The task in short
Moving an eSIM to a new phone means getting the same plan working on the new device and then removing it from the old phone. Doing both in the right order keeps your connection running during the move. Getting the order wrong can leave you without mobile data in an unfamiliar place.
The plan itself stays with your provider, so the move is about linking that plan to a different device. Some providers let you do this without buying anything new, and it is worth confirming that early.
Before you start
Check whether your provider allows a plan to move to another device. Some providers handle this inside their app, while others issue a new activation code. Rules differ by provider, so check the provider's own instructions if you are unsure.
Run through these checks before you touch either phone.
- The new phone is unlocked and can accept an eSIM.
- You know the account email and the name of the plan.
- Both phones have power nearby and a steady Wi-Fi connection.
Write these details down before you start. They help the provider locate your plan more easily if you need to ask for help later.
Steps to move the eSIM
Follow these steps in order, and do not remove anything from the old phone until the new phone works.
- Keep the old phone switched on and connected to mobile data, and do not reset it yet.
- Open the mobile plan section in the phone settings and look for a transfer option. Depending on the phone, it may appear on either phone.
- If a transfer option appears, choose it and confirm which phone the plan is moving to.
- Bring both phones close together and keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on for both.
- When a phone asks you to confirm, approve the request, or scan the code it displays with the other phone.
- Wait until the plan appears on the new phone, then turn it on in the settings.
- Load a web page on mobile data to confirm the connection works.
- Only after the connection works, remove the plan from the old phone.
Read each message on both screens before you tap through it. A prompt that gets dismissed too early can stop the transfer.
If your provider offers no transfer option, ask for a new code instead. Request it through the provider's app or account page before the old phone is reset. Some providers will not issue a new code once the old profile has been deleted, so timing matters.
If the transfer stalls
If the transfer stalls, move the phones closer together and start the transfer again. Keep both screens open until the process finishes.
Restarting the new phone can clear a stuck connection. Turn it off, then turn it back on before you try again.
If the plan appears on the new phone but mobile data does not work, check that the plan is switched on for data. Then check the access point name, or APN, which is the setting that tells the phone how to reach the network. Check your provider's setup instructions for the correct values.
If a code is rejected or has already been used, do not keep retrying it. Ask your provider for a new code through its app or account page. Repeated attempts with an old code rarely help.
If the old phone was reset before the plan moved, keep your account email and any purchase confirmation close at hand. Get in touch with the provider through its own app or account page, and explain what happened in order.
Transfer rules to compare before buying
Transfer rules are worth comparing before you buy. Some providers make moving a plan straightforward, while others tie a plan to a single device and rely on a new code. Read the provider's terms on this point before you commit.
If you change phones often, or upgrade during a trip, a plan with a clear transfer path suits you better. Compare that against coverage, setup steps, and top-up options. Start with the eSIM setup guide, then look at eSIM plans and what a top-up means.