How to Set Up or Transfer an eSIM on iPhone

You want to add cellular service to your iPhone using an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card, or move your eSIM to a new iPhone.

Why: An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your iPhone, so there’s no plastic card to insert. There are a few ways to activate one — which one you use depends on your carrier, phone models, software versions, and whether you’re transferring an existing number. Use the first method that matches your situation.

Method 1: eSIM Carrier Activation (set up during setup)

If you bought your iPhone from your carrier, they may have already assigned an eSIM to it.

1. Turn on the iPhone and follow the onscreen setup instructions to activate the eSIM.
2. If you finished setup already and later get a “Finish Setting Up Cellular” notification, tap it, then tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.

Method 2: eSIM Quick Transfer (from your old iPhone)

If your carrier supports it, you can move your number from your previous iPhone without contacting them.

1. On the new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular.
2. Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
3. Tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone (or pick the number from the list), then follow the onscreen prompts on both phones.

When the new plan activates, the old iPhone’s SIM is deactivated automatically.

Method 3: Scan a QR code from your carrier

If your carrier emailed or printed you a QR code:

1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM.
2. Tap Use QR Code and scan the code with the camera. (Or open the Camera app, scan the code, and tap the Cellular Plan Detected notification.)
3. Tap Continue and follow the prompts to add the cellular plan.

Method 4: Use your carrier’s app

Some carriers activate eSIMs through their own app. Download your carrier’s app from the App Store and follow its steps to set up the eSIM — some apps can even transfer your number from your old phone for you.

Method 5: Transfer from a compatible Android phone

Direct Android-to-iPhone transfer requires a supported carrier, an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later, and a compatible Android phone with Android 16 or later. Not every Android manufacturer or carrier supports it; check Apple’s current compatibility list.

1. Keep both phones nearby, connect them to Wi-Fi, and turn Bluetooth on.
2. On the iPhone, open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (or Set Up Cellular) and choose Transfer from Android.
3. Scan the iPhone’s transfer QR code with the Android phone and follow the prompts to select and transfer the number. This is a device-transfer code, not a carrier-issued activation code.
4. After completion, make a test call on the iPhone. The transferred SIM on the Android phone is deactivated. If transfer is unavailable or fails, ask the carrier for activation or a QR code.

FAQ

My carrier gave me activation details but no QR code. You can enter them by hand: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code > Enter Details Manually.

I’m switching from an Android phone. Check the supported Transfer from Android route in Method 5. The nearby-iPhone Quick Transfer route in Method 2 is a different option. If your carrier or devices do not support Android transfer, use the carrier’s activation or QR-code method.

Can I have two numbers on one iPhone? Yes. iPhones with Dual SIM support more than one eSIM, so you can keep a personal and work line, or a travel plan, on the same phone.

Sources: Apple Support — Set up eSIM on iPhone, Apple Support — Transfer an eSIM from Android to iPhone