Here’s how to easily transfer an on -board sim between two smartphones

What is an esim? – Here's how easily transfer -board

Contrary to what one might think at first. For example, Esim is not the abbreviation ofelectronic SIM or virtual sim, butembedded SIM which means on -board sim. Nevertheless, To say that it is a 100 % virtual SIM card would however be a little too simplistic.

While the traditional SIM card is here’s how easily transfer -board a technology to be integrated into a smartphone. Furthermore, a touch pad or a connected watch to operate, the ESIM is already present by default in these devices in the form of a chip capable of behaving like a SIM card, but with the possibility of being compatible with several operators.

Imagined in the early 2010s, ESIM was once reserved for connected watches, the Samsung Gear and Apple Watch of the time were the first connected objects to integrate this technology. In addition, Google then broke this glass ceiling with Pixel 2, the first ESIM compatible smartphone. Nevertheless, Motorola takes a new step with its very first RAZR, a folding smartphone whose American version operates in 100 % ESIM.

However, it was not until here’s how easily transfer -board 2020 in France that the four major mobile operators offer packages with Esim. Nevertheless, Even some virtual operators have put themselves on it. In addition, Overall. However, ESIM is an increasingly adopted solution by mobile subscribers, to the point where some suppliers have specialized in this technology, in particular within the framework of trips abroad. We even presume in the long term the end of the physical sim card. even if it is not yet all smartphones that are compatible with ESIM.

Read also:
ESIM: What is it and what are the compatible smartphones?

Advice before transferring an ESIM – Here's how easily transfer -board

Before going further in this guide. you have to make sure that the smartphone that is about to receive ESIM is compatible with this technology. We also have the list in this comparison, almost 200 smartphones are recorded there, often recent and high -end here’s how easily transfer -board models. At the bone level, these smartphones must turn at least under iOS 12.1 or Android 10. Which is not complicated these days.

Finally. the mobile operator must propose the transfer of ESIM, especially in the case of a transfer between Android and iOS or Vice-Versa. This is the case with the main operators, namely SFR, Orange, Free Mobile and Bouygues Telecom. On the side of virtual operators, it is better to check beforehand.

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Read also:
ESIM packages: What are the compatible operators?

How to transfer an ESIM? – Here's how easily transfer -board

Transfer an esim to iPhone

If you have offered a brand new iPhone but ignore how to transfer an ESIM from the old model. here is the procedure to follow. You must first make sure that the new smartphone is compatible with ESIM. which should not be a problem since they are all from the iPhone XR and XS. In addition, it is possible to configure an ESIM without internet connection from the here’s how easily transfer -board iPhone 14.

Between two iPhones, the simplest solution to transfer an ESIM remains the Quick Transfer function. On the new iPhone. you have to go to the settings, the menu Cellular data Then select Add an esim card.

Then you have to press on Transfer from an iPhone nearby And choose the number to be transferred. In addition, the two iPhones must be in Bluetooth and close to each other. It is also necessary to make manipulation on the old iPhone from time to time to validate the steps.

ESIM will activate after a while on the new iPhone and the package will automatically deactivate the old iPhone. Finally. if there is an error not to be made, it is to delete the ESIM of the old iPhone before the line is transferred to the new smartphone!

Transfer an esim to Android

The process is almost similar only on here’s how easily transfer -board iPhone. and the precautions to be taken before the transfer are the same (smartphones and compatible operators ESIM, up-to-date bone).

Here too. you have to go to the settings of the new Android smartphone, in the menu Connexions or Network and internet depending on the device. Then go to SIM manager or Cartes yes where it is offered to add an ESIM.

Here is an example of the course on a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

In this last menu. it is given the possibility of transferring an ESIM in two ways:

• A transfer like what is done with the iPhone, with the two devices close to each other and the instructions to follow.
• Thanks to a QR code generated on the new smartphone. The old smartphone must scan it in order to validate the data transfer.

Again, just wait a bit for ESIM to transfer. Once the here’s how easily transfer -board operation is completed, the line is deactivated by itself on the old phone.

Transfer an ESIM between Android. iPhone

In the case of a transfer between Android and iOS smartphone, the process requires more steps and above all an intervention by the mobile operator to deactivate and reactivate ESM remotely. This method could however live its last hours because Android 16 would add a function to remove this obstacle to the transfer between iPhone. Android. We logically wait for it to be the same on iOS 26.

But in the meantime, here is how to transfer an ESIM between these two ecosystems.

Transfer an ESIM from Android to iPhone

For this kind of ESIM transfer. there are more precautions to take than with the two previous methods here. In addition to ensuring the compatibility of smartphones. operators here’s how easily transfer -board at ESIM, it is necessary to contact your operator in order to obtain information from his ESIM through an QR code or an activation code.

Unlike transfers between Android or iOS smartphones, it is necessary here Disable ESIM in the first place. It happens in the menu SIM manager. Cartes yes From the Android smartphone where you must select the ESIM in question and then remove it.

The rest is happening on the new iPhone, in the settings, Cellular data Then Add an esim card. This time you have to select Use a QR code and scan the one sent by the mobile operator. Then there is only to wait until ESIM is activated on the new iPhone.

Transfer an ESIM from an iPhone to Android

The method is the same as before. You must first deactivate the ESIM of the old iPhone in the menu Cellular data And here’s how easily transfer -board request a QR code. a transfer code to its operator.

On the new Android smartphone. you have to go to the settings, the SIM/ESIM management menu and go to the tab to add a new ESIM. Then you have to select Scanner code QR In order to validate the transfer. either thanks to a QR code, or with an activation code transmitted by the operator.

Can we transfer an ESIM between two connected watches?

In case you have already asked yourself this question: no, it is not really a transfer. To date. only Orange, its subsidiary Low-Cost Sosh and SFR offer an ESIM option for connected watches that share the number and package of a smartphone. Free should in turn offer this option current 2025. Each ESIM profile is unique by watch and cannot, therefore, be shared with another watch.

The only way to “transfer” an ESIM from one watch connected to another is by deactivating the ESIM option on the old smartwatch and activating it for the news on its customer area. However, the process can again lead to activation fees, these are 10 euros among above operators.