Switching your eSIM from iPhone to Android could get means simpler quickly

Abstract

Transferring your eSIM between an iPhone and Android system may quickly change into a lot simpler.
Traces of string had been noticed within the newest Android 16 beta that implies a brand new characteristic to switch eSIMs between iPhones working iOS 19 and Android gadgets working Android 16 is coming quickly.
Transferring an eSIM between an iPhone and Android at present requires contacting your cell provider. This may increasingly now not be the case quickly.

Over the previous few years, bodily SIM playing cards have been regularly disappearing, with eSIMs (digital SIM playing cards) taking their place. In 2022, Apple took a daring step ahead in embracing eSIM by solely eliminating the bodily SIM card tray from its iPhones, beginning with the iPhone 14 lineup within the US. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 sequence adopted go well with.

Whereas eSIMs are a fast and handy means to hook up with your mobile carrier, one disadvantage is that switching between iPhone and Android is sadly not as handy because it was previously, when you may merely take away your SIM card and insert it into your new iPhone or Android system with out a lot trouble.

Nevertheless, transferring an eSIM from an iPhone to an Android system (or vice versa) sometimes requires you to contact your cell provider for a brand new QR code or activation code to your eSIM, which could be a trouble. Happily, with Android 16 and Apple’s upcoming iOS replace (iOS 19 or iOS 26?), the method may quickly change into a lot less complicated.

Model: Apple
SoC: A18 (3nm)
Show: 6.1-inch 2556 x 1179 pixel decision Tremendous Retina XDR, 2000 nits, 60Hz
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Ports: USB-C

This yr’s iPhone 16 line blurs the road between the “Professional” and the base-level iPhone by providing a brand new digital camera button and the Motion Button, alongside the A18 chip.

Associated

5 big Android 16 UI changes that aren’t being talked about enough

Google is making daring design modifications in Android 16, however I am not totally bought simply but

Android 16 and iOS 19 may make transferring eSIMs seamless

New traces of string within the current Android 16 beta level to a brand new eSIM switch characteristic

Google lately launched its newest Android 16 QPR1 Beta, just some weeks forward of the anticipated launch of Android 16 in June. In some new traces of string (a line of code used to carry textual content) in Google’s eSIM supervisor app, Android Authority noticed language that implies the app may quickly assist transferring eSIMs from Android to iPhone and vice versa.

Presently, the Google eSIM supervisor permits Android customers to switch their eSIM between completely different Android gadgets, to not iPhones. And Apple’s eSIM switch performance solely works between iPhones.

The brand new line of string states, “Be sure your different system is working iOS 19 or later variations,” seemingly suggesting that assist for wirelessly transferring an eSIM between Android and iOS is certainly being labored on for the most recent variations of every OS.

If this new line of string is correct, and a brand new eSIM switch characteristic really will get applied, this is able to be an enormous win for customers…

Primarily based on the road of string, it is believed that with iOS 19, a brand new “Switch to Android” web page will change into accessible below the iPhone’s switch settings, which might be discovered below Settings > Common > Switch or Reset iPhone. It is not clear how the method will work, however it may contain scanning a QR code together with your Android that will get generated in your iPhone or by utilizing a session ID and passcode.

With Android 16 anticipated in June and iOS 19 anticipated to launch this fall, it is possible that this new eSIM switch characteristic between the 2 working methods will not be launched till the iPhone 17 sequence launches alongside iOS 19.

If this new line of string is correct, and a brand new eSIM switch characteristic really will get applied, this is able to be an enormous win for customers, as it could make switching between Android gadgets and iPhones a a lot simpler course of. Gone would be the days of getting to contact your cell provider for a brand new eSIM activation code or QR code.

This characteristic ought to’ve been applied years in the past, however it’s higher late than by no means, I suppose.

Cell carriers will possible be completely happy about this, because it means much less work on their finish. And for tech lovers and tech journalists, it is going to make their life rather a lot simpler after they’re testing new smartphones and have to switch an eSIM between iOS and Android on the fly. This characteristic ought to’ve been applied years in the past, however it’s higher late than by no means, I suppose.

Apple will unveil iOS 19 at its annual Worldwide Builders Convention ( WWDC) occasion on June 9, 2025. In line with Bloomberg, Apple could announce at WWDC that it’s abandoning its present naming conference for iOS, probably renaming iOS 19 to iOS 26 to align with its major yr of operation, which is technically 2026. Whatever the naming resolution, I hope Apple will announce this eSIM switch characteristic at WWDC.