Recent discoveries in the Android 16 beta have unveiled exciting possibilities for Apple's upcoming iOS 19. It appears that iOS 19 may introduce a new feature allowing users to transfer their eSIM directly from an iPhone to an Android phone. This process could include a “Transfer to Android” option within the iPhone settings, potentially utilizing a QR code, session ID, and passcode for a manual transfer initiation.
Switching devices can often be a daunting task, particularly when moving from an iPhone to an Android phone. While transferring files and data between these platforms has seen significant improvements, the transfer of your eSIM has remained a cumbersome process. Typically, users need to contact their carrier to obtain a new QR code for activation on the new device. Fortunately, the anticipated release of iOS 19 could simplify this process considerably.
The latest findings come from an in-depth review of the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 update, where new strings were identified within Google’s SIM Manager app. This app, which facilitates the provisioning and transfer of eSIMs between Android devices, has been updated to suggest that iOS 19 will support the wireless transfer of an eSIM to Android phones.
According to the new strings, iOS 19 is expected to introduce a dedicated “Transfer to Android” page located under Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. This feature will likely include an ‘Other Options’ button, allowing users to manually initiate the wireless transfer of their eSIM to the new Android device. This process may mirror the current method of transferring eSIMs between Android devices.
Moreover, the new QR code-based transfer process is anticipated to serve as a backup to a more streamlined transfer method, potentially called Apple’s eSIM Quick Transfer. Users may need to enter a session ID and a passcode generated by the iPhone on their Android device to complete the transfer.
It’s important to note that if the two devices have trouble connecting wirelessly, it may be due to the iPhone not running iOS 19 or a later version. The strings indicate that users should check the following steps:
On your other device, navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Transfer to Android > Other Options. If the connection fails, verify that your other device is running iOS 19 or a later version.While it may seem unusual for a Google application within a Pixel’s Android beta build to reveal an upcoming feature in iOS 19, it's not as improbable as it seems. For Google to enhance its SIM Manager app, there must be collaboration or knowledge of Apple's development plans. With WWDC 2025 just around the corner, where Apple is expected to unveil iOS 19, the introduction of this feature seems imminent.
The ability to transfer an eSIM between Android devices and iPhones has been present for a while, making it only logical that this functionality extends across platforms. It’s likely that this feature was developed in response to carrier requests, aiming to reduce the necessity for users to contact them every time they switch devices.
In conclusion, the prospect of transferring an iPhone’s eSIM to an Android phone is an exciting development for users who frequently switch devices. While we eagerly await Apple’s official announcement at WWDC 2025, the clues hinting at this feature are promising. We also hope that a reciprocal feature for transferring eSIMs from Android to iPhone is on the horizon.
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