How to Transfer Your eSIM & Phone Number from an Old IPhone to your New IPhone, by Dylans Guides on YouTube. 1 min 20 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 20 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Update both iPhones to the latest iOS and back up the old one to iCloud or a computer before you start.
Place the two phones next to each other, connect both to Wi-Fi, and turn Bluetooth on.
Turn on the new iPhone and go through setup until you reach the Set Up Cellular screen.
Tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone, then confirm the plan you want to move.
On the old iPhone, tap Transfer and enter the verification code that appears on the new screen.
Wait while the plan activates. This can take a few minutes, and your carrier may send a confirmation text.
If the option never appears, open Settings, tap Cellular, tap Add eSIM, then choose Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
Make a test call and send a text on the new iPhone to confirm the number works, then erase the old phone.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not erase or reset the old iPhone until the transfer finishes and calls work on the new one.
Some carriers block self-service transfer, so you may need to request an eSIM activation from them instead.
If the transfer stalls, restart both phones and retry while still on Wi-Fi.
Keep your carrier's app installed in case you need to download a new eSIM profile.
Questions
Does the eSIM stop working on my old iPhone?
Yes. Once the plan moves, it deactivates on the old phone and only works on the new one.
Will I keep the same phone number?
Yes. The transfer moves the existing line and number, so contacts reach you on the same number as before.
What if no transfer option shows up during setup?
Update iOS on both phones, check your carrier supports eSIM transfer, or ask the carrier for a QR code or activation link.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
