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
Prepare Both Devices: Ensure both the old and new iPhones are connected to Wi-Fi and have Bluetooth enabled.
Initiate the Transfer on the New iPhone: - Open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Service) → Add eSIM. - Select Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
Approve the Transfer on the Old iPhone: - A prompt will appear on the old iPhone. Approve the transfer request.
Complete Activation: - Follow the on-screen instructions on both devices until the activation process is complete.
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):
Follow On-Screen Prompts: - During the initial setup of the new iPhone, follow the on-screen instructions to transfer your cellular line.
Ensure Connectivity: - Make sure both the old and new devices are connected to the internet.
Automatic Transfer: - The setup flow will guide you through activating the eSIM and transferring your service automatically.
If the automatic transfer does not appear:
Go to Settings → Cellular → Set Up Cellular.
Follow the prompts to manually activate the eSIM.
Activating a New iPhone with a Physical SIM or eSIM
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.
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.
