How to Keep an eSIM When Erasing an iPhone to Retry a Transfer
Select “Keep eSIM” or “Keep Cellular Plan” during the erase process. On an iPhone, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, review the cellular plan prompt, and retain the eSIM before confirming. The phone number remains active on the erased iPhone while transfer setup starts again.
Steps
- Create an iCloud or computer backup before erasing the iPhone. Back up WhatsApp separately when WhatsApp chat history must remain available.
- Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter the device passcode and Apple Account password if requested.
- Select Keep eSIM or Keep Cellular Plan instead of deleting the cellular plan.
- Complete the erase, restart setup, and retry the required transfer. Confirm that the eSIM shows cellular signal before removing or trading in the iPhone.
Common Issues and Fixes
- No Keep eSIM option appears: The iPhone, iOS version, or carrier may not support retention during erasure. Update iOS, contact the carrier, and confirm that eSIM reactivation is available.
- The phone number disappears after reset: The cellular plan may have been deleted accidentally. Carrier activation or a new eSIM QR code may be required.
- WhatsApp chats are missing: Erasing the iPhone removes local WhatsApp data. Restore from an eligible backup or complete WhatsApp transfer before erasing.
- Move to iOS transfer fails again: Incomplete setup, unstable Wi-Fi, or insufficient storage can interrupt the process. Restart both devices, disable VPN services, and retry with both devices charging.
- A newer model, such as an iPhone 18 Pro, shows different wording: Apple and carrier menus can vary by region. Select the option that explicitly keeps the cellular plan.
Quick Tips
- Keeping an eSIM preserves the cellular plan on the erased iPhone; it does not transfer the eSIM to another phone.
- Record the carrier name, phone number, and eSIM status before starting the reset.
- Avoid deleting the eSIM when the iPhone is being used for a second transfer attempt or dual-device setup.
- A physical SIM remains separate from eSIM settings and may follow different erase instructions.
Related Questions
Does erasing an iPhone keep the phone number?
Yes, selecting Keep eSIM or Keep Cellular Plan keeps the phone number active on the iPhone. Deleting the cellular plan requires carrier reactivation.
Can WhatsApp transfer continue after an iPhone reset?
Only when WhatsApp data remains backed up or another supported transfer source exists. An erase removes local chats, media, and account data from the iPhone.
💡Protip:
For a failed phone-to-phone transfer, a dedicated transfer or backup tool such as MobileTrans can provide another recovery route before repeating the iPhone erase process.
