How to transfer eSIM to another iPhone

eSIM technology first appeared in the iPhone XR and Xs, and has since become one of the most indispensable. This is convenient for both Apple and the users themselves: the smartphone does not need a second physical SIM card, due to which precious space appears in the iPhone case, which developers clearly use wisely. In addition, eSIM, along with a physical card, can be transferred from one smartphone to another – the possibility, it turns out, is in iOS 16. However, you can do this even if you do not plan to upgrade to a new version of iOS in the future. We tell you how to transfer eSIM from one iPhone to another .

Transfer eSIM from iPhone to iPhone

You may not know, but the eSIM must be removed from the old iPhone before transferring. Physically, of course, this cannot be done – only programmatically, because work with a virtual SIM card is carried out using profiles. The feature of eSIM is that it can only work on one device, so before transferring, you need to remove the eSIM from your iPhone – otherwise, you simply won’t be able to add a card to a new phone.

• Go to Settings.
• Select “Cellular” and in the “Cellular rates” column, select the number you want to delete.
• Click Remove Cellular Plan.

After that, the number can be added to a new device: please note that the eSIM QR code can be one-time or reusable. In the first case, you will have to contact the operator to get a new one. If it’s reusable, then just add it to your new iPhone.

• Go to Settings and select Cellular.
• Click Add Cellular Plan.
• Point the camera at the QR code, scan it and follow the instructions.

But this method is not the most convenient and requires a large number of manipulations. Therefore, a cool eSIM transfer feature was added to iOS 16 – it’s worth updating the iPhone at least for the sake of it.

How to quickly transfer an eSIM to a new iPhone

The iOS 16 update, which will be released this fall, contains not only well-known changes, but also the ability to port numbers: now you can transfer a virtual SIM card via Bluetooth to a new iPhone. Previously, it was impossible to do this: you had to contact the operator or go to his application, but the new method will even allow you to avoid scanning QR codes. The method only works if Bluetooth is enabled on both smartphones, they must be unlocked and iOS 16 is installed on them.

You can transfer eSIM directly via Bluetooth

• Next, open Settings, select “Cellular”.
• Click “Set up eSIM”.
• Select Transfer from Another iPhone.
• Follow the prompts of the system.

The function of transferring an eSIM to another iPhone will be useful when the number needs to be transferred quickly, but there is no way to contact the operator. True, the chip may not work: the operator may impose a ban on the transfer, but this is unlikely. It is possible that not all carriers will support this feature immediately after the release of iOS 16, so you will have to wait a bit. However, this is a very useful feature that will reduce the number of support calls.

However, some virtual operators already allow you to transfer eSIM through the application . It also saves a lot of time.

Tinkoff Mobile allows you to transfer eSIM through the application

• Install the carrier app on iPhone.
• Sign in to your account.
• A QR code will appear: you can screenshot it and send it to another device to scan later.
• After that, follow the system settings.

It is likely that the emergence of a new way to transfer eSIM is a subtle hint that Apple wants to get rid of physical SIM cards in the iPhone. But they will not do it instantly, but gradually. In any case, this is what experts from Western publications say : it is believed that Apple may start selling models only with eSIM or eSIM + physical card. The experiment is unlikely to be widespread: the company will probably limit itself to releasing iPhones without physical SIM cards in only one region.

However, the appearance of the iPhone without a SIM card is not empty chatter. Even Steve Jobs himself dreamed of releasing such a smartphone, so such a step can be considered as a gradual transformation into an iPhone without connectors . In addition, in a time of stagnant smartphone market for Apple, this is also a great opportunity to improve the iPhone. As mentioned above, the physical SIM card slot takes up a lot of space, but it can be used to add new sensors.