How to Transfer an eSIM to a New Phone: iPhone, Pixel, and Galaxy

You got a new phone a week before your trip, and your number still lives on the old one. To transfer an eSIM to a new phone, start in the new phone's settings. Between two iPhones, two Pixels, or two Galaxy phones, your number can move in a few taps if your carrier supports it. If it doesn't, your carrier issues a new eSIM for the same number. A travel eSIM is a different case, so move your main number first and buy the travel eSIM for the phone you will carry.

Timing matters more than most guides say. Leave the old phone alone until the number works on the new one. Google says that if a transfer fails, the eSIM can keep working on the old device. Erase that phone too soon and you lose that safety net.

In short:

  • iPhone to iPhone: eSIM Quick Transfer needs iOS 18.4 or later on both phones, the same Apple Account, Bluetooth, and carrier support.
  • Android to iPhone: needs iOS 26 or later, Android 16 or later, and a supported carrier. AT&T, Cricket, FirstNet, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Xfinity Mobile are on Apple's list.
  • If the transfer won't start, the carrier can activate a new eSIM or send a QR code.
  • Do not delete a travel eSIM in the middle of a trip. Getting another one is up to whoever sold it.

iPhone to iPhone

Apple calls this eSIM Quick Transfer. It moves a physical SIM or an eSIM to the new phone. You need all of the following:

  • Both iPhones on iOS 18.4 or later
  • Both iPhones signed in to your Apple Account
  • The old iPhone unlocked with its passcode
  • Both phones nearby with Bluetooth on
  • A carrier that supports Quick Transfer

If the new iPhone offers to transfer your number during setup, follow the prompts. On iOS 26 or later, you can move more than one number this way.

Skipped that step? You can run it later:

  1. On the new iPhone, open Settings and tap Cellular.
  2. Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
  3. Choose a plan from your other iPhone. If no numbers appear, tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
  4. On the old iPhone, confirm the transfer or enter the code shown on the new one.
  5. Wait for the plan to activate. This turns off the SIM on the old iPhone.

You may see a banner that says "Finish Setting Up Your Carrier's Cellular Plan." Tap it. Your carrier's website opens so you can finish the transfer there.

Android to iPhone

This route is newer and has stricter limits. You need:

  • An iPhone 11 or later on iOS 26 or later
  • An Android phone on Android 16 or later. Ask the maker whether your model works.
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both phones
  • A carrier on Apple's list

In the US, that list is AT&T, Cricket, FirstNet, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Xfinity Mobile. Your carrier being listed does not mean your Android phone is. That part depends on the maker.

Here are the steps:

  1. On the iPhone, open Settings and tap Set Up Cellular. If the iPhone already has a SIM, tap Cellular, then Add eSIM, then Transfer From Android.
  2. Tap Transfer From Android to show a QR code.
  3. Scan the code with the Android phone's camera.
  4. On the Android phone, pick the number and tap Transfer.
  5. If asked, confirm that this eSIM should be your primary one.
  6. Tap Done on the iPhone, then OK.
  7. Make a test call. If it fails, contact your carrier.

If the camera can't scan the code, tap Other Options on the iPhone. Then on the Android phone, go to Settings, Google services, All services, Pair with iPhone or iPad, and Transfer eSIM. Enter the session ID and pairing code from the iPhone.

Once the transfer finishes, the SIM on the Android phone stops working.

iPhone to Android

Apple says only some carriers and select phone makers support a move in this direction. Otherwise, your carrier has to set up the new phone.

To a Pixel. Go to Settings, then Network & internet, then SIMs, then Add SIM. Choose the option to transfer a SIM from another phone, then choose iPhone. The phones pair with a QR code. Google's list of supported carriers included AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile when we checked on October 10, 2026. Your carrier sets which models and software versions work.

To a Galaxy. In SIM manager, choose Add eSIM, then the option to transfer from an iPhone. Scan the QR code on the new phone with the old one. Both phones need current software, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. If your carrier isn't on Samsung's list, you will need to contact the carrier.

Pixel to Pixel, or from another Android

Your eSIM can move with your data when you set up the new Pixel. For some carriers, this happens on its own. Both phones need:

  • Android 12 or later
  • The current version of Google Play services
  • A screen lock

During setup, keep the old phone nearby, choose the SIM, tap Transfer, then tap Activate.

To do it later, open Settings, go to Network & internet, then SIMs, then Add SIM, and tap Transfer SIM from another device.

If the phone can't find your eSIM, Google says to ask your carrier to activate it. Try again first if the transfer simply fails. Your old phone or eSIM can still work in the meantime.

Galaxy to Galaxy

Samsung ties this to carrier support too, and offers it during setup of the new phone.

Before you start, turn on Nearby device scanning on the old phone. Find it under Settings, Connections, More connection settings.

On the new phone, open Settings, then Connections, then SIM manager. Tap Add eSIM and choose the option to transfer from a Galaxy or Android phone. The old phone shows a request. Tap Transfer and enter the 6-digit code from the new phone. Samsung says the new phone must be unlocked.

When your carrier has to do it

The steps above depend on the carrier. If they don't work, you still keep your number. Apple lists three other paths:

PathWhat happens
Carrier activationThe carrier sends the eSIM to your phone. Tap the "Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed" notice, then tap Continue.
Carrier appSome carriers let you move your number with their own app.
QR codeThe carrier gives you a code. Scan it with the Camera app, then tap "Cellular Plan Detected."

If a QR code reaches you by email or in a browser on the same phone, you don't need a second screen. On iOS 17.4 or later, tap and hold the code, then tap Add eSIM.

Some carriers can also turn a physical SIM into an eSIM on the same iPhone. That helps if your new phone has no SIM tray. Every iPhone 17 model sold in the US works this way, and so does the iPhone Air.

After an activation, make a test call before you trust it.

If the old phone is broken or lost

Quick Transfer won't work. Apple requires the old iPhone to be unlocked and sitting next to the new one. The same logic applies to a Galaxy transfer, where the old phone has to accept the request.

So go straight to your carrier. It can activate a new eSIM for your number. Do this at home, before you fly, and allow time for it. If you are already abroad, you may need a working internet connection to finish, and that is the moment many people don't have one.

What about a travel eSIM?

A travel eSIM is not tied to your carrier, so the transfer tools above may not apply. Moosetrip's eSIM is a data plan with no phone number. Think of it as something installed for one phone and one trip.

Follow this order if a new phone is going with you:

  1. Move your US number to the new phone at home.
  2. Make a test call and confirm that texts arrive.
  3. Check the new phone on our phone check page. It must support eSIM and must not be locked to a carrier.
  4. Install the travel eSIM on the new phone over Wi-Fi.

Your US number stays on the phone as the second line. The days on your package start with your first connection in the destination, so installing early costs you nothing. To see how the two lines work together, read how to keep your US number abroad.

Two warnings for the middle of a trip:

  • Don't delete the eSIM profile. Apple says that after you remove an eSIM, you have to go back to its issuer for a new one. Whether a seller issues another code is up to that seller.
  • Don't erase the old phone yet. Wait until you are home, and until nothing important is left on it.

Haven't bought one yet? As of October 30, 2026, a 3 GB package lasts 30 days and costs $7 in Turkey, $7.50 in Japan, and $9.50 in Thailand. 1 GB is about 5 hours of maps and rideshare apps, or about 1.5 hours of video calls.

Before you sell or trade in the old phone

Apple advises deleting the eSIM from the old phone once your number works on the new one. It also says to remove an eSIM to fix a problem only if your carrier tells you to. If you are chasing a connection issue, call the carrier before you delete anything.

Questions

Can I transfer my eSIM to a new phone myself?

Often, yes. iPhones, Pixels, and Galaxy phones all have a transfer option in Settings, but each one depends on carrier support. If yours doesn't support it, the carrier activates a new eSIM for the same number.

Why is Transfer From Nearby iPhone not working?

Check the basics first: iOS 18.4 or later on both phones, the same Apple Account, Bluetooth on, and the old iPhone unlocked and close by. If all of that is fine, your carrier may not support Quick Transfer. Ask it to activate the eSIM or send a QR code.

Can I move an eSIM from Android to iPhone?

Yes, on iOS 26 or later with Android 16 or later, if your carrier is on Apple's list and your Android phone is compatible. In the US, the list has AT&T, Cricket, FirstNet, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Xfinity Mobile.

What happens to the eSIM on my old phone?

On an iPhone, the old SIM turns off when the plan activates on the new one. The same goes for an Android phone after a transfer to iPhone. Remove the profile later, before you sell the phone.

Can I transfer an eSIM without the old phone?

Not with the built-in tools for iPhone or Galaxy, because the old phone has to confirm the move. Ask your carrier to activate a new eSIM for your number.

Can I move a travel eSIM to a new phone?

Do not count on it. That decision belongs to the seller, so ask before you switch phones. The simple fix is to install the travel eSIM on the phone you will carry, after your US number is working on it.

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