How to transfer your eSIM to a new iPhone (quick method)
Yes: if both iPhones have iOS 16 or a later version, the quickest way is to use Quick Start during the setup of the new iPhone, which copies your eSIM automatically without scanning any QR code. You only need both devices close by, with Bluetooth enabled, and follow the on-screen assistant.
This is the path that works in most cases, so start here before looking for more complicated solutions:
- Turn on Bluetooth on both iPhones and place them very close to each other, almost touching.
- Turn on the new iPhone and proceed through the setup assistant until you reach the "Quick Start" screen.
- Hold your old iPhone close when the system prompts you: an animation will appear on the new device's screen that you should focus on with the old one's camera.
- Choose "Continue" when asked if you want to transfer your cellular plans, including the eSIM, and enter your passcode if prompted.
- Wait for the transfer to complete. The new iPhone will have the same active line; the old iPhone will be automatically deactivated for that eSIM in the process.
If in step 4 you don't see the option to transfer the cellular plan, it's because your carrier does not yet support automatic transfer of that particular eSIM, and you need one of the manual methods in the following sections.
Quick Transfer with Bluetooth: what you need
For Quick Start to detect and move the eSIM between the two iPhones (this answers "how do I transfer my eSIM from a nearby iPhone?"), three conditions must be met simultaneously. If one is missing, the system skips directly to setting up the new iPhone without offering the eSIM option:
- Both iPhones must be physically close, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled (Wi-Fi does not need to be connected to a network, just active).
- The old iPhone must have an iOS version compatible with eSIM transfer (iOS 16 or later) installed.
- The line's carrier must allow automatic transfer from its platform; some carriers only enable manual transfer via QR code or require you to request it from their app.
Also check our guide on which iPhone models are compatible with eSIM if you're unsure whether your old or new device supports this feature. In general, all iPhones from XS onwards include eSIM, but availability varies depending on the country where the device was purchased.
Before factory resetting your old iPhone to sell or give it away, transfer the eSIM first: eSIM profiles are not included in an iCloud or Finder backup, so if you reset the device without transferring or deleting the line, you may not have an easy way to recover it.
Without the old iPhone handy: manual transfer with a QR code
When the old iPhone is lost, broken, or simply not with you, Quick Start is not an option because it requires both devices to be present. In that case, the way to go is to ask your carrier for a new eSIM QR code and scan it directly on the new iPhone:
- Access your carrier's app or web portal and look for the line management or eSIM section.
- Request a new QR code or eSIM profile for that line (some carriers call it "reinstall eSIM" or "replacement eSIM").
- On the new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and choose "Use QR Code."
- Scan the code with the camera or manually enter the details if the carrier provided text codes.
- Confirm activation and wait for the line to appear as active in Settings.
If your eSIM is from a travel store (not your local carrier), the procedure is practically the same: log in to the account where you purchased it, locate the QR code for that eSIM, and repeat steps 3 to 5. For full details on this screen, you can check our guide on how to install an eSIM step by step.
Why can't I transfer my eSIM?
When the transfer fails or doesn't even appear as an option, it's almost always one of these reasons. Check them in this order because they are from most to least frequent:
| What you see | Probable cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The option to transfer the cellular plan does not appear | The old iPhone has an iOS version older than 16 | Update the old iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update before starting |
| The QR code says "already used" or "invalid code" | eSIM QR codes expire after a single use in most cases | Ask the carrier or store for a new code; do not reuse screenshots of previous installations |
| The transfer gets stuck loading and never finishes | Unstable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection between devices | Move the phones closer, turn Bluetooth off and on again, and try again |
| The carrier requires additional verification | Some carriers ask to confirm the transfer from their app or via text message | Check notifications or emails from the carrier and approve the request from there |
| The new iPhone is not eSIM compatible | Model purchased in a market where it only comes with a physical SIM, or factory unlocked iPhone without an enabled eSIM tray | Verify the exact model before trying again; not all iPhones sold in all countries include eSIM |
If the problem persists after checking this table, it's most likely a restriction on the carrier's side and not something you can solve from the iPhone. In that case, it's best to contact carrier support directly, as they control whether that line can be transferred or not.
If you change country or carrier at the same time
Transferring an eSIM and changing carrier or country are two different things that are sometimes confused. Quick Transfer moves your current eSIM, with the same number and the same plan, from one iPhone to another: it does not create a new line or give you coverage in a different country.
If what you need is mobile data in another country, there's no point in struggling with transferring a local eSIM that will cease to function outside its coverage area anyway. In that scenario, it's advisable to install a separate travel eSIM, which coexists without problems with your main line thanks to the iPhone's dual SIM. You can see how this difference works in our guide on travel eSIM vs. international roaming.
Local carrier eSIM vs. travel eSIM: they don't transfer the same way
Not all eSIMs behave the same way when moved from one iPhone to another. Before assuming something is broken, it's worth understanding what type of eSIM you have:
| eSIM Type | Does it transfer with Quick Start? | Alternative if it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Your local carrier's eSIM (main line) | Depends on the carrier; many support it since iOS 16 | Request a new QR code from the carrier and reinstall it manually |
| Corporate or business eSIM | Almost never, as it's usually managed by an MDM profile | Contact the company's IT department, not the carrier |
| Travel eSIM purchased for a specific destination | Not usually offered via Quick Start | Reinstall with the QR code from the account where you purchased it, checking the code's validity |
Travel eSIMs, in particular, are designed to be installed on the device you're traveling with and not necessarily to be moved between phones after activation. If you're getting a new iPhone just before a trip, the simplest approach is usually to install the travel eSIM directly on the new device instead of trying to transfer it from the old one.
eSIM vs. physical SIM when switching iPhones
If your old iPhone still uses a physical SIM for the main line, switching devices literally means taking out the card and putting it in the new one. With eSIM, the process is different because there's no card to move, but rather a digital profile that needs to be transferred or reinstalled:
| Physical SIM | eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Changing iPhones | Remove the card and insert it into the new device | Use Quick Start or reinstall with a QR code |
| Risk of losing the line | Only if the physical card is lost or damaged | If the old iPhone is factory reset without transferring first |
| Requires the old device to be present | No | Yes, for Quick Start (not with manual QR) |
| Can have more than one line at a time | Only with a dual physical SIM tray (uncommon on iPhone) | Yes, most recent iPhones allow eSIM + physical SIM or two eSIMs |
This is precisely why many travelers prefer a travel eSIM instead of buying a physical SIM upon arrival at their destination: it installs in minutes from the store's account, without relying on having the old iPhone nearby or finding a store that sells physical cards. You can review the full comparison in eSIM vs. physical SIM.
If your carrier doesn't let you transfer your eSIM
When you've tried everything above and the carrier simply doesn't allow you to move your local eSIM to the new iPhone, or takes days to respond to a QR code request, the problem is no longer technical: it's a service issue. That's where it pays to separate your main line from your travel connectivity.
For travel, an independent eSIM avoids relying on traditional carrier support. At PuraSIM, installation is a QR code that activates in approximately 1 minute once you arrive at your destination, with coverage in over 200 destinations and 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp if anything is unclear during installation. You also have 180 days from purchase to activate it, so you can buy it in advance without rushing. Check the international eSIM collection to see available plans by destination.
Common errors when transferring an eSIM
Most failed transfers are due to a handful of oversights that are easy to avoid if you know about them beforehand:
- Factory reset the old iPhone before transferring. Once the device reverts to factory settings, the eSIM installed on it may become unusable without contacting carrier support.
- Reusing an already scanned QR code. Most eSIM profiles are designed for single installation; if you've already used it on another device, you need to request a new one.
- Trying to transfer with both iPhones far from each other. Bluetooth requires actual proximity, not just being in the same room with walls in between.
- Not updating the old iPhone before starting. If it's still on an iOS version earlier than 16, you won't see the automatic transfer option, even if the new iPhone is up to date.
- Confusing "transfer" with "duplicate." An active eSIM can only be on one device at a time (except for independent data eSIMs like travel ones); don't expect to use it on both iPhones simultaneously.
If you want to better understand what an eSIM is exactly and why it behaves differently from a physical card before resolving any of these errors, the basics are in our guide on what an eSIM is on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Wi-Fi to transfer my eSIM to the new iPhone?
You need to have Wi-Fi turned on on both devices, but it doesn't need to be connected to a network with internet: Quick Start primarily uses Bluetooth for communication between the two iPhones during the process.
Do I lose my phone number when transferring the eSIM?
No. The transfer moves the same line profile, with the same number, from the old iPhone to the new one. It's the same eSIM, just active on a different device.
Can I have the eSIM active on two iPhones simultaneously?
Not with a traditional carrier eSIM: it can only be active on one device at a time. Travel eSIMs, being independent data lines, can coexist installed on multiple devices, but each functions separately.
What happens if I sell or give away my old iPhone after transferring the eSIM?
If you have already transferred the eSIM to the new iPhone, it should automatically become inactive on the old one. Even so, before selling or giving it away, it's advisable to go to Settings > Cellular and confirm that no cellular plans remain associated, and then factory reset the device.
Does Quick Start work between an iPhone and an Android?
No. Quick Start is an iOS-exclusive feature for moving data between two iPhones. If you switch from iPhone to Android or vice versa, you need to reinstall the eSIM manually with a new QR code from the carrier or the store where you purchased it.
How long does it take for the eSIM to activate on the new iPhone?
The transfer itself takes a couple of minutes, but the final activation of the line depends on the carrier. In the case of a PuraSIM travel eSIM, activation takes approximately 1 minute once you scan the QR code in the corresponding coverage area.
Do I need the old iPhone to install a travel eSIM on the new one?
No. Travel eSIMs are installed by scanning a QR code you receive by email when you purchase them, so you can activate them directly on the new iPhone without relying on the old device or a transfer.
What do I do if my travel eSIM doesn't appear when I scan the QR code?
First, verify that the iPhone has an internet connection (Wi-Fi) during scanning, that the code has not been used before, and that the device is unlocked and eSIM compatible. If the problem persists, contact support via email or WhatsApp to review the code.
In summary
To move your eSIM from one iPhone to another, always start with Quick Start with both devices close by and Bluetooth enabled: it's the method that works in most cases and doesn't require any QR code. If that option doesn't appear or you don't have the old iPhone handy, the manual way is to request a new QR code from your carrier or the store where you purchased the eSIM and reinstall it from Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM.
And if the real obstacle is that your carrier doesn't cooperate or takes too long to give you a new code right before a trip, there's no point in wasting time fighting with their support: install a separate travel eSIM, without relying on transferring your main line. In PuraSIM's international eSIM collection, you can choose the data plan according to your destination and activate it yourself from your new iPhone as soon as you arrive. To plan the rest of your trip with connectivity sorted out before you leave, also check out the definitive eSIM guide for travel.
