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How to Convert Your Physical SIM to eSIM on iPhone and Android

Fortunately, converting a physical SIM to an eSIM is a relatively easy process. Before you get started, you have to make sure your new phone accepts eSIMs.

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(CNET): You’re probably already familiar with the SIM card, a tiny chip in your phone that connects it to your cell phone carrier of choice.

For years, this chip was on a physical card that you could swap in and out by ejecting a SIM card tray from your phone.

Most modern phones, however, also support eSIMs.

Instead of a physical card, eSIMs are embedded directly into the phone’s circuitry and the carrier information is programmed remotely via software.

This allows for a few conveniences, such as letting you try out service on a new carrier without needing to get a physical SIM in the mail or at a store.

The problem arrives if you want to convert an existing physical SIM card to an eSIM.

You might want to do so if a new phone is eSIM-only or if you want to load multiple eSIMs in a single device.

Or perhaps you just don’t want to deal with the hassle of swapping physical cards in and out of devices any more.

Fortunately, converting a physical SIM to an eSIM is a relatively easy process. Before you get started, you have to make sure your new phone accepts eSIMs.

As we mentioned earlier, most modern phones do. All iPhones since the iPhone XS and XR support eSIM, and in the US, the iPhone 14 and newer are eSIM-only.

Most Android phones also include eSIM support, including the Google Pixel 6 and later along with the Samsung Galaxy S21 and later.

eSIM on an iPhone

There are a few different ways to convert a physical SIM to an eSIM on an iPhone.

Here’s how to do it if you’re converting a physical SIM to an eSIM on the same iPhone (that means the phone needs to support both).

1. Open Settings, then select Cellular.Then, if your carrier allows it, you’ll see an option that says Convert to eSIM. If you don’t see it, then your carrier likely does not support this action.

2. Tap Convert Cellular Plan.

3. Tap Convert to eSIM. Your eSIM will now activate. If, on the other hand, your transferring a physical SIM to an eSIM on a completely different iPhone, here’s how to do it.

  1. On your new iPhone,
  2. 1. go to Settings,
  3. 2. then choose Cellular.Scroll down until you see Add eSIM.
  4. 3. Select it.Then you have two choices. One is Transfer From a Nearby Phone, which requires both handsets to have iOS 16 or newer.
  5. If you select that, you’ll follow the instructions on your previous iPhone.
  6. 4 You can then select Transfer to confirm and then enter a verification code.
  7. Obviously this only works if both phones are iPhones.Another option is to Use a QR Code.
  8. This is what you would use if a QR Code is provided by your carrier, or if your previous phone was a non-Apple handset.
  9. To scan the code, you open up the Camera app and point it at the QR Code.
  10. Tap the Cellular Plan Detected notification. If using an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, you can touch and hold the QR code and then tap Add eSIM.
  11. Go ahead and follow the on-screen instructions, hit Continue and tap Add Cellular Plan.
  12. Alternatively, you can also choose to enter in the eSIM details manually if your carrier provided them.
  13. If you want to do that, you can select Settings, then Cellular, then Add Cellular Plan and then tap Enter Details Manually.eSIM on an Android phone.
  14. The process of converting a physical SIM to an eSIM on Android can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
  15. The most surefire way to do so is to simply contact your carrier and tell them you’re switching to an eSIM.
  16. They’ll then either walk you through the process manually or send you a QR code. If they do send a QR code, here’s how to add it to your phone.Go to Settings.
  17. Then tap either Connections or Network & Internet.
  18. Select Sim Manager or SIMS.Tap Add mobile plan or Download SIM card or Add SIM.
  19. Then follow the on-screen instructions and scan the QR code when prompted.
  20. If you have a Samsung device, however, the process is a little more straightforward.
  21. Here’s how to do it on a Samsung.
  22. Launch Setting.
  23. Then tap Connections.
  24. Select SIM card manager.
  25. Choose your SIM (If you only have a physical SIM, it’ll just be the only one listed).
  26. Tap Convert to eSIM.
  27. Follow the on-screen instructions and then you’re done.
  28. We should note that different carriers might have different ways of adding a new eSIM to your device.
  29. If you run into any problems when doing so, please contact them directly. And if you are transferring from an iPhone to an Android phone or vice-versa, you’ll need to contact your carrier to get their assistance with making the transition.
  30. If you want to learn more about eSIMs and if they’re better or worse than physical cards, then please check our eSIM guide which goes into more depth on the pros and cons of each.
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Hon Rotimi Olowo, Chief Zebrudaya alias 4.30, and other top Nigerians for Virtuous Widows Int’l Foundation Awards

Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, the Founder and International President, informed journalists in Lagos that the awards will be presented during an empowerment seminar scheduled for November 22, 2025.

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Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, Founder/International President, addressed the widows during one of their outreach programmes, recently.

The Virtuous Widows International Foundation, a local non-governmental organisation focused on empowering Nigerian widows nationwide, has finalised plans to honour prominent Nigerians with prestigious awards in recognition of their services to humanity, particularly for indigent widows and the less privileged in society.

Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, the Founder and International President, informed journalists in Lagos that the awards will be presented during an empowerment seminar scheduled for November 22, 2025.

The theme of the seminar is “Come, Let’s Build Together,” and it will take place at the auditorium of Queens College, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos.

“During the event, we will recognise men and women who have a passion for helping widows,” she stated.

“We have identified several individuals who will receive awards to appreciate their support, belief in our mission, and understanding of the challenges faced by Nigerian widows.”

When asked about the notable figures receiving the awards, Mrs Toyin Badmus, the NGO’s Vice President, revealed that one of the honorees is Honourable Rotimi Olowo from Somolu Local Government in Lagos State. She emphasised that Hon. Olowo is passionate about assisting the less privileged.

During his tenure as a House of Assembly member representing Somolu, he empowered numerous people and helped thousands of youths, many of whom might have otherwise become vagabonds.

“He provided buses and tricycles for them to operate, giving them meaningful lives,” she explained.

“He has also reached out to physically challenged individuals, touching the lives of women, orphans, and widows.

He has proven himself to be committed to humanitarian service, which is why we have deemed him worthy of this award.

“Another personality on the list is Dr Hamza Al-Mustapha, who has been a strong supporter of the foundation.

“Our board of directors has also selected Chief Chika Okpala (alias ZB 4.30) for his role in the memorable defunct television comedy series ‘New Masquerade’ on NTA.

In the 70s and 80s, he brought joy to many viewers across the country through this program.”

Additionally, Dr Mrs. Oyindamola Obabori, the current principal of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, will be honoured.

“She has made significant contributions in her capacity, particularly in training young girls at Queens College.

As we know, training women empowers the entire nation, and her leadership has produced many successful individuals.

“Chief (Dr.) Alexander Chika Okafor of Chikason Group of Companies will also receive the prestigious award.

For 17 years, he has consistently uplifted people’s spirits through his philanthropic activities.

Regarding the membership strength of the NGO, Mrs Badmus shared that it started with just nine members and gradually grew to 11, then 21, and 200 at its inception.

“Today, if there are seven million widows in Nigeria, I have five million under our umbrella as members. They come out in large numbers wherever I go, unless I do not call them.

Our membership spans across Nigeria and extends to countries like Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cotonou, Senegal, and Tanzania, all seeking to establish chapters.

However, as the saying goes, ‘charity begins at home’; I have not yet completed outreach in all 36 states of Nigeria due to the challenges of insecurity.”

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Fubara in closed-door meeting with Wike and Loyalists in Port Harcourt

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Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara met with his predecessor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday in Port Harcourt for a closed-door discussion. The meeting, held at the residence of elder statesman Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, included several political leaders loyal to Wike and lasted into the early hours of Sunday.

The gathering came shortly after a valedictory session on Wednesday for members of the dissolved Rivers State cabinet, during which Governor Fubara directed commissioners and appointees affected by the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s political crisis to step aside. Eight others unaffected by the ruling have since resumed their duties.

Although the meeting’s specifics were not disclosed, sources indicate that Fubara and Wike are aligning efforts to uphold the peace accord brokered by President Bola Tinubu during the recent six-month emergency rule in Rivers State.

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Former President Jonathan’s Comments on Boko Haram Were Misrepresented

The point Dr. Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram, in its characteristic deceit, often invoked the names of respected public figures to sow confusion, exploit political divisions, and undermine public confidence in government.

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The attention of the Office of Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been drawn to misleading reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that Dr. Jonathan alleged that Boko Haram nominated the late President Muhammadu Buhari, to represent them in dialogue with the Federal Government, and therefore this made him somehow complicit in the Boko Haram crisis.

In a statement signed by Ikechukwu Eze Special Adviser to the Former President (Media and Public Affairs), he clarified that the former President’s comments were grossly misrepresented.

According to the statement, at no time did Dr. Jonathan suggested, implied , or insinuated that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or that he supported the group in any form.

Dr. Jonathan’s remarks, made in the course of a broader discussion on Nigeria’s security challenges, were meant to illustrate the deviousness and manipulative strategies employed by Boko Haram in their early years.

His reference was to a well-documented episode when various individuals and factions falsely claimed to represent the terrorist group and purported to name prominent Nigerians as possible mediators: without those individuals’ knowledge or consent.

The point Dr. Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram, in its characteristic deceit, often invoked the names of respected public figures to sow confusion, exploit political divisions, and undermine public confidence in government.

His comments were therefore an illustration of the group’s duplicity, not an accusation against the late former president or any individual for that matter.

The former president’s position was that if indeed Buhari was their choice negotiator, why didn’t Boko Haram expeditiously bring their evil terrorist agenda to an end when the retired General became president?

For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Jonathan recognizes that President Muhammadu Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, stood firmly against terrorism and was himself a target of Boko Haram violence. Both men, during their respective tenures, shared a common commitment to restoring peace and stability to Nigeria.

The Office of the Former President therefore urges the public to disregard any misinterpretation of his remarks.

Dr. Jonathan remains committed to peace, unity, and the strengthening of democratic values in Nigeria.

He believes that the nation’s progress depends on a truthful understanding of its challenges, not on the distortion of facts for political or sensational purposes.

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