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How to transfer your eSIM to a new phone

Updated

An eSIM lives in your phone's hardware, so it can't be popped out like a card. There are two ways to move it, and it's worth trying the easy one first.

Before you start

  • Both phones charged and on wifi.
  • The new phone unlocked and eSIM capable. Look for an EID, the number that shows a phone supports eSIM, under Settings, then About.
  • Your old phone still working, if possible. Don't wipe it yet.

Option 1: transfer directly between phones

Recent iPhones and Android phones can move an eSIM across without a QR code.

  1. Put both phones next to each other, switched on and unlocked.
  2. On the new phone, open the Settings app.
  3. On an iPhone: tap Cellular, tap Add eSIM, then tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
  4. On a Samsung: tap Connections, tap SIM manager, tap Add eSIM, then tap Transfer SIM from another device.
  5. On a Pixel: tap Network & internet, tap SIMs, tap the plus icon, then tap Transfer SIM from a nearby phone.
  6. Follow the prompts on the new phone.
  7. Pick up the old phone when it asks you to confirm, and tap to approve.
  8. The new phone shows Flex Mobile in its list with signal bars, and the line disappears from the old phone by itself.

Option 2: install it fresh on the new phone

If direct transfer isn't offered, the eSIM is reinstalled instead. This needs a new QR code, because the original one is single use.

  1. Sign in at portal.getflexmobile.com and open the Subscriptions tab.
  2. Select your line, find Order new SIM card, and select Order, then confirm with Order SIM card. There's no charge.
  3. A new QR code is emailed to the address on that line, and it also appears on the same page under eSIM, via show QR-code.
  4. Follow the eSIM activation guide for your new phone using that code.
  5. Once the new phone is working, delete the old eSIM profile from the old phone.

What stays the same

Your number, plan, term and reward points are unaffected.

If you've already wiped the old phone

You aren't stuck. Use Order new SIM card on the subscription page to issue a fresh eSIM, then install it on the new phone.

If it still won't transfer

Contact Flex Mobile support with both phone models and what happened on screen. They can check the line from their side and reissue if needed.

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