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To move your number to an iPhone eSIM, use the transfer option during iPhone setup or go to Settings > Cellular (called Mobile Service in some regions) > Add eSIM. If both iPhones support your carrier’s eSIM Quick Transfer, keep them nearby, signed in to the same Apple Account, unlocked, updated to iOS 18.4 or later, and connected with Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi. When Quick Transfer is unavailable, your carrier may provide activation, a QR code, an activation link, an app, manual details, or assisted transfer from a non-Apple phone.
This guide explains each route, what you need before starting, how physical-SIM conversion works, why the nearby-transfer option can be missing, and how to recover when activation does not finish.
What is an iPhone eSIM, and which iPhones support it?
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into the phone. It stores your carrier plan electronically, so activation does not require inserting a removable card. Apple supports eSIM on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and every later iPhone model, provided the wireless carrier or worldwide service provider supports eSIM in your country or region.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHaving a compatible iPhone is not enough by itself. The carrier controls whether you can use Quick Transfer, carrier activation, a QR code, an activation link, an app, manual entry, or a carrier-assisted move from another platform. Two people with the same iPhone model can therefore see different setup choices because their providers and locations differ.
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The new iPhone needs an internet connection during activation. Use a reliable Wi‑Fi network or a hotspot. Keep the old phone available if you are transferring from another iPhone, because it may be used to approve the move or display a verification code.
What should I prepare before moving my number?
Preparing both phones prevents most transfer interruptions. Complete these checks before opening the cellular setup screen:
- Confirm that the destination iPhone is an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or newer and that your carrier offers eSIM service for your plan and region.
- Update both iPhones to iOS 18.4 or later when using iPhone-to-iPhone Quick Transfer. Older software can hide the transfer choice even when the hardware is compatible.
- Sign in to both iPhones with the same Apple Account. This is a prerequisite for the standard nearby-iPhone workflow.
- Unlock the previous iPhone with its device passcode. Face ID or Touch ID alone is not a substitute if the transfer screen asks for the passcode.
- Place the phones close together, turn on Bluetooth, and connect the new iPhone to Wi‑Fi or a hotspot.
- Keep both phones powered. Do not erase, reset, or trade in the old phone until the new line has activated and you have checked calling and mobile data.
- Have any carrier account login, account PIN, identity check, or billing information available. The exact information is set by the carrier, not by Apple.
If you are using a QR code, activation link, or carrier app instead of Quick Transfer, keep the code or message accessible on a second screen when possible. A code displayed on the same iPhone can still work on iOS 17.4 or later through the default email app or browser, as described below.
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The cleanest route is to transfer the plan while the new iPhone is being configured. The labels can vary slightly by country, but the sequence is generally the same.
- Turn on the new iPhone and proceed through setup until the cellular or mobile-service screen appears.
- Choose the option to transfer a mobile plan from another iPhone. Keep the old iPhone unlocked and nearby with Bluetooth enabled.
- Review the number or plan shown on the new phone. If several eligible plans appear, select the one you want to move.
- Approve the request on the old iPhone. Enter the verification code shown on the new iPhone if Apple or the carrier requests one.
- Leave both phones powered and connected while the activation completes. Avoid switching Wi‑Fi networks or closing the setup process.
- Finish the remaining iPhone setup screens. After the line is active, place a test call and check mobile data before putting the old phone away.
The transfer changes where the carrier plan is registered. Apple’s guidance states that activation of the plan on the new iPhone deactivates the previous SIM, so the old phone should no longer provide service for that number once the move succeeds.
How do I transfer my number after the new iPhone is already set up?
You can start the same process from Settings if you skipped cellular transfer during initial setup.
- On the new iPhone, open Settings.
- Tap Cellular. In some regions this menu is labeled Mobile Service.
- Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
- Choose the option to transfer a plan from another iPhone. If no number is listed, tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
- Confirm the request on the old iPhone and enter the displayed verification code if prompted.
- Wait for the carrier activation to finish, then test a call and mobile data.
If the new phone shows no transferable number, do not repeatedly restart both devices. The carrier may not support Quick Transfer for your plan, or it may require a QR code, link, app, or manual activation. Use the carrier-supported method rather than trying to force a nearby transfer that is not offered.
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Why is “Transfer From Nearby iPhone” missing?
The missing option normally indicates a support or prerequisite issue, not a defect in the eSIM itself. Check the following causes in order:
- Carrier limitation: Your provider may not offer eSIM Quick Transfer, even though it supports eSIM through a QR code or its own app.
- Software mismatch: For the recommended iPhone-to-iPhone workflow, update both phones to iOS 18.4 or later.
- Account mismatch: The phones may be signed in to different Apple Accounts, or one phone may not be signed in.
- Connectivity problem: Bluetooth may be off, the phones may be too far apart, or the new iPhone may lack Wi‑Fi or a hotspot connection.
- Phone state: The old iPhone may be locked, powered off, or unable to approve the request with its device passcode.
- Regional or plan restrictions: The carrier may limit transfer for a particular prepaid, business, roaming, or region-specific plan.
After checking the prerequisites, return to Settings > Cellular/Mobile Service > Add eSIM. If the nearby option still does not appear, ask the carrier which activation route it supports for your exact number and destination iPhone. Apple directs users to the carrier when activation is unsupported or incomplete.
Which eSIM activation method should I use if Quick Transfer is unavailable?
Use the method your carrier supplies. These alternatives all install an eSIM, but their prerequisites differ.
| Method | How it starts | What you need | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier activation | The carrier assigns the plan during setup or sends a “Finish Setting Up Cellular” notification. | Compatible iPhone, internet connection, and any carrier verification requested. | A provider that provisions the line directly to your device. |
| QR code | Scan the carrier’s code and follow the Mobile Plan Detected prompt. | Carrier-issued QR code and internet connection. | Plans for which the provider does not offer nearby transfer. |
| Activation link | Tap the carrier’s link, allow “Activate New eSIM,” and continue. | A valid carrier link, compatible iPhone, and internet connection. | Providers that deliver activation through email, text, or an account page. |
| Carrier app | Install the provider’s app from the App Store and complete its activation or transfer flow. | App Store access, carrier account details, and internet connection. | Accounts managed primarily through a carrier application. |
| Manual entry | Open Add eSIM and enter the details supplied by the carrier. | SM-DP+ address, activation code, or other values exactly as supplied by the carrier. | Cases where the provider gives configuration details instead of a scannable code. |
How do I activate an eSIM with carrier activation?
Start iPhone setup or open Settings > Cellular/Mobile Service > Add eSIM. If the carrier has assigned the plan to your device, the phone may display a “Finish Setting Up Cellular” notification. Tap it, review the plan details, and follow the on-screen verification steps. If no notification appears, contact the carrier and ask it to push eSIM activation to the iPhone’s electronic identifier.
How do I activate an eSIM with a QR code?
- Open Settings > Cellular/Mobile Service > Add eSIM.
- Choose the QR-code option and scan the code supplied by your carrier.
- When Mobile Plan Detected appears, tap to continue adding the plan.
- Complete any carrier verification and wait for activation.
On iOS 17.4 or later, a QR code shown in the default email app or browser can be used without another device: press and hold the code, then tap Add eSIM. If that shortcut is not offered, ask the carrier for another delivery method rather than altering the code.
How do I use an activation link?
Open the carrier’s message or account page on the iPhone and tap the activation link. Approve Activate New eSIM, then continue through the carrier and iPhone prompts. Use only a link supplied through your carrier’s authenticated channel; if it has expired or reports that the plan is already assigned, request a replacement from the carrier.
How do I activate through a carrier app?
Download the carrier’s official app from the App Store, sign in to the account that owns the number, and select its eSIM activation or transfer function. The app may ask you to confirm the iPhone model, scan a code, or approve a security check. Keep the app open until it reports completion, then verify service from the iPhone’s Cellular settings.
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Usually, begin with the carrier rather than the iPhone’s nearby-transfer screen. The carrier can transfer the number through carrier activation or issue a QR code for the new iPhone. Explain that the source phone is Android or another non-Apple device and provide the destination iPhone’s details when requested.
Some carriers and selected phone manufacturers support a direct Android-to-iPhone transfer on iOS 26 or later. Availability is limited to participating providers and devices, so the absence of a direct-transfer prompt does not mean your number cannot move. If direct transfer is not offered, complete the carrier’s activation or QR-code process instead.
Keep the old phone working until the carrier confirms that the new eSIM is active. Do not delete the Android eSIM profile or reset the old device as a first troubleshooting step; the carrier may need information from the existing line to issue a replacement.
How do I convert a physical SIM to an eSIM on the same iPhone?
Conversion is different from moving a number between two phones: the plan stays with the iPhone, but the physical card is replaced by an electronic profile. This option appears only when the carrier supports it.
- Open Settings and tap Cellular or Mobile Service.
- Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
- Select the number currently associated with the physical SIM.
- Tap Convert to eSIM and follow the verification prompts.
- Wait for the eSIM to activate, then place a test call and check mobile data.
Apple warns that the physical SIM stops working after conversion. Keep the card only as a record or spare piece of hardware; it is not a functioning backup for that number once the conversion completes. If “Convert to eSIM” is not shown, ask the carrier whether it supports conversion for your plan and location.
How can I confirm that activation really worked?
Use practical checks after the iPhone reports completion:
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- Look in Settings > Cellular/Mobile Service and confirm that the expected line is listed and turned on.
- Place an outgoing call and have another phone call your number.
- Turn off Wi‑Fi briefly and load a webpage or use another data-dependent service to verify mobile data.
- Send and receive a text message if texting is part of your plan.
- Keep the old iPhone powered long enough to observe that its former line no longer provides service after the new activation.
These checks are a sensible user verification routine, not a guaranteed carrier test. If calls work but data does not, or the line remains stuck on activating, contact the carrier with the exact error and the time you attempted activation.
What should I do when eSIM activation fails?
The phone says the plan cannot be added
Confirm that the carrier issued the code or link for this specific line and iPhone. A QR code may be single-use or tied to a previous activation attempt. Request a new code or have the carrier reassign the plan instead of repeatedly scanning the same one.
The QR code scans but nothing happens
Check that the iPhone has internet access and that the code is fully visible, not cropped or blurred. Reopen Settings > Cellular/Mobile Service > Add eSIM and scan again. If the code is in an email on the same phone, use the press-and-hold Add eSIM action available on iOS 17.4 or later; otherwise ask the carrier to send the code through another channel.
Quick Transfer starts but does not finish
Keep both iPhones nearby, unlocked, powered, and connected to Wi‑Fi with Bluetooth enabled. Check that both use iOS 18.4 or later and the same Apple Account. If the process still stalls, stop the attempt and switch to the carrier’s activation, QR, link, app, or manual method.
The old phone has no service but the new one is not working
Because activation can deactivate the previous SIM, avoid erasing either phone. Connect the new iPhone to Wi‑Fi and check its Cellular settings for a pending plan. Then contact the carrier immediately so it can verify the line state and reissue or reprovision the eSIM if necessary.
The number is wrong or the wrong plan was selected
Cancel before confirming if the interface allows it. If activation has already completed, do not try to install another profile over it; ask the carrier to correct the assignment. Keep screenshots of the displayed number and any error message for the carrier’s support agent.
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Choose by matching the method to your devices and carrier, not by assuming that every eSIM-capable iPhone supports every route.
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| Decision factor | Quick Transfer | Carrier activation or link | QR code | Manual entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source phone | Best for iPhone to iPhone. | iPhone or non-Apple source, depending on carrier. | Any supported source when the carrier issues a code. | Any supported source when the carrier supplies details. |
| iOS requirement stated for the workflow | iOS 18.4 or later on both iPhones. | Varies by carrier; use a compatible iPhone. | QR shortcut requires iOS 17.4 or later; standard scanning depends on carrier support. | Use the iPhone’s Add eSIM screen and carrier instructions. |
| Apple Account | Same Apple Account on both iPhones. | Not necessarily; carrier authentication may replace it. | Not necessarily; carrier account or verification may be required. | Not necessarily; carrier-provided values are essential. |
| Bluetooth | Required for the nearby-device workflow. | Usually not required for a link or carrier push. | Not required to scan a code. | Not required, but internet access is still needed. |
| Carrier involvement | Behind the scenes, but availability must be supported. | Direct and often necessary. | Carrier must issue the code. | Carrier must provide exact configuration details. |
What happens to the old SIM and the old iPhone?
The important change occurs when the new mobile plan activates: the previous SIM is deactivated, and the number stops working on the previous iPhone. This applies to an old iPhone’s transferred plan and to a physical SIM converted to eSIM. It is why you should complete your call and data checks before wiping or handing over the old phone.
After successful activation, remove the old phone from your daily workflow only after confirming that contacts, backups, authentication codes, and other data you still need are available on the new device. Cellular activation moves the carrier line; it does not automatically migrate every app, message, or account setting.
Are there fees or a guaranteed activation time?
There is no universal eSIM fee or completion time established for all carriers. A provider may charge for a replacement SIM, an account change, or an assisted transfer, while another may include the service. Ask the carrier about cost before requesting a new QR code or manual activation.
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Activation duration also depends on carrier systems, account verification, regional rules, and whether a previous attempt must be cancelled. Treat an on-screen success message as the useful milestone, then perform the call and data checks rather than relying on a promised number of minutes.
What is the safest order for a number transfer?
- Verify iPhone and carrier eSIM compatibility.
- Update both iPhones when using Quick Transfer.
- Back up important content and keep the old phone available.
- Connect the new iPhone to Wi‑Fi and prepare carrier credentials.
- Attempt Quick Transfer first for an iPhone-to-iPhone move.
- If it is missing or unsupported, use the carrier’s prescribed activation, QR, link, app, or manual route.
- Keep both phones powered until activation reports completion.
- Test incoming and outgoing calls, texting, and mobile data.
- Only then erase, trade in, or physically discard the old SIM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up an eSIM without signing in to an Apple Account?
A same-Apple-Account sign-in is required for the standard nearby-iPhone Quick Transfer flow. Carrier activation, a QR code, an activation link, an app, or manual entry may use carrier authentication instead, so ask your provider which credentials its method requires.
Do I need the old iPhone’s passcode if I use a QR code?
No. The old phone’s passcode is part of the nearby-iPhone approval process, not the basic QR-code workflow. You still need the carrier-issued code and an internet connection on the destination iPhone.
Can I scan a QR code that is displayed on my iPhone?
On iOS 17.4 or later, press and hold a QR code shown in the default email app or browser and tap Add eSIM. If that action is unavailable, have the carrier deliver the code on another screen or provide a link or app-based activation method.
Why does my old phone show SOS after I move the number?
A successful activation deactivates the previous SIM, so the old phone may lose cellular service by design. If the new iPhone also cannot call or use mobile data, connect it to Wi‑Fi and contact the carrier to check whether the line was fully provisioned.
Can a carrier move a number from a phone that does not support eSIM?
Yes, the carrier can often issue an eSIM for the new compatible iPhone even when the source phone used a physical SIM. The provider may require account verification and may supply a QR code, activation link, or assisted transfer instead of a device-to-device move.
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