Upgrading phones and wondering whether your eSIMs come with you? Short answer: it depends on which direction (iOS/Android), which brands (Apple Quick Transfer, Pixel-to-Pixel, Samsung Smart Switch), and which type of eSIM (home carrier vs travel).

Here's the full breakdown for each case, plus what to do before wiping the old phone.

Before you start: save the plan details

Open each eSIM you care about and note:

  • The provider or carrier name
  • The phone number (if any)
  • The plan's active dates
  • The EID of the new phone (dialer: *#06#)

For travel eSIMs, log into the provider's portal and confirm the plan is still active. If a plan expires in a week anyway, it may not be worth transferring — just reinstall a fresh one on the new phone.

iPhone to iPhone: Quick Transfer

Works on iOS 16 and later. The easiest path in the whole category.

During new iPhone setup:

  1. On the new iPhone, when it asks about cellular, tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
  2. The old iPhone shows a confirmation prompt. Confirm.
  3. Enter the verification code shown on the old iPhone.
  4. The eSIM moves in about a minute.
  5. The old iPhone loses the line; the new one has it active.

After initial setup (already finished the onboarding):

  1. On the new iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
  2. Both phones need to be powered on, unlocked, and within Bluetooth range.
  3. Follow the prompts on each.

Works for home carrier eSIMs on all major US carriers. For travel eSIMs, works when the provider supports it — ask before transferring.

iPhone to Android (or Android to iPhone): no direct path

Apple and Google don't share eSIM transfer protocols. You cannot directly move an eSIM across platforms.

The workaround:

  1. Contact the carrier or provider that issued the eSIM.
  2. Ask them to deactivate the profile on the current phone.
  3. Request a fresh QR code or activation link for the new phone.
  4. Install on the new phone using the normal install flow.

For home carrier eSIMs, this is usually a 10-minute support conversation. Major US carriers handle it through their apps without a support call.

For travel eSIMs, policy varies. 99esim and most reputable providers issue a fresh install for an active plan at no charge. Some providers charge a re-issue fee. Ask before committing.

Pixel to Pixel: Android 13+

On Android 13 and later, during setup:

  1. On the new Pixel, when it asks about copying data, pick the old Pixel.
  2. Go through the Copy data flow (it uses a cable or Wi-Fi).
  3. The system detects eSIMs on the old phone and offers to transfer them.
  4. Accept the transfer. Follow any carrier-specific confirmation.
  5. Reboot the new Pixel once the transfer completes.

Works for most US carrier eSIMs on Google Fi, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile. Travel eSIMs usually don't transfer via this path — expect to download them fresh on the new phone.

Samsung to Samsung: Smart Switch

On One UI 6 and later, Samsung Smart Switch includes eSIM migration as part of the device-to-device data move.

  1. On the new Galaxy, during setup, pick Transfer from another device.
  2. Pick Galaxy / Android as the source.
  3. Connect via cable or Wi-Fi.
  4. The data transfer flow includes eSIM profiles when both devices are on a supported One UI build.
  5. The old Galaxy loses the eSIM; the new Galaxy has it.

If your source Galaxy is on One UI 5 or older, Smart Switch doesn't include eSIM. Download fresh on the new phone.

Non-Pixel, non-Samsung Android: no transfer

OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Motorola don't currently support eSIM device-to-device transfer at the OS level. For these phones:

  1. Contact the carrier or provider.
  2. Deactivate the profile on the old phone.
  3. Get a fresh QR or install link.
  4. Install on the new phone with the normal flow.

This is genuinely a gap in the Android ecosystem. Apple and Google have consistent transfer stories; other manufacturers haven't shipped one yet.

What to do about your home carrier line

The big three US carriers all handle eSIM transfer through their apps:

Verizon: My Verizon app → Account → Manage Devices → Transfer Line.

AT&T: myAT&T app → Manage Line → Change SIM → eSIM option, then scan the new QR.

T-Mobile: T-Life app → Manage SIM → Transfer to eSIM → new device. Also supports Apple Quick Transfer and Pixel transfer natively.

Google Fi: Google Fi app → Account → Manage devices → Transfer. Works across both iOS and Android.

If the carrier app fails, a 10-minute support call resolves it. They'll ask for the new phone's IMEI and EID (both available via *#06#).

What to do about travel eSIMs

Every travel eSIM provider has different rules. Check the provider's FAQ or message their support before starting a transfer.

Common policies:

  • Lock-to-device: some providers lock the profile to the original EID; profile can't be moved. Plan runs out on the old phone or is abandoned.
  • Free re-issue: provider reactivates the plan on a new device with a fresh QR. Takes 10-60 minutes after request.
  • Re-issue fee: same as above but charges a small fee (typically $2-5).
  • Full transfer support: some providers allow direct Apple Quick Transfer or Pixel transfer. Rare but growing.

If an active travel plan can't be moved and the provider won't re-issue, your options are: finish the plan on the old phone before switching, or write off the remaining days. For plans with a week or less left, writing off is usually cheaper than the time to chase a transfer.

Before you wipe the old phone

Checklist, every time:

  1. Every active eSIM transferred or reissued.
  2. Confirm on the new phone: signal bars appear on each line, not just "installed."
  3. Test data works on the new phone — open Maps, load a website.
  4. Keep the old phone accessible for 24 hours in case something unravels.
  5. Wipe the old phone only after step 4 passes.

An erased old phone can't initiate transfer. If you discover an eSIM you forgot to move after wiping, you're stuck calling support.

Where this all goes wrong

The single worst failure mode is wiping the old phone before confirming the eSIM activated on the new one. Prevention: keep the old phone powered on for 24 hours after the new phone is active. If something breaks, you can restart transfer from the original.

Second-worst: starting a transfer while travelling. The old phone loses the line immediately; the new phone may take minutes or hours to fully activate. During that gap, you have no data. Transfer at home, not at an airport.

For everything else, following the right path for your phone combo handles it. The new iPhone / new Pixel / new Galaxy install flow is designed for this.