How to Transfer eSIM from iPhone to Android: A Step-by-Step Guide

An Introduction to eSIM

The electronic SIM card, or eSIM, is steadily becoming more popular among smartphone manufacturers. eSIM allows you to activate a cellular plan on your smartphone without inserting a physical nano-SIM card. Both iPhone and many Android phones now support eSIM functionality.

If you’re switching from an iPhone to an Android device, you’re probably wondering if you can transfer your iPhone’s eSIM to your new Android phone. The good news is – yes, you can. While the process isn’t straightforward, moving your eSIM profile from an iPhone to an Android smartphone is possible.

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of transferring an eSIM from an iPhone to an Android device. We’ll also provide some background information on eSIM and cellular plan transfers.

Key Things to Know Before Transferring eSIM

There are a few key considerations to keep in mind before attempting to transfer eSIM from iPhone to Android:

• Carrier support: The carrier your iPhone is connected to via eSIM must support transferring eSIM profiles from iOS to Android. Most major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile in the US allow eSIM transfers.
• Android phone compatibility: Your Android device must be eSIM compatible and support downloading eSIM profiles. Many modern Android phones work but always check specific device compatibility.
• Secure profile: Your iPhone eSIM profile must be unlocked and not tied to your Apple ID. Carriers can reset the secure profile to allow transfers.
• Single eSIM Apple devices: You’ll need a temporary backup number if your iPhone has only eSIM and no physical SIM slot.
• Apple support: You may need to contact Apple support to disable Activation Lock before the transfer.

As long as your iPhone eSIM, Android device, and carrier all support eSIM transfers, you should be ready. Reach out to them to confirm compatibility before starting the process.

Step 1: Back Up iPhone Data

Before beginning the eSIM transfer process, it’s a good idea to back up your iPhone’s data and settings. This will make restoring your information on your Android device much simpler.

You have a few options to back up your iPhone:

• iCloud backup: Enable iCloud backups in Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Then, connect your iPhone to WiFi to back up your data.
• iTunes backup: Connect your iPhone to your computer and back up to iTunes. This will save a local copy on your computer.
• Third-party apps: Apps like Google Drive and Dropbox can back up your iPhone photos, videos, contacts, and other data.

I recommend doing an iCloud and local iTunes backup before transferring your eSIM. This will provide redundancy. Additionally, manually back up any important iPhone data to your computer or external storage.

Step 2: Get an eSIM Profile from the Current Carrier

Once your iPhone data is backed up, contact your current cellular carrier to get your iPhone’s eSIM profile.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Inform the carrier you want to transfer your iPhone’s eSIM to an Android phone. They will check compatibility.
• Request that they generate a secure one-time eSIM transfer code or QR code. This contains your eSIM profile info.
• Ask them to reset the secure element identifier (SEID) on your current eSIM profile so it can be transferred.
• The carrier will then send your eSIM transfer data to your iPhone via email, text, or postal mail. This usually happens quickly but can take up to a few days.
• DO NOT delete the eSIM profile from your iPhone yet – wait until after transferring to your Android.

The transfer code or QR from your carrier will allow you to move your cellular plan and phone number to your Android device. Don’t lose this important data!

Step 3: Install the Android eSIM Manager App

Download and install an eSIM manager app from the Google Play store on your new Android smartphone.

Some popular options include:

• eSIM Manager
• eSIM Activation
• eSIM Me
• eSIM.net

These apps allow you to easily install and activate eSIM profiles from your carrier on your Android device. Find one that works reliably based on user reviews.

Make sure to grant the eSIM manager app all the required permissions when installing it. This includes allowing access to contacts, SMS, phone storage, and mobile data.

Step 4: Set Up eSIM Profile on Android Phone

Once you have the eSIM transfer code/QR from your carrier and have installed a manager app on your Android, you’re ready to set up your iPhone’s eSIM on your new device.

Here are the steps to complete the transfer:

1. Open your eSIM manager app on Android. Select the option to add a new eSIM profile.
2. Choose your current carrier from the list. Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your eSIM transfer code or scan the QR code.
3. The app will now install your iPhone’s eSIM profile containing your phone number and plan. Allow up to 15 minutes for activation.
4. You may be prompted to reboot your Android device to complete the eSIM installation. Go ahead and restart it.
5. Open the eSIM app again and ensure your eSIM profile is active. Your plan and phone number have been transferred from your iPhone!
6. On your iPhone, you can now safely delete the eSIM profile as it has been transferred to your Android.

And that’s it! With those steps completed, your eSIM plan and phone number are fully active on your new Android phone. You can now set up and use your device.

Step 5: Transfer Contacts, Data, and Settings to Android

With your cellular service moved over via eSIM, you now need to transfer all your contacts, apps, photos, and other data from your iPhone to your new Android device.

Here are some ways to transfer data:

• Sync contacts: Sign in to your Google account on Android to sync contacts.
• Transfer via cable: Use the charging cable to connect your iPhone and Android. Then, transfer data directly.
• iCloud: Sign in to the same iCloud account on Android to sync photos, contacts, and calendars.
• Google or 3rd party apps: Use apps like Move to iOS or Copy My Data to transfer files.
• Manually transfer: Manually move data like music, documents, and videos.

Also be sure to install apps, set preferences/settings, and set up biometric logins (fingerprint, face unlock) on your new Android device.

Step 6: Unlink iPhone from Apple Services

Once you’ve fully transitioned to your Android phone, you’ll want to unlink your old iPhone from Apple services and reset it:

• Sign out of iMessage and FaceTime on your iPhone to deregister it.
• Turn off iCloud backups and Find My iPhone to disassociate it.
• Reset the iPhone to factory settings to wipe your data before selling or recycling it.
• Remove your Apple ID from the
• iPhone. Go to Settings > [Your Name] and sign out.
• This will remove any remaining association between the iPhone and your Apple account.
• Once signed out, the iPhone can safely be reset without affecting your current Apple services on other devices.
• Be sure to backup any locally stored data on the iPhone you want to keep by connecting it to your computer one last time before the reset.
• A full factory reset on the iPhone will completely wipe it and allow it to be reused or disposed of properly with no trace of your data left behind.
• Your eSIM transfer is now fully complete, with your cellular service and account now only associated with your new Android phone. The iPhone portion of the transition is finished.

Step 7: Contact Carrier to Complete eSIM Transfer

Even though your eSIM profile and cellular service have been transferred from iPhone to Android, it’s important to contact your carrier to complete the process on their end fully.

• Inform them that you have successfully migrated your eSIM to the new Android device. They may need to update some details in their system.
• Ask them to deregister your iPhone IMEI/ESN from the account. This ensures your old iPhone can no longer access cellular service under your plan.
• Request deactivation of your iPhone line. They will disable the ability for it to register on their network again.
• Return any unused physical SIM cards if applicable. Typically carriers allow eSIM transfers without SIM swap fees.
• Confirm with the carrier that the transfer is now fully reflected in their systems. Check that everything is working properly on your Android.
• This final step with your carrier cleans up any loose ends and ties up all the ends to complete the eSIM transfer process fully.

Step 8: Enjoy Your New Phone with the Transferred eSIM

With all the steps completed, your cellular plan and service fully function on your shiny new Android smartphone via the migrated eSIM profile!

• Take some time to familiarize yourself with your new device and enjoy all it offers. Set up biometrics, customize Home screens, and personalize settings to your liking.
• Install any other missing apps you may need for work or personal use. Sync remaining accounts like email to get fully set up.
• Test call/text capabilities and ensure your cellular data connections are active and working properly on the network via the transferred eSIM.
• Contact your carrier or use our support resources if you experience any issues after the transfer process. But in most cases, everything should work seamlessly!
• Converting your iPhone’s eSIM profile for Android takes work but is very doable, as outlined in these steps. We hope this guide helps you through a smooth transition between devices. Enjoy the new possibilities with your upgraded Android smartphone!

Conclusion

In conclusion, transferring an eSIM profile from an iPhone to an Android device allows you to keep your existing cellular plan and number when switching between the two platforms. While it involves multiple steps of backing up data, obtaining transfer codes from carriers, installing apps, and resetting devices, following the end-to-end process outlined in this guide ensures a smooth transition.

With proper planning and by working with your carrier, an iPhone to Android eSIM migration can be completed successfully. This preserves continuity across devices and services, allowing you to make the most of your new Android smartphone without having to deal with signing up for a new cellular plan. With eSIM technology becoming more ubiquitous, such transitions between operating systems will only become more seamless over time.