How to switch to eSIM from physical SIM on iPhone and Android

You’re probably already familiar with a SIM card, which is a small chip in your phone that links it to your cell phone carrier of choice. For years, this chip was located on a physical card that you could swap in and insert by taking the SIM tray out of your phone. However, most modern phones also support eSIM. Instead of a physical card, the eSIM is integrated directly into the phone’s circuitry and carrier information is programmed remotely via software.

This allows for some conveniences, such as letting you try out the service on a new carrier without having to get a physical SIM card in the mail or at a store.

The issue arises if you want to convert your existing physical SIM card to an eSIM card. You may want to do this if your new phone is eSIM only or if you want to load multiple eSIMs in one device. Or maybe you don’t want to deal with the hassle of swapping physical cards in and out of devices anymore. Fortunately, converting your physical SIM card to an eSIM is a relatively easy process.

Before you get started, you need to make sure that your new phone accepts eSIM cards. As mentioned earlier, most modern phones do this. All iPhones since the iPhone XS and XR support eSIM, and in the US, iPhone 14 and later are eSIM-only. Most Android phones also include eSIM support, including the Google Pixel 6 and later as well as the Samsung Galaxy S21 and later.

An example is the iPhone

There are a few different ways to convert a physical SIM card to an eSIM on an iPhone.

Here’s how to do it if you’re converting a physical SIM card to an eSIM on the same iPhone (which means the phone needs to support both).

1. It opens Settingsthen select Cellular.

2. Then, if your carrier allows it, you’ll see an option that says Convert to eSIM. If you don’t see it, your carrier probably doesn’t support this action.

3. handle Cellular plan conversion.

4. handle Convert to eSIM. Your eSIM will now be activated.

On the other hand, if you’re transferring a physical SIM card to an eSIM on a completely different iPhone, here’s how to do it.

1. On your new iPhone, go to Settingsthen choose Cellular.

2. Scroll down until you see Add an eSIM. Select it.

3. Then you have two options. One is Transfer from a nearby phonewhich requires that both phones have iOS 16 or later. If you select this, it will follow the instructions on your previous iPhone. You can then select transformation To confirm then enter the verification code. Obviously, this only works if both phones are iPhones.

4. Another option is Use the QR code. This is what you’ll use if the QR code was provided by your carrier, or if your previous phone was a non-Apple phone. To scan the code, you can open the Camera app and point it at the QR code. Click on Cell plan detected notice. If you’re using an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, you can touch and hold the QR code and then tap it Add an eSIM.

5. Go ahead and follow the on-screen instructions, then press He continues And click Add cellular plan.

Alternatively, you can also choose to enter eSIM details manually if provided by your carrier. If you want to do that, you can choose Settingsthen Cellularthen Add cellular plan Then press Enter details manually.

eSIM on an Android phone

The process of converting physical SIM to eSIM on Android can vary from one manufacturer to another. The most foolproof way to do this is to simply contact your carrier and tell them that you are switching to an eSIM. They will then guide you through the process manually or send you a QR code. If they send a QR code, here’s how to add it to your phone.

1. Go to Settings. Then press either communication or network & Internet.

2. He chooses Sim Manager or Sims.

3. handle Add a mobile phone plan or Download the SIM card or Add a SIM card.

4. Then follow the on-screen instructions and scan the QR code when prompted.

However, if you have a Samsung device, the process will be more straightforward. Here’s how to do it on Samsung.

1. He releases Settings. Then press communication.

2. He chooses SIM card manager.

3. Choose your SIM card (if you only have a physical SIM card, it will be the only one listed).

4. handle Convert to eSIM.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions and then you’re done.

It’s worth noting that different carriers may have different ways to add a new eSIM to your device. If you encounter any problems while doing this, please contact them directly. If you’re switching from an iPhone to an Android phone or vice versa, you’ll need to contact your carrier for help with the transfer.

If you want to learn more about eSIMs and if they are better or worse than physical cards, please check out our eSIM guide which delves deeper into the pros and cons of each.