eSIMs on iPhone: What Happens When You Reset Your Device?
If you’re using an iPhone with an eSIM, you might wonder what happens to your eSIM when you perform a factory reset. The answer? It’s not automatically deleted.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM that stores your mobile plan information directly on your device—no physical card required. It’s part of your phone’s hardware and makes switching carriers or plans easier than ever.
Resetting Your iPhone: Does It Remove the eSIM?
When you select “Erase All Content and Settings” on your iPhone, you’ll be prompted to choose whether to keep or delete your eSIM profiles.
Keep eSIMs: Your cellular plans stay on the device. This is handy if you’re keeping the phone and want to continue using your current plan.
Delete eSIMs: This removes the eSIM profiles from your phone. If you need them later, you’ll have to reinstall them.
Important: Deleting an eSIM Doesn’t Cancel Your Service
Removing the eSIM profile only deletes the plan settings from your iPhone—it does not cancel your mobile service. To stop your plan, you must contact your carrier or account manager.
Quick Tips
- If you’re selling or giving away your iPhone, choose to erase both data and eSIMs.
- If you’re troubleshooting or refreshing your device but keeping your plan, select the option to keep eSIMs.
Bottom line: The eSIM chip is part of your phone’s hardware and stays put during a reset. What changes is whether you keep or delete the eSIM profiles during the process.
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