Apple changed the iPhone 14 to only utilize eSIM cards, so you can’t use your old phone’s SIM card. This is true even for the iPhone 15, which has no SIM card port. Transferring your SIM card from an Android handset to an iPhone 15 is easy.
Moving an Android SIM card to an iPhone 15 is simple enough for anyone. Major providers like AT&T and Verizon enabled this.
Though Apple devices employ eSIM frequently, other phones do also. Many Android phones support eSIM cards, but only Apple’s eSIM Quick Transfer program can transfer them between iPhones. You can’t use this app on Android.
So, let’s add your Android SIM to your iPhone 15.
How to activate an eSIM using eSIM Carrier Activation
Buying an iPhone 15 from a carrier that accepts Apple’s eSIM Carrier Activation should let you use it right away. This applies regardless of platform. Most providers used to send a SIM card with your new iPhone. Easy technique to activate new SIM card and switch off old one.
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, Cellcom, Credo Mobile, C Spire, FirstNet, H2O Wireless, Spectrum Mobile, Straight Talk, Strata, Tracfone, U.S. Cellular, and Xfinity Mobile support this feature.
Your iPhone 15’s IMEI and other internal device codes connect it to your carrier’s network during eSIM Carrier Activation. The iPhone 15 downloads your eSIM account information when you first set it up. You only need to connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi during setup.
Step 1: To start setting up your new iPhone 15, swipe up from the Welcome screen.
Step 2: When asked, pick a Wi-Fi network to connect to and type in the password for that network.
Step 3: Wait for the process of activating your iPhone 15 to finish.
Step 4: If the “Choose a cellular plan” screen comes up, choose the plan that works with your eSIM and then click “Continue.”
Step 5: Pick When the word “Cellular setup complete” shows up, keep going.
Mobile service providers that allow eSIM Carrier Activation can also set up your eSIM from afar. You can call their customer service and ask them to set up your eSIM if it wasn’t provisioned automatically during the initial setup process. This could be because it wasn’t set up correctly or because you bought it from Apple or another store.
So, finish getting your iPhone ready. You’ll get a message that says, “Carrier cellular plan ready to be installed” as soon as your carrier sets up your eSIM, and it’s ready to go. Pick that, and then do what it says to do to accept your new plan.
How to transfer your eSIM using a carrier’s app
Carriers offer a lot of mobile apps that can help you handle your account. Some of these apps can also help you move a physical SIM or an eSIM from another phone to your iPhone 15.
Different carriers and apps will have different ways to do this, but one thing they all have in common is that you will need help to set up your eSIM during the setup process. Instead, you’ll need to connect your iPhone 15 to Wi-Fi and skip setting up the eSIM. Once everything is set up, you can download and use your carrier’s app.
Step 1: To start setting up your new iPhone 15, swipe up from the Welcome screen.
Step 2: Keep going with the setup until you get to the screen that says “Set up cellular.”
Step 3: Pick. After that, set it up in Settings.
Step 4: Ensure that your iPhone is fully prepared. After you’ve finished setting up your new phone, head to the home screen. Then, to install or transfer your eSIM from your previous phone, download your carrier’s app from the App Store and follow the procedures.
How to transfer your eSIM using a Q.R. code
You can also scan a Q.R. code to set up your eSIM during the original setup if your carrier allows it. This code comes from your carrier and can be sent to you in the mail, given to you in a store, or shown to you in your customer account on the carrier’s website.
The good thing about this method over an app is that you can scan this Q.R. code while setting up your iPhone 15 and be ready to go right away.
Step 1: To start setting up your new iPhone 15, swipe up from the Welcome screen.
Step 2: Follow the steps for setting up until you see the screen that says “Set up cellular.”
Step 3: Pick “Use QR code.”
Step 4: Point your iPhone camera at the Q.R. code by following the steps given. You can use a written code or a second screen, like a computer, your old phone, or a tablet, to do this.
Step 5: If you can’t scan the Q.R. code or your carrier gives you a manual activation code instead, choose “Enter details manually” and type in the activation information your carrier gave you on the next screen.
Step 6: Wait for the process of activating the iPhone 15 eSIM to finish.
Step 7: Pick When the word “Cellular setup complete” shows up, keep going.
You should be able to move your main line from a genuine SIM or eSIM on your Android phone to an eSIM on your new iPhone 15 by following the steps above. But if you need more time, you should definitely call your provider for help. The United States has 40 carriers that accept eSIM. Each may have a slightly different way of setting up an eSIM, especially those that don’t use Apple’s eSIM Carrier Activation feature.
Keep in mind that the iPhone 15 has two eSIM cards so that you can use two phone lines at the same time. During setup, you can only move your main line over. However, you can move a second line or set up a new one later through the Settings app. To learn more, read our guide on how to set up and use a second line on an iPhone with an eSIM.
