eSIM Quick Transfer

eSIM Quick Transfer is Apple's feature (introduced in iOS 16) that lets you copy a working eSIM from one iPhone to another over Bluetooth, without re-activating with the carrier. The original phone keeps its eSIM until the transfer completes; then the new phone has it and the old one doesn't. Saves 5-15 minutes vs the carrier-app activation flow.

How to use it

• During new-iPhone setup: When the setup wizard asks about cellular, choose "Transfer from iPhone." The new phone scans nearby iPhones; tap the source. Follow the prompts on both phones to authorize the transfer.
• From Settings on a new iPhone you've already set up: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Transfer From Another iPhone. Same flow.
• Carriers that support it: Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Visible, Mint Mobile, Cricket, Metro, Boost, Tello, US Mobile, and most other major US carriers. Some smaller MVNOs require activation via the carrier app instead — check before relying on Quick Transfer for a critical port.

What can go wrong

• The transfer hangs. Both phones need Bluetooth on, both need active iCloud login with the same Apple ID (or a verification code), both need iOS 16+. If transfer doesn't start, restart both phones and retry.
• The carrier doesn't support it. Some MVNOs disable Quick Transfer in favor of their own app activation. The carrier-side block usually shows up as the new phone reporting "Could not transfer eSIM" with a generic error. Solution: install the carrier's app on the new phone and use their activation flow instead.
• You want to keep the eSIM on the old phone. Quick Transfer moves the eSIM, not copies it. To have the same number active on both phones (for failover), you need the carrier to issue a second eSIM for that number — not all carriers allow this.

Android equivalent

Pixel 6+ and Galaxy S24+ have a similar feature for Android-to-Android transfers, integrated into the new-phone setup wizard. Cross-platform (iPhone to Android or vice versa) eSIM transfer is not a thing — the new device needs to activate fresh with the carrier.