Can't Transfer eSIM to New iPhone? [Reasons & Fixes]

A lot of iPhone users love that they can use the iPhone's eSIM option to create and carry contacts wherever they go. This eSIM allows them to keep their contacts safe and secure even when they switch devices. This is when a lot of iPhone users try to transfer their eSIM to the next iPhone. But that's when a lot of users also face the issue where they can't transfer eSIM to a new iPhone. This is because of a few errors that cause this problem to persist. That's what we're here to look into today as we analyze the causes and fixes of this issue.

The focus will be on the reasons why users can't transfer eSIM to a new iPhone. And we will also focus on the probable causes of this problem as we dive deeper into the solutions, so let's get started.

Possible Reasons Why eSIM Not Transferring to New iPhone

There are quite a few problems that can persist when a user can't transfer eSIM to a new iPhone. An outdated iOS could cause this, and that's usually one of the prominent issues. Other issues might mean the user just doesn't have stable Wi-Fi, slow iPhone internet, or Bluetooth connection problem. That's why it's important to diagnose the issue, and here are some of the possible reasons why eSIM might not be transferring to a new iPhone:

• An outdated or older iOS version causes the problem;
• Connection issue with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth;
• Bad or wrong configuration of the cellular plan;
• Or an unknown bug hindering the transfer process.

Now, these are probable causes, but they also have their fixes. Let's keep going to find out the fixes for some of these issues.

How to Fix 'Can't Transfer eSIM to New iPhone'

Now that we know the problems that could be causing this issue, let's talk about the solution for them. We have compiled six of the best ways to get rid of this issue where the user can't transfer eSIM to a new iPhone. So, let's talk about the six possible fixes of this problem.

Action 1. Basic Check

The first thing to do is do a few basic checks to ensure none of these problems are preventing the eSIM transfer. It's important to check a few things like Bluetooth or Passcode to ensure the transfer goes smoothly. So here is a basic check that might just fix this issue for a lot of users:

• 1️⃣Head into "Settings" then "Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode" options to check that the passcode is set on the iPhone.
• 2️⃣Scroll down to access your Control Panel and check "Bluetooth" and "Wi-Fi" and enable them if they aren't.
• 3️⃣Ensure both iPhone devices are unlocked during the transfer.
• 4️⃣Keep the two iPhones closer to one another.

Doing this is known to get rid of the problem for a lot of users, as putting two iPhones closer to one another improves transfer speeds. While the transfer won't commence if the iPhone doesn't have a passcode set up. And it's equally important to enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to do this smoothly.

Action 2. Reset iPhone Network

Resetting the iPhone network also seems to get rid of this problem. That's because a build-up of cache in network settings can be a reason this data transfer is prevented, and resetting the iPhone network can fix the internet not working on the iPhone. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Head into "Settings" and then "General."

Step 2. Find "Transfer or Reset iPhone" settings.

Step 3. Now tap on "Reset" and then tap "Reset Network Settings."

Step 4. Enter the passcode when requested.

Step 5. "Reset Network Settings" when prompted.

This will require the user to configure their Bluetooth and Wi-Fi once more. But this will also likely fix the problem if it is with network settings.

Action 3. Reset iPhone

One of the more severe fixes to this problem is resetting the entire iPhone. But it's important to back up the data, or the user will lose everything by resetting the iPhone. That's why it's better to use a good-quality data transfer tool like EaseUS MobiMover, which is a good assistant for transferring everything from iPhone to iPhone, from iPhone to Android, and vice versa.

This remarkable tool can easily back up all of the iOS content in a few minutes. This will ensure that the user can easily reset their iPhone without worrying about the loss of their data. So, here's how to use EaseUS MobiMover to transfer files from an iPhone to a PC/Mac:

After the backup process is done, the user can now reset their iPhone after having saved their data to their PC with EaseUS MobiMover. So, here's how to move forward with the iPhone reset once the data is backed up:

Step 1. Head into "Settings".

Step 2. Tap on "General" settings.

Step 3. Scroll down and find and tap on "Transfer or Reset iPhone."

Step 4. Tap on "Erase All Content and Settings."

Step 5. Confirm when prompted.

This will reset all of the data on the iPhone, and the user can easily restore it all using EaseUS MobiMover once more. It's important to note that this will also fix the problem as it'll get rid of all the issues mentioned before. However, the user might have to update their iOS once more after resetting the iPhone. Then, they should try transferring eSIM data back to their new iPhone.

Action 4. Force Restart iPhone

Force restarting the iPhone seems like a very simple idea, but it's quite effective. It can restart all of the necessary services and background processes required to do an eSIM transfer. Thus, it can also fix the issue and here's how to force restart an iPhone:

Step 1. Turn off the iPhone.

Step 2. Press and release the "Volume Up" button.

Step 3. Press and release the "Volume Down" button.

Step 4. Now press and hold the "Side/Power" button.

Step 5. Wait for the iPhone to force-restart.

The user should try to transfer eSIM data after this to ensure that the force restart worked.

Action 5. Update to the Latest iOS

An outdated iOS version is one of the most regular reasons iPhone users run into this issue. That's why updating the iOS to its latest version can fix this problem. It's a simple process to check if the iOS' newer version is available for download or not. And here's how to check and update the iOS version on any iPhone:

Step 1. Head into "Settings."

Step 2. Find and tap on "General."

Step 3. Find "Software Update" and tap on it.

Step 4. Now select "Download and Install."

This will take a few minutes, but that depends on the speed of the internet and download size. The user will be able to check whether they can transfer eSIM contact or not in around 15-20 minutes.

Action 6. Contact Carrier/Apple Support - Final Resort

The final resort is to contact the carrier or Apple Support regarding this issue. Because it might as well be a bug beyond solution, and only Apple developers have the answer to it. That's why it's better to contact Apple support if the issue persists, and here's how to do that:

Step 1. Head to the "Apple Support" contact page.

Step 2. Tap on the product; in this case, it's an iPhone.

Step 3. Pick one of the issues from the list.

Step 4. Or head into the "How would you like to get help?" section.

Step 5. Now tap on Chat or Phone Call.

This will depend entirely on how the user's conversation with their carrier and Apple support goes. But it's more than likely that a lot of users are facing this issue if none of the aforementioned methods fixes the issue.

Fixed eSIM Transferring Issues & Use eSIM on Your New iPhone

These are some of the most common issues behind eSIM not transferring to a new iPhone. It's important to try all these fixes one after the other because it may not be a severe problem for some users. So they may not have to reset their iPhones at all.

But it's better to reset the iPhone as it's one of the most dependable fixes for this issue. Just use EaseUS MobiMover to secure the data by backing it up to a PC or Mac. Then, reset the iPhone to ensure that the transfer of the eSIM to a new iPhone goes smoothly.

Can't Transfer eSIM to New iPhone FAQs

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions by users who face this issue:

1. How do I transfer my eSIM from old to new?

The user can simply go into iPhone settings and then find the Cellular settings section. Then, they need to tap on the Add Cellular Plan option to get started. Then tapping "Transfer from another iPhone" should help the user get started.

2. Why eSIM activation failed?

This is likely caused by an unstable internet connection that won't connect to the eSIM servers. That's why it's better to ensure that data or Wi-Fi signals are proper before commencing the eSIM transfer.

3. Why is my iPhone not detecting eSIM?

Likely, the iPhone doesn't have the latest version of the iOS installed. A lot of users fixed this problem by simply downloading and installing the latest version of iOS on their iPhones. Another common issue behind this is the lack of a proper Wi-Fi connection.