Can I Transfer My Japan Traveler eSIM to a Different iPhone? (What You Need to Know)
Updated : 2025-10-25 10:15:12
You've bought an eSIM for communication in Japan for a comfortable trip, but your trip got canceled. Can you use the purchased eSIM on another person's iPhone?
Since eSIMs seem to be transferable on iPhones, is it possible to transfer it?
This article explains the transfer of data-only eSIMs for travelers.
It is not possible to transfer a purchased eSIM to a different iPhone.
If you want to use the eSIM on a different iPhone, it will require an "eSIM reissue."
Very few services support the reissue of eSIMs designed for short-term use. Furthermore, even for services that do support reissues, there is usually a fee for the eSIM reissue.
If you delete it from the initial iPhone, the eSIM profile becomes invalid and cannot be reused (reissued). To communicate with a new iPhone, you will need to buy another eSIM.
It cannot be transferred, nor can the eSIM be reissued.
However, if you purchased the eSIM and have not yet activated it, a refund is possible.
Also, tethering can be used without restriction.
It offers a stable network, similar to SIM cards and eSIMs sold at Japanese airports, but since we only sell it online, the price is significantly lower.
If the quality is the same, we recommend using our Travel Mobile eSIM for your trip to Japan.
Travel Mobile Japan eSIM
eSIM Quick Transfer
eSIM Quick Transfer is a feature that allows you to directly migrate an eSIM from an old iPhone to a new iPhone without any procedure from the mobile carrier. You can migrate the eSIM by selecting "Transfer from Nearby iPhone" during the initial setup of the new iPhone, or from the "Cellular" settings after setup. To use this feature, both iPhones must be updated to iOS 17 or later.
eSIM Quick Transfer is a feature that allows you to directly migrate an eSIM from an old iPhone to a new iPhone without any procedure from the mobile carrier. You can migrate the eSIM by selecting "Transfer from Nearby iPhone" during the initial setup of the new iPhone, or from the "Cellular" settings after setup. To use this feature, both iPhones must be updated to iOS 17 or later.
Most Traveler eSIMs Cannot Be Transferred
If you have a data-only eSIM for a short-term stay in Japan, once it has been set up on an an iPhone, it generally cannot be transferred to another iPhone. The reason is that traveler eSIMs are intended for "temporary data usage," not "continuous device use," and the transfer function is generally available for people with long-term contracts with major Japanese carriers.Travel eSIMs Require Reissue or Repurchase, Not Transfer
You should assume that the "eSIM Quick Transfer" feature cannot be used with data-only eSIMs for travelers.It is not possible to transfer a purchased eSIM to a different iPhone.
If you want to use the eSIM on a different iPhone, it will require an "eSIM reissue."
Very few services support the reissue of eSIMs designed for short-term use. Furthermore, even for services that do support reissues, there is usually a fee for the eSIM reissue.
Traveler eSIMs are a One-Time Download
Many traveler eSIMs are designed so that the eSIM profile is a one-time download.If you delete it from the initial iPhone, the eSIM profile becomes invalid and cannot be reused (reissued). To communicate with a new iPhone, you will need to buy another eSIM.
It cannot be transferred, nor can the eSIM be reissued.
Data-only eSIMs for travelers are convenient, but the safest approach is to purchase them with the assumption of "using it completely on one iPhone." If you change devices midway, you will need to repurchase an eSIM.
If You Want to Communicate with Other Devices
Physical SIM Card
If you anticipate communicating with a device other than your iPhone during your trip to Japan, a physical SIM card is recommended. With a physical SIM card, you can remove it and insert it into a different device to use it.Tethering Function
If the eSIM permits tethering, you can use the tethering function of the iPhone where the eSIM is installed to use the iPhone as a hotspot and allow other devices to communicate. It would be good to try using the tethering function.Travel Mobile eSIM
Our Travel Mobile eSIM cannot be transferred to another device once it is installed on an iPhone.However, if you purchased the eSIM and have not yet activated it, a refund is possible.
Also, tethering can be used without restriction.
It offers a stable network, similar to SIM cards and eSIMs sold at Japanese airports, but since we only sell it online, the price is significantly lower.
If the quality is the same, we recommend using our Travel Mobile eSIM for your trip to Japan.
Travel Mobile Japan eSIM