Transfer or convert your current SIM to an eSIM on your new iPhone

Learn how to transfer an eSIM or physical SIM from your previous iPhone to an eSIM on your new iPhone. You can also convert your physical SIM to an eSIM on your iPhone.

What you need

  • Transfer eSIM during set up

  • Transfer physical SIM or eSIM to eSIM after set up

  • Convert physical SIM to eSIM on same iPhone

Transfer your eSIM during setup

If you're asked to Transfer Cellular Plan during Quick Start setup, follow these steps to transfer your eSIM:

  1. Select the numbers that you want to transfer to your new iPhone and tap Continue, at the bottom of the page. If you choose to decide later, you can still complete the plan transfer after you set up your iPhone.
  2. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up your device.
  3. Make a call on your new iPhone to check its cellular connectivity before removing your cellular plan from your previous iPhone. Contact your carrier if you have any questions.

When your cellular plan is activated on your new iPhone, the plan on your previous iPhone will deactivate.

Transfer a physical SIM or eSIM on your current iPhone to an eSIM on your new iPhone after setup

  1. On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan.
  2. Tap Convert Cellular Plan.
  3. Tap Convert to eSIM.
  4. Tap OK on the alert that says you must approve the transfer on your previous iPhone.
  5. On your previous iPhone, tap Transfer.
  6. Wait for the cellular plan to activate on your new iPhone. Your previous SIM card is deactivated when the cellular plan on your new iPhone activates.
  7. If a banner appears on your new iPhone that says Finish Setting Up Your Carrier's Cellular Plan, tap it.
  8. Tap Continue. You will be redirected to your carrier's webpage to transfer your eSIM. If you need help, contact your carrier.

Convert your physical SIM to an eSIM on the same iPhone

  1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular.
  2. Tap Convert to eSIM.
  3. Tap Convert Cellular Plan.
  4. Tap Convert to eSIM.
  5. Wait for your eSIM to activate. Your previous SIM card is deactivated when the cellular plan on your new iPhone activates.

Learn more

  • Learn more about using eSIM on iPhone.
  • To use Dual SIM on an iPhone XR, iPhone XS model, iPhone 11 model, or iPhone 12 model, you need to use one physical SIM and one eSIM. If you upgrade to one of these devices, you might need either to keep your physical SIM or transfer your physical SIM to an eSIM. It depends on whether your second line is a physical SIM or eSIM. With iPhone 13 models, Dual SIM works with either two eSIMs or a physical SIM and an eSIM.

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