Got a new iPhone and want to move your eSIM without visiting your carrier’s store? iOS 16 supports direct eSIM transfer between iPhones — the whole process takes a few minutes and happens entirely on your phones. It’s one of the most convenient upgrades Apple added in iOS 16 — and it eliminates the plastic SIM shuffle entirely. Here’s how it works.
What you need before transferring
Place both iPhones near each other and keep them unlocked. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices. Both phones must run iOS 16 or later and be signed in to the same Apple ID. Both phones should also have a stable Wi-Fi connection — the eSIM profile downloads from your carrier’s servers during activation, so a weak signal can stall the process. Your carrier must support eSIM transfer this way — most major carriers do, but some still require you to activate through their app or customer support.
How to transfer the eSIM
- On the new iPhone, open Settings > Cellular.
- Tap “Add eSIM”.
- Choose “Transfer From Nearby iPhone”.
- On the old iPhone, confirm the transfer when prompted.
- Enter the verification code shown on one phone into the other, as directed.
The eSIM profile moves over the air and activates on the new phone. The new iPhone may restart its cellular connection once or twice during activation; this is normal. Once the signal bars appear with your number, the transfer is complete. Your old phone’s eSIM is deactivated in the process, so keep the old device nearby until everything is done.
What if transfer isn’t offered?
If you don’t see “Transfer From Nearby iPhone”, your carrier may not support it. In that case, use your carrier’s app or website to get a new eSIM QR code, or contact carrier support for activation. Some carriers also let you convert a physical SIM to an eSIM on the same iPhone (Settings > Cellular > Convert to eSIM), which is worth doing before you switch devices. Also try restarting both phones and toggling Bluetooth off and on — a fresh connection handshake often makes the option appear.
If it still doesn’t work
Make sure both phones are on Wi-Fi, close to each other, and running iOS 16 or later. If activation fails halfway, remove the partial eSIM under Settings > Cellular and retry the transfer from scratch. For SIM-related calling setups, see how to allow calls only from a specific SIM card in Focus mode and how to verify a SIM card to avoid the cooling-off period. Apple Support documents eSIM transfer in detail, TechCrunch covered the iOS 16 launch features, and step-by-step demos on YouTube walk through the process.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my phone number?
No. The transfer moves your existing number and plan to the new iPhone — nothing changes on your carrier account.
Can I transfer an eSIM from Android?
No. This method only works iPhone to iPhone. Moving from Android requires a carrier-issued QR code or carrier support.
Conclusion
Transferring an eSIM in iOS 16 is refreshingly simple: two nearby iPhones, a few taps, and a verification code. As long as your carrier supports it, you’ll never need a store visit or a physical SIM again.
