How to Transfer eSIM to New Android Phone: Simple Guide (2024)

Getting a new Android phone is exciting. But moving your digital SIM can be tricky. Unlike regular SIM cards, you can’t just move eSIMs between phones easily.

Don’t worry! Moving your digital SIM is simple once you know how. This guide shows you proven ways to move your digital SIM to your new Android phone. You’ll fix common problems and stay connected. Whether you’re keeping the same carrier or switching, you’ll have your digital SIM working in under 30 minutes.

What You Need to Know About Digital SIM Transfer

Digital SIMs store your carrier info on your phone, not on a physical card. This gives you flexibility. But it also means transfers work differently than regular SIM swaps.

How Digital SIMs Work

Your phone connects to your carrier’s network automatically. No physical SIM card needed. You can see your digital SIM details in Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs.

When You Need to Transfer

You need to transfer when you:

• Get a new Android phone
• Factory reset your current phone
• Move your digital SIM to another device temporarily

Important: You cannot use the same digital SIM profile on multiple devices at once.

Transfer Limits

Most digital SIM profiles can only be transferred 5-10 times. After that, you need a new profile from your carrier.

Method 1: Get Help From Your Carrier (Best Option)

This method works best because your carrier can create new digital SIM profiles directly. They ensure your new device works properly. This has the highest success rate.

Steps to Transfer With Carrier Help

Before you start:

• Connect your new Android phone to Wi-Fi
• Have your account info and PIN ready
• Keep your old phone on until transfer finishes

Contact your carrier:

• Verizon: Call 611 or visit a store with both phones
• AT&T: Use the myAT&T app or call 611
• T-Mobile: Use the T-Mobile app or call 611
• Google Fi: Use the Google Fi app or website

Request the transfer:

• Tell them you need to move your digital SIM to a new Android phone
• Give them your new phone’s IMEI number (Settings > About Phone > IMEI)
• Verify your identity with your account PIN

Set up your new phone:

• Your carrier will send a QR code by email or text
• On your new phone: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add SIM
• Select “Download a SIM instead?” and scan the QR code
• Follow the setup steps

What happens: Your new phone connects to the network in 5-15 minutes. Your old phone’s digital SIM stops working automatically.

Method 2: Use Your Carrier’s App

Many carriers now let you transfer digital SIMs instantly through their apps. This eliminates waiting and gives you immediate confirmation.

Verizon App Transfer

1. Download and open the My Verizon app on your new phone
2. Go to: Menu > Devices > Activate or Switch Device
3. Select: “Switch to this device” and choose your current line
4. Scan the QR code that appears with your new phone’s camera
5. Complete setup following the app instructions

T-Mobile App Transfer

1. Open T-Mobile app on new device and sign in
2. Go to: Account > Line Settings > Change SIM
3. Select: “I have a new device” and enter new phone’s IMEI
4. Download the digital SIM profile when asked
5. Restart your phone to finish setup

AT&T App Transfer

1. Install myAT&T app on new phone
2. Go to: Profile > Account > Manage Connected Devices
3. Select: “Replace SIM” for your line
4. Choose: “Digital SIM” and follow setup steps
5. Scan the QR code to download your profile

What happens: App transfers usually finish in 10-20 minutes. You get updates in real-time and confirmation when it works.

Method 3: Manual Setup With QR Code

If you have an existing digital SIM QR code from your carrier, you can add it to your new device manually. No need to contact your carrier again.

What You Need

• Original digital SIM QR code from carrier (check email or carrier account)
• Confirmation that QR code hasn’t been used on another device
• New Android phone that supports digital SIMs

Setup Steps

Find your QR code:

• Check email from when you first got your digital SIM
• Log into your carrier website and look for digital SIM section
• Contact carrier if you can’t find the original code

Add to your new phone:

• Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs
• Tap the “+” or “Add SIM” button
• Select “Download a SIM instead?”
• Choose “Scan QR code” and point camera at code

Set up your digital SIM:

• Name your plan (like “Personal Line”)
• Set as default for calls/texts if you want
• Turn on mobile data for this digital SIM

Check it works:

• Look for signal bars in your status bar
• Make a test call and send a text
• Turn off Wi-Fi and browse to test mobile data

What happens: Manual setup finishes in 5-10 minutes if you have the right QR code. You should see signal bars right after downloading.

Method 4: Google Fi Easy Transfer

Google Fi has special tools for Android devices. Their transfer process is automated and works very well.

Google Fi Steps

1. Install Google Fi app on your new Android phone
2. Sign in with the same Google account you use for Fi
3. Select: “Switch to this phone” from the main screen
4. Choose: “Transfer existing Fi service”
5. Confirm device switch when asked
6. Wait for automatic setup (usually 2-5 minutes)

Why Fi Works So Well

• No QR codes needed: Everything downloads automatically
• Instant activation: Service moves immediately
• Easy device switching: Simple to move between compatible phones
• Cloud backup: Your Fi digital SIM backs up to your Google account

What happens: Google Fi transfers are very fast. Usually done in under 5 minutes with automatic network connection.

Keep Your Digital SIM Working Well

Things to Do Daily

• Keep your carrier app updated
• Make sure your digital SIM backs up in carrier account settings
• Write down your digital SIM ID number somewhere safe

Weekly Checks

• Check that your digital SIM shows as “Active” in phone settings
• Test data connection on cellular network
• Look for carrier software updates

Monthly Tasks

• Review your carrier account for digital SIM transfer history
• Update emergency contact info linked to your digital SIM
• Make sure you can access your carrier account from another device

Before Getting a New Phone

• Take screenshots of current digital SIM settings
• Save any custom network settings
• Make sure you can access your carrier account from another device

Fix Common Problems

“Digital SIM Not Supported” Error

What you see: Phone says digital SIM cannot be added or device doesn’t support it

How to fix:

1. Check that your Android model supports digital SIMs
2. Make sure phone has latest Android version (Settings > System Update)
3. Ask carrier to confirm digital SIM works with your device
4. Restart phone and try transfer again

QR Code Won’t Scan

What you see: Camera can’t read QR code or setup fails after scanning

How to fix:

1. Clean phone camera and use good lighting
2. Hold phone 6-8 inches from QR code
3. Ask carrier for new QR code if original is damaged
4. Enter digital SIM details manually if carrier gives you codes

Transfer Looks Good But No Service

What you see: Digital SIM shows installed but phone says “No Service”

How to fix:

1. Restart phone to refresh network connection
2. Turn Airplane mode on and off to reconnect
3. Check if old phone still has active digital SIM (ask carrier to turn it off)
4. Verify network settings: Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Access Point Names

“Profile Download Failed” Message

What you see: Digital SIM setup starts but fails during download

How to fix:

1. Make sure Wi-Fi connection is strong during setup
2. Turn off VPN or proxy settings temporarily
3. Clear carrier app cache and try again
4. Wait 1-2 hours and retry (carrier systems might be busy)

Two SIM Problems

What you see: New digital SIM conflicts with existing SIM or digital SIM

How to fix:

1. Choose data preference: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Select preferred SIM for data
2. Set up call/text routing for each line
3. Turn off one SIM temporarily to test digital SIM
4. Ask carrier about proper two-SIM setup for your plan

Summary

Moving your digital SIM to a new Android phone is easy when you know the right steps. Getting help from your carrier works best. Using carrier apps gives you a convenient do-it-yourself option.

The key is being prepared. Have your account info ready. Make sure your new phone supports digital SIMs. Keep your old phone on until transfer finishes.

Digital SIM technology keeps getting better. Carriers regularly improve their transfer process and add new self-service options. If one method doesn’t work, try another or contact your carrier directly.

Most importantly, test your new digital SIM completely before relying on it. Make calls, send texts, and check data connection. Make sure everything works properly. With correct setup, your digital SIM will work just as well on your new Android phone as it did on your old one.