How to keep your eSIM and erase data: Everything you need to know

What does it mean to keep your eSIM but erase your data?

If you decide to keep your eSIM and erase data, it means your phone is reset to factory settings while your eSIM profile stays on the device. In practice, this step removes all your personal content — apps, photos, messages, and settings — but keeps your mobile plan active. You won’t need to reinstall or reactivate your eSIM after the reset.

What happens when you keep the eSIM and erase data? 

When you choose to keep your eSIM and erase data, your phone is reset to factory settings, but your mobile plan stays on the device. If you’re wondering what an eSIM is, it’s a digital SIM built into your phone, which is why it doesn’t get removed during a reset unless you choose to delete it.

Do you keep asking yourself, “What happens if I delete my eSIM?” Let’s see what kind of data gets erased and what stays.

What gets erased:

• Apps and app data — basically, everything you’ve ever installed on your phone.

• Photos, videos, and files stored on the device.

• Messages and call history.

• Saved settings like Wi-Fi passwords and preferences.

• Accounts — you’ll be signed out of your Apple ID or Google.

What stays:

• Your eSIM profile — including your mobile plan and number.

• Carrier settings linked to that eSIM.

After the reset, your phone is clean, but your cellular connection is still active. 

Should you keep your eSIM and erase data? 

Keeping your eSIM while erasing data is a good idea when you want a clean start without losing your mobile connection. However, while it’s a practical option, it’s not always the right one.

When it makes sense to keep your eSIM and erase data:

• You’re troubleshooting your phone.

• You’re keeping the device and still plan to use the same number and carrier.

• You’re reinstalling your system without interrupting connectivity.

Should you keep your eSIM and erase data or delete the eSIM? 

The choice depends on what you plan to do with your phone.

• Keep your eSIM and erase data if you’re still using the device and want to keep your mobile plan active after the reset.

• Delete your eSIM if the phone is leaving your hands — for example, when selling, trading in, or giving it away. This ensures the next user can’t access your mobile service.

How to keep your eSIM and erase data

If you want to reset your phone without losing your mobile plan, you’ll need to choose the option to keep your eSIM during the reset process. Most devices include this step before the reset is completed.

Keep your eSIM and erase data on an iPhone

If you want to keep your eSIM and erase data on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “General.”

3. Select “Transfer or reset iPhone.”

4. Tap “Erase all content and settings.”

5. Tap “Continue” and follow the prompts.

6. When asked, choose “Keep eSIM and erase data.”

iPhones give you this option during the reset process, so your mobile plan stays active after the device is wiped. If you want a more detailed discussion of the process, including what to check before resetting, see our guide on how to reset an iPhone without losing your eSIM.

If you instead need to remove it completely, our steps for how to delete an eSIM from an iPhone cover that separately.

Keep your eSIM and erase data on an Android device

If you’re an Android user, follow the steps below to keep your eSIM and erase data:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Go to “System” or “General management” (varies by device).

3. Tap “Reset” or “Reset options.”

4. Select “Erase all data (factory reset).”

5. Follow the prompts to confirm.

6. Make sure the option to keep eSIM is enabled (if shown).

On many Android devices, keeping the eSIM is either selected by default or shown as a toggle before the reset is completed.

Common mistakes to avoid when keeping an eSIM and erasing data

Before resetting your phone, consider the most common mistakes that can lead to losing your eSIM or important data. Understanding them beforehand can help you save data you actually need.

Watch out for these common mistakes:

• Accidentally deleting the eSIM. Selecting the wrong option during reset can remove your mobile plan, which may require reactivation from your carrier.

• Choosing the wrong reset option. Some devices don’t clearly separate “erase data” from “erase everything,” so it’s easy to tap through too quickly.

• Not backing up your data. Once erased, your photos, messages, and files are gone unless you’ve saved them beforehand.

• Ignoring carrier or device limits. Some carriers limit how often an eSIM can be reinstalled, so deleting it unnecessarily can create extra steps later.

• Assuming all devices work the same. Wording and options differ between iPhone and Android, and even across brands.

• Resetting without an internet connection. You may need it to complete setup or restore services afterward.

• Not saving eSIM activation details. Keeping your QR code or activation info makes recovery much easier if something goes wrong.

What to do if you can’t keep your eSIM and delete data  

If the option to keep your eSIM doesn’t appear or doesn’t work as expected, a straightforward reason is usually behind it. In many cases, it comes down to the software version, device limitations, or how the reset is performed.

Older operating systems may not support this option, and temporary glitches can cause it to disappear. In some cases, carriers also limit how eSIM profiles behave during resets, which can affect what you see on your screen.

Before trying again, start with a few simple checks:

• Restart your device.

• Update your OS.

• Retry the reset through settings.

• Make sure you have an internet connection.

If your eSIM gets erased anyway, it can usually be restored using your original QR code or activation details. Without them, your carrier can issue a new eSIM. If the option is missing entirely or you can’t figure out why your eSIM isn’t working, contacting your carrier or device support is the most reliable way to resolve it for your specific device and plan.

Keep your eSIM and erase data: Key takeaways

Resetting your phone doesn’t always mean starting from zero — you can remove your data while keeping your mobile connection in place.

Here are a few ideas we hope you take from this article:

• Keep your eSIM and erase data when you’re keeping your phone and want a clean start without losing your number or plan.

• Skip it if the device is leaving your hands — in that case, remove the eSIM completely.

• Take a moment before resetting to choose the right option and back up your data.

• Keep your eSIM details saved so you’re covered if anything needs to be restored.