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How to Delete an eSIM from Your Phone (2026)

6 min readBy Daniel Mercer, Lead eSIM Analyst
  • iPhone, Samsung & Pixel
  • Under 2 minutes
  • Plan not cancelled
  • Updated June 2026

Daniel Mercer

Lead eSIM Analyst

43 countries tested280 plans reviewed14 airports tested8 years in telecom

Previously at Analysys Mason covering APAC mobile markets (2016-2021)

How we test

Published March 2026 · Updated June 2026

iPhone

Delete an eSIM on iPhone.

Deleting an eSIM on iPhone takes three taps. The process is the same on all iPhone models from the XR onward, including the SE (2nd generation and later).

  1. 1

    Open Settings and tap Cellular

    From the home screen, open the Settings app. Tap Cellular (labeled Mobile Data in some regions). You see a list of all SIM profiles stored on your phone, including physical SIM cards and eSIM profiles.

  2. 2

    Select the eSIM plan you want to delete

    Tap the name of the travel eSIM plan. It is usually labeled with the provider name (such as Airalo, Holafly, Saily, or Nomad) or your destination country. If you have multiple plans, check the label carefully before proceeding.

  3. 3

    Tap Delete eSIM and confirm

    Scroll to the bottom of the plan screen and tap Delete eSIM. A confirmation prompt appears. Tap Delete eSIM again to confirm. The profile is removed from your phone immediately.

On iOS 17 and later, you can also delete an eSIM during the initial device setup or when switching phones via Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Samsung Galaxy

Delete an eSIM on Samsung Galaxy.

Samsung Galaxy phones running One UI 3.0 or later use the SIM Manager screen to manage eSIM profiles. The steps below work on the S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25, and Z Flip/Fold series.

  1. 1

    Open Settings and tap Connections

    Swipe down and open the Settings app. Tap Connections near the top of the menu. On older One UI versions, this may be listed as Network & Internet.

  2. 2

    Tap SIM Manager

    Inside Connections, tap SIM Manager. You see all physical SIM slots and eSIM profiles listed on this screen. Inactive eSIM profiles show a gray toggle.

  3. 3

    Select the eSIM and tap Remove

    Tap the eSIM profile you want to delete. On the profile detail screen, tap Remove or Delete SIM. Confirm when prompted. The profile is removed from the device.

On older Samsung models running One UI 2.x, the path is Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. The Remove option is in the same location on the profile detail screen.

Google Pixel

Delete an eSIM on Google Pixel.

Google Pixel phones running Android 12 or later manage eSIM profiles through the Network and Internet settings. The steps below apply to Pixel 3 through Pixel 9 series.

  1. 1

    Open Settings and tap Network and Internet

    Open the Settings app on your Pixel. Tap Network & internet near the top. On Pixel phones running Android 12 or earlier, this may appear as Connections.

  2. 2

    Tap SIMs

    Tap SIMs in the Network & internet menu. This screen lists all physical SIM cards and eSIM profiles on your device. Inactive profiles show a toggle in the off position.

  3. 3

    Select the eSIM and tap Delete

    Tap the eSIM profile name. On the profile screen, tap the trash icon or Delete option in the top-right corner. Confirm when prompted. The profile is removed immediately.

After Deletion

What happens when you delete an eSIM.

Deleting an eSIM profile removes it from your device's hardware. Your phone no longer connects to the network associated with that plan. However, three things remain unchanged on the provider's side:

Your plan is not cancelled

The subscription or prepaid plan remains active on the provider's servers. You are not refunded and you are not charged again.

Your data balance is not lost

Any remaining data in your plan stays on the provider's system. It is not erased when you delete the device profile.

Your expiry date is not reset

The plan's expiry date continues counting down from when you first activated the eSIM. Deleting the profile does not pause or extend the expiry.

Reinstalling After Deletion

Can you reinstall an eSIM after deleting it?

Whether you can reinstall an eSIM after deleting it depends on your provider's policy. Most major providers allow at least one re-download. Check before you delete, especially if you have data remaining on the plan.

Airalo

Yes

Open the Airalo app, go to My eSIMs, select your plan, and tap Re-install. Most plans support one re-download. Plans with 'one-time install' restrictions are flagged in the app.

Holafly

Yes, via support

Holafly does not offer self-service re-downloads. Contact support via live chat or email to request a new QR code. Typical response time is under 2 hours during business hours.

Saily

Yes

Open the Saily app, go to My Plans, select your plan, and tap Install eSIM. Re-download is available directly from the app with no support contact needed.

Nomad

Yes

Log into your Nomad account on the app or website. Go to Orders, select the plan, and click Install Again. The new QR code is available immediately.

Storage Management

When to delete vs keep a profile.

Most modern phones can store 8 or more eSIM profiles at the same time, though only one or two can be active simultaneously. iPhone 15 and later support up to 8 active eSIMs. Older phones, and some Android models, may cap stored profiles at 5 or fewer.

Keeping expired eSIM profiles is useful if you return to the same destination frequently and your provider allows plan top-ups on the same profile. You save the re-download step and the plan is ready to activate when you land.

Delete a profile when you need space for a new eSIM install, when you are selling or trading your phone, when you want a clean settings screen, or when a provider explicitly instructs you to delete before issuing a replacement. Never delete an active plan mid-trip unless you have confirmed you can reinstall it.

Quick decision guide

KeepPlan is still active or you return to the destination regularly.
DeletePlan is expired, you need space, or you are handing off the phone.
Check firstPlan has data remaining but you want to switch phones. Confirm re-download availability before deleting.

If you are transferring to a new phone rather than just freeing storage, read our eSIM transfer guide before deleting anything.

FAQ

eSIM deletion questions.

Does deleting an eSIM cancel my plan?

No. Deleting the eSIM profile removes it from your device but does not cancel the plan on the provider's side. Your data balance and expiry date remain on the provider's servers. You can reinstall the eSIM later if the provider allows re-downloads.

Can I reinstall an eSIM after deleting it?

It depends on the provider. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad all allow re-downloads from their apps or websites. Holafly requires you to contact support to get a new QR code. Check your provider's policy before deleting.

How many eSIM profiles can I store on my phone?

Most modern phones support 8 or more stored eSIM profiles, though only one or two can be active at the same time. iPhone 15 and later support up to 8 active eSIMs simultaneously. Older phones may be limited to 2 active profiles.

Will deleting an eSIM affect my physical SIM?

No. Your physical SIM and eSIM profiles are completely separate. Deleting an eSIM profile does not affect your primary SIM card, your phone number, or any other eSIM profiles stored on the device.

What happens if I delete an eSIM that is still active abroad?

The profile is removed from your device and your data connection stops immediately. Your data balance remains on the provider's servers. If your provider supports re-downloads, you can reinstall the eSIM to restore the connection.

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