iPhone 14: Guide to Migrating from Physical SIM to eSIM in the US

Apple’s decision to introduce the eSIM-only feature in the US version of the iPhone 14 has brought a new era of convenience to smartphone users. Gone are the days of fumbling with plastic SIM cards and dealing with those pesky ejector tools. With eSIMs, everything becomes virtual, making it incredibly easy to switch carriers without the hassle of physical cards. If you already have a postpaid plan on a physical SIM and need to migrate it to an eSIM for your new iPhone 14, fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various methods to seamlessly transfer from a physical SIM to an eSIM.

Understanding the Migration Process

When you purchase an iPhone 14 without a physical SIM card tray, you’ll need to migrate your current plan to an eSIM. The migration process can vary depending on your carrier, and they may offer different options, some of which may be more automated than others. In certain cases, you might need to contact your carrier to manually transfer your eSIM.

Method 01: Apple’s eSIM Quick Transfer

Note – Recommended for postpaid plans and carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile.

This method utilizes Apple’s eSIM Quick Transfer feature, allowing you to effortlessly transfer your physical SIM/eSIM from your old iPhone to the eSIM on your new iPhone 14. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

• Ensure Compatibility: Make sure both your iPhones are running iOS 16 or later, and they are connected to the same iCloud account and Wi-Fi network.
• Access Cellular Settings: On your new iPhone 14, navigate to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan.
• Initiate Transfer: Select “Transfer from another iPhone” when prompted. If you don’t see this option, unfortunately, your carrier doesn’t support eSIM Quick Transfer. In such cases, follow the carrier-specific guidelines mentioned later in this article.
• Follow the Instructions: Now, head over to your old iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the transfer process. You might need to enter a verification code for security purposes.
• Activation and Deactivation: After the transfer process is complete, your cellular plan will activate on your new iPhone, and your previous SIM card will be deactivated automatically.
• Finish Carrier Setup: Keep an eye out for a banner on your new iPhone 14 that reads “Finish Setting up your Carrier’s Cellular Plan.” If you see this, tap it and follow the on-screen steps to complete the setup.
• Reboot and Enjoy: Finally, reboot your device, and you’re all set with your new eSIM on iPhone 14!

Method 02: Carrier Guidelines

Note – Recommended for carriers like Verizon, Google Fi, and Mint Mobile.

In cases where your carrier doesn’t support eSIM Quick Transfer, they often provide manual guidelines to help you migrate your plan to an eSIM on your iPhone 14. Here’s a detailed guide for carriers like Verizon, Google Fi, and Mint Mobile:

Transferring eSIM or Physical SIM on Verizon iPhone 14

Before You Begin:

• Ensure you have the required Apple iPhones:
  • Source device: iPhone 11 and newer (the previous iPhone with an active line).
  • Target device: iPhone 12 and newer (the BYOD iPhone where you want to transfer the eSIM or physical SIM).
• Verify that the BYOD device is unlocked, as only unlocked devices are eligible for dual SIM functionality.
  • iPhones purchased directly from Verizon are unlocked 60 days after purchase.
  • iPhones purchased directly from Apple are always unlocked.
  • For iPhones purchased from another carrier, refer to the lock policies for AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile.
• Before proceeding with the transfer, make sure both devices meet the following criteria:
  • Updated to iOS 15.6 or higher.
  • Signed into the same iCloud account with two-factor authentication enabled.
  • The screen passcode is enabled.
  • Connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Devices must be charged and kept close together during the SIM/eSIM transfer process.

Step-by-Step Transfer Process:

During the setup process of transferring data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone, you can skip the first and second steps, and start the Transfer Process from Physical SIM to eSIM from step 3 after entering your passcode and automatically connecting to the same Wi-Fi network as your previous phone.

1. On your iPhone, navigate to “Settings” (tap the Settings icon) > “Cellular.” If “Cellular” is not visible, tap “Set Up Cellular.”
2. Tap “Add eSIM.” If the option is not available, select “Set Up Cellular.”
3. From the “Set Up eSIM” screen, tap “Transfer from another iPhone.”
4. If the desired line is not supported, it will appear grayed out and display “Transfer Not Supported.”
5. When the “Transfer your SIM to this iPhone” prompt appears, tap “Transfer Number.”
6. To confirm the transfer, double-click the side button on the previous (old) iPhone.
7. After the transfer is complete, tap “Done” on the “Cellular Setup Complete” screen.
8. Once your new iPhone displays the “Cellular Setup Complete” prompt, tap “Continue”.

Transferring Google Fi Service to a New Device

Google Fi allows you to seamlessly transfer your service to a different device while retaining the same phone number. Whether you want to switch to a new phone or replace your existing device, you can follow these detailed steps to transfer your Google Fi service:

Google Fi: Transferring an eSIM to a New iPhone:

1. On your old iPhone:
 a. Access Settings, then go to Cellular and further to Cellular or Mobile data.
 b. Select the plan you want to erase.
 c. Tap “Delete eSIM” to remove the eSIM from your old iPhone.

2. On a second device (e.g., a computer or tablet):
 a. Visit Google Fi iOS quick setup.
 b. Sign in to the Google Fi account associated with the user whose device you want to activate.

3. On the Google Fi account:
 a. Open Settings.
 b. Select Cellular and then Add Cellular Plans.
 c. With the new iPhone you want to activate Google Fi on, scan the QR code displayed on the second device.
 d. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation process.
 e. Tap “Add Cellular Plan” to add Google Fi to your new iPhone.

4. Update your network settings on the new iPhone:
 a. Access Settings.
 b. Tap Cellular and then Cellular Data Network.
 c. Enter the following settings into your device:

• Cellular Data APN: h2g2
• LTE Setup APN: h2g2
• MMS APN: service
• MMSC: http://m.fi.goog/mms/wapenc
• MMS Max Message Size: 23456789
• Optional: Personal Hotspot APN: h2g2-t
  

5. Download the Google Fi app on your new iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions to activate your plan, set up your phone number, and configure your preferences.

Google Fi: Transferring a Physical SIM Card to a New iPhone:

• 1. Remove the Google Fi SIM card from your current device, or if you have a new Google Fi SIM card, insert it into the SIM tray of your new iPhone.
• 2. Download the Google Fi iOS app on your new iPhone.
• 3. Open the Google Fi app and sign in using the Google Account you used to sign up for Google Fi.
• 4. Follow the on-screen steps within the Google Fi app to activate the service on your new iPhone.

Tips:

• You can also use these steps to restore an iPhone from a backup, ensuring a smooth transition from a backup to your new device.
• Note that the Apple eSIM transfer process between iPhones is not compatible with Google Fi. You must use the Google Fi iOS app for transfer and configuration.

Switching from Physical SIM to eSIM on Mint Mobile

Switching from a physical SIM to an eSIM on Mint Mobile is a simple process that ensures you maintain your mobile service without the need for a physical card. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make the transition:

1. Check App Version: Start by confirming that you have the most recent version of the Mint Mobile app installed. You can check for updates in the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android).
2. Log in and Access Account: Open the Mint Mobile app and log in to your account using your credentials.
3. Access Account Details: Tap on “Account” located in the lower right corner of the app’s interface.
4. Select SIM Card Options: Scroll down to find the “SIM Card” section and tap on “Order Replacement SIM.”
5. Choose eSIM: On the SIM delivery screen, select “Get an eSIM” as your preferred option. If this option is not available, it might indicate that your phone does not support eSIM technology.
6. Confirm Device Selection: The app will ask you to confirm if the phone you are using is the one you want to install the eSIM. If it’s the correct device, select “This is my new device.”
7. Complete Order: Tap “Checkout” to complete the order process. Rest assured, you won’t be charged for this eSIM activation.
8. Install eSIM: After finishing the order, you will be prompted to install the eSIM on your device. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
9. Confirmation Email: Once the eSIM installation is complete, you should receive an email confirmation from Mint Mobile, indicating that the eSIM has been successfully installed on your device.

International eSIM Solutions for iPhone 14 – Stay Connected Globally!

When you embark on international travel with your iPhone 14, relying on traditional physical SIM cards might not be the most convenient option, especially if your device is the eSIM-only US version. Fret not! At EsimsCompare, our mission is to provide seamless eSIM solutions, gathering travel data plans from around the world in one convenient place. Whether you need an eSIM for your iPhone 14, or you’re in the process of migrating your SIM/eSIM, we’ve got you covered.

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