What is eSIM Quick Transfer?
eSIM Quick Transfer is an Apple feature that moves an active eSIM profile from one iPhone to another directly via Bluetooth, without scanning a QR code or calling anyone. It's useful when you get a new phone and want to continue using the same line, without going through the carrier.
The idea was born from a real problem: previously, changing phones meant asking the carrier for a new QR code, waiting for it to be generated, and reconfiguring everything from scratch. Apple solved this for its own devices by allowing one iPhone to "pass" the eSIM profile to another nearby iPhone, as long as both are powered on, have Bluetooth active, and are logged into the Apple ID. In seconds, the line is active on the new phone and disappears from the old one.
It's important not to confuse this feature with "cloning" an eSIM or using it on two phones simultaneously. There is only one active profile on one device at a time: Quick Transfer moves it, it does not duplicate it.
What is Claro’s eSIM Quick Transfer?
Claro, one of the largest carriers in Latin America, uses the name "Quick Transfer" to describe the same Apple mechanism applied to its own eSIM lines: if you have a Claro eSIM on an iPhone and buy a new iPhone, you can move it to the new device from the setup assistant, without going to a service center or reactivating the number.
Here it's worth clarifying something that causes confusion in search engines: Claro did not invent its own technology. What it did was enable, on its network side, compatibility with the transfer feature that Apple already offers out of the box for carrier eSIMs. That's why the process looks and feels the same as any other carrier that also supports it: the "carrier to carrier" step is transparent to the user because it actually happens between two iPhones, with the carrier simply authorizing the change in the background.
This distinction matters because an international travel eSIM, like those used for browsing outside your country, does not depend on a local carrier like Claro and does not go through the same circuit, something we revisit in the section on travel eSIMs.
How does transfer between iPhones work?
Apple's process for moving an eSIM between two iPhones always follows the same logic, regardless of the carrier:
- Turn on the new iPhone and reach the "Transfer Your Data" screen.
- Place the new iPhone near the old one; the system detects that an eSIM is available to move.
- Accept the transfer on both devices when prompted.
- The new iPhone downloads the eSIM profile and, at the same time, the old iPhone deactivates it.
- In a few seconds, the new phone shows signal and can make and receive calls or use data with that line.
All exchange occurs via Bluetooth, without the need for Wi-Fi or active cellular data at that moment, although an internet connection is recommended for the carrier to confirm the change in its system.
Quick Transfer moves an existing plan between two phones that belong to you; it does not create new coverage or activate a line you didn't have before. This difference separates "transferring" from "activating."
Does eSIM Quick Transfer work on Android?
Not in the same way. Quick Transfer, as designed by Apple, only runs between two iPhones. If your new phone is Android, or if you switch from Android to iPhone (or vice versa), that Bluetooth shortcut is not available.
That doesn't mean it's impossible to move your line to an Android: it's just that the path is different. On Android, the usual process is for the carrier to generate a new QR code for the new device, or for you to use the carrier's app to reassign the eSIM. Some manufacturers, like Google in its Pixel line, have also incorporated their own transfer tools between devices of the same ecosystem, but these work separately from Apple's system and are not interchangeable with it.
If you're about to change phones and don't know which models support eSIM in the first place, it's worth checking before buying: not all devices, not even all seemingly recent ones, have this technology integrated.
How to transfer your eSIM to another phone, step by step
Since the correct method depends on the operating system and carrier, the most practical approach is to follow this order: first try the quick method, and if it doesn't apply, switch to the manual one.
- Check if Quick Transfer applies. If both phones are iPhones and the newer one is running a recent iOS version, first try the Bluetooth transfer during initial setup.
- If the option doesn't appear, contact your carrier. Ask them to reassign the eSIM to the IMEI of the new phone; they usually send you a new QR code or an activation link.
- Scan the new QR code from the cellular network settings of the new device, in the section for adding an eSIM plan.
- Confirm that the old line was deactivated on the old phone, to avoid duplicate charges or confusion about which device it's active on.
- Test calls and data on the new phone before factory resetting or selling the old one.
A detail almost no one checks: most eSIM QR codes are designed to be scanned only once. If the code was already used to activate the profile on the first phone, that same QR won't work to install it on the second; the carrier needs to issue a new one or enable reassignment from their system. Saving a screenshot of the original QR doesn't solve the problem if the profile is already linked to another device.
Can a travel eSIM be transferred to another phone?
This depends on the type of eSIM and is the most confusing part for travelers. A local carrier eSIM, like Claro's, is tied to a phone line with its own number, so it makes sense that it can be moved from one phone to another without losing that number. A travel data eSIM, however, has no associated phone number: it's a data profile installed once, for a specific trip, on the device you carry with you.
Therefore, in practice, a travel eSIM is intended for a single phone during that trip. If you bought your data plan before leaving and then change devices mid-trip, the simplest approach is not to "transfer" it with a Quick Transfer-like mechanism, but rather to install the profile directly on the phone you'll be using from the start, or ask for it to be reissued for the new device if the provider allows it. You can read more details about how this installation process works in this guide on how to install an eSIM.
A concrete example: if you're traveling through Colombia, Peru, and Chile for three weeks and bought a data eSIM for the entire route, the correct thing to do is to install it on the phone you're actually taking to the airport, before leaving, taking advantage of the fact that many providers give several months to activate it from the moment of purchase. This way, you avoid running out of data right when you need it most, for example, when arriving at a new airport and needing a map or to order a ride.
What to do if your phone is lost or broken while traveling
This is the scenario where people search for "eSIM quick transfer" without knowing that this specific term doesn't apply to their case. If your phone is lost, broken, or you simply change it while traveling, there is no magic Apple function to move your data eSIM to the replacement device: you need to contact the eSIM provider's support and ask them to reissue the profile for the new device.
This is where the accessibility of that support matters. If you're traveling and your only contact channel is an email that they answer during business hours in a different time zone, you could spend hours or days without data. Therefore, when choosing an eSIM provider for travel, it's worth confirming in advance how these unforeseen events are resolved and in what language you will be attended.
If you're interested in understanding what other common mishaps occur with eSIMs and how they are usually resolved, this guide on common eSIM problems covers several similar cases, not just a lost phone.
Quick Transfer vs. traditional QR code
To clarify when each method is appropriate, this table compares both ways to move a line to another phone.
| Aspect | eSIM Quick Transfer | Traditional QR code |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible devices | Only between two iPhones | Any eSIM-compatible phone (iPhone or Android) |
| Requires contacting carrier | No, in most cases | Yes, for them to issue a new code |
| Approximate time | Almost immediate, if both devices are close | Depends on the carrier's or provider's response time |
| Works without Wi-Fi connection | Yes, uses Bluetooth between the two devices | No; you need data or Wi-Fi to receive and scan the code |
| Works for already used travel data eSIMs | Generally no | Yes, if the provider reissues the profile for the new device |
Is your phone compatible?
Before attempting either method, there must be real eSIM compatibility on both devices. Not all models have it, and some only include it in certain regional versions.
| Phone type | Supports eSIM? | Supports Quick Transfer between peers? |
|---|---|---|
| Recent iPhone model with eSIM | Yes | Yes, if the other device is also a compatible iPhone |
| Older generation iPhone without eSIM | No | Not applicable |
| Android with eSIM (recent mid/high-range) | Yes, in most cases | No; QR or carrier app is used |
| Low-end Android or old models | Depends on the model, needs verification | Not applicable |
If you are not sure whether your device falls into one of these categories, this list of eSIM-compatible phones allows you to check by brand and model before buying any data plan.
Common errors when transferring an eSIM
Most problems when moving an eSIM from one phone to another recur with the same patterns:
- Attempting to reuse the same QR code on the second phone when it has already been used on the first. Most eSIM profiles are installed only once.
- Factory resetting the old phone before confirming that the line works on the new one, losing the possibility of going back if something fails.
- Confusing "transfer" with "duplicate." It is not possible to have the same eSIM active on two phones at once, regardless of the method.
- Assuming that Quick Transfer works between iPhone and Android, when in reality it is exclusive to the Apple ecosystem.
- Waiting until arrival at the destination to install a travel eSIM, instead of doing it before leaving with a stable Wi-Fi connection.
If you want to better understand how an eSIM differs from a physical SIM when changing devices, this comparison between eSIM and physical SIM explains why the process of "changing phones" has changed so much with this technology.
Frequently asked questions
What is eSIM Quick Transfer?
It's an Apple feature that moves an active eSIM profile from one iPhone to another via Bluetooth, without scanning a new QR code, when both devices are iPhones.
Are Quick Transfer and "transfer eSIM" the same?
Quick Transfer is a specific transfer method, exclusive to iPhones. "Transfer an eSIM" is the general concept, which also includes scanning a new QR code issued by the carrier or provider.
Does Claro have its own transfer technology?
No. Claro uses the name Quick Transfer for the same mechanism offered by Apple for cellular carrier eSIMs; what Claro provides is the compatibility of its network with that function, not a distinct technology.
Can I transfer my eSIM from an iPhone to an Android?
Not via Quick Transfer, because that function only operates between iPhones. To move the line to an Android, you need to ask the carrier for a new QR code or use their eSIM management app.
Can a travel eSIM that I've already used on another trip be transferred?
It depends on the provider. Most travel data eSIMs are installed only once per device; if it has already been activated on one phone, it usually cannot be reinstalled on another without the provider issuing a new profile.
What if my new phone doesn't recognize the eSIM when trying to transfer it?
Check that both devices have Bluetooth active, are physically close, and are logged in correctly. If the problem persists, the always available alternative is to request a new QR code from the carrier or provider.
Do I need internet for Quick Transfer?
The transfer between the two iPhones occurs via Bluetooth, but an internet connection is recommended for the carrier to confirm the line change in its system without delays.
How long do I have to install a data eSIM before it expires?
With PuraSIM, for example, you have 180 days from purchase to activate it, which gives you plenty of time to install it calmly before you travel, even if you bought the plan well in advance.
In summary
eSIM Quick Transfer solves a specific problem: moving a local carrier's eSIM between two iPhones when you change devices. It's fast and convenient, but only applies in that specific context; it's not the tool for moving a travel data eSIM between different phones, nor does it work between iPhone and Android.
To travel without relying on this type of transfer, the practical recommendation is simple: decide which phone you will travel with before buying your data plan, and calmly install the eSIM on that device, ideally before leaving home and with stable Wi-Fi. If the provider also gives you several months of leeway to activate it and an accessible support channel in case something goes wrong along the way, that unforeseen event ceases to be a problem.
If you've never installed an eSIM, it's best to start with the basics: this explanation of what an eSIM is and this guide to first steps for traveling with an eSIM cover the complete process, from purchase to activation. You might also find it helpful to compare data eSIM vs. traditional roaming if you're still undecided between the two options.
Once you're sure which phone you'll be traveling with, you can check the data plans available by destination in our international eSIM collection, with coverage in more than 200 destinations, activation in approximately 1 minute, and 24/7 support in all languages by email and WhatsApp for any unforeseen events during your trip.
