The new features in Apple’s iPhone 14 lineup include upgraded cameras, satellite connectivity, and, on the Pro models, an always-on display with what Apple is referring to as the Dynamic Island.

But another feature on the four new phones will alter how you port your phone number to the iPhone 14. Apple has made a total commitment to using an eSIM in place of a small plastic SIM card. The iPhone 14 doesn’t even have a SIM card tray.

If you upgrade to the new iPhone 14, the procedure for changing your SIM card to an eSIM may differ, but it’s usually simple and easy. This article defines an eSIM and then walks you through setting it up in the following sections. 

What is an eSIM? 

It functions as a handshake between wireless carriers and phone manufacturers, letting them know which phone you are using and your phone’s carrier and phone number.

The digital equivalent of the little plastic SIM cards, or eSIMs, can be programmed and reprogrammed as often as necessary. The iPhone 14 can store up to 8 eSIM cards, which is helpful if you travel a lot or have several business lines. eSIM stands for “embedded subscriber identity module.” 

How to set up eSIM in your new iPhone 14 models? 

Making the switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM is easy with the iPhone 14’s setup procedure. Your carrier and phone number are associated with your iPhone at the time of purchase. The eSIM Carrier Activation process should be ready to start when you receive your iPhone 14.

If that applies to you, a screen will ask you to confirm that you want to activate your phone number on your iPhone. Apple will handle the rest of the process from there. The procedure might take about a minute to finish, but your experience may differ based on how busy Apple’s and your carrier’s servers are.

You can still transfer your number and eSIM to the iPhone 14 even if you skipped over that step during the setup process. Open the Settings app, select Cellular > Set Up Cellular, and proceed as directed.

What to do if you are switching from an Android phone?

Depending on your carrier and whether or not your number was assigned an eSIM when you ordered your phone, the procedure for switching from an Android phone with a physical or eSIM to an iPhone 14 and eSIM may differ.

You’ll need to contact your carrier’s customer service division to get a QR code if you need help or aren’t asked to transfer your number to your phone during the initial setup process. Then, to add your eSIM, you’ll use your iPhone to scan that QR code.

How to move contacts from an Android device to an iPhone

Apple’s own “Move to iOS” app is the first approach. The first-party app is available on Google’s Play store for free download, allowing you to transfer contacts, photos, videos, and more.

You must be in the iOS Setup Assistant, which is the start-up page that appears when you first turn on a new iPhone, for the service to function:

1. After installing “Move to iOS,” agree to the terms of use and grant the app permission to access your Android phone’s location.
2. After that, you’ll be prompted to locate your code. Select Continue. Follow the Setup Assistant on your iPhone until you see Move Data from Android.
3. On Android, enter the iPhone’s six- or ten-digit code. A screen called Transfer Data with a list of things you can copy to your iPhone will appear. Are you simply moving your contacts? Tick the corresponding bullet. Check off every box if you want to move your files and data.
4. Don’t touch your iPhone or Android while the transfer is processing. Depending on how much you switch between phones, it might take up to 30 minutes.

Transfer contacts via SIM or eSIM 

You can still import any saved contacts directly from the phone’s settings, regardless of whether your new iPhone processes mobile data using a SIM card or an eSIM.

1. Verify that every contact on your Android device has been exported to the SIM card and has been backed up. Open the Contacts app, tap the menu (three-striped) icon, select Manage contacts, import or export contacts, and finally select Export to accomplish this.
2. After that is finished, insert your SIM card into the new iPhone.
3. Scroll down to Contacts > Import SIM Contacts in your iPhone’s settings. It should take a few minutes to complete the transfer.

Transfer contacts via Google account 

Last but not least, you can move contacts online using Gmail. This method needs a Google account and an internet connection but does not involve switching SIM cards.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device, locate the Google tab, tap backup, and ensure that Contacts is enabled for syncing. Expanding Google Account data in the backup details list will allow you to verify.
2. Switch to your iPhone after the backup sync is finished. Select Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account, then enter your Gmail login information. Your Google account’s contacts should automatically start syncing with your iPhone and being imported.

Final Thoughts 

The iPhone 14 models have updates such as upgraded cameras, satellite connectivity, Dynamic Island, and eSIM. For users who alter from iOS to iOS, it might take them easy to set up eSIM in their new iPhone 14. However, if you are a new user of iOS, look at the guideline provided in this article to ensure you transfer your contacts and set up SIM or eSIM if applicable.