By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-09-16

100 % Helpful

What Happens If I Delete eSIM on iPhone 17? All You Should Know

By Jenefey Aaron

2025-09-16 / iOS 26

The iPhone 17 brings advanced eSIM support, making it easier than ever to manage cellular plans without a physical SIM card. But many users still wonder: what happens if I delete eSIM on iPhone 17? Will it erase contacts, cancel a carrier plan, or affect personal data?

The truth is, deleting an eSIM only impacts your mobile line, not your apps, photos, or iCloud files. Still, it can create service issues if done carelessly. This guide explains the risks, fixes, and best practices for removing or transferring eSIMs, helping you avoid mistakes when switching or upgrading.

Part 1: What Happens If I Delete eSIM on iPhone 17?

Part 2: Should I Delete eSIM from Old Phone to New iPhone 17?

Part 3: Should You Move / Erase eSIM When Switching Phones?

Part 4: How to Remove eSIM from iPhone 17 Safely

Bonus Tip: Transfer Contacts to New iPhone Before Deleting eSIM

Part 1: What Happens If I Delete eSIM on iPhone 17?

Before removing an eSIM, it’s important to know what actually happens. Deleting it is not the same as erasing a physical SIM it has specific effects you should be aware of.

Loss of Cellular Service

Once you delete the eSIM, your iPhone 17 will immediately lose access to mobile data, calls, and texts associated with that plan. You won’t be able to use the number unless you reinstall or re-activate it.

Carrier Plan Removal

Deleting an eSIM doesn’t just stop service it removes your carrier profile from the phone. To use the same plan again, you’ll need to contact your carrier or scan the QR code provided by them.

Temporary and Reversible Action

While it sounds permanent, deleting an eSIM is often reversible. Many carriers allow you to re-download the same eSIM as long as your plan is still active.

Part 2: Should I Delete eSIM from Old Phone to New iPhone 17?

If you are upgrading to the iPhone 17, transferring your eSIM can be confusing. Here’s what you need to consider before deleting it from your old phone.

eSIM Transfer During Setup

Apple allows you to transfer your eSIM from an older iPhone during the setup of your new iPhone 17. This ensures a smooth switch without losing your number or carrier settings.

Don’t Delete Too Early

You should never delete the eSIM from your old device until you’ve confirmed it works on your new phone. Removing it too soon may leave you without service.

Carrier Support Matters

Some carriers support automatic eSIM transfer, while others may require you to scan a new QR code. Always check your carrier’s instructions before making changes.

Part 3: Should You Move / Erase eSIM When Switching Phones?

When managing eSIMs, users often face different situations, especially when upgrading phones or switching carriers. Let’s look at common scenarios and what actions are recommended when what happens if I delete eSIM on iPhone 17.

Should I Delete eSIM from Old Phone to New Phone 17?

If you’re upgrading, you might wonder, should I delete eSIM from old phone to new phone 17? The best approach is to first transfer the eSIM to your iPhone 17. Once you confirm the new phone is working, then you can delete the eSIM from your old device. This avoids the risk of losing service during the switch.

Should I Erase eSIM on iPhone 17?

The answer depends on the situation. If you plan to sell, trade in, or give away your iPhone, then yes you should I erase eSIM on iPhone 17 to prevent someone else from using your plan. But if you’re simply troubleshooting or planning to reuse the phone, erasing may not be necessary.

Can’t Delete eSIM on iPhone 17

Some users report issues where they can't delete eSIM iPhone 17. This can happen if the eSIM is the active default line, if the carrier has restrictions, or if a software glitch is preventing deletion. In such cases, switching to another line or contacting your carrier is often the only fix.

Remove eSIM from iPhone 13 to Transfer to iPhone 17

If you’re moving from an older device, you might need to remove eSIM from iPhone 13 before setting it up on iPhone 17. The process is straightforward: delete the profile on the old phone after transferring the service, then activate the new profile on iPhone 17 using your carrier’s QR code or app. Always confirm that the transfer is complete before removing the old one.

Part 4: How to Remove eSIM from iPhone 17 Safely

The steps to delete an eSIM from an iPhone may vary slightly depending on your model and iOS version, but the overall process is straightforward. Follow these steps to safely remove an eSIM profile from your device:

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Tap on Cellular or Mobile Data.
Select the eSIM plan you want to delete.
Scroll down and tap Delete eSIM or Delete Mobile Plan.
Confirm the deletion using your passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID if prompted.

After completing these steps, the eSIM profile will be removed. If you have multiple eSIMs, repeat the process for each one you want to delete.

Bonus Tip: Transfer Contacts to New iPhone Before Deleting eSIM

When upgrading to a new iPhone, many users worry about losing contacts or important files. Although deleting an eSIM does not directly remove your address book, it is always wise to back up before making any changes.

Tools like Tenorshare iCareFone make the process simple and secure by allowing you to transfer contacts, photos, and other data with ease. Whether you are removing eSIM from iPhone 13 or erasing the eSIM from iPhone 17, using such tools ensures you won’t risk losing anything valuable.

Key Features of Tenorshare iCareFone:

Easy Data Transfer: Quickly move contacts, photos, music, and other files between iPhones without iTunes.
Cross-Device Migration: Effortlessly transfer data from your old iPhone to a new one.
Secure Backup & Restore: Safely back up and restore your data, especially during eSIM changes.
Fast Transfer Speed: Move large files and complete data libraries quickly.
User-Friendly Interface: Simple, clean design for easy use, even for non-tech users.

How to Transfer Data, including Contacts with iCareFone

Download and install Tenorshare iCareFone on your computer. Open iCareFone and connect your old iPhone to the PC. Choose “Backup & Restore” from the right menu.
Then select all the data and click on Backup button.
When the backup is completed, choose “View Backup Data”.
Now disconnect your old iPhone and connect your new iPhone 17 to the computer. Tick all the data and choose “Restore to Device”.
And boom, all your stuff is now in the new iPhone! As simple as that!

Conclusion

Deleting or transferring an eSIM on your iPhone 17 is straightforward, but it’s important to follow the right steps to avoid service disruptions. Deleting an eSIM only affects your cellular plan, not your data like contacts or photos. Always transfer your eSIM to the new iPhone first, and only delete it from the old one once everything is set up.

To make sure you don't lose important data like contacts and photos during the process, Tenorshare iCareFone is a great tool. It helps you transfer data easily, back up your files, and restore them quickly.