Esim Won’t Transfer | Fast Fix Playbook

Quick Wins Before You Try Anything Big

Start with the basics. Turn both phones off and on. Connect them to strong Wi-Fi. Update iOS or Android to the latest release. Install any carrier settings update. Keep the phones side by side with Bluetooth on. Try the transfer again.

Many stalls trace back to one of three things: the old phone still claims the line, the account is locked to a carrier, or the new phone lacks the right software hook. Fixing those clears most roadblocks without a call to an agent.

Common Reasons An eSIM Won’t Move

This table gives you fast clues. Match the symptom to a likely cause and a one-line remedy.

Symptom	Likely Cause	Fast Fix
No plan shows on the new phone	Old phone still holds the profile	Turn off the old phone or remove the eSIM, then retry
Transfer option missing in setup	Software too old or tool not supported	Update both phones; use carrier QR code if needed
“Plan not supported” message	Carrier lock or unsupported model	Check unlock status; confirm the new phone is on the carrier list
Activation spins then fails	Poor network or carrier outage	Switch to solid Wi-Fi; try again later or contact the carrier
Two phones ring for the same line	Profile cloned or not fully released	Erase the eSIM from the old phone; power cycle both phones
Travel eSIM imports but won’t attach	Region or band mismatch	Install the seller’s app and run in-app activation steps
QR code scan error	Expired or already used code	Ask the carrier to issue a new activation code
“eSIM transfer not supported by this carrier”	Carrier hasn’t enabled device-to-device move	Use a fresh QR code or carrier app to activate

Prep Checklist That Saves Time

Do these in order. You’ll dodge most headaches.

• Back up both phones. A backup won’t move the plan, but it protects messages and apps during setup.
• Check unlock status on the old device. If it’s locked, the carrier must release it before the plan can move.
• Update both phones, then open settings and install any pending carrier settings update.
• Keep the old phone powered on until the transfer prompt lands on the new phone. After success, turn old one off.
• If you use two lines, label each plan in settings so you don’t mix them up during the move.

iPhone: Use Quick Transfer Or A New QR Code

Most recent iPhones can move a plan device-to-device with Quick Transfer. Open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM, then pick the line shown from the nearby iPhone. Follow the on-screen steps on both phones. Apple details the flow on its help page for about eSIM on iPhone. If the option doesn’t appear, ask the carrier for a fresh activation code and scan it under Add eSIM.

Things that block the move on iPhone include an account lock, an old iOS build, or a plan type the carrier hasn’t enabled for transfer. If the old phone still receives calls after a “success” message, erase the eSIM on that device, restart both phones, and place a test call.

Fix A Stuck iPhone Transfer

When you get “Plan not supported,” check whether the new model is supported by your carrier and region. If you see “No SIM” after transfer, install any carrier settings update and reboot. Still stuck? Request a new QR code and activate from scratch. The new profile will replace the old one once live.

Android: Built-In Tools, Plus Carrier Codes

Pixels and many recent Android phones include an eSIM move tool during setup and in settings. On Pixel, go to Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Transfer SIM or Set up an eSIM. Google outlines the flow in its Pixel Help page on transferring a SIM to a new phone. On Samsung, open Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM or Transfer eSIM.

If the tool doesn’t appear, the carrier may not enable device-to-device moves yet. Ask for a new activation code or use the carrier’s app. Delete or disable the old profile after the new one connects and calls work.

Android Troubleshooting Tips That Work

• Toggle Airplane mode for ten seconds, then turn it off and retry the activation.
• Clear the carrier app cache, reopen it, and start the activation flow again.
• If you see multiple inactive profiles, remove the ones you don’t need before retrying.
• For dual-eSIM phones, assign the line to calls, messages, and data in settings to complete setup.

Clean Up The Old Phone Correctly

After a move, the old device should not keep the line. On iPhone, open Settings → Cellular, tap the plan, choose Delete eSIM, then restart. On Android, open your SIM settings, pick the plan, and remove it. Power the phone off for a full minute. That break helps the network clear the link to the old profile. Turn it back on only if you plan to wipe or trade it in.

If calls still reach the old device, place a call from the new phone and stay on the line. Then try a data session on mobile data. Those live sessions update the network. If texts lag, turn iMessage or RCS off for a minute, wait, and turn them back on.

eSIM Not Transferring: Fixes That Work

Some problems come down to policy. A few carriers block moves between brands or limit transfers within the first days of service. Line-level fraud holds can stop an activation as well. A quick chat with an agent can lift those flags. Ask for a fresh QR code if the current one fails more than once.

Hardware limits can also stop a move. A phone might support eSIM but not the radio bands your carrier uses. If you bought the device from abroad, check band support and local carrier lists before spending more time on it.

When You Must Call The Carrier

Reach out when you hit any of these points:

• You see a lock notice in settings and you didn’t buy the device from that carrier.
• Activation fails after multiple tries on strong Wi-Fi with recent software.
• Your number shows on the new phone, but calls still land on the old one.
• You changed brands and the old carrier must release the number for porting.

Have the account PIN, billing ZIP or postcode, and the new phone’s IMEI ready. Ask for a new eSIM activation code tied to the correct IMEI. Stay on the line until you can place a call and use data on the new phone.

Travel eSIMs And Work Lines

Moving a personal line is one task; moving a bundle of plans is another. Label each profile. Turn off data on all but the line you plan to use. Keep work lines on manual selection if your employer requires it. When you retire a travel eSIM, delete the profile after the trip so it doesn’t confuse future transfers.

Second Table: What Each Path Needs

Pick the route that fits your phones. This cheat sheet lists the basics for each method.

Method	What You Need	Notes
Device-to-device move	Both phones nearby, current OS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Fastest path when the carrier supports it
QR code activation	New activation code tied to the new phone’s IMEI	Best fallback when transfer tools don’t appear
Carrier app activation	Carrier login, account PIN, strong data connection	Many apps auto-provision once you sign in

Safety Steps Many People Skip

Erase the eSIM from the old phone after the new phone connects and you finish test calls. That clears the profile and avoids split ringing. If you sell or gift the old phone, remove all profiles and reset the device right away. Then wait briefly.

Keep a record of your line labels, the carrier account PIN, and your IMEI numbers. Store those in a password manager. If you switch phones again, you’ll move faster with those details ready.

Edge Cases And How To Handle Them

Old Phone Is Lost Or Dead

Ask the carrier to push a new profile to the new phone. You’ll verify account details, then scan a new code. Some carriers can activate by entering a code block in settings without a scan.

Same Number On Two Phones

One profile must be removed. Keep the active one on the phone you plan to use. Delete the duplicate from the other phone and restart both devices.

Switching Brands

Port the number first. After the port completes, request the new eSIM. If you try to load an eSIM before the number lands on the new carrier, the phone might show bars but fail to place calls.

Avoid A Repeat Next Time

• Use device-to-device tools when offered. They handle most settings and save time.
• Keep phones updated and install carrier settings prompts right away.
• Label every line with a short name such as “Work LTE” or “US Travel.”
• Stick to one active profile per number. Delete retired travel plans after trips.

One-Page Transfer Checklist

1. Back up both phones and update software.
2. Check unlock status and fix any account holds.
3. Place phones together on Wi-Fi with Bluetooth.
4. Run the built-in transfer tool or scan a fresh QR code.
5. Make a test call and browse a web page on mobile data.
6. Erase the eSIM on the old phone and power cycle both phones.
7. Label lines and set call, text, and data defaults.