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Apple iPhone - Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) - Transfer SIM / eSIM

2026-10-22 14:57:48.352

Apple iPhone - Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) - Transfer SIM / eSIM

Here's how to transfer an eSIM or physical SIM from your previous iPhone to an eSIM on your BYOD (bring your own device) iPhone.
If you need to transfer the eSIM or phsyical SIM card from your Apple® iPhone® to an eSIM on your BYOD iPhone, follow these step-by-step instructions.
  • Verify you have the following Apple iPhones:
    • Source device: iPhone 11 and newer
      Source device is the previous iPhone with an active line.
    • Target device: iPhone 12 and newer
      Target device is the BYOD iPhone that you want to transfer the eSIM or physical SIM to.
  • The BYOD device must be unlocked:
    Only unlocked devices are eligible for the dual SIM functionality.
    • iPhones purchased directly from Verizon are unlocked 60 days after purchase.
    • iPhones purchased directly from Apple are always unlocked.
    • For iPhones purchased from another carrier, refer to the lock policies for AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile.
  • Before completing the steps below, verify both devices:
    • are updated to iOS15.6 or higher.
    • signed into the same iCloud account with two-factor authentication enabled.
    • have the screen passcode enabled.
    • connected to Wi-Fi.
    • must be charged and kept close together while the SIM / eSIM transfers.

Transfer eSIM to eSIM

  1. On your BYOD (target) iPhone, navigate:
    Settings Settings icon
    Cellular
    .
    If an app isn't available on your Home screen, swipe left to access the App Library.
  2. Tap
    Add eSIM
    .
    If unavailable, tap
    Set Up Cellular
    .
  3. From the 'Choose a Phone Number' screen, tap the desired line you want to transfer then tap
    Continue
    .
    If the desired line isn't supported it's grayed out and shows 'Transfer Not Supported'.
    Choose a phone number
  4. When the ‘Transfer your SIM to this iPhone’ prompt appears tap
    Transfer Number
    .
    Transfer Number
  5. When the ‘Confirm Transfer on Your Other iPhone’ prompt appears, on the previous (source) iPhone review the prompt then tap
    Transfer SIM
    .
    Transfer SIM
  6. To confirm transfer, double click the side button on the previous (source) iPhone.
    Double click to confirm
  7. From the ‘Add Cellular Plan’ screen on the BYOD (target) iPhone, tap
    Continue
    .
    Add Cellular Plan
  8. If necessary, do the following:
    1. Choose a label for each of your cellular plans then tap
      Continue
      .
    2. Select a default line then tap
      Continue
      .
    3. From the ‘iMessage & FaceTime’ screen, select the desired line then tap
      Continue
      .
    4. Select the default line for cellular data then tap
      Done
      .
      Tap the
      Allow Cellular Data Switching switch
       to turn on Switch on or off Switch on.
  9. From the ‘Cellular Setup Complete’ screen tap
    Done
    .
  10. After your BYOD (target) iPhone displays the 'iPhone is activated' prompt, Restart your iPhone.

Transfer Physical SIM to eSIM

  1. On your BYOD (target) iPhone, navigate:
    Settings Settings icon
    Cellular
    .
    If unavailable, tap
    Set Up Cellular
    .
  2. Tap
    Add eSIM
    .
    If unavailable, tap
    Set Up Cellular
    .
  3. From the ‘Set Up eSIM’ screen, tap
    Transfer from another iPhone
    .
    If the desired line isn't supported it's grayed out and shows 'Transfer Not Supported'.
    Transfer from another iPhone
  4. When the ‘Transfer your SIM to this iPhone’ prompt appears tap
    Transfer Number
    .
    Transfer number
  5. To confirm transfer, double click the side button on the previous (source) iPhone.
    Double click to transfer
  6. From the ‘Cellular Setup Complete’ screen tap
    Done
    .
  7. After your BYOD (target) iPhone displays the 'iPhone is activated' prompt, Restart your iPhone.