Can I Transfer My eSIM to a New Phone?
eSIM plans are device-locked and generally can't be transferred. Here's what to do when upgrading phones, and how to avoid losing your active travel plan.
Unlike a physical SIM card you can slot from one phone to another, an eSIM profile is cryptographically bound to the device it was installed on. This is a security feature — it prevents eSIM profiles from being copied, cloned, or moved without authorisation.
Why eSIMs can't simply be transferred
When you install an eSIM using a QR code, the activation process links that specific profile to your device's hardware identifier. The QR code becomes single-use and void — it cannot be scanned again on a different phone, even if you delete the eSIM from the original device.
This is standard across all eSIM providers and is part of the GSMA's eSIM specification — not a Vyroam-specific policy.
What to do when upgrading phones
If you're getting a new phone and your Vyroam plan is still active or unused, the options are:
- Use your old phone until the plan expires, then switch to the new device for future purchases
- Contact Vyroam support — if the plan hasn't been used yet, we may be able to reissue a new QR code for your new device
- If the plan is partially used, unfortunately the remaining data can't be moved — the profile is bound to the original device
Don't delete an active eSIM
Never delete an eSIM from your phone while your plan is still active. Deletion is permanent — the QR code cannot be reused and you'll lose access to any remaining data.
If you have an active plan and need a new phone urgently
If your phone is broken or lost mid-trip and you have an active Vyroam plan, contact our support team immediately. We'll assess whether a plan reissue is possible. In most cases, purchasing a new plan on the replacement device is the quickest solution to get back online.
For future trips, we recommend keeping your eSIM plan purchase close to your travel date — this minimises the risk of phone changes between purchase and use.
Starting fresh on a new device?
Purchase a new plan for your next trip. It takes two minutes from checkout to being connected.
Frequently asked questions
No. eSIM profiles cannot be moved between different devices, even within the same brand. The profile is tied to the specific hardware of the device it was installed on.
On iPhone, a factory reset (erase all content and settings) will delete your eSIM profiles. On Android, behaviour varies — some manufacturers preserve eSIM profiles through a reset, others don't. Check your manufacturer's documentation before resetting.
Apple's Quick Start device transfer can transfer eSIM profiles in some cases, specifically for carrier eSIMs. For third-party travel eSIM plans, transfer is generally not supported — contact Vyroam support before attempting.
Contact our support team at support@vyroam.com. Reissue is assessed on a case-by-case basis and depends on whether the original plan has been activated. Unused plans may qualify for reissue on a new device.