How to Recover Deleted Esim iPhone 17? 2025 Structured Approach!

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By Jenefey Aaron

2025-09-18 / iPhone 17

esim data recovery

Esim stands for embedded sim (or eUICC), a digital SIM profile built into many modern phones. Unlike a physical sim card which you insert and remove, an esim profile is provisioned via software: you scan a QR code or use your carrier's app to activate mobile service.

Deleting an esim profile by mistake can be more than just annoying. It can interrupt your phone calls and messages, prevent mobile data, cause problems during travel, and may leave you disconnected until trouble-shooting is done. Losing the esim profile means losing the link between your device and your mobile network provider. Many users also lose other important data when trying to restore device settings (if they reset or factory-reset without backing up).

In this article, you'll learn not only how to recover esim on iphone 17, but also how to use tools to recover esim-related or other important mobile data so you don't lose much when something goes wrong.

Common Signs After Deleting an Esim

Here are the usual symptoms and how you can tell whether your esim was deleted (or just disabled):

  • No Signal or Carrier Name Missing -- Your phone shows no signal, carrier name missing, or an "SOS" indicator.
  • Missing esim Profile in Settings -- In Settings, under Mobile / Cellular / Network / SIM management, there is no esim profile or option for "Add eSIM / Mobile Plan".
  • Hidden or Inactive Profile -- Sometimes the profile is hidden or inactive rather than deleted: check whether settings were reset or "SIM / Network / Mobile Data" toggles disabled.
  • Recent Changes -- If your phone was recently updated, reset, or you swapped devices, those could be causes of disappearance.

Checks to Do Before Taking Major Action

To avoid unnecessary work or errors, try these first:

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

  • Restart your phone --- many glitches clear up after a reboot.
  • Check in settings whether the esim profile is present but simply inactive / disabled or hidden.
  • Make sure the phone is connected to WiFi (because recovery often requires network access).
  • Look for saved activation information: QR code, email/ model info, or a screenshot from when the esim was first set up.
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Note:

Check your carrier's app or your carrier account online --- sometimes the esim configuration can be viewed or reactivated from there.

Make a Backup Before Restoring Esim: Use UltData to Prevent Data Loss

Before you restore or change your esim settings, it's smart to back up your data so nothing important is lost forever. Here's how to use UltData to safely make backups of your iPhone 17:

Step-by-Step Backup Process

UltData iPhone Data Recovery can help you create a comprehensive backup before attempting esim recovery to prevent any data loss during the process. UltData is a powerful data recovery software designed to recover data without a backup, directly from the device. Supports multiple recovery modes (recover data from iOS, recover data from iCloud, recover data from iTunes, etc.). Lets you preview files before recovery, and select only the items you need. Extensive device compatibility (latest iOS and Android).

  • Download and Install UltData
  • On your computer (Windows or Mac), go to the official Tenorshare website and download the latest UltData iPhone 17 Data Recovery software. Run the installer and follow prompts (accept permissions etc.). Once installed, launch the program.

  • Launch UltData and Choose Backup Mode
  • In UltData, Click Back Up in the left navigation bar, and then select Data Backup or Backup History. Select the types you want to back up---be sure to include Contacts, Messages, Call History, esim Info (if available), and any other data you care about.

    launch ultdata backup
  • Connect Your iPhone 17
  • Use your Lightning cable to connect iPhone 17 to the computer. Unlock the phone and tap "Trust This Computer" when asked; enter your passcode if needed.

    connect iphone backup
  • Start the Backup Process
  • Click Scan. UltData will begin scanning your device's storage (or the backup source) for existing data and any data that might have been deleted or changed. Wait for the scan to finish. Time depends on how much data is on your device.

    view iphone backup
  • Preview and Verify Backup Contents
  • When the scan finishes, you'll see a preview of all recoverable items. Check that all the contact entries, messages, call logs, and other data appear correctly. If not, you may need to try again or choose a different backup source.

    preview backup file
  • Export to Computer
  • Select all items you want to back up. Click Recover or Export to save them to your computer in formats---depending on what UltData offers. Store the backup file in a safe place (e.g. external drive or cloud storage) so you can restore from it if needed.

    choose backup location

Main Recovery Steps: How to Restore Esim Profile

Here's how to recover an esim profile when it's been deleted or lost:

  • Contact Your Carrier -- Reach out to your mobile network provider. You'll likely need to verify your identity (account number, billing address, IMEI of device). Request that they resend or re-activate the esim profile / provide a new QR code.
  • Manually Install / Re-Scan the QR Code -- Go to Settings → Cellular / Mobile Data → Add Cellular Plan, scan the QR code sent by carrier, then follow prompts to activate.
  • Use Carrier App or Account Portal -- If your carrier has its own app or website dashboard, sometimes you can reactivate or download the esim profile from there without needing the QR code directly.
  • Special Cases -- If you did a factory reset or changed devices, see whether the carrier supports transferring esims between devices. Some providers allow profile transfer if you retain the old device.

Recover Data After Esim Restoration or Accidental Deletion

If you've restored your esim, reset phone settings, or accidentally deleted data (contacts, call logs, etc.), UltData can help recover what was lost:

  • Select Recovery Mode -- On the launch page of UltData, choose "Recover from iOS Device" if your device still has storage remnants of the deleted data.
    launch UltData
  • Pick Data Types to Recover -- Select contacts, call history, messages, esim data (if supported) and any other relevant categories.
    choose data types
  • Run Scan for Deleted Data -- Click Scan to allow UltData to locate deleted or missing items. Wait for scan to complete; this could take several minutes.
  • start scan
  • Preview and Select Specific Items -- You'll be shown a list of recoverable items. Preview contacts, call logs, or others---deleted items will be distinguishable.
  • scan successfully and select
  • Recover / Export -- After selecting, click Recover (or Export) to save them to your computer. Save the recovered data in a usable file format.
  • save successfully

How to Avoid Losing Esim Info Again

Here are best practices to reduce risk of losing your esim profile:

  • Save a screenshot or PDF of the activation QR code and/or the esim setup email.
  • Keep activation info in a secure place (your carrier's app, email, password manager).
  • Regularly make a backup of your phone's full data and settings, so you have a snapshot in case of reset or device loss.
  • Before doing a factory reset or transferring to a new device, verify whether the esim profile can be moved or needs to be deactivated/activated.
  • Be cautious when deleting or "erasing SIM plan / cellular plan / mobile plan" warnings. Read prompts carefully.
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Note:

If you want to edit your QR pdf, you can free download pdf editor software to do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will deleting an esim cancel my phone number or service permanently?

A: Usually not immediately. Your number and service are managed by the carrier; deleting the profile removes your device's access temporarily. Contacting the carrier to re-provision or re-activate the profile is typically all that's needed.

Q2: Does the esim automatically restore after resetting the phone?

A: Not always. Often, a reset does not bring back the esim profile unless the carrier has stored that profile and supports such restoration. You may need to re-scan the QR code or contact the carrier.

Q3: What if the carrier refuses to resend the QR code?

A: If the carrier policy restricts re-issuing of QR codes, you may need to escalate via customer support, show proof of ownership (IMEI, account info), or in worst-case get a new esim subscription from the carrier. It depends heavily on the carrier.

Q4: Can data recovery tools recover a deleted esim profile directly?

A: No --- most "recovery tools" (for contacts, messages, etc.) can't directly restore deleted esim profiles, because the profile is part of the network provisioning and controlled by the carrier. However, some tools may help recover related data (QR codes, emails/screenshots, device backups) which assist in re-activating the esim.

Final Thought

Deleting an esim profile doesn't damage the hardware chip ("embedded sim") itself, but it removes the profile. That means your device loses access to the mobile network associated with that profile (calls, SMS, data). However, other features (apps, photos, WiFi, etc.) stay unaffected.

Recovering a deleted esim usually requires help from your carrier. In many cases, you'll need to request a new QR code or activation information. Some carriers allow re-installing the same profile; others issue a new one. The ability to recover also depends on the carrier's policies.

If you are missing your data during esim recovery, UltData can do you a favor. It can make backups before esim recovery and recover your data when you unluckily lost your data. It provides 3 modes, iOS backup and recovery, iCloud data recovery and iTunes data recovery.

Finally, to avoid issues later, it's smart to save your QR code or activation details when first setting up an esim; check carrier app or online account for recovery options; and pay attention to the reset options to retain esim profiles if you perform resets.

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