Most modern high-end smartphones, including the ones from Samsung, have started supporting eSIM cards. However, the process of activating or transferring an eSIM is quite complicated in most countries, and the process changes with each carrier. But Apple, Google, Samsung, and other smartphone brands are trying to simplify the process.
Google is planning to bring the eSIM transfer tool with the final release of Android 14. However, Samsung seems to have built (via Mishal Rahman and Dylan Huynh) a brilliant device-to-device eSIM transfer tool that works between Galaxy smartphones and tablets. One UI 5.1 has an eSIM transfer tool built into the Settings app. Samsung seems to have developed a feature to convert a physical SIM to an eSIM, and the company has even published a webpage that lists all the supported countries and mobile network carriers that support the feature.
How to transfer eSIM from one Galaxy smartphone to another
To transfer an eSIM from one Galaxy smartphone to another Galaxy smartphone, you need to follow a step-by-step procedure explained below. Note that both Galaxy smartphones (or tablets) must run One UI 5.1 and have a secure lock to make this feature work.
- Open the Settings app on your Galaxy phone to which you want to transfer an eSIM and navigate to Connections » SIM Manager » Add eSIM.
- Now, tap Other ways to connect to a mobile network.
- Tap on Transfer SIM from another device.
- Now, unlock your old smartphone (which has an eSIM) and place it next to your new phone.
- Tap Transfer on the new phone.
List of Samsung phones that support device-to-device eSIM transfer
Currently, the phones that support device-to-device eSIM transfer include the Galaxy S20 (or newer Galaxy S series phones), Galaxy Fold (or newer Galaxy Z phones), and the Galaxy Note 20 series. Here is the complete list:
- Galaxy Note 20
- Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Galaxy S20
- Galaxy S20+
- Galaxy S20 Ultra
- Galaxy S21
- Galaxy S21+
- Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Galaxy S22
- Galaxy S22+
- Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Galaxy S23
- Galaxy S23+
- Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Galaxy Fold
- Galaxy Fold 5G
- Galaxy Z Flip
- Galaxy Z Flip 5G
- Galaxy Z Flip 3
- Galaxy Z Flip 4
- Galaxy Z Flip 5
- Galaxy Z Fold 2
- Galaxy Z Fold 3
- Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Galaxy Z Fold 5
How to convert a physical SIM to eSIM on your Galaxy smartphone
If your phone supports an eSIM and runs One UI 5.1, you can convert your physical SIM card to an eSIM by following the procedure below.
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Navigate to Connections » SIM Manager.
- Tap on the name of your physical SIM card and then tap on Convert to eSIM.
- On the pop-up menu, click on Convert to eSIM.
Just to be sure, please check with your mobile network carrier whether eSIM and the device-to-device eSIM transfer is supported.
