How to turn off an eSIM on any device: A step-by-step guide
The beauty of an eSIM is that, unlike a regular SIM card, you don’t need to physically remove it from your phone. Most modern phones can even handle multiple eSIMs, which lets you use several phone numbers at the same time. But, sometimes, you may want to turn off your eSIM if you’re switching between networks or simply to avoid data roaming charges. Read on to find out how to turn off an eSIM on different devices.
Table of Contents
How to turn off an eSIM on an iPhone
If you’re wondering how to turn off an eSIM on your iPhone, you’ll be glad to hear the process is very simple and will only take a few taps on your screen:
Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad and go to “Mobile data.”
Scroll down and tap "Cellular" or "Cellular plans," depending on your device.
In the “Cellular” settings, you’ll see a list of your plans. Select the eSIM plan that you want to disable.
You’ll see an option labeled "Turn on this line." Toggle the switch next to it to the "Off" position.
How to turn off an eSIM on an Android
Here’s how you can quickly turn off an eSIM on your Android phone:
Open the “Settings” app on your device.
Navigate to "Connections" from the settings menu.
In the “Connections” menu, tap "SIM card manager."
You’ll see a list of your SIM cards and eSIMs. Find the eSIM you wish to disable and toggle the switch next to it to the "Off" position.
What happens if you turn off an eSIM?
If you turn off your eSIM, you’ll be disconnected from the mobile network provided by the eSIM and stop getting the mobile data it offers. If that’s the only SIM card on your phone, you won’t have cellular service anymore. But don’t worry, you can use Wi-Fi until you connect to another mobile network.
But if you have another eSIM or a physical SIM card in your phone, you’ll still be connected to the network attached to that SIM and be able to use the mobile data it provides.
Can you turn off an eSIM temporarily?
One of the best things about eSIMs is that they are so easy to turn off and on again. Now you might be thinking about removing it completely, but what happens if you delete an eSIM is that it goes away forever.
If you simply turn an eSIM off, you can reactivate it later. The steps listed above show you how to turn off your eSIM temporarily. Keep in mind that with some mobile service providers, you might need to reactivate your plan when you turn the eSIM back on.
Conclusion
Turning off an eSIM is super easy and gives you a lot of flexibility, especially if you often switch between plans or carriers. Just follow the steps for your device, and you’ll be able to manage your eSIM without losing your mobile data plan. Remember, it's better to disable your eSIM rather than delete it because one of the consequences of deleting an eSIM is that you’ll lose access to it forever.
FAQ
Can I cancel my eSIM?
Yes, you can cancel an eSIM. If you need to free up space on your phone for a new data plan or your phone is out of data, you can easily delete an eSIM from your iPhone or Android phone. But if you delete it, you might need to contact your mobile service provider to reactivate or get a new eSIM, so make sure it’s what you want.
How do I switch from an eSIM to a normal SIM?
You can easily switch between SIM cards on your iPhone or Android phone through the “Settings” menu, including between an eSIM and a physical SIM card. However, if you want to change from an eSIM to a physical SIM while keeping the same cell phone provider, you’ll have to contact the provider and ask for a physical SIM to replace the eSIM. Just contact customer service and inquire about it.
How do I turn off an eSIM on an Apple Watch and a Galaxy Watch?
Turning off an eSIM on your Galaxy Watch is pretty easy. Simply follow these steps:
Press the “Home” button on your watch to open the “Apps” screen.
In the apps, tap “Connections” and then “Mobile networks” to access your eSIM settings.
You’ll see your current mobile plan listed. Tap on it to view more options.
Look for the option to turn off or deactivate the plan. Just tap on it and confirm any prompts to disable the eSIM.
Turning off an eSIM on your Apple Watch is super easy. Just follow these steps:
Open the “Watch” app on your iPhone.
Make sure you're on the "My Watch" tab at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll down and tap on "Cellular."
Tap on your cellular plan.
You’ll see an option to "Remove [carrier] plan." Tap this option to turn off the eSIM and confirm any prompts to complete the process.
Ugnė thrives on exploring new places and capturing moments on the go, so it’s no surprise her social media comes back to life whenever she’s abroad. An avid traveler, she believes staying connected with an eSIM is as essential as packing a passport, ensuring seamless adventures wherever she roams.