A complete, step-by-step guide to moving your phone number to a digital SIM

How to Transfer Your Number Using eSIM (iPhone 16, iPhone 16e & Google Pixel 10)

A complete, step-by-step guide to moving your phone number to a digital SIM — including carrier tips, troubleshooting, and a recommended international eSIM provider for travelers.

By Sinator Perymon — Updated 2025

Why transfer your number to an eSIM?

eSIMs (embedded SIMs) remove the need for physical SIM cards and make switching carriers, activating travel data, or running multiple lines easier than ever. Transfers are fast, secure, and usually completed in minutes — perfect when upgrading phones or traveling abroad.

Below you'll find detailed transfer steps for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, and Google Pixel 10, plus carrier tips, troubleshooting steps, and a recommended provider if you don’t already have an eSIM plan.

If you don’t have an eSIM plan yet (recommended option)

If you don’t already have an eSIM from your carrier, you can get an instant travel or local eSIM from a reliable global provider. For international travelers I recommend getting a plan from a trusted provider — it’s fast, activates by QR code, and works on both iPhone and Pixel devices.

Get an international eSIM plan from a trusted provider (instant QR delivery; ideal for Europe, Asia, North America, and more).

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Before you start — quick checklist

• Keep your old phone powered on and connected to Wi-Fi during transfer.
• Sign in to the same Apple ID (iPhone) or Google Account (Pixel) if asked.
• Have carrier login details handy (if your carrier requires authentication).
• If you're using a travel eSIM, have the QR code or eSIM app ready.
• Fully charge both devices or keep them plugged in during transfer.

How to transfer your number on iPhone 16 (Quick Transfer & QR methods)

Method A — Quick Transfer during setup (fastest)

1. Turn on your new iPhone 16 and follow the on-screen setup prompts until you reach the Quick Start screen.
2. Place your old iPhone nearby. When Quick Start appears on the old device, follow prompts to authenticate and pair both phones.
3. When you see “Transfer Your Number”, select the phone number and tap Transfer on the old phone.
4. Wait 1–5 minutes while the carrier provisioning completes. The number will deactivate on the old phone and activate on the iPhone 16.
5. Confirm cellular signal and make a test call or send a message to validate activation.

Method B — Use QR code (carrier or travel eSIM)

1. On iPhone 16 go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM.
2. Choose Use QR Code and scan the QR code provided by your carrier or your travel eSIM provider.
3. Follow on-screen instructions; wait for carrier activation (usually < 1 minute).
4. Restart the phone if you see delayed provisioning.

Note: Apple’s Quick Transfer is seamless when both devices are iPhones. QR codes are commonly used by third-party travel providers and many carriers.

How to transfer your number on iPhone 16e

The iPhone 16e uses the same exact transfer flow as the iPhone 16. You can use Quick Transfer during setup or scan a QR code via Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code.

The 16e may take a few extra seconds to finalize carrier settings after activation, but the overall experience is identical and fully supported.

How to transfer your number on Google Pixel 10

Method A — Automatic transfer from Android (during setup)

1. Turn on the Pixel 10 and when asked, choose to copy apps & data from your old phone.
2. When prompted, select the option to transfer your SIM/eSIM data.
3. Approve the transfer on the old device when prompted.
4. Wait for the Pixel to finish provisioning — usually under a few minutes.

Method B — Manual QR code or carrier download

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add SIM.
2. Select Download a SIM instead or Use QR Code.
3. Scan your QR code from your carrier or travel eSIM provider, or choose your carrier from the list and authenticate.
4. Finish the prompts and test your connection.

Pixel devices are especially good with third-party travel eSIMs — ideal for switching data plans while traveling internationally.

Common troubleshooting & fixes

• No service after transfer: Toggle Airplane Mode on/off, restart the phone, or go to cellular settings and enable the new line.
• Transfer failed: Make sure both phones are on the latest OS, connected to Wi-Fi, and within Bluetooth range (if using Quick Start).
• Carrier says provisioning required: Contact the carrier and request an eSIM device swap or a new eSIM activation code.
• QR code won’t scan: Try manually entering the activation code provided by the carrier or eSIM provider.

Carrier behavior — quick notes

Carriers differ in how they handle eSIM transfers. Here are the typical behaviors for major providers:

• AT&T: May prefer using a fresh QR code. Deleting the old eSIM first sometimes helps.
• Verizon: Quick Transfer works well on iPhone; Pixel users may require a device swap request.
• T-Mobile: Generally easy QR and app activation; often quick and seamless.
• Google Fi: Pixel-friendly and often the easiest to provision on Pixel devices.

Why use a provider like eSIM.net for travel (and how they help)

If you plan to travel internationally, a dedicated travel eSIM provider is often the fastest and most cost-effective solution. Buy a travel eSIM plan from a reliable provider and you can activate data the moment you land — no in-airport SIM kiosks, no local lines, and no surprise roaming fees.

Key benefits of using eSIM.net

• Instant activation: Receive a QR code or digital profile immediately after purchase.
• Wide country coverage: Plans available for major travel destinations across Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania, Latin America, and the Middle East.
• Flexible durations: Daily, weekly, or monthly data packages to match your trip length.
• Works on iPhone & Pixel: Fully compatible with iPhone 16, iPhone 16e and Pixel 10.
• No physical SIM hassles: Ideal when you want instant data on arrival.

Selected countries & regions commonly served

eSIM.net provides coverage and plans tailored for travelers visiting — but not limited to — the following places:

Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands

Asia & Oceania: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Australia

North & Central America: United States, Canada, Mexico

Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Turkey

South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile

Always verify current country coverage and plan details before purchase (coverage may change by region and over time).

Get an international eSIM plan (instant delivery)

Best practices & final tips

1. Back up your old phone before starting the transfer.
2. Keep Wi-Fi enabled on both phones for smooth provisioning.
3. Don’t delete the old eSIM until the new one is fully active.
4. Take screenshots of any QR codes or confirmation messages for safekeeping.
5. For travel, buy the local/regional package that best matches your itinerary (e.g., Europe multi-country vs single-country plans).

FAQ (quick answers)

Q: Can I transfer my number from a physical SIM to an eSIM?
A: Yes. Most carriers support migrating a number from a physical SIM to an eSIM either via QR code, carrier app, or in-store support.

Q: Will transferring my number to an eSIM delete the number on my old phone?
A: Yes — once the transfer completes, the number will typically be disabled on the old device. Don’t delete the old eSIM before confirming the new device is active.

Q: Is eSIM secure?
A: Yes — eSIM profiles are provisioned securely over carrier networks and are less vulnerable to physical SIM swapping theft.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase an eSIM plan through the provider link above, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the site — it helps keep this content accurate and up to date.