Removing old esim
i have changed my phone provider and added the new eSIM. But I cannot delete the old eSIM. There is no delete eSIM on the old eSIM setting section. There is for the new eSIM. The old provider can’t help. Any advice without factory resetting the phone which seems silly and may appear back when using a backup.
iPhone 15 Plus, iOS 26
JSberg wrote:
From what I can read around, a restore WITH backup afterwards will bring back the inactive SIM card. I would say factory restore, where the eSIM (also the active one) is deleted - then set up from scratch without backup, and a new eSIM is requested from the carrier. Then you are on the safe side.
I hope that is what I said, which is why I said you need to have the new provider send new eSIM (QR code or email) Maybe our posts crossed.
The "nuclear option" is to backup then erase the phone to factory settings, then restore the backup.
The erase all content and settings will offer you to keep or erase the eSIM(s)
(I cant remember if you can erase just one eSIM but I don't think so)
Obviously you would need the new provider to send you a new eSIM and different countries provision them differently.
in case you want to go that way, and there are risks...
Resources:
Backing Up: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Restoring: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support
If you go into the Mobile Plan Label, and tap on the inactive eSIM, does it give you the option to Update Contact? You will not see an option to select a new eSIM, or Update Contact until you tap ON the inactive eSIM.
(Sorry to ask again. In your answer, it seems to me that you expect there to be a menu item called update contact, or select new default eSIM.)
Try tapping on your old eSIM. You should be given the option to select your new eSIM as the default line or Update Contact. Then select your new eSIM and the old inactive one should disappear.
Didn’t work - I tried the suggestion. There isn’t the option to select the new eSIM as default or update the contact. I can change the type ie secondary, primary or business for example but it doesn’t do annything. And the old eSIM stayed in the mobile services section.
IAG1006 wrote:
Didn’t work - I tried the suggestion. There isn’t the option to select the new eSIM as default or update the contact. I can change the type ie secondary, primary or business for example but it doesn’t do annything. And the old eSIM stayed in the mobile services section.
Why does it still say Turn on this line = On? Can you turn it off?
Did you get the provider to cancel the service with a port request? (Country dependant)
is the eSIM locked with a PIN?
From what I can read around, a restore WITH backup afterwards will bring back the inactive SIM card. I would say factory restore, where the eSIM (also the active one) is deleted - then set up from scratch without backup, and a new eSIM is requested from the carrier. Then you are on the safe side.
You did. No problem. It was more that you wrote thread starter should restore from a backup. That will most likely bring the old eSIM back.
Cannot delete old eSIM from iPhone
