The task in short
Reinstalling a deleted eSIM means adding the same mobile plan back onto your phone. This usually needs a fresh activation code from your provider, so the work is mostly about getting that code and making sure your phone accepts it.
An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone and set up in software instead of on a removable card. Each eSIM holds a profile that tells the phone which network to use. Deleting that profile removes the stored details from the phone, but it does not always cancel the plan itself.
Whether a deleted eSIM can be reinstalled depends on the provider, and it cannot be done from the phone alone. The original activation code is normally used up on the first install, so the provider has to issue a replacement. Whether any remaining data comes back with it also depends on the provider, so check the provider's own terms.
Before you start
A few checks now will stop the reinstall from stalling halfway through.
- Confirm that the plan has not expired and still has data left.
- Find your booking reference or account details, since the provider will ask for them.
- Make sure the phone is unlocked and has a stable internet connection while you work.
If the plan has expired, ask the provider about your options before you buy anything new.
Steps to reinstall the eSIM
Settings differ between phones, so read the on-screen prompts as you go. The general eSIM setup guide covers the same process in more detail.
- Ask your provider for a new activation code for the same plan.
- Keep the code on another device or on paper, so the phone can scan it.
- Open the mobile network settings on your phone and choose the option to add a plan.
- Point the camera at the code, or enter the details by hand.
- Name the new line when the prompt appears.
- Switch on the new line in the mobile data settings.
Once the new line works, check that mobile data loads, and that calls and messages reach it if the plan includes them. Note the date you set it up, since that helps if you need to ask the provider about it later.
When a reinstall will not complete
Failed reinstalls often come from a mistyped code, a weak connection, or a phone that is still locked to another network. Work through these checks before you contact your provider again.
- Check that the code was entered exactly, because a mistyped character stops the profile from loading.
- Restart the phone, then try the steps again on a stable internet connection.
- Confirm the phone accepts eSIMs and is unlocked for the provider's network.
- Ask the provider whether the old code was already used, and request a replacement if it was.
If the code still fails, send the provider the exact error text that appears on screen. Some phones can store only so many eSIMs at once, so check that space is free before you start again.
Avoiding the problem next time
Save the activation code and your account details somewhere safe as soon as the eSIM is set up. Keep a note of how to reach your provider too, so you are not searching for it while offline.
Before you remove any line, make sure you have another way online, and check the name of the line first. Deleting an eSIM you still need is an easy mistake to make, so label each line clearly. A screenshot of the plan details from the provider's emails also helps the provider find the right plan.
Reinstall policies to compare before buying
Reinstall rules differ between providers, so this is worth comparing before you buy. Some send a new code by email, while others ask you to write to them first. Read the cancellation terms and ask how a lost code is handled.
For a side by side view of providers, see the eSIM comparisons.