Report: Apple plans to transfer ESIM to Android devices

Electronic SIM cards are actually a practical thing: Since their introduction, customers of many mobile phone providers no longer have to wait for the physical cards to be sent. In addition to the physical SIM, several ESIMs can also be deposited and switch between these, which is, for example, clever when using inexpensive foreign tariffs. The problem: the change from one device to the other is still not easy using ESIM. Apple has now installed corresponding methods when switching from iPhone to iPhone, but when leaving the ecosystem, you have to contact the network operator so that it issues a new ESIM QR code, which is sometimes only possible by letter. With the upcoming iOS 19 alias iOS 26, this is obviously changing: According to a report of the blog Android Authority a new transfer option is integrated in it.

iPhone generates QR code

Apple apparently works with Google: The first indications of the feature are in a beta of Android 16, including in the SIM Manager app contained therein. Supposedly there will be a new “Transfer to Android” page in the system settings in iOS 26, where the transfer to a new iPhone is currently possible. Apparently it will be possible to start manual ESIM transmission. To do this, the iPhone then shows the necessary QR code, which in turn can be scanned by the Android device to take over the ESIM.

A “wireless” mode as well as the possibility of entering a session ID or a pass code-for what, is also mentioned. According to the Android 16 Beta, iOS 19 (which will probably be called iOS 26) is always the minimum requirement. The new iPhone operating system can be expected in September if Apple should stay with its usual schedule.

EU wants more interoperability

It is unclear whether Apple wants to accuse the EU Commission with the new function of regulatory measures, which is currently very much to force the group into more interoperability. Technically, ESIM broadcasts are actually not a big problem, although they are currently only working clean between device families-i.e. from iPhone to iPhone and Android to Android.

It is still interesting whether there will also be an inverse way to transfer the ESIM, i.e. from Android to the iPhone. This function could incorporate Google into its own SIM manager.