topic Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa) in SIM cards & Porting

eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

neil7474 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:01:41 GMT

I usually have 2 phones (an Android and an iPhone), not that I use at the same time but that I switch between pretty regularly. Not daily (although that has happened) but sometimes weekly.

I have resisted eSim because of fears of how they will complicate this process as right now it takes me seconds to make this switch. Also I am guessing that once you switch to eSim your old physical sim is dead? i.e. I could not leave the physical sim in one phone and switch back to it rather than having to switch to another eSim? If that makes sense.

Anyway, my main fears are as follows:

That it will take time to make the switch each time and that I will without service for a period
That I might get blocked due to switching too often

Are these fears justified? Considering the iPhone Air which is eSim only but a part of me thinks I might be best just riding out physical sims as long as I possibly can.

Thanks

Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

bristolian — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:42:50 GMT

You can only have one SIM active on a given number at a given time. Activation of a replacement SIM serves to deactivate an existing one. That applies regardless of "p" or "e".

Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

neil7474 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:06:55 GMT

I know that, where my question was coming from was could I switch from an eSim back to that physical sim or would I need to get a new physical sim to do that. Is there for that matter any difference between switching eSim>eSim vs. eSim>Physical sim?

Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

bristolian — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:30:57 GMT

Once deactivated, a SIM can't be reused. So a new physical SIM needs to be a physically new one each time.

Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

neil7474 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:45:14 GMT

What about the process? how long would it take each time if switching from an android to iPhone device? Or vice-versa.

Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

Chris_B — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:41:36 GMT

@neil7474 You can request a replacement sim at an EE store but the number to move can take up to 24 hours. If you call customer support to request a replacement sim it has to be posted to you so this takes longer. It’s just not practical to swap from sim to eSIM and back to sim.

Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

neil7474 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:34:22 GMT

Putting physical sim aside though, how long would a regular eSim>eSim transfer take each time I wanted to switch between phones?

Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

Peter_W — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:59:17 GMT

Welcome to the Community, @neil7474.

Depending on your model of phone, it may be possible to do a direct handset to handset eSIM transfer as part of setup.

If you don't have both phones available though, we would need to send out a pre-activated eSIM QR pack to your registered address, or direct you to a store.

You can find all the details you need on how to set up a transfer from device to device here:

Downloading and using an EE eSIM | Mobile Help | EE

Peter

Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

neil7474 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:36:57 GMT

Thanks, as per my OP the scenario I will be switching under will be Android>iPhone and vice-versa.

That link is all well and good but it does not give an indication as to how quick the process is. I have heard that it might take as long as 24 hours if switching from Androind to iPhone.

Re: eSim - Regular switching between phones (Android to iPhone and vice versa)

Michael_D — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:49:04 GMT

Any SIM change can take up to 24 hours on both eSIM and physical SIM @neil7474. While it may be quicker at times, we always have to give the longest time it can take.

If you are going to be regularly transferring the SIM between devices, the physical SIM would work best like you are now.

Michael