Remove an eSIM by going to Settings > Mobile Service, selecting the plan you want to remove, and tapping Delete Plan

Deleting an eSIM from your iPhone is straightforward once you know where to look. The process takes about two minutes and does not require contacting your carrier — you control it entirely from your phone's settings. The key is that you are removing the digital plan itself, not the physical SIM slot (which your iPhone may not have).

Before you delete, know that removing an eSIM disconnects that phone number or data plan from your device. If you need that number or plan later, you will have to contact your carrier and set it up again. Some carriers charge a fee to reactivate an eSIM after deletion, so check with yours first if you think you might need it back.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Mobile Service, select the plan you want to remove, and tap Delete Plan — the whole process happens on your phone without calling your carrier.
  • Deleting an eSIM removes the plan from your device but does not cancel your account with the carrier, so you may still owe charges.
  • If you have only one eSIM on your iPhone, you cannot delete it while it is your active plan — you must switch to a different plan first.
  • After deletion, that eSIM number or data plan will not work on this iPhone, though your carrier may let you reinstall it on another device.
  • If you cannot find Mobile Service in Settings, your iPhone model may not support eSIM, or your carrier has not activated the feature yet.

Step-by-step: Delete an eSIM in Settings

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Tap Mobile Service (on some older iPhones running iOS 16 or earlier, this may be labeled Cellular instead). You will see a list of all eSIMs currently on your phone.

Find the eSIM plan you want to remove and tap it. A details screen will appear showing the carrier name, phone number or data plan type, and status. At the bottom of this screen, you will see a red button that says Delete Plan. Tap it. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure — tap Delete again to confirm. The eSIM is now removed from your iPhone.

If you do not see a Delete Plan button, that plan is currently your active cellular service. You must switch to a different plan first before you can delete it. If you have only one eSIM and no physical SIM card, you cannot delete it while it is active — you would have to add another plan first, switch to it, then delete the original.

What happens after you delete an eSIM

Once deleted, that eSIM plan stops working on your iPhone when ready. If it was your active plan, your phone will switch to the next available plan (if you have one). Calls, texts, and data on that deleted plan will no longer work.

Deleting an eSIM from your phone does not cancel your account with the carrier. You may still be charged monthly fees until you formally cancel the account with them. Contact your carrier directly if you want to cancel service entirely — deletion from your phone is just removing it from this device.

If you want to use that same eSIM on a different iPhone or iPad, contact your carrier. Many will let you reinstall it on another device, though some charge a fee or require you to wait a certain number of days. A few carriers do not allow reinstallation at all, so check their policy before you delete.

If you cannot find the Delete option

If you open Mobile Service and do not see a Delete Plan button, the most common reason is that the plan is currently active. Switch to a different plan first — if you have a physical SIM card, you can switch to that. If you have multiple eSIMs, switch to one of the others. Once a different plan is active, go back to the plan you want to delete and the Delete button should appear.

If Mobile Service does not appear in Settings at all, your iPhone model may not support eSIM. iPhones XS and newer support eSIM, but some older models do not. Alternatively, your carrier may not have activated eSIM support yet — contact them to confirm they offer it.

On very rare occasions, a carrier will lock an eSIM so it cannot be deleted from the device. This usually happens with corporate or government phones. If you believe your eSIM is locked, contact your carrier's support line — they can unlock it or delete it remotely on their end.

Difference between deleting an eSIM and removing a physical SIM

If your iPhone has a physical SIM card slot (iPhone XS through iPhone 13 have both), you can eject the physical SIM by pressing a small pin into the hole on the side of the phone. That physically removes the card. Deleting an eSIM is different — there is no card to remove, only a digital plan to disconnect from your phone's settings.

You can delete an eSIM and keep the physical SIM in place, or vice versa. Many people use both at once — one for a personal number and one for work, or one for a home country and one for travel. Removing one does not affect the other.

Reinstalling an eSIM after deletion

If you deleted an eSIM and want it back on this iPhone, contact your carrier. They can send you a new set up code, usually by email or text. Open the code on your phone, and it will prompt you to add the eSIM back to your device. The process takes a few minutes.

Some carriers charge a small fee to reactivate an eSIM after deletion — usually between five and fifteen dollars, though this varies. A few carriers include one free reactivation per year. Ask your carrier about their policy before you delete if you think you might need the plan back soon.

If you want to move an eSIM to a different iPhone instead of reinstalling it on the same one, the process is similar — contact your carrier, get a new set up code, and add it to the new phone. You cannot transfer an eSIM directly from one phone to another without the carrier's involvement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting an eSIM cancel my service with the carrier?

No. Deleting an eSIM from your phone removes it from that device only. Your account with the carrier remains active, and you may still be charged monthly fees. To cancel service entirely, you must contact the carrier directly and request account cancellation.

Can I delete an eSIM if it is my only plan on the phone?

Not while it is active. If you have only one eSIM and no physical SIM card, you cannot delete it because your phone needs at least one active plan. You would have to add a second plan first, switch to it, then delete the original.

What if I delete an eSIM by mistake?

Contact your carrier and ask them to resend the set up code. They can usually do this within minutes. You will then add the eSIM back to your phone using that code. Some carriers charge a reactivation fee, so ask about that when you call.

Can I use the same eSIM on two iPhones at the same time?

No. An eSIM can only be active on one device at a time. If you delete it from one iPhone and add it to another, it will stop working on the first phone. If you need two phones to have the same number, you need two separate eSIMs from your carrier.

Does deleting an eSIM erase my contacts or photos?

No. Deleting an eSIM only removes the cellular plan from your phone. Your contacts, photos, messages, and all other data stay on your device. The only thing that stops working is calls, texts, and data on that specific plan.