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How do I transfer and activate an eSIM on a new iPhone?

Written by Madeline Safsten

How do I transfer and activate an eSIM on a new iPhone?

Transferring and activating an eSIM on a new iPhone is a straightforward process. Follow the steps below based on your specific scenario:

If the new device is a iPhone 14 or newer it only has esim.

Transferring an eSIM Between iPhones

  1. Prepare Both Devices: Ensure both the old and new iPhones are connected to Wi-Fi and have Bluetooth enabled.

  2. Initiate the Transfer on the New iPhone: - Open SettingsCellular (or Mobile Service) → Add eSIM. - Select Transfer From Nearby iPhone.

  3. Approve the Transfer on the Old iPhone: - A prompt will appear on the old iPhone. Approve the transfer request.

  4. Complete Activation: - Follow the on-screen instructions on both devices until the activation process is complete.

  5. Finalize the Process: - After activation, the eSIM will be removed from the old device. - Restart both iPhones to ensure the transfer is successful.

Activating an eSIM During Setup on an eSIM-Only iPhone

If you are setting up an eSIM-only iPhone (e.g., iPhone 14 or newer):

  1. Follow On-Screen Prompts: - During the initial setup of the new iPhone, follow the on-screen instructions to transfer your cellular line.

  2. Ensure Connectivity: - Make sure both the old and new devices are connected to the internet.

  3. Automatic Transfer: - The setup flow will guide you through activating the eSIM and transferring your service automatically.

If the automatic transfer does not appear:

  1. Go to SettingsCellularSet Up Cellular.

  2. Follow the prompts to manually activate the eSIM.

Activating a New iPhone with a Physical SIM or eSIM

  1. For Physical SIMs: - Remove the SIM card from the old phone and insert it into the new phone. - Restart the new phone to complete activation.

  2. For eSIMs: - During setup, follow the on-screen prompts to transfer the line. - If the automatic transfer fails, locate your device identifiers (IMEI and EID) by dialing *#06# in the Phone app and provide them to your carrier for manual activation.

Additional Tips

  • Ensure both devices are fully charged before starting the transfer process.

  • Keep both devices close to each other during the transfer.

  • If you encounter issues, contact your carrier for assistance with manual activation.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly transfer and activate your eSIM on a new iPhone.

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