How to Transfer eSIM from One iPhone to Another

Regardless of the phone you have now, there comes a day when it’s time to get a new phone. There are many options, but if you currently have an iPhone, the easiest way to transfer your eSIM is to get another iPhone. There are a lot of models on the market! This article will discuss how you can transfer eSIM from one iPhone to another and briefly discuss the iPhones on the market if you aren’t certain which one is best for you. Without further ado, let’s talk about eSIM transfers. 

How to Transfer eSIM from One iPhone to Another

Two factors dictate eSIM transfers from one phone to another. One is the model of the two devices. Since you are transferring from iPhone to iPhone, this process should be swift! iPhones have an excellent pair of procedures in place to transfer eSIM. The other factor is the carrier you use. This comes into play when you are changing carriers. If upgrading your phone and sticking with the same carrier, that should not be an issue. Different carriers have their own way of activating a device. Complications arise when the two carriers have to transfer your number and account info. While the procedures are in place, it is hard to get back on track if any party makes a mistake. 

There are two main ways to transfer eSIM to an iPhone when sticking with the same carrier. The first and most common is eSIM Quick Transfer. 

Use eSIM Quick Transfer on iPhone 

Quick Transfer is the easiest method to transfer eSIM on your iPhone. This method lets you transfer your SIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without contacting your carrier.

Some carriers support SIM transfers from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without contacting them. Take a quick look at your carrier’s rules and regulations regarding eSIM transfer. Most carriers let you activate a new phone through this process, but, as in all things regarding cell phones, double-checking saves a lot of trouble. You can also convert your current physical SIM card to an eSIM. 

Almost all iPhones still in use support dual-SIM activity, and you can utilize eSIM Quick Transfer to add a second SIM card to your device and transfer your account to a new device. Here are the onscreen steps to complete eSIM Quick Transfer. 

• Go to Settings - Cellular - Add Cellular Plan
• Choose the cellular plan you want to transfer from another iPhone. To do this, both devices need to operate on iOS 16 or later. 
• Look for a notification on the old iPhone to confirm the transfer. Tapping the notification should complete the transfer or ask for a verification code displayed on your new iPhone. 
• Await the plan to activate the new iPhone. When this happens, your old SIM card will deactivate
• Tap “Finish Setting Up Your Carrier's Cellular Plan.” This should bring you to the carrier’s website, which will complete the transfer. 

How to Transfer eSIM with a QR Code

Not all carriers support eSIM Carrier Activation or eSIM Quick Transfer. If that’s the case, you can scan a QR code to make the switch. 

• Open the camera app and scan the QR code from your cellular provider
• Wait for the “cellular plan detected” notification
• Tap Add Cellular Plan
• You may be asked to enter a verification code to activate your eSIM. Your wireless carrier provides the verification code. 

Your carrier may also support eSIM activation using an app. You can download the app from the app store and follow the instructions. Between Apple’s Quick Transfer and QR Code activation, you should be covered and able to transfer your account to a new device with the same carrier with ease. If you are switching carriers, you can bring your details to the new device when you activate your new phone plan, but the easiest way to transfer your eSIM to a new carrier and activate your new device is with Apple’s Carrier Activation. 

iPhone eSIM Carrier Activation

If you purchase your new iPhone from a carrier store, they can often assign an eSIM account to your device immediately. Utilizing this service, an eSIM is assigned to your phone when you purchase it, and you should receive a simple set of instructions when you power up your device for the first time. 

If you bring an unlocked phone to the new carrier, follow these steps to complete iPhone eSIM Carrier Activation: 

• Look for the “Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed” notification
• Tap “Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed” in the settings
• Call your best friend to check your iPhone’s cellular connectivity. 

• Contact your carrier if you cannot call 

• Remove your physical SIM and restart your iPhone if you replaced the plan on your physical SIM with your eSIM. 

Note: When switching devices or carriers with eSIM Carrier Activation, keep your old device handy to communicate with your carrier if anything comes up and to make sure you can transfer over your number and contacts. Do not cancel your old service before activating your account on the new service. 

Which iPhone is Right for You? 

There are a lot of iPhones on the market. If you don’t already have a new device picked out or in your possession, we want to review each device's pros and cons. With the supreme expense of new cell phones, we will highlight some renewed older models which let you get the main features of iPhones without the cost of the new devices. The older iPhones are no longer in production but are still available refurbished. While they are used, there are strict tests that the phone has to pass for it to be good enough for the “refurbished” tag. We will start by discussing the iPhones that remain in production before moving on to the refurbished phones available on websites like Amazon and some carrier stores. 

New iPhones

We will start our list with iPhones that are still in production. New iPhones are top-of-the-line devices and, while expensive, give you a lot of great features and a high-tech mini-computer to fit in your pocket. Outside of the iPhone SE, all of the other new iPhones are on our list of “premium cell phones.” They are rather expensive and come with a colossal camera and processor. These devices are for people who will use their phones well and use the processor and camera regularly. We have four models on this list. 

• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 12
• iPhone SE (3rd Gen)

iPhone 14 Pro

Price: $1,000

We’re starting this list on the high end of the spectrum. The iPhone 14 Pro is an absolute beast, but you pay for it with the steep $1,000 price point. Let’s talk about what separates this phone from the previous generations. For starters, it has a 48 MP main camera. That provides an immense range of photo and video options at your fingertips. The iPhone 13 has a 12 MP camera, which is the standard for many newer iPhone models. This immense camera is one of the reasons the iPhone is so expensive, so make sure that you will make good use of its photo and video-taking ability if you’ve got this phone on your mind. 

Alongside the camera, the battery and processor are huge draws for this device. This phone is the top of the line and one we only recommend for connoisseurs of high-tech devices that will use its camera and prodigious processor almost daily. 

iPhone 13

Price:  $730

Apple’s iPhone 13 is a fantastic choice for a new iPhone. It is cheaper than the iPhone 14 and provides great features and impressive hardware. The camera is fantastic, the processor is tremendous, and the phone has a long battery life. iMessage access allows quick and efficient communication with all Apple devices. They have a fantastic UI, and adding a second SIM card through the phone's settings is easy. On top of its eSIM compatibility, the iPhone 13 series is a powerhouse, so if you like to game or watch videos on your phone, this is a fantastic way to do that.

iPhone 12

iPhone 12 Price: $630 New (64GB) on Apple

The iPhone 12 is the first iPhone model with 5G connectivity, a big boon for those who want to stream UHD video and game on mobile networks. The iPhone 12 is still available new from Apple and some cell phone stores, but the Pro and Pro Max are discontinued and only available renewed. Outside of the iPhone SE, the 12 is the cheapest model still in production and is an excellent choice for those who want a new affordable device. The iPhone 12 has a stellar camera and processor, if not quite as strong as the 13 and 14. 

iPhone SE (3rd Gen)

Price: $450

The cheapest device available in the iPhone store is the iPhone SE (3rd Gen). It is eSIM compatible and a great way to get an iPhone that’s maximally software compatible without the bells and whistles of the other new devices. You can rest assured that it is a new phone and is not refurbished while coming at an astonishingly low price point in relation to the other phones on Apple’s roster. The biggest advantage with this device, other than its low price tag, is that it is a much smaller phone, harkening back to the style of the older models. Its screen is much smaller than any other phone available from Apple, and it has a home button! 

Renewed iPhones

This list of renewed iPhones offers a more diverse selection of devices, starting with the iPhone XR and ending with the 12 Pro Max. All of these phones are out of production, and since they are used phones, the price tag is far lower than what’s available from the Apple store. We formed this list going from oldest to newest, and the older models have fewer features, making iPhones so expensive nowadays. The XR and 11 are great for people who don’t use their phones for too much during the day but still want an Apple device. The bottom of our list has a pair of more expensive renewed models, the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max. These phones, like the new Apple devices, are also designed for heavy phone users. They both have intense cameras and wicked processors inside, making them very similar to what’s currently available in the Apple store. 

iPhone XR (Renewed)

Price: $230 on Amazon

The iPhone XR is an excellent choice for an affordable iPhone device. Released in 2018, it has a nice suite of features like Apple Pay and Face ID, but it lacks the battery life and serious camera you find in the newer models. While it is a much older model, the iPhone XR still performs very well and can run everything save the most demanding phone games and software. Compared to the new models that cost between $600 and $1,000, the iPhone XR is a great option for an affordable iPhone. 

All iPhones provide iMessage and Apple Pay, two great services that are widely used around the United States. There’s a big push for everyone to get the latest and greatest iPhone devices. While they are exceptional devices, the innovations arriving with the new devices focus on the camera, battery life, and processing power. This is all good for someone who wants that high-tech from their cell phone. If you don’t, a phone like the iPhone XR or iPhone 11 series might be perfect. 

iPhone 11 (Renewed)

Price: $300 on Amazon 

For about $70 more, you can get the iPhone 11. This next-gen phone comes with one major upgrade — the camera. The iPhone 11 comes with an additional lens and the “night” mode camera shot, which lets you take a picture in the dark without using your flash. This phone, like the iPhone XR, is also renewed on Amazon, which means it hits the following criteria:

• This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier in the USA
• Passed a battery health test to guarantee a battery capacity of at least 80% compared to original specs
• Passed a diagnostic test to ensure like-new functionality 
• All prior personal user information is wiped 
• Includes a charger and charging cable
• Minimal cosmetic damage (not noticeable when held at arm’s length)

There are a lot of phones that people return for one reason or another after less than a month of operation, and those phones are prime targets for renewal. These are the minimum specs for a phone to pass the renewal test, so you might get lucky and pick out a phone that exceeds these diagnostics. 

iPhone 11 Pro

Price:  $350 on Amazon

Coming in at $350 is the iPhone 11 Pro. It swings with more battery life and, most importantly, a third 12 MP lens. This is our favorite bet for an affordable iPhone that takes stellar pictures — much closer in quality to what you would see in the 13 and 14 series iPhones. 

iPhone 12 Pro

Price: $518 Renewed (128 GB) on Amazon

While the base model of the iPhone 12 is still in production, both the Pro and Pro Max models are only available in renewed forms. While “renewed” is the word for it on Amazon, different carriers have their way of describing these devices. When shopping, make sure to find the tag that means “used, but in excellent condition” with a set of rules that mean every device you purchase will treat you well for several years. 

While these devices are renewed, they are still rather expensive. The iPhone 12 Pro is around $150 more than the iPhone 11 Pro, but this phone model means the business. It has a great camera, processor, and display than the previous generation of phones. The iPhone 12 Pro is very similar to what’s available with the iPhone 13 and 14. 

iPhone 12 Pro Max

Price: $633 Renewed (128 GB) on Amazon

This device is very similar to the iPhone 12 Pro but has a bigger screen, better camera, and bigger battery. Since renewed phones only guarantee 80% max battery life relative to new phones, maximizing your battery life is a great boon for a new device. The downside is the price tag. It is high, but the Pro Max is a phone for those who are always on their phone. It has 5G connectivity and a processor to match the newest games and stream UHD video. 

Key Takeaways

To transfer eSIM from one iPhone to another, the processes within the device should make it a piece of cake! If you run into any trouble with the switch, contacting your carrier’s customer service is the best way to get the help you need after troubleshooting online. The time to upgrade your phone is an exciting one. We hope that our list of iPhones and what they bring to the table has helped you decide which new phone is right for you!