When Should I Delete an eSIM?

Not sure if you should delete your eSIM? Whether you're finishing a trip, switching devices, or installing a new eSIM, this guide will help you decide. We’ll explain when it’s safe to delete your eSIM on iPhone and Android, the difference between deleting and deactivating, and how to deactivate it easily. Plus, we’ll share helpful tips before you make the decision to keep or delete your eSIM.

You can delete your eSIM if:

• You want to transfer your eSIM data plan to another device because you're getting a new phone.
• Your eSIM data plan has expired, and you can no longer access the services.
• You no longer need the eSIM because your trip has ended.
• You need to free up a SIM profile because you've reached the maximum capacity.
• You've purchased a new eSIM for the same country or region with a better data plan.
• You're planning to sell or give away your current device.

When should you NOT delete the eSIM?

Do not delete your eSIM if:

• You’re having trouble connecting your eSIM, double-check the activation steps to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
• You activated your eSIM before traveling, just disable data roaming until you reach your destination.
• You’re doing a factory reset on your device, make sure you don’t select any options that say “delete” or “remove” the eSIM if you still require it.
• You have multiple eSIMs and aren’t sure which one to delete, it’s best to keep them until you confirm which one you no longer need.

To Keep in Mind:

• While it's fine to keep expired eSIM profiles, it's important to manage them regularly, as devices have a limit on the number of profiles they can store, potentially preventing the installation of new ones.
• If you're factory resetting your device and see the option to keep or delete the eSIM, ask yourself if you still need it; if so, avoid deleting it, as some providers don't allow reinstallation.
• Deactivating an eSIM temporarily disables it while deleting it removes it completely from your device.

Troubleshooting Tips

What happens if I delete esim?

If you accidentally deleted the eSIM on your iPhone or Android, it may not be reinstallable, but in some cases, you can try reinstalling it manually with the provided codes.

• Watch this video to learn how to manually install your eSIM on an iPhone!

• Watch this video to learn how to manually install your eSIM on an Android!

How to deactivate or turn off an eSIM?

If you want to deactivate or turn off your eSIM because you haven’t reached your destination yet or because you want to use a new eSIM on your phone, follow these steps:

To turn off an eSIM on iPhone:

• Go to Settings > Tap Cellular or Mobile Data > Select the eSIM you want to turn off > Toggle off the Turn On This Line option, and that's it! Your eSIM will be deactivated without being deleted.

To turn off an eSIM on Android:

• Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Toggle off the switch for the eSIM you want to turn off, and that's it! Your eSIM will be deactivated without being deleted.