You cannot physically remove an eSIM the way you remove a physical SIM card

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is software, not a chip. It lives on a find part of your iPhone's processor and has no physical form to take out. If you want to stop using an eSIM on your iPhone, you delete it from your phone's settings instead — a process that takes about two minutes and does not require a tool, a trip to a carrier store, or opening your phone.

The confusion usually comes from the fact that iPhones still have a physical SIM card slot on some models (iPhone XS and later). That slot holds a nano-SIM card, which is separate from any eSIM you may have. You can have both at the same time: one physical SIM and up to eight eSIMs stored on your phone, though only two can be active simultaneously.

If you are trying to remove a physical SIM card instead, that requires the SIM eject tool that came with your iPhone — a small metal pin you push into the tiny hole next to the SIM slot. But if you are dealing with an eSIM, the steps below are what you need.

Key Takeaways

  • An eSIM is stored in your phone's software, not a removable chip, so you delete it through Settings rather than physically removing anything.
  • Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans, tap the eSIM you want to remove, and choose "Remove eSIM" — the whole process takes two minutes.
  • Removing an eSIM from your phone does not cancel your service with your carrier; you may still owe them money or need to contact them separately to stop billing.
  • You can store up to eight eSIMs on one iPhone, but only two can be active at the same time for calls and data.
  • If you plan to switch phones, ask your carrier whether your eSIM can be transferred or whether you need a new one issued.

How to delete an eSIM through your iPhone settings

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Cellular, then tap Cellular Plans (or Mobile Plans on some older iOS versions). You will see a list of every eSIM stored on your phone, with the currently active one marked.

Find the eSIM you want to remove and tap it. A menu will appear with options including "Remove eSIM" or "Delete eSIM" — the exact wording depends on your iOS version. Tap that option. Your phone will ask you to confirm; tap again to proceed. The eSIM is now deleted from your phone's storage and cannot be used unless your carrier reissues it.

If you have two eSIMs active and you remove one, the other stays active automatically. If you remove your only active eSIM, your phone will lose cellular service until you set up a different eSIM or insert a physical SIM card.

What happens to your service when you remove an eSIM

Deleting an eSIM from your phone stops it from working when ready, but it does not automatically cancel your account with your carrier or stop them from billing you. You are responsible for contacting your carrier separately to cancel service if you want to stop paying. Some carriers let you do this through their app or website; others require a phone call.

If you are switching to a different carrier, removing the old eSIM is just the first step. Your new carrier will issue you a new eSIM, usually by sending you a QR code through email or text message. You scan that code in Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan, and the new eSIM is installed on your phone within seconds.

If you removed an eSIM by mistake, contact your carrier right away. They can usually reissue it to you, though the process may take a few hours or a business day. The eSIM itself is not lost — it is just no longer on your phone.

The difference between removing an eSIM and removing a physical SIM

A physical nano-SIM card is a tiny piece of plastic with a chip embedded in it. To remove it, locate the small hole on the edge of your iPhone (usually on the right side), insert the SIM eject tool that came in your iPhone box, and push gently until the SIM tray pops out. The card slides out of the tray, and you can then remove the tray itself.

An eSIM has no physical form, so there is nothing to eject or remove from a slot. It exists only as data on your phone's find processor. You manage it entirely through software — Settings, not hardware tools.

You can have both a physical SIM and an eSIM on the same iPhone. If you have both, you can choose which one to use for calls and data, or set them up for Dual SIM mode, where one handles calls and the other handles data (or you can split calls and data differently depending on your carrier's setup).

When you might want to remove an eSIM before switching phones

If you are moving to a new iPhone, you usually do not need to remove your eSIM first — your carrier can transfer it to the new phone, or you can set it up fresh on arrival. But some carriers require you to remove it from your old phone before they will set up it on a new one, especially if you are trading in the old phone or selling it.

Before you sell or give away an iPhone that has an eSIM, remove the eSIM from Settings. This prevents the next owner from accidentally using your carrier plan or having access to your phone number. It is the eSIM equivalent of removing a physical SIM card before handing off a phone.

If you are keeping your old iPhone as a backup or for another purpose, you can leave the eSIM on it. It will not cause problems unless you try to set up both phones on the same eSIM at the same time — most carriers do not allow that.

Troubleshooting: eSIM not showing up in settings

If you have an eSIM but it does not appear in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans, restart your iPhone first. Hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, slide to shut down, wait 10 seconds, then power back on. This refreshes the connection between your phone and the eSIM data.

If it still does not appear, contact your carrier. The eSIM may not have been fully activated on their end, or there may be a technical issue with how it was provisioned to your phone. Your carrier can check the status and resend the set up if needed.

If you see the eSIM in Settings but cannot delete it, make sure you have at least one other way to connect to cellular service — either a physical SIM card or another active eSIM. iPhones will not let you remove your only active connection to the network. If you truly have no other connection, you will need to add a different SIM or eSIM before you can remove the current one.

Why eSIMs matter for your privacy and security

An eSIM is tied to your phone number and carrier account, just like a physical SIM. Removing it from your phone does not erase your account history or phone number — your carrier still has that information. If you want to truly disconnect from a carrier, you need to contact them and request account closure, not just remove the eSIM.

One privacy advantage of eSIMs is that they are harder to steal than physical SIM cards. Someone cannot straightforward eject your SIM tray and swap in a different card to intercept your calls or texts. They would need access to your phone and your passcode to remove your eSIM through Settings. That said, if someone has your phone unlocked, they can still cause damage, so a strong passcode and Face ID or Touch ID remain your first line of defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put my eSIM back on my iPhone after I remove it?

Not directly. Once you delete an eSIM from your phone, it is gone from your device. To use that same eSIM again, your carrier must reissue it to you, usually by sending a new QR code. Contact your carrier and ask them to resend the set up code. The process typically takes a few hours.

What if I remove an eSIM and then change my mind?

Contact your carrier when ready. Most carriers can reissue an eSIM within hours or by the next business day. Have your account information ready — they will verify your identity before sending you a new set up code. The sooner you call, the faster they can help.

Do I lose my phone number if I remove my eSIM?

Removing the eSIM from your phone does not cancel your account or phone number. Your carrier still owns that number and your account continues to exist. You will lose the ability to make calls or use data on that number until you reactivate the eSIM or switch to a different SIM. To actually cancel your number and account, you must contact your carrier separately.

Can I have two eSIMs active at the same time on one iPhone?

Yes. iPhones support Dual SIM, which means you can have two active eSIMs (or one physical SIM and one eSIM) at the same time. You can choose which one handles calls, which handles data, or split them differently. You can store up to eight eSIMs total on your phone, but only two can be active simultaneously.

If I remove my eSIM, will my carrier stop charging me?

No. Removing an eSIM from your phone stops the service from working, but it does not cancel your account or stop billing. You must contact your carrier separately to cancel your plan and stop charges. Check your carrier's website or app for a cancellation option, or call customer service to request account closure.