eSIM Transfer? (September 2025)

[NeilJonesOnline]

So, it's that time of year again for another iPhone launch.

Is it possible yet to do a straight forward O2 eSIM transfer from an old iPhone to a new one, or do I still need to go through the rigmarole of transferring to a physical SIM and then back to an eSIM?

The answers I've found here and on the wider Internet are conflicting or are from last year or earlier.

Thanks! 

[MI5]

@NeilJonesOnline 

Go in store and they will transfer your esim there and then.

Take photo ID with you.

eSIM - How to activate  

[Enlli]

Funny how it only took me 5 minutes to swap my Vodafone eSIM fron my S23 to a Pixel without having to take two buses to get to my local store

My O2 SIM remains plastic

[MI5]

Yep, O2's extra security features make it difficult for sure, but hopefully safer too.

[NeilJonesOnline]

Thanks, frustrating that it's not changed as that's a 50 mile round trip for me, and then the store can be extra busy on iPhone launch day, sometimes even with the 'systems' going down or slow based on previous experience.

[Oxonian]

Did you get sorted @NeilJonesOnline ?

[Bobajobbob]

I can't believe that this is still an issue. I remember the nightmare I had when I previously upgraded my phone two years ago and I optimistically assumed that these kind of issues were now long in the past.

Am I to believe that two years later O2 still is not able to support an esim swap from old phone to new as part of the activation process of the new phone? I may be missing the clear instructions somewhere but this website is in such a terrible state at the moment and chat effectively doesn't work that I can't be sure. 

What is the official protocol for an O2 Esim swap now? Can anyone point me to the official O2 URL or guidance because I sure can't find it? There must be hundreds of thousands of people receiving a new phone today. 

THanks

[pgn]

@Bobajobbob see if this guide helps:

eSIM - How to activate  

[Bobajobbob]

Thanks so maybe I jumped the gun and O2 does now support a simple transfer if what I read below is correct. This is definitely how it should work. It's a shame that this isn't clearly published anywhere on the website and that the Chat AI is useless and if you ever get through to a human they tell you that they need to send you out a new esim pack.

My new phone should arrive shortly so I will report back on whether this actually works or not.

How to Quick Switch iOS as an EXISTING customer

• First, make sure you have both your current device and new device with you and they’re both turned on. They’ll need to be on the most up to date iOS.
• Follow the on-screen instructions on your new device to get started
• During your set up, you’ll be asked if you’d like to transfer your information from your current device to your new one. Follow the Quick Start instructions on both devices to start the transfer.
• Once the devices are paired, a pop-up will appear on your current device asking you to transfer your phone number. Tap ‘Continue’.
• You’ll receive a verification code on your new device. Enter it into your current device, using the keypad.
• Then, go back to your new device and select the number(s) you want to transfer over. Tap ‘Continue’
• Tap ‘Transfer Number’ on your new device
• You’ll get a screen confirming the transfer has been completed. Tap ‘Done’ and carry on with the rest of your device set up.

[madasaf1sh]

I personally wouldn't trust that... 

Someone at work tried the same instructions and it failed, and he ended up having to get a new one via myo2 ... so lets hope it works today of all days .. 

To be fair seen it fail on other networks as well...

Good Luck