how to transfer esim from one iphone to another

My eSIM Transfer Adventure: Seamlessly Switching from Old iPhone to New

1. Unboxing My New iPhone: First Attempt at eSIM Transfer

When I unboxed my iPhone 15 last week, my fingers were trembling—how would I transfer the eSIM from my old phone? Remembering my friend mentioning the “Near Field Transfer” feature in iOS 16+, I quickly placed both phones side by side.

The process was as simple as unwrapping a gift:

  1. After powering on the new phone, my old device prompted “Set Up New iPhone,” and I tapped “Transfer from Nearby iPhone.”
  2. An animated vortex appeared on the old phone. Once scanned by the new device, the screen displayed “Transferring eSIM Configuration.”
  3. After entering my passcode, familiar signal bars appeared on my new phone within five minutes.

It suddenly hit me: migrating a digital SIM feels more futuristic than swapping physical cards.

2. Crisis Mode: Why Won’t My eSIM Transfer?

Helping a colleague transfer her eSIM last weekend failed spectacularly. Her iPhone 13 to iPhone 14 transfer stalled at “Verification Failed.” After thirty minutes of troubleshooting, we compiled this survival checklist:

Troubleshooting Quadrology (With Inner Monologue)

  1. Call Your Carrier: “Do you support eSIM transfers?” (Some regional carriers require manual backend activation)
  2. Restart Both Devices: “Might as well try the IT Crowd solution…” (Actually worked on second attempt!)
  3. Check iOS Version: Her old phone stuck on iOS 15.7—upgrading to 16.1 opened the transfer gateway.
  4. QR Code Plan B: Downloaded fresh activation QR code from carrier’s app as alternative.

3. Roaming Secrets: T-Mobile User’s Exclusive Guide

During my New York trip last year, T-Mobile’s eSIM let me juggle two phones seamlessly. I remember following prompts on a sun-drenched Central Park bench:

American-Style Direct Transfer

  1. On new iPhone: Settings > Cellular > “Transfer from Another iPhone”
  2. Old device pops up “Transfer Active eSIM?” > “Continue” generates 6-digit verification code
  3. Input code like secret handshake—roaming activated with a satisfying “ding” within 30 seconds

Later learned T-Mobile stores 8 eSIMs (2 active simultaneously)—a globetrotter’s dream.

4. Tech Novice’s Hack: Reddit’s Clever Workaround

When helping my Android-using friend receive my eSIM, we scoured 20 Reddit pages discovering this cross-platform ballet:

Cross-OS Transfer Trio (Battle-Tested)

  1. On iPhone: Export eSIM config via Settings > Cellular > Plan > Remove Number > “Keep in Carrier Account”
  2. Android user calls carrier, provides ICCID (found in old phone’s settings)
  3. Scan fresh QR code through carrier’s app—like installing a “digital SIM card”

5. Future-Proofing: My Secret iCloud eSIM Backup

Before sending my water-damaged phone for repair last month, I remembered eSIMs need backup. Thank goodness for Apple’s hidden feature:

Foolproof Backup Protocol

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi > Settings > Apple ID > iCloud
  2. Tap “iCloud Backup” > “Back Up Now”—when progress hits 100%, eSIM data is encrypted in cloud
  3. Restore new device from iCloud backup—even cellular settings return identically

6. Bloody Lessons: 6 eSIM Truths They Don’t Tell You

Wisdom Earned Through Tears

  • Cloning Impossible: Hackers need physical access—harder than stealing physical SIMs (security+1)
  • Delete ≠ Cancel Plan: Accidentally removed plan but kept getting billed—always contact carrier
  • Mobily Users Beware: Saudi’s Mobily requires new QR codes—old ones auto-expire
  • Dual-Phone Trap: Can’t activate same eSIM on two devices simultaneously—use call forwarding instead
  • iPhone 14’s Secret: Stores 8 eSIMs (2 active)—business travelers rejoice
  • Lost Phone Solution: When my phone got stolen, carrier pushed eSIM to new device using purchase receipt and ID

Now gazing at my unused physical SIM in the drawer, eSIMs feel like invisible digital threads—turning phone upgrades from “network amnesia” to migratory birds carrying signal memories to new branches. Next time friends upgrade, I’ll confidently say: “Relax, with me around, your eSIM won’t get lost.”