In short: iPhone eSIM transfer is done from Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM → Transfer from Nearby iPhone, without scanning any QR, as long as both devices have iOS 16 or higher and are close with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth active. If you no longer have the old iPhone, PuraSIM will regenerate the QR code for you via email.
You've received your new iPhone and have an active eSIM on your old one, either your PuraSIM one or your usual carrier's. The good news is that since iOS 16, Apple introduced a feature that solves this without you having to ask anyone for anything: the iPhone itself transfers the eSIM profile to the new device via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, in the same place where you configure the rest of the phone. No camera needed, no QR code needed, no manual uninstallation needed.
The problem is that this option only appears if certain conditions are met, and when it doesn't appear, people get stuck thinking they've lost their plan. You haven't lost it: there's almost always an alternative route. Let's look at it step by step, with what really goes wrong in practice and what no one tells you until you've already messed it up.
When you need to transfer the eSIM to another iPhone
There are basically four scenarios, and each requires a different method:
- You switch iPhones and keep the old one on (selling, gifting to someone else, spare drawer): this is the ideal case for direct transfer.
- The old iPhone breaks but still turns on: the screen may be shattered, but if it boots up and maintains Wi-Fi, direct transfer usually works just as well, because all confirmation is done from the new device.
- The old iPhone doesn't turn on, is lost, or you've already returned it: direct transfer is not possible here. You'll need to request a new QR from the provider.
- You performed a factory reset too early: the reset erases the eSIM profile from the device, so even if the iPhone is still in your possession, it can no longer serve as the source for the transfer. Same case as above: new QR.
This last point causes the most headaches and is avoidable: if you're going to reset, sell, or hand over your old iPhone, transfer the eSIM first, then reset. The other way around, there's no easy way back.
What you need before starting
Before touching anything, check this on both iPhones:
- iOS 16 or higher on both devices. If the old iPhone hasn't been updated in years, that's the first place to look.
- Wi-Fi active on both, connected to the same network if possible (it's not mandatory that it's the same, but it speeds up the process).
- Bluetooth active on both: this is the channel they use to detect each other.
- The two iPhones close together, practically touching, like when you pair AirPods.
- The old iPhone unlocked and with the eSIM you want to move still active (not in permanent airplane mode or with mobile data disabled in the background).
If all this is met, the process is one of the smoothest in the entire Apple ecosystem. If even one thing is missing, the transfer option simply doesn't appear in the menu, and that's when people think something is broken.
Step-by-step transfer methods
Method 1: Direct iPhone to iPhone transfer (without QR)
- On the new iPhone: go to Settings → Mobile Data (or Settings → Cellular Networks) → Add eSIM.
- Choose Transfer from Nearby iPhone.
- Bring the old iPhone closer: it should detect it automatically via Bluetooth.
- On the old iPhone, a notification will appear asking to confirm the transfer. Accept it.
- Go back to the new iPhone, select the plan you want to transfer (if you have several eSIMs on the old device, choose the correct one by name) and confirm.
- Wait for the new iPhone to finish activating the line; it usually takes a short time, but it may remain "Activating" for a while while the operator validates the change on their servers.
A subtlety often overlooked: this same option also appears during the initial setup assistant of the new iPhone, in the "Transfer Data & Settings" step. If you are setting up the device from scratch, you don't need to wait until the entire process is finished to then go to Settings: you can transfer the eSIM right there, in one go.
Method 2: Request a new QR from the provider
This is the way to go when you don't have the old iPhone handy, it doesn't turn on, or you've already reset it. With PuraSIM:
- Contact support indicating the purchase email, order number, and the IMEI of the new iPhone.
- They will send you a new QR via email for that same plan (if the plan allows it: some operators limit reactivations, which we'll discuss below).
- Scan the QR from the new iPhone, in Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM → Use QR Code.
If your eSIM is not from PuraSIM but from another operator – for example, a local one you bought on the spot during a trip, or your usual company's – the direct method from the previous point works exactly the same because it's an iOS function itself, not something dependent on the provider. What changes is method 2: for a new QR, you'll have to write to that specific operator, not us, because the profile lives on their servers.
| Your situation | Recommended method | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| You have the old iPhone, turned on and with Wi-Fi | Direct transfer (Method 1) | iOS 16+, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both, physical proximity |
| Broken screen but device turns on and connects to Wi-Fi | Direct transfer (Method 1) | Same: confirmation is managed from the new one |
| Old iPhone lost, stolen, or no longer turns on | New QR from provider (Method 2) | Purchase email, order number, IMEI of the new iPhone |
| You reset the old iPhone before transferring | New QR from provider (Method 2) | Same as above; the profile no longer exists on the old device |
| eSIM from another operator (not PuraSIM) | Method 1 if you have the old device; if not, contact that operator | The new QR is only issued by the one who sold that eSIM |
What almost no one tells you (and saves you trouble)
- Order matters more than method. The most common error is not technical, it's sequential: people reset, sell, or give away the old iPhone and only then remember the eSIM. Once reset, the profile disappears from the device and direct transfer is no longer possible, no matter how updated iOS is. Transfer first, reset later. Always in that order.
- "Needs Wi-Fi" does not mean "the same Wi-Fi network". The two iPhones can be connected to different networks (one to home Wi-Fi, the other to shared data) and the transfer still works, because the initial discovery is via Bluetooth. What does fail if there's no Wi-Fi on either is the final activation phase with the operator.
- The plan does not "reset" upon transfer. This is a common misunderstanding: people think that when moving the eSIM, the data or day counter goes back to zero. The plan lives on the operator's servers, not on the physical chip or the downloaded profile; the transfer moves access, it does not reset consumption or remaining time.
- An iPhone can accumulate several inactive eSIM profiles. If you've already performed a transfer before, it's easy to see more than one line listed in Settings → Mobile Data, some unused. It's fine to leave them there, but if you're looking for space or just tidiness, you can delete expired profiles without affecting the current active plan.
- Not all plans are indefinitely transferable. Some providers limit how many times a QR can be reissued for the same plan. If you plan to change devices frequently (device tester, reseller, or simply indecisive), it's worth checking this condition before buying, not after the second time you request it.
- Direct transfer doesn't "copy," it moves. When you confirm the transfer on the new iPhone, the profile on the old iPhone is automatically deactivated. Both devices don't stay active with a line simultaneously, so if you need to maintain connectivity on the old device during the transition (for example, to continue receiving SMS verification codes while migrating other things), do so before completing this step.
When it's not worth fighting with the transfer
Here's a piece of advice you won't read in most guides: if the data plan you're trying to transfer is already practically used up or expired, or if it was a travel eSIM for a destination you're not going back to, don't waste half an hour writing to support to regenerate a QR that will barely last you. In that case, it's faster and cheaper to activate a new eSIM for your next trip than to resurrect one that has already served its purpose. The transfer makes sense when the plan still has real validity ahead; otherwise, it's wasted time.
And if what you have is a physical line from your usual operator (not a travel eSIM), remember that this is managed directly with your company, not with us: our support can only regenerate QR codes for eSIMs you have purchased from PuraSIM.
Frequent problems and how to solve them
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| "Transfer from Nearby iPhone" does not appear | Update iOS on both devices, activate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and restart both before re-attempting |
| iPhones do not detect each other | Move them closer (pairing distance for headphones), disable low power mode, and wait a few seconds; sometimes it takes a while for the notification to appear |
| Transfer remains "Activating" for a long time | Check that both still have stable Wi-Fi; if it lasts for a few minutes without resolving, restart the new iPhone and try again |
| Provider cannot regenerate QR | Check if the plan is single-use or has a reactivation limit; if so, the only solution is to activate a new plan |
| The new iPhone is from another country or bought unlocked outside the EU | Some models sold in specific markets (like the US with dual eSIM without a physical tray) have their own restrictions; check the exact model's eSIM compatibility before assuming it's the same as the European one |
In practice
For the vast majority of iPhone changes, direct transfer solves everything in a short time and without having to contact anyone: Settings, Add eSIM, bring the devices closer, confirm. It's one of the few Apple processes that works on the first try almost always, as long as the requirements above are met. Keep Method 2 as a backup plan for when the old iPhone is no longer in play, and remember the golden rule: transfer before resetting, never the other way around.
If you're going to use your new iPhone for an upcoming trip, take the opportunity to check out our eSIM for Europe or the eSIM for Spain depending on where you're going: they're just as easy to install as any other, with their own QR, without relying on a previous transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
When transferring the iPhone eSIM, do the plan's time and data remain?
Yes. The plan lives on the provider's servers, not on the profile itself that moves between devices. The transfer moves access to that line; the remaining data and time stay exactly the same as before changing iPhones.
Can I transfer an eSIM from an iPhone to an Android?
Not with the direct method, which is an exclusive iOS feature. To transfer the plan to an Android, you need to request a new QR code from the provider and scan it from the new device, after checking that the Android model supports eSIM.
How many times can the same eSIM be transferred?
It depends on the provider and the specific plan: some allow multiple reactivations and others limit the re-issuance of the QR to only once. If you anticipate changing devices more than once during the plan's validity, it's advisable to check this before purchasing.
What happens to the eSIM on the old iPhone after transferring it?
It is automatically deactivated as soon as you confirm the transfer on the new device. Both lines do not remain active simultaneously, so if you need to continue using the old iPhone for something specific (receiving a verification SMS, for example), do so before completing the transfer.
Do I need Wi-Fi for direct transfer?
Yes, on both iPhones, although it doesn't have to be the same network. Device discovery is done via Bluetooth, but the final plan activation requires an internet connection on both devices.
Does the same method work if my eSIM is from another operator and not PuraSIM?
Yes, direct transfer between nearby iPhones is an operating system feature, not something specific to a provider: it works the same with an eSIM from any operator, Spanish or foreign. What changes is who you have to ask for a new QR if you no longer have the old device: always the one who sold you that specific eSIM.
I already reset the old iPhone by mistake, have I lost the plan?
You haven't lost the plan, just the possibility of using direct transfer from that device. Contact the eSIM provider indicating your purchase details and the IMEI of the new iPhone so they can re-issue the QR, provided the plan still allows reactivation.
