New iPhone 16e "cannot restore backup" after eSIM transfer

Tap OK, then at the bottom of the screen tap Update Now. Once your phone is updated, you'll be able to restore your backup. This is likely because your backup was made on an iOS version which is higher than the version currently on your new iPhone.

MICKYMIZZEL wrote:

I have new iphone 16e and was half way through setting up the new phone from my old iPhoneSE and it's transferred the e-SIM over, so the old phone sim has been deactivated. Then when I got to the screen on the new phone after the Emergency SOS screen, it takes me to the Software update screen and says "cannot restore back up". So I'm stuck, because I think if I try to factory reset the new phone & try to restore from iCloud back up, I might lose the SIM details as my old phone is already deactivated.

Any help appreciated please.

How are you setting up the new iPhone? Are you using QuickStart --> Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

It is not unusual to be told an update is required during the process. Let the update install, then you can continue moving your data over. And the fact the old phones sim has now been set up on the new phone doesn't mean you won't be able to move your data. Your old phone still needs to be connected to Wifi as does your new phone.

What iOS version was installed on your SE? If it was iOS 26.2, then the iOS on your new phone must be updated to iOS 26.2 before you will be able to transfer data using Quick Start or restore the new phone from a backup.

Worst case, after the iOS is updated to 26.2, you can perform a factory default reset to erase the new phone. When you do this, you will see an option to keep the new eSIM installed on the phone. When the phone restarts, you can use Quick Start on the new phone or restore from a backup on iCloud or your computer.