How to Delete an eSIM From Your Phone in 2026 (iPhone and Android)

Deleting an eSIM sounds straightforward, but there is one thing worth understanding before you tap that button: deletion is almost always permanent. Unlike turning off a SIM card, removing an eSIM profile wipes it from your device entirely, and in most cases the QR code that came with it cannot be reused.

This guide covers how to delete an eSIM on both iPhone and Android, when you should actually delete versus just disable, and what to check before you do anything irreversible.

Disabling an eSIM vs. Deleting It: What Is the Actual Difference? #

These two actions look similar in your phone's settings but they do very different things.

Disabling (or turning off) an eSIM line pauses it. The profile stays installed on your device. You can switch it back on whenever you want, and any remaining data or active plan is still there waiting.

Deleting removes the eSIM profile from your phone completely. The carrier's system registers the profile as gone. Most providers treat this as a one-time install, which means the original QR code or activation link you received will no longer work.

If you are between trips and just want to stop the eSIM from using battery or connecting to a network, disabling is the right move. Deletion is for when you are genuinely done with the profile for good.

When You Should Delete an eSIM #

There are specific situations where full deletion makes sense:

• Selling or trading in your phone. Remove any eSIM profiles before the device changes hands. Leaving them on creates a privacy risk and can complicate the new owner's setup.
• Factory resetting your device. Most factory resets will remove eSIM profiles automatically, but deleting them manually first is cleaner and confirms they are gone.
• You are certain the plan is finished. If the data is used up, the validity period has ended, and you have no plans to return to that destination, keeping the profile installed serves no purpose.
• You are switching phones. eSIM profiles are tied to the device they were installed on. You cannot transfer them between phones, so deleting from the old device is part of moving on.

When You Should Disable Instead of Delete #

Most of the time, disabling is the smarter choice for travelers.

If you have a multi-week trip with data remaining, or you are heading back to the same country later in the year, keeping the eSIM profile installed and simply turning it off costs you nothing. It sits quietly on your phone until you need it again.

Deleting a plan with data still on it means that data is gone. There is no refund and no way to recover it once the profile is removed.

Pre-Deletion Checklist #

Before you delete, run through these four things:

1. Confirm the data is actually finished. Check your remaining balance in the provider's app or website. If you have data left and might use it, disable rather than delete.
2. Check whether your provider allows reinstallation. Some providers let you reinstall a plan if you contact support, but this is not standard. Most treat the QR code as single-use. Know which situation you are in before you proceed.
3. Note the plan details. Once deleted, the profile information disappears from your settings. If you want a record of what you had (country, data size, provider), screenshot it first.
4. Make sure your primary SIM or another data source is ready. After deletion, your phone falls back to whatever line is active. Confirm you have connectivity before removing the only data source on the device.

How to Delete an eSIM on iPhone #

The steps below apply to iPhones running iOS 16 and later. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your iOS version, but the path is the same.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data in some regions).
3. Scroll down to your list of plans and tap the eSIM you want to remove.
4. Scroll to the bottom of that plan's page and tap Delete eSIM.
5. Confirm when prompted.

The profile is now removed. Your iPhone will no longer show that line in your cellular settings.

If you have multiple eSIMs installed, make sure you are tapping the correct one before confirming. The plan name shown in settings is usually the label you assigned during setup, or the carrier name if you left it as default.

How to Delete an eSIM on Android #

Android settings vary more than iPhone because manufacturers customize the interface. The steps below reflect stock Android (Google Pixel) and are similar on Samsung Galaxy devices, though Samsung uses Connections instead of Network and Internet.

Stock Android (Pixel and similar):

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network and Internet.
3. Tap SIMs.
4. Select the eSIM you want to remove.
5. Tap Delete or Remove SIM.
6. Confirm the deletion.

Samsung Galaxy:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Connections.
3. Tap SIM Manager.
4. Select the eSIM profile.
5. Tap Delete and confirm.

On some older Android versions, the option may appear as Erase eSIM rather than Delete or Remove. The result is the same.

Why the QR Code Usually Cannot Be Reused #

When you install an eSIM, the provider's system links that profile to your specific device. The QR code is a one-time activation key. Once it has been used and the profile is later deleted, that key has already been consumed on the provider's side.

This is not a limitation of your phone. It is how most eSIM providers manage network access. A small number of providers will issue a replacement if you contact their support team, but treat that as the exception rather than the rule.

If you bought a travel eSIM from Roamify and deleted it before using all your data, contact Roamify's support directly to ask whether a reinstall is possible for your specific plan. Roamify plans are one-time purchases with no mandatory subscription, so there is no ongoing billing to worry about, but the data itself is tied to the active profile.

A Note on Roamify eSIM Plans #

Roamify offers data-only eSIM plans for over 200 countries and regions, starting at $2. Because these are one-time purchases rather than subscriptions, there is no contract to cancel and no recurring charge to stop. If your plan has expired and the data is used up, deletion is clean and straightforward. If you have data remaining and a return trip in mind, disable the plan and leave the profile installed until you need it.

Browse available plans at getroamify.com before your next trip.

FAQs #

Can I reinstall an eSIM after deleting it?
In most cases, no. The QR code used to activate an eSIM is typically single-use. Once the profile is deleted, that activation code is consumed. Some providers will issue a new QR code if you contact support, but this is not guaranteed. Check with your provider before deleting if you think you might need the plan again.

Does deleting an eSIM cancel my data plan?
Deleting the profile removes it from your device, but it does not automatically trigger a refund for unused data. The plan itself may still be active on the provider's side. Any remaining data is effectively lost once the profile is gone.

Will deleting an eSIM affect my physical SIM?
No. Your physical SIM (if you have one installed) is completely separate. Deleting an eSIM profile only removes that specific digital plan. Your physical SIM and any other eSIM profiles remain untouched.

What happens to my eSIM if I factory reset my phone?
A factory reset typically removes all eSIM profiles from the device. On iPhone, Apple recommends manually deleting eSIMs before a reset to ensure they are properly deregistered. On Android, the behavior depends on the manufacturer, but most devices clear eSIM profiles during a full reset.

How do I know which eSIM to delete if I have multiple installed?
In your phone's cellular or SIM settings, each eSIM is listed by the label you assigned during setup or by the carrier name. If the labels are unclear, check which plan is active or review data usage per line before making a decision.

Is there a limit to how many eSIMs I can have installed at once?
Yes. Most iPhones can store up to 8 eSIM profiles, though only one or two can be active simultaneously depending on the model. Android limits vary by device. If you are hitting the storage limit, deleting old or expired profiles frees up space for new ones.

Should I delete my travel eSIM before selling my phone?
Yes, always. Remove all eSIM profiles before selling or giving away your device. This protects your account information and prevents the new owner from accessing any plan associated with your details.