile is deleted from the iPhone; the plan ceases to exist on the device	No, unless the operator allows reinstalling the same QR	You sell your iPhone, change devices, or the plan is no longer valid

The row that usually costs money is the last one. Many eSIM operators, including travel ones, generate a single-use QR code: once you scan it and then delete the line, that same code usually no longer works. If you still have unused data within the plan, deleting the eSIM does not give you any of that back.

Before tapping "Delete eSIM," ask yourself if you will need that same plan again in the coming weeks. If the answer is "maybe," just disable it: reactivating it is free and takes two taps. Deleting it, on the other hand, almost always means buying the plan again, because the QR code has already been used and most operators do not re-issue it.

How to disable the eSIM without losing your data plan

If your situation is "I just got back from a trip and want to turn off the eSIM, but I might go back to that country this year," the correct path is to disable, not delete. Follow exactly the six steps in the first section and stop there: do not go into "Delete eSIM" afterward.

With the line disabled, the iPhone saves it in the "eSIM Plans" list within Settings > Cellular, even if you don't see it active on the main screen. To reactivate it when you need it:

Settings > Cellular.
Tap the line (it will appear as inactive, usually in gray).
Turn on the switch or tap "Activate eSIM Line."

Be careful with one detail: even if the line is still saved, if the data plan it came with has already expired (for example, if you bought 30 days of validity and 40 days have passed), reactivating the line does not revive the data. The line turns on again, but without credit. That depends on the policy of each operator, not your iPhone.

Young person with backpack using phone on the street

What to do if the "Disable eSIM Line" option does not appear

Sometimes the menu looks different from what we described above, and it's not that you did something wrong: these are differences in iOS version or the iPhone model itself.

The text says something else. In some iOS versions it appears as "Turn Off This Line." Look for any variant of "turn off" or "disable" within the settings of that specific line, not in the general Cellular menu.
You only see a "Mobile Data" switch and not a button to disable the entire line. That happens in older iOS. There, turning off the data switch serves a similar function: the line stops consuming, although it technically remains installed as an active line.
Your iPhone does not support eSIM or the model has regional restrictions. Not all iPhones sold in all countries come with the eSIM function enabled from the factory; some markets only sell the dual physical SIM model. If that is your case, check which models are compatible before assuming that the problem is yours.

You can check the list of eSIM compatible phones if you suspect that the problem is not a configuration issue but your device model.

If you recently updated iOS and the menu changed suddenly, restart your iPhone (turn it off and on, not just lock the screen) before looking further: sometimes the Settings panel has cached information and a simple restart solves half of these cases without touching anything else.

How to turn off the physical SIM line on a dual SIM iPhone

If your iPhone has two lines—one physical SIM and one eSIM, or two eSIMs—and what you want is to turn off the physical SIM specifically (not the eSIM), the path is the same menu but with the correct line selected:

Settings > Cellular.
You will see the two lines listed separately, usually with the operator's name for each.
Tap the line that corresponds to the physical SIM (not the eSIM).
Tap "Turn Off This Line" or turn off the data switch, depending on your iOS version.

The key difference between turning off a physical SIM and an eSIM from the iPhone is that the physical SIM, when reactivated, does not depend on any code: it remains the same card inserted in the tray. The eSIM, on the other hand, is a digital profile, and therefore its reactivation depends on the operator still recognizing that profile as valid. If you want to compare in depth how they behave daily when traveling, this article on eSIM vs. physical SIM goes into detail.

A common case: you traveled with your local line in the physical tray and a data eSIM for the destination. Upon returning, you want to keep only the physical line active and turn off the travel eSIM. In that case, follow the steps in the first section for the eSIM (not for the physical SIM) and simply leave it disabled, in case you need it again.

How to completely remove the eSIM from your iPhone (delete it)

If your plan is no longer valid, you have used all your data, or you simply need space to install a new eSIM and your iPhone tells you that you have reached the limit of saved profiles, then you need to delete it, not just disable it:

Settings > Cellular.
Tap the eSIM line you want to delete.
Scroll to the bottom of that screen and tap Delete eSIM.
The system will ask for additional confirmation because the action cannot be undone. Confirm only if you are sure.

Before confirming, check two things: that you don't have any paid unused data left within that plan, and that you won't need to reinstall it soon. If you have doubts, it's better to disable it (section 1) and leave it saved; you can always delete it later, but the other way around doesn't work.

If you end up deleting an eSIM by mistake, the only real solution is to contact the operator who sold it to you and ask if they can re-issue the activation code. Some do it for free if the plan was still valid, others don't. If you later install a new eSIM, the activation process is different from deactivation: you can review the complete step-by-step in how to install an eSIM.

You are selling or exchanging your iPhone: why disabling is not enough

If the ultimate goal is to sell, give away, or recycle your iPhone, disabling the eSIM is not enough. The line remains installed within the device, and even if it is turned off, the data profile remains saved until you delete it or factory reset your iPhone.

The correct path before handing over the device:

Delete each eSIM manually (previous section) if you want to keep them for another device of yours first, or
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. This step automatically deletes all installed eSIMs along with the rest of the device's data.

If you are also getting a new iPhone, keep in mind that eSIMs do not transfer themselves from one device to another like a physical card that you take out and put into the tray: each operator has its own process, and some allow transferring the same profile from Settings, while others require you to request a new QR. If you are about to buy a travel eSIM for your new phone, keep in mind that you usually have plenty of time to activate it: with PuraSIM, for example, the period is 180 days from purchase until you activate it, so there's no rush to install it the same day the iPhone arrives.

Hand holding a phone with white screen on the street

The eSIM still appears active after disabling it

If you followed the steps and the eSIM still shows data or continues to appear as the primary line, it's usually one of these four causes:

You disabled the wrong line. On iPhones with two or more saved eSIMs, it's easy to tap the wrong one. Check the operator's or plan's name before confirming.
You only turned off "Mobile Data" for that line, not the entire line. As we saw in section 2, these are different actions. Turning off data stops consumption, but the line remains "active" at the system level and may still appear in the status bar.
The iPhone is still using that line as preferred for data. Go to Settings > Cellular > Mobile Data (at the top) and check which line is marked as the default. If it's still pointing to the eSIM you just turned off, manually switch it to the other line.
System cache after an iOS update. Restarting the device usually resolves it without needing to touch any settings again.

If after checking these four points the line continues to behave as active—you are still being charged, you are still connecting data from that eSIM abroad—then it is no longer an iPhone configuration issue, but an operator issue. It's worth contacting them directly before continuing to adjust settings.

Common problems when disabling a travel eSIM

This table summarizes the most typical cases that arise after a trip, with the most probable cause and what to do in each one:

Symptom	Probable cause	What to do
I can't find the disable button	Different iOS version or model without eSIM enabled	Check the exact text of the menu (section 4) and confirm that your model is compatible
I disabled the line but it's still charging me for data	Roaming active on the physical line, not on the eSIM	Check and disable roaming on the other line separately
I deleted the eSIM and still had unused data	The profile was deleted along with the remaining balance	Contact the operator: some allow re-issuing the QR if the plan was still valid
The eSIM does not reactivate after being turned off	The data plan expired while it was disabled	That balance does not return; you would have to buy a new plan
I don't know which eSIM is the travel one and which is the usual one	Several profiles saved with unclear names	Compare the operator appearing next to each line before touching anything

This last point—not clearly distinguishing which eSIM is which—is, in practice, the cause behind almost all the other headaches in this table: if you turn off or delete the wrong line, the rest of the symptoms appear on their own. Before touching any button, take ten seconds to read the operator's name next to each line.

When the problem turns out to be on the operator's side—they don't reactivate your plan, they don't re-issue the QR, they don't respond—that's when it's worth looking at what kind of support they offer before buying the next travel eSIM. You can review more similar cases in this guide to common eSIM problems.

Frequently asked questions

How can I remove the eSIM from my iPhone without deleting my other data?

Go to Settings, Cellular, select the eSIM line, and tap Turn Off eSIM Line (or Delete eSIM if you want to delete it completely). Neither of these actions affects your photos, contacts, or other iPhone settings: it only affects that line.

What is the difference between disabling and deleting an eSIM?

Disabling turns off the line but keeps it saved, ready to be reactivated with a tap. Deleting completely removes the profile from the iPhone; to get it back, you usually have to order a new plan, because the original QR code usually doesn't work again.

Can I reactivate an eSIM after disabling it?

Yes, as long as you haven't deleted it. Go to Settings, Cellular, tap the line (it will appear inactive), and reactivate it. However: if the data plan expired while it was turned off, reactivating the line does not revive the balance.

Why doesn't my iPhone show the option to disable the eSIM?

It could be a text difference depending on the iOS version (sometimes it says "Turn Off This Line"), an iPhone model without eSIM enabled depending on the market where it was purchased, or simply the Settings panel with cache after an update. Restarting the device resolves a good part of these cases.

Is the eSIM deleted if I factory reset my iPhone?

Yes. A complete reset (Erase All Content and Settings) deletes all installed eSIMs along with the rest of the device's data. This is the recommended step before selling, giving away, or recycling an iPhone.

Can I have two active eSIMs at the same time on an iPhone?

Compatible models can have several eSIMs saved, but usually only two active lines for data and calls at the same time (one physical plus one eSIM, or two eSIMs, depending on the model). The others remain saved but inactive until you activate them manually.

What happens if I delete the eSIM and still have unused data?

That balance is usually lost along with the profile. Before deleting an eSIM, check if it still has available data; if so, it's better to deactivate it instead of deleting it, and contact the operator if you need to confirm how much you have left.

Do I need to deactivate the travel eSIM when returning to my country?

It's not mandatory, but it's good practice if that eSIM doesn't have unlimited data from your home country: by leaving it active along with your local line, your iPhone might try to use it for data if you have it marked as preferred. Deactivating it avoids confusion and unnecessary plan consumption.

In summary: what to do with your eSIM now

If the travel plan has served its purpose but you might need it again, deactivate it and don't delete it: reactivation is immediate and free. If it's no longer useful, first check that you don't have unused data and only then delete it. And if the problem is not your iPhone's settings but rather the operator not reactivating your plan or reissuing the code, then it's worth checking what kind of support they offer before your next purchase.

For your next trip, it's worth comparing operators based on concrete factors: actual coverage at the destination, activation time, and what happens when something goes wrong. PuraSIM covers more than 200 destinations, activation takes approximately 1 minute once you install the profile, and if something goes wrong, there's 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp, without relying on a physical counter or a phone line. You can review the available plans in the international eSIM collection or review the definitive guide to eSIM for travel before deciding which one is best for your next destination.

Written byMarc González Sáez Founder of PuraSIM. He oversees the blog guides, which are built from our wholesale provider's network data, official carrier and manufacturer documentation, and real questions from travelers. If you spot something wrong, write to him and he'll correct it.