Before you touch anything, pause for a second: deleting an eSIM from your phone is not the same as canceling its data plan, and confusing the two is the mistake that causes people to lose GB they've already paid for. In this guide, we explain how to delete an eSIM on iPhone and Android step-by-step, when it's better to just deactivate it, and what to do if you've deleted it by mistake and want to recover it. This way, you free up space or an empty slot without destroying what you shouldn't have.
Delete vs. deactivate: they're not the same
Deactivating an eSIM leaves it installed but turned off: it doesn't consume or connect, and you can reactivate it with a tap whenever you want. Deleting it (or removing it) completely takes it off your phone and frees up the slot. If the plan had data, the profile disappears and often cannot be reinstalled with the same QR code.
This distinction is the key to everything. In day-to-day life, almost always what you want to do is deactivate, not delete: for example, when returning from a trip, when you stop using the destination eSIM but might reuse it later. It only makes sense to delete it when the plan is already exhausted or expired, when you need space for a new eSIM, or when you are selling or giving away your phone. Before deleting anything, see if your problem can be solved by simply switching lines, which we cover in the guide on common eSIM problems.
Golden rule: if you're unsure whether to deactivate or delete, deactivate. It's instantly reversible. Deleting is usually a one-way street.
How to delete an eSIM on iPhone
On iPhone, it's done from Settings in less than a minute. You go to mobile data, choose the eSIM line you want to remove, and at the bottom, tap the option to delete it. The system asks for confirmation because it's an action that permanently erases the profile.
The exact steps are:
- Open Settings > Mobile Data (or "Cellular" depending on the iOS version).
- Tap the name of the eSIM you want to delete within the list of lines.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Delete eSIM or "Remove Data Plan."
- Confirm. The line disappears and the slot becomes free.
If instead of deleting it you just want to temporarily turn it off, in the same menu you have the "Turn On This Line" switch: deactivate it and the eSIM remains dormant without being deleted. Sometimes the problem is not that the eSIM is superfluous, but that the eSIM does not appear in the iPhone settings, and there the solution is quite different.
How to delete an eSIM on Android
On Android, the process is equivalent, although the names of the menus change depending on the brand. In general, you go to the network and SIM section, select the eSIM, and look for the option to delete or remove the downloaded profile. It will also ask for confirmation before removing it.
On a Samsung Galaxy, for example, the path is usually:
- Open Settings > Connections > SIM card manager.
- Tap the eSIM you want to remove.
- Tap Remove or "Delete SIM" and confirm.
On Google Pixel and other Android phones, the logic is the same within "Network & internet > SIM". If your brand hides the menu, search for "SIM" in your phone's settings search bar. And if you're changing phones and don't want to lose your eSIM, don't delete it recklessly: it's better to read how to transfer an eSIM to a new phone so you don't lose it.
Do I lose the plan if I delete the eSIM?
It depends, and here you need to be careful. If the plan had active data and you delete the profile, in most cases, you lose those GB: the original QR code is usually single-use and does not allow reinstalling the same profile. That's why you should never delete an eSIM with a balance if you plan to continue using it.
This table summarizes the most common scenarios:
| Situation | What happens when deleted | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Plan with data to use | You usually lose the remaining GB | Deactivate, don't delete |
| Plan exhausted or expired | You lose nothing, it was already consumed | Delete without problem |
| eSIM you won't reuse | Frees up the slot | Delete after confirming 0 balance |
Before deleting any travel eSIM, check in your provider's app or panel how much data and how many days you have left. If it has already expired, there's nothing to lose; we cover that case in depth in the guide on what to do with an expired eSIM.
I accidentally deleted it: can it be recovered?
If you have deleted the eSIM by mistake, the first thing is not to panic: sometimes it can be reinstalled, but not always. It depends on whether the provider allows recreating the profile and if the plan was still valid. With many single-use eSIMs, the QR code is no longer valid once deleted.
What you can try, in order:
- Check your provider's account or app: some store the profile and allow you to reinstall it from there.
- Look for the purchase email: in case the QR allows a second scan (it's not common, but it happens).
- Contact support: this is the most reliable way; they will tell you if the profile can be regenerated.
At PuraSim, if you delete an eSIM with an active plan, our 24/7 Spanish-speaking support reviews your case and tries to reactivate your profile whenever possible. That's why we insist: if the eSIM still has a balance, deactivate it instead of deleting it. We also explain the difference between these actions in the general context of what an eSIM is.
When to delete it and when not to
Deleting an eSIM is a healthy cleanup when the plan is no longer useful, but a costly mistake if you do it in a hurry. The mental rule is simple: only delete what is exhausted, expired, or what you won't touch again. Everything else, deactivate it.
Typical cases where it is advisable to delete it: you have returned from a trip and the destination eSIM no longer has data or days; you need space because your mobile reaches the limit of stored profiles; or you are going to sell or give away the phone and want to leave it clean of your lines. On the other hand, do not delete it if the plan is still active, if it is your usual data eSIM, or if you are in the middle of a phone change. With these clear criteria, managing your eSIMs is as simple as any other phone setting, without fear of losing what you paid for.
Frequently asked questions
Can I delete an eSIM without losing the data plan?
Only if the provider allows reinstalling the profile. For most single-use eSIMs, deleting it means losing any remaining GB, because the QR code will no longer work. If you still have a balance, deactivate it instead of deleting it: it's reversible and you don't lose anything.
What's the difference between deactivating and deleting an eSIM?
Deactivating turns off the line but leaves it installed, ready to be reactivated with a tap. Deleting completely removes the profile and frees up the slot, usually with no way back. For daily use, you almost always want to deactivate; only delete when the plan is exhausted or expired.
I accidentally deleted my eSIM, how do I recover it?
Check your provider's app or account to see if it stores the profile and allows you to reinstall it. Also, check the purchase email in case the QR allows a second use. If nothing works, contact support: they will confirm if the profile can be regenerated based on the plan's status.
How do I delete an eSIM on a Samsung Galaxy?
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager, tap the eSIM you want to remove, and then tap Delete or Remove SIM, then confirm. If you only want to temporarily turn it off, disable its switch in that same menu instead of deleting the profile.
How many eSIMs can I store on my phone?
It depends on the model: many iPhones and Androids store several eSIM profiles but only allow one or two to be active at a time. When you approach the storage limit, deleting expired eSIMs frees up space to install new ones without problems.
Conclusion
Deleting an eSIM is easy, but only do it when the plan is exhausted or you won't reuse it: for all other cases, deactivating is the safe and reversible option. Always check the balance before deleting, and if you make a mistake, contact support as soon as possible. And for your next trip, you have the entire range of eSIMs ready to install in 1 minute in our catalog.
