Can you recover a deleted eSIM on an iPhone?
If your eSIM is not working after a wipe or reset, it usually cannot be restored directly from your iPhone settings. Getting reconnected often requires reactivation from your provider using a new QR code, their activation app, or manual entry details. To figure out your next step, it helps to understand the current status of your cellular plan — here is how the four most common situations compare:
If your eSIM is… | That means… |
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Turned off | The profile is still saved on your iPhone, but the connection is switched off. |
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Deleted | The profile was erased from your device, so you may need to reinstall it through your provider’s app or request a new activation code. |
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Preserved during reset | The profile stayed on your phone during a device wipe and needs to be toggled on. |
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Needs reactivation | The profile exists, but your carrier requires a network refresh to restore your service. |
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When you erase your iPhone data, Apple gives you the choice to keep or delete your eSIM. Just keep in mind that if you do choose to remove the profile, you’ll usually need your carrier to reactivate it to get it back.
First, check whether the eSIM was deleted
Open “Settings” > “Cellular” > “Mobile data” and look to see if the eSIM still appears. If you see the plan on your screen, the line might simply be disabled. If it’s missing entirely, the profile was most likely deleted.
To recover a deleted eSIM, you’ll generally need a new QR code, provider app, or manual setup details. Deleting an eSIM happens all the time, and you can usually get back online quickly just by reaching out to your carrier.
Don’t reuse old QR codes unless your provider allows it
Keep in mind that many eSIM QR codes are designed for single use only. If an activation gets interrupted or the profile is deleted, that original code won’t work a second time. However, this is standard procedure for carriers, and contacting your provider will allow them to quickly issue a fresh replacement code so you can finish setting up.
How to restore your eSIM after factory resetting an iPhone
Wondering how to restore an eSIM on your iPhone after a factory reset? Worried that you’ll lose your eSIM in the process? Good news — if you choose the right option during the reset, you can keep your eSIM profile. If you select “Keep eSIM,” your plan stays active on your device. If you choose “Delete eSIM,” you will need to reactivate the line through your carrier.
If you chose “Keep eSIM”
The eSIM should still appear inside your cellular settings after the iPhone restarts. You should perform three quick checks:
If you deleted the eSIM during reset
The eSIM profile has been removed from the device, and you usually can’t recover it directly from the iPhone. You will typically need one of the following from your provider:
Not sure what you selected during the reset?
First, head into your phone’s cellular settings to see if your plan is listed. If the line is missing entirely, the profile was most likely removed during the reset.
Can you restore an eSIM from an iPhone’s backup?
Restoring an iPhone from a backup does not bring back your eSIM profile. While backups save your settings, apps, and photos, the actual cellular profile needs to be reactivated separately by your carrier or provider.
Will restoring a backup erase the eSIM?
Restoring a backup doesn’t erase your eSIM on an iPhone. When you restore backed-up data, you’re dealing with things like settings, saved files, and messages, not eSIM profiles.
Why eSIMs are different from normal iPhone backups
Unlike your photos or app data, an eSIM is tied specifically to carrier activation and device provisioning. It relies on a direct link between your phone and your carrier’s network setup. Because your carrier manages that connection, simply restoring a backup file won’t always bring your cellular service back online automatically.
What to check after restoring from a backup
After your phone finishes restoring, walk through these checks:
Head into your “Cellular” settings.
See if your plan is listed on the screen.
Toggle the line back on if it is disabled.
Load a webpage to check your connection.
Reinstall the eSIM profile if it is completely missing.
Did you restore your iPhone and your eSIM disappeared?
If you already restored or reset your iPhone and can’t find your eSIM, don’t worry — this is a common issue. It usually happens when the device removes the eSIM profile during a wipe or when the line fails to reactivate automatically.
Check “Cellular” settings first
If your eSIM isn’t working, your phone settings are the best place to start troubleshooting. Head over to “Settings” > “Cellular” > “Mobile data” and look for the following:
Saved cellular plans
Disabled lines
Inactive eSIMs
Toggling your line back on from your cellular settings usually restores your connection right away.
Use “Add eSIM” or “Set up cellular”
If your profile is completely gone, you will need to reinstall the plan. According to Apple, you can add or transfer a line by tapping “Set up cellular” or “Add eSIM” in your iPhone settings, using any of the following options:
Certain providers automatically disable the original activation code once a profile is deleted or reset. If that happens, the original setup details won’t work anymore, and you will need to ask your carrier to trigger a fresh activation process.
Will resetting your iPhone delete your eSIM?
Erasing your phone data does not automatically delete your eSIM. Your iOS will explicitly ask if you would like to keep your profile or remove it completely — that’s the decider. To make sure you’re not missing any crucial steps, read our article on how to reset an iPhone without losing your eSIM.
What “Keep eSIM” means
Choosing “Keep eSIM and erase data” preserves your cellular plan during a factory reset. Your phone wipes your personal files and apps, but it leaves your network connection intact.
What happens if you choose “Delete eSIM”
Choosing “Delete eSIM” removes the cellular profile from your phone entirely. Once the reset is complete, you will usually need your provider to reactivate the line before you can use your cellular service again.
How to avoid losing your eSIM before resetting your iPhone
Before you reset your device, taking a few quick preparation steps can save you time later. Take a look at this checklist before erasing your phone:
Save your carrier login details.
Check whether the provider allows QR code reuse.
Confirm your available activation methods.
Ensure you have Wi-Fi access after the reset.
Having these details covered ensures you can get back online immediately after your phone finishes setting up.
