How to transfer an eSIM to a new phone: iPhone to iPhone, Android to iPhone, and Android to Android

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You may not need a transfer. On a new iPhone 14 or later from AT&T, AT&T’s page says onscreen prompts set up the eSIM (checked on October 29, 2026). Verizon’s in-app transfer needs an unlocked phone, so check Is my phone unlocked? and Does my phone support eSIM? first.

Moving a travel eSIM is a different question, answered in the travel eSIM section.

iPhone to iPhone: eSIM Quick Transfer

How to transfer an eSIM from one iPhone to another: use eSIM Quick Transfer, if your carrier supports it. Apple says the SIM then moves without contacting the carrier, with both iPhones on iOS 18.4 or later (checked on October 29, 2026, Apple).

Apple lists four conditions. You’re signed in to both devices with your Apple Account, and the previous iPhone is unlocked with its passcode. Both are nearby with Bluetooth turned on and on iOS 18.4 or later.

If the new iPhone asks to transfer your number during new phone setup, follow the onscreen prompts. After setup:

1. On the new iPhone, open Settings → Cellular → Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
2. Choose a cellular plan to transfer from another iPhone. If you don’t see a list of numbers, tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
3. Follow the instructions on your previous iPhone: tap Transfer, or enter the code your new iPhone displays if asked.

With iOS 26 or later, you can transfer more than one phone number. When the cellular plan on the new iPhone activates, it deactivates your previous SIM, so the old phone loses that line. Menus can differ by model and software version; Apple adds “depending on your carrier’s eSIM support”.

Android to iPhone

Apple’s Android-to-iPhone route needs an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later and an Android phone on Android 16 or later. Apple lists six US carriers for it: AT&T, Cricket, FirstNet, T-Mobile, Verizon and Xfinity Mobile (Apple, checked on October 29, 2026, Apple transfer from Android).

1. On the iPhone, open Settings.
2. Tap Set Up Cellular, then tap Transfer from Android.

If the iPhone already has another SIM, the path is Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Transfer from Android. Menus can differ by model and software version.

Cricket’s own page disagrees with Apple’s list, so read its row in the carrier table first. If your carrier or phone is not on Apple’s list, use the carrier route below.

To a new Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel

A new Galaxy pulls your line with Samsung’s Transfer SIM from another phone, and a new Pixel with Google’s Transfer SIM from another device. Google’s automatic transfer needs Android 12 or later on both phones (Samsung and Google, checked on October 29, 2026).

On a Galaxy, go to Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM → Transfer SIM from another phone. Then tap Transfer on the old device. Samsung says these US carriers may allow eSIM Instant Transfer: AT&T, Boost Mobile, Cricket, FirstNet, Mint Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, T-Mobile, U.S Cellular, Verizon and Xfinity Mobile.

From an iPhone, Samsung writes the path as Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM → Transfer SIM from iPhone. For a transfer from an iOS device, Samsung’s US carriers that may allow it are AT&T, FirstNet, T-Mobile and Verizon.

To convert a physical SIM to eSIM on a Galaxy, tap SIM manager, select the SIM card, then tap Convert to eSIM. Menus can differ by model and software version. Samsung adds: “Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and device model.”

On a Pixel, go to Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM → Transfer SIM from another device. Automatic transfer needs Android 12 or later on both phones, the current version of Google Play Services and a screen lock. Google adds that the process may differ slightly by carrier; menus can differ by model and software version.

Your carrier’s own transfer route (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and others)

Carrier support for transfer varies, and each carrier prints its own catch: T-Mobile asks you to turn off SIM Protection first (checked on October 29, 2026). Verizon’s in-app transfer is free, and full steps sit in each carrier’s eSIM section.

Source: AT&T eSIM · Verizon eSIM FAQs · T-Mobile SIM help · Mint eSIM · Visible eSIM · Cricket eSIM · Google Fi help · Tello eSIM.

T-Mobile adds a QR-code route between a Pixel 9 or later and an iPhone 11 or later on iOS 26 or later (checked on October 29, 2026). Verizon’s iPhone route needs a new iPhone 12 or later and an old iPhone 11 or later. It also asks for iOS 15.6 or later and the same iCloud account (checked on October 29, 2026, Verizon).

US Mobile’s blog lists Apple’s Quick Transfer or a new QR code, and the QR code works once (checked on October 29, 2026, US Mobile). Xfinity Mobile’s eSIM page mentions an eSIM at purchase or when you change devices; ask Xfinity Mobile for the steps (checked on October 29, 2026, Xfinity). For Metro by T-Mobile and other carriers not named here, ask the carrier for its eSIM transfer steps.

Can a travel eSIM be moved to another phone?

Apple’s Quick Transfer page describes moving your carrier number. It does not say a third-party travel eSIM transfers (Apple, checked on October 29, 2026, Apple eSIM support). So we make no promise either way.

Your US number stays on your main line, and most of our plans are data only; check the plan’s calls/SMS fields. Before you change phones, keep the travel eSIM on the old phone and write to us. We will tell you what is possible for your plan.

Installing a new travel eSIM is a separate task: see how to install an eSIM. Remove the old one only after the new one works (how to delete an eSIM). Apple warns: “If you erase an eSIM, you’ll need to contact your carrier to get a new one” (Apple).

Frequently asked questions

Sources are linked in the text. Carrier terms change: for the terms of your own plan, check with your carrier.

Unfamiliar term? See the eSIM glossary.