Transfer an eSIM to another phone while outside the uk

[Cyberion]

I am currently in secondment in Spain for the next 6 months. Will will not be in the uk again until May 2026. my current phone contains a Spanish physical SIM and a UK eSIM. 

my phone has been damaged and I have bought a new phone. Transferring my physical SIM is easy but can I transfer and activate my current eSIM to my new phone?

I know O2 customers can transfer and activate remotely ( not having to be in the UK) but does anyone know if I can do this as an EE customer?

if not it seems a big limitation of EE. 

Thanks. 

[Northerner]

Hi @Cyberion 

You'll need to be connected to EE UK network so the answer to your question is no. 

Thanks 

[Cyberion]

Thanks for the bad news. 😢

looks like I will have to use two phones until May and sort it when I get back to the UK.

Seems that EE is very backward in this regarding this as I cannot be the only customers who may fall into this situation. 

Thanks for your prompt reply. 

[bristolian]

Activating a new SIM normally requires you to be in the UK on EE's network, part of the process being a natural catch-22 of foreign network access.

There have been cases of users successfully managing it, but it comes with no guarantees.

It's a limitation of eSIM for sure.

[Chris_B]

@Cyberion   Yes it can be done and has been done without issue. 
The only problem you could face if it goes wrong you’ll not be able to get this sorted until you’re back in the UK.  eSIMs don’t always transfer across and when they don’t it’s not just still on the original device its basically it’s lost mid transfer and it’s gone from the original device. 

[Ali_A · Accepted solution]

Hi @Cyberion 

As @Chris_B has mentioned, as long as your existing EE eSIM is still working and accessible it is possible to set up a new eSIM while abroad, however we can't guarantee it as you're relying on being connected to a foreign network. 

That said, you can find the steps to do this on our Get, set up and use an eSIM page. 
You need the current EE SIM working to receive a security code to activate the new SIM. 

To help avoid problems, I'd strongly recommend you choose to download and install the eSIM to your new phone and activate, rather than using the "transfer eSIM between phones" option that some device manufacturers offer. 

Hope this helps! 

Ali

[Cyberion]

Thanks Ali

I will try this very cautiously. If it fails, I will have to wait until the UK, but I will still have my Spanish number which can call the UK.

Many thanks

Steve