Transfer eSim between current iPhone and new iPhone

[MarkF]

My current iPhone uses an eSIm. I have ordered a new phone (from Apple, not O2) and I will need to transfer the eSIM from my current phone to the new one.

I have read that you need to visit and O2 shop in order to get a new eSIM to use in the new phone even though I am keeping the same number and staying with the same network. I wasn't sure if this was out-of-date information.

Is it really the case that this is the process for transferring eSIMs?? 

[MK82]

Hi,

Trying to order a new eSIM through chat feature. @Enlli Does the app generate the eSIM QR code immediately through the app, or do they send the paper through the post. 

[Enlli]

When I did mine I started with my original SIM in slot one. Selected as per this screen grab and it installed from the app.

That was with Android, don't know about iPhones

 

[Daft-Vader]

Probably too late for you but not true. 

You can transfer eSims from iPhone to iPhone by putting them close to each other and on the new phone going to setting - mobile service - Add eSim - Transfer from nearby iPhone. Just done it with mine and it works a treat. 

[MI5]

@Daft-Vader 

It was true back in 2022 when the question was asked originally.

The addition has been added with iOS16 so is now possible on networks that support the function.

[Tigermike]

Ive recently upgraded my Iphone 12 to a 16 PRO MAX and ordered it with the ESIM... But it will not allow mw to transfer the mobile number across so cant make or receive calls.. just keep getting an error code 17753.

I'll be honest and say O2 are useless, their information on the website is out of date ie click this or that to order a new ESIM, but you can not order a new one following their instructions and the same applies to their app. I will be on the phone at 8 am tomorrow to find out what an earth is going on. Been with them for 15  years now and shocked and the level of out dated inaccurate information they supply on this subject alone. 

[pgn]

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@Tigermike wrote:

Ive recently upgraded my Iphone 12 to a 16 PRO MAX and ordered it with the ESIM... But it will not allow mw to transfer the mobile number across so cant make or receive calls.. just keep getting an error code 17753.

I'll be honest and say O2 are useless, their information on the website is out of date ie click this or that to order a new ESIM, but you can not order a new one following their instructions and the same applies to their app. I will be on the phone at 8 am tomorrow to find out what an earth is going on. Been with them for 15  years now and shocked and the level of out dated inaccurate information they supply on this subject alone. 

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Best bet in this case, @Tigermike - to avoid a lengthy period with no service - is to head to an O2 shop with phone in-hand and valid photo id in your other hand, and get them to move you back from eSIM to regular, plastic SIM - O2 and eSIMs are proving very problematic as you may have noticed if you searched for ESIM here on the forum.

Good luck!

[Enlli]

@Tigermike I was in a similar position to you.

The wheels of O2 roll exceedingly slow.

Follow the advice and get to an O2 store with photo ID. I did and in 15 minutes came out with a working SIM