Switching to a new phone means setting everything up again, and that includes your eSIM; a digital SIM that connects you to mobile networks without needing a plastic card.
Unlike iPhones, Android devices don’t offer any kind of automatic eSIM migration. There’s no built-in “Quick Transfer” feature. So if you’re bringing your eSIM over from an Android phone, you’ll need to manually uninstall it from your old device and reinstall it on the new one.
This guide walks you through exactly how to do that.
Can You Transfer an eSIM Between Android Devices?
Yes, but there’s a catch: you can't directly transfer the eSIM like a regular app or file. You’ll need to remove it from your old phone first, and then set it up again on your new device using the usual activation process.
The good news? Once you’ve gone through the process once, you’ll be confident doing it again, no matter the brand or provider.
Warning: Don’t Rely on Factory Reset
A factory reset might seem like a fast way to “clear everything,” but it doesn’t notify the network about your eSIM’s removal. If you reset the phone before deleting the eSIM, the profile will vanish without being re-synced to the cloud.
In that case, the eSIM becomes unusable, and you’ll need to request a replacement.
Eskimo offers one free replacement per paid plan, but proper removal ensures you won’t have to use it.
Step 1: Remove the eSIM from Your Old Android Device
Before anything else, make sure you're connected to a stable internet connection. Then follow these steps:
Removing eSIM on Samsung Phone
- Open your phone’s Settings
- Go to Connections
- Tap SIM Manager
- Select your Eskimo eSIM profile
- Tap Remove
- You might be prompted to enter your password or biometrics if you have one set up
- Confirm and wait until the profile is successfully removed
Removing eSIM on Google Pixel
- Open Settings
- Go to Network & Internet
- Tap Eskimo eSIM
- Scroll down and click on Erase eSIM
- Confirm the eSIM removal
- Another pop-up might appear if you have another SIM/eSIM, asking if you'd like to make it your primary profile. Select as necessary.
Removing eSIM on Oppo Phone
- Open your phone’s Settings
- Go to Mobile network
- Tap eSIM
- Locate your Eskimo eSIM profile
- Click on the 3-dot icon -> Delete
- Click Remove and wait until the profile is successfully removed
Removing eSIM on Xiaomi Phone
- Open your phone’s Settings
- Go to Mobile networks
- Tap Manage eSIM
- Select your Eskimo eSIM profile
- Tap Delete eSIM after the countdown
Removing eSIM on Vivo Phone
- Open Settings
- Go to SIM card & mobile network
- Tap eSIM
- Select your Eskimo eSIM profile
- At the bottom of the page, tap More -> Reset
- Tick the checkbox -> Reset
- Wait until the profile is successfully removed
Removing eSIM on Honor
- Open your phone’s Settings
- Go to Mobile network
- Tap SIM management
- Select your Eskimo eSIM profile
- Under ESIM SETTINGS, select Eskimo again
- Disable Eskimo if it's turned on -> Delete
- Tick the checkbox -> Delete
Removing eSIM on Motorola
- Open Settings
- Go to Network & internet
- Tap Mobile Network
- Tap Advanced
- Tap Erase eSIM -> Erase
- Confirm and wait until the profile is successfully removed
Removing eSIM on Huawei
- Open your phone’s Settings
- Go to Mobile network
- Tap SIM management
- Select your Eskimo eSIM profile
- Under ESIM SETTINGS, select Eskimo again
- Disable Eskimo if it's turned on -> Delete
- Tick the checkbox -> Delete
This step is crucial. When you delete the eSIM properly, the phone sends a signal to Eskimo’s servers to deregister the device. That allows your eSIM to be reused on a new phone.
Step 2: Reinstall Your eSIM on the New Android Phone
Once the eSIM has been successfully removed, you can set it up again on your new device. Eskimo offers three installation methods: choose Direct Installation, QR code or Manual Activation.
Common Issues When Transferring an eSIM on Android
Eskimo eSIM not working
Check your mobile network settings and confirm you’ve selected Eskimo eSIM for mobile data. Also, turn Data Roaming on if you're overseas.
“Unable to Add eSIM” Error
This typically means the previous device still has the eSIM tied to it or it has already been added to your new device. You might also have gone past the 5-time installation limit for your Eskimo eSIM.
Need More Help?
If you're running into issues or just want someone to double-check that you're on the right path, get in touch with our support team:
- Use the live chat in the Eskimo app
- Or email us at support@eskimo.travel
We’re always happy to help.