How to Keep Your eSIM When Resetting Your Phone

Will a factory reset delete your eSIM? It depends on your device and the option you choose. On iPhone, select Keep eSIM and Erase Data to retain the profile on the same phone. On Android, choose the option that keeps downloaded SIMs and review the confirmation screen carefully.

If you have already reset, check whether the eSIM is still listed before trying to install it again. A saved QR code is not an eSIM backup, and deleting a profile can require provider help to recover service.

What Happens in a Factory Reset: Data Wipe

A factory reset removes personal content from your phone, including downloaded apps, locally stored photos, messages, and saved settings. A completed phone backup can restore supported content afterward; files already synced to your cloud account are separate from the copy on the phone.

• Back up your photos, contacts, messages, and app data before starting.
• Check that you can sign in to your Apple or Google account after the reset. Keep access to verification codes or an alternative sign-in method.
• On Android devices with an SD card, check the manufacturer’s instructions. Formatting the card is a separate action; encrypted cards can need extra preparation.

A normal reset through Settings does not downgrade your operating system. Google confirms that its standard Pixel reset keeps the installed software version. A computer restore or software repair is a different process. Your choice to keep or erase downloaded SIMs determines what happens to the eSIM profile, rather than whether your photos have been backed up.

Factory Reset and eSIM

A factory reset does not always delete an eSIM. On iPhone, the reset prompt lets you keep or remove it. On Android, behavior and labels depend on the manufacturer, software, carrier, and reset method. Read the actual confirmation screen instead of relying on an assumed default.

It helps to separate two things:

• eSIM hardware: the component built into your phone. Resetting software does not remove that hardware.
• eSIM profile: the downloaded credentials that let the phone use a particular cellular plan. These can be erased.

Think of the hardware as a mailbox and the profile as its assigned identity: removing the profile leaves the hardware available for another installation. However, a saved QR code is not a copy of the installed profile and may not be reusable. Keeping an existing profile on this phone is different from transferring service to another phone.

Factory Reset eSIM Behavior: iPhone vs Android

Use this comparison for a reset started from the phone’s Settings app. It does not describe every recovery, remote erase, or repair workflow.

Sources: Apple’s factory reset instructions and Samsung’s reset instructions. A Samsung Community S24 Ultra discussion reports a keep/delete prompt, while an older Pixel Android 12 community answer describes an erase-SIM checkbox. Those community reports are examples, not guarantees for every current Android version.

What This Means for You:

• Keeping this phone: keep the installed eSIM, complete setup, and check the line and data settings afterward.
• Selling or giving it away: arrange any supported service transfer first, then remove your profiles before handover.
• Already reset: check whether your plan is still listed in cellular/SIM settings. Missing profile and “No Service” are different problems.

Do not delete a profile simply because the phone has no signal. If it is present, use the connection checks below first. A retained profile does not guarantee coverage, an active data allowance, or an immediate network connection.

iPhone Factory Reset

To reset your iPhone while retaining its eSIM, first finish your backup and make sure you know the device passcode and Apple Account credentials.

1. Open Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Choose Erase All Content and Settings and review the items being removed.
3. Continue through the prompts and select Keep eSIM and Erase Data.
4. Finish the reset, set up the phone, and check the retained line under Settings → Cellular (called Mobile Data or Mobile Service in some regions).

Keep eSIM preserves the profile on this same iPhone; it does not move it to another device. Delete eSIM and Erase Data removes the profile too. Follow Apple’s factory reset instructions if the screen differs. If your goal is only to fix connectivity, consider the network reset described in the FAQ before a full data wipe.

Older iPhone reset-menu illustration: “Reset All Settings” shown here is different from “Erase All Content and Settings.” Use the steps above for a factory reset.

Android Factory Reset

Android reset screens are not identical. Use the steps for your manufacturer and read every eSIM option before the final confirmation. A standard Settings reset removes user data and resets preferences; it is not a universal procedure for reinstalling the operating system.

Before proceeding, finish your backup, have Wi-Fi available, and check that you can sign in to the Google or Samsung account used on the phone. If there is no clear option to preserve your eSIM, pause and confirm what that reset method does for your exact device.

Samsung Galaxy

On a Galaxy phone, the usual path is Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset. Review the information and follow the on-screen confirmation steps. Where an eSIM prompt is shown, choose to keep the profiles; if an erase-eSIM checkbox appears, leave it off.

Do not assume every Galaxy uses the same checkbox or keeps eSIMs by default. Samsung’s reset instructions explicitly notes that available screens vary by carrier, software version, and model. The S24 Ultra community example above also shows that the eSIM prompt may appear later than the first reset screen.

After setup, check Settings → Connections → SIM manager. If the travel profile is still listed, enable it and select the intended data line before trying to install anything again.

Illustration: menu names and available choices can vary by device and software version.

Google Pixel

On a Pixel, open Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset). If your reset screen includes Erase downloaded SIMs, leave it unchecked to retain the profiles. Verify the choice before you confirm.

Follow Google’s Pixel reset instructions for preparation and setup. Google recommends backing up first, charging to at least 70%, and having an internet connection available for sign-in afterward. A normal reset keeps the current software version; Google’s Update and Software Repair tool is a separate route.

Afterward, check Settings → Network & internet → SIMs. A listed but disconnected plan should be checked for settings, validity, and coverage before you consider deletion or a new download.

Illustration: menu names and available choices can vary by device and software version.

Keep or Delete Your eSIM: Quick Decision

Choose based on who will use the phone afterward: keep the profile when you will continue using this phone and plan; remove your profiles before another person takes ownership. Switching phones requires a provider-supported transfer or replacement process, not just erasing the old installation.

For a temporary connection problem, Apple’s eSIM deletion guidance advises against erasing an eSIM unless the carrier directs you to. The scenarios below cover troubleshooting, resale, gifting, and changing devices.

When Should You Remove Your eSIM Profile?

Your reset choice should match the purpose of the reset. Keep a working profile when refreshing the same phone. For a new owner, remove your cellular profiles after you have arranged any service you still need elsewhere.

Scenario 1: Your Phone is Frozen or Malfunctioning

Situation: your phone crashes, apps freeze, or a persistent software issue needs a reset.

What to do: keep the eSIM if you will continue using this phone and the provider has not instructed you to remove it. Try the manufacturer’s less disruptive troubleshooting steps first. If the screen does not work and you need a different reset method, check that method’s eSIM behavior rather than assuming it matches Settings.

Once setup is complete, confirm the retained line is enabled and configured for data. Reconnection depends on the device, network, and plan; there is no universal two-to-five-minute guarantee.

Scenario 2: Selling Your Phone on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc.

Situation: you are selling or trading in the old phone.

What to do: arrange any supported move of your phone number or plan to the replacement device before erasing the old phone. Check that the service you need works there. Then remove your eSIM profiles as part of preparing the old phone for its new owner.

• Back up and transfer the personal information you want to keep.
• Follow the manufacturer’s resale checklist for signing out, account locks, and paired watches.
• Remove your physical SIM and any memory card before handover.

See Apple’s before-you-sell checklist. Keeping an active personal profile on a sold phone can give the buyer access to that line or data allowance. Deleting the profile does not itself cancel a subscription.

Scenario 3: Giving Your Old Phone to Family/Friend

Situation: you are giving an old phone to a relative or friend.

What to do: remove your own eSIM profiles before handover, even if the device stays within the family. The recipient can install their own plan. If you want to gift connectivity too, buy or arrange a plan intended for their device instead of assuming an already installed profile can change owners.

Ask the provider about any permitted account or plan transfer before removing something you still need. A data-only plan may have a remaining allowance, but that does not establish permission or technical support to transfer it to another user.

Scenario 4: Switching to a New Phone (Same User)

Situation: you have a new phone and want to keep your existing service.

1. Check the new phone’s compatibility and ask your provider which transfer or replacement process is supported.
2. Keep the old phone and profile available while completing that process. Do not delete first merely to “free” the QR code.
3. Verify service on the new device, then remove the obsolete profile and personal data before selling or giving away the old phone.

For compatible carriers, Apple offers Quick Transfer; activation on the new iPhone deactivates the previous SIM. See Apple’s eSIM setup and transfer guide. This does not establish that a BitJoy travel plan supports Quick Transfer. Contact support@thebitjoy.com with your order and both device models before changing an installed BitJoy plan.

What Happens When You Delete an eSIM Profile?

Deleting an eSIM profile removes that installation’s ability to connect using its plan. It does not remove the phone’s eSIM hardware, and it is separate from canceling service with the provider. Any ongoing subscription or plan expiry rules still need to be handled with the provider.

• A reset only removes the profile if the selected reset process includes eSIM deletion.
• If the profile was deleted, ask the provider whether the specific plan can be reinstalled or replaced. Some travel eSIMs have installation restrictions.
• Do not assume the original QR code can be reused or that deleting a profile restarts the validity period.

For BitJoy, send the order details to BitJoy support before buying another plan or repeatedly trying an already-used code. Support needs to confirm the options for your actual order.

How to Prepare Your eSIM Before a Factory Reset

You cannot make a normal file backup of an installed eSIM profile. Back up your phone’s content, and separately save the information needed to identify the plan. Those are two different preparations.

• Phone backup: verify that photos, contacts, messages, and supported app data are included in your Apple or Google backup.
• Plan details: keep the order confirmation, provider name, plan label, purchase email, and activation instructions accessible outside the phone being reset.
• QR code or install link: retain the original email securely, but treat it as installation information, not a guarantee of another download.
• Recovery access: make sure you can reach support and sign in to email over Wi-Fi after the reset.

A carrier app may offer an approved activation or transfer process; that is not the same as exporting the eSIM into iCloud or Google Drive. If changing devices, verify compatibility and transfer eligibility first. Do not rely on a phone backup to reverse a deleted travel profile.

How to Recover Your eSIM After a Factory Reset

Start by checking the SIM list. If the profile is still there, do not reinstall it: enable the line, select it for data, and review the plan’s connection settings. If it is missing, you need the provider’s approved recovery or replacement route.

Connect to Wi-Fi so you can access the order email and support. Keep a screenshot of the actual error if setup fails. Repeating a factory reset is unlikely to resolve a used activation code or a provider-side installation restriction.

Reinstallation

Reinstall only after the provider confirms that the profile or replacement can be downloaded. Then follow the activation email for your device:

1. Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network.
2. On iPhone, use Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM. On a Galaxy, use Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM; on a Pixel, start from Network & internet → SIMs. Labels can vary.
3. Use the approved QR code, direct install link, or manual details supplied by the provider.
4. Complete the on-screen prompts and label the plan so you can distinguish it from your home line.

Manual entry solves a scanning problem; it does not bypass a one-time code or an unsupported reinstall. If the plan is already listed, return to the connection checks instead of adding it again.

Activation

Installation and usable service are different. Once the profile is present, check that the line is enabled, the plan has an available allowance, and your destination is covered. Use the APN and roaming instructions provided with that plan.

Select the travel eSIM for mobile data. Enable data roaming on that line only if its instructions require it; some BitJoy regional plans do not require roaming. Review the home SIM separately. For a data-only eSIM, test web access with Wi-Fi off rather than expecting ordinary calls or SMS.

What to Do if You Lose Your eSIM During a Reset

If the profile is missing, contact the provider with your order number, purchase email, phone model, software version, and what happened during the reset. Ask whether the installation can be recovered and what code or replacement process is approved.

For BitJoy, use support@thebitjoy.com or the BitJoy Help Center. Do not assume a replacement is available, free, or delivered within a fixed time. The answer depends on the plan and installation state. Keep other active eSIMs installed while support investigates the missing one.

Illustration: menu names and available choices can vary by device and software version.

Troubleshooting: Common eSIM Issues After Factory Reset

Match the fix to the symptom. A retained profile with no signal, a missing profile, and a rejected QR code have different causes. Check the installed SIM list before taking any action that removes a plan.

Problem 1: eSIM Won't Reconnect After Reset (Kept eSIM Option)

Symptoms: you kept the eSIM, but the phone now shows No Service or cannot use data.

1. Check that the profile is still listed in cellular/SIM settings. If it is missing, use Problem 6 below.
2. Enable the line and choose the correct SIM for mobile data. Check airplane mode and restart the phone.
3. Check destination coverage, allowance, validity, and the provider’s APN or roaming requirements.
4. If the profile is present and settings are correct, ask the carrier about network or activation problems. A network reset may be an appropriate later step; read its confirmation screen first.

Do not delete a retained eSIM just to try scanning its original code again. For more connection checks, see eSIM shows No Service.

Problem 2: "Cellular Plan Cannot Be Added" Error

Symptoms: the phone recognizes the code but rejects the cellular plan.

• Check whether the intended profile is already installed. An existing installation does not need another download.
• Confirm that the phone supports eSIM and is unlocked for the provider you are using.
• Check internet access and available software updates. Record the exact error.
• Ask the provider whether the activation code has been used, expired, or restricted to a particular device.

There is no reliable rule that a “ghost” profile will clear after 15–20 minutes. Manual details can help when a camera cannot scan, but they cannot override an invalid or already-used activation credential. BitJoy support can assess your order; include the error and device model.

Problem 3: QR Code Won't Scan

Symptoms: the camera cannot read the code, or setup reports that it is invalid.

1. Use the original, clearly displayed QR code. Show it on another screen or print it if needed; reduce glare and keep the camera lens clean.
2. On supported iPhones, a QR code in an email or browser may offer Add eSIM when you press and hold it. Follow the provider’s installation instructions for your software version.
3. If scanning fails, ask whether a direct link or manual setup details are available.
4. If setup recognizes the code but says it is invalid or already used, contact the provider instead of repeatedly scanning.

A screenshot may preserve a readable code, but it does not make it reusable. There is no universal 30–90-day QR expiry rule. For the current iPhone setup methods, see Apple’s eSIM setup and transfer guide.

Problem 4: Lost QR Code After Reset

Symptoms: you cannot find the activation email or saved QR code after resetting.

1. Sign in to your email on another device or over Wi-Fi. Search for BitJoy, eSIM, and the order number; check spam and archived mail.
2. Check any secure location where you deliberately saved the instructions. A reset of the phone does not necessarily delete mail stored by your email provider.
3. If you still cannot find the order, contact BitJoy using the purchase email and whatever order details you have. Ask which installation or replacement options apply.

Finding an old email is not proof that its QR code can be used again. You do not need to publish or send payment card details in an initial support request. Start with the order number, purchase email, and phone information.

Problem 5: eSIM Shows "Expired" or "No Service" After Reinstall

Symptoms: the profile is installed but has no service or no usable data.

• Validity: check the activation trigger and expiry shown in your plan instructions. Do not calculate every plan’s expiry from the purchase date. Reinstalling does not reset a used plan’s clock.
• Coverage: check your specific country or regional plan and its supported networks, not a sitewide country count.
• Data line: make sure the travel eSIM is selected for mobile data and enabled.
• Roaming/APN: follow the plan-specific instructions. Enable roaming only on the intended travel line when required.
• Network: check airplane mode, restart, and ask support if a local network or provisioning issue remains.

You can review BitJoy eSIM plans for plan details, but use your existing order to check its exact terms. Do not buy a replacement until you know whether the current plan is missing, expired, exhausted, or simply disconnected.

Problem 6: Accidentally Deleted eSIM, Want It Back ASAP

Symptoms: you chose eSIM deletion and now need mobile access.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi or a trusted hotspot.
2. Find the order email and contact BitJoy support. State your departure time if the issue is urgent.
3. Provide the order number, purchase email, device model, and the action that removed the profile.
4. Follow the approved recovery instructions if a replacement or reinstall is available. Test service where the plan has coverage.

Do not depend on a guaranteed urgent response or a free replacement. If traveling immediately, arrange an alternative connection while support checks your case. For future resets, keep the profile when staying on the same phone and store the order details somewhere you can reach after a wipe.

Problem 7: Factory Reset Keeps Failing or Freezing

A frozen reset or boot screen needs device troubleshooting; it is not evidence that the eSIM is faulty. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact model rather than a generic Android button combination.

• iPhone: consult Apple’s computer restore guide. It describes Finder on Mac and the Apple Devices app on Windows; Apple notes that a computer restore does not delete the eSIM. This differs from choosing eSIM deletion in Settings.
• Pixel: use Google’s Pixel reset instructions for reset, Fastboot, and repair options. Review what each method erases before proceeding.
• Galaxy: use Samsung’s reset instructions or contact Samsung if setup or reset cannot complete.

A computer restore can reinstall software and erase personal content, so it requires a backup and account access. If the device remains unresponsive, contact the manufacturer or a service center instead of repeatedly wiping it.

Still Having Issues?

Contact support@thebitjoy.com or use the BitJoy Help Center for a BitJoy plan issue. Include:

• Order number or the email used for purchase.
• Exact device model and iOS/Android version.
• Whether the profile is still visible in the SIM list.
• The exact error or a screenshot, and the steps already tried.

For a different provider, use that provider’s official support channel. A support request can identify the correct recovery route; it should not be treated as a promise of a fixed response time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Will factory reset delete my theBitJoy eSIM?

Not necessarily. Keeping the eSIM during a supported Settings reset retains its installation on that phone. Choosing deletion removes it. Read your device’s actual prompt, especially on Android, and do not assume that a different reset or repair method behaves identically.

Q2: Can I backup my eSIM profile like a file?

No. Saving the order email or QR code is useful preparation, but it is not a file backup of the installed profile. A supported carrier transfer, such as eSIM Quick Transfer on iPhone, is a separate process and can use nearby devices with Bluetooth. That does not mean you can export a profile with AirDrop or restore a deleted travel eSIM from an ordinary phone backup.

Q3: How long does eSIM reactivation take after factory reset?

There is no single recovery time. A retained profile may reconnect after setup once the line, plan, and network are ready. A deleted profile can require provider approval and replacement installation. Leave time before departure, and avoid relying on a promised two-to-five-minute reconnection or a fixed support turnaround.

Q4: I factory reset and chose "Delete eSIMs" by accident. Can I get it back?

Possibly, but support needs to confirm the options for your plan. Connect to Wi-Fi and send the order details to BitJoy. Deleting the installation does not pause the plan’s validity clock or guarantee that the old QR code remains usable. Do not assume remaining days or data can always be transferred to a replacement profile.

Q5: Do I need to remove eSIM before selling my phone?

Yes, remove your personal profiles before the buyer takes the phone. First arrange any supported service transfer you still need, verify it on the new device, and follow the manufacturer’s resale checklist. Erasing a profile on the old device is separate from canceling a cellular subscription.

Q6: Can I transfer my theBitJoy eSIM to a new phone?

Check with BitJoy before deleting the old installation. Transfer eligibility depends on the specific plan; a phone supporting Apple Quick Transfer or an Android transfer feature does not establish that the travel provider supports it. Provide your order and both device models, then follow the approved sequence.

Q7: Will "Reset Network Settings" delete my eSIM?

On iPhone, Reset Network Settings is separate from Delete All eSIMs and retains the installed profiles. It removes network settings such as saved Wi-Fi networks and some VPN settings; roaming may need to be checked again. See Apple’s reset settings guide.

On Android, reset options and labels vary. Newer Galaxy devices can separate mobile network reset from Wi-Fi/Bluetooth reset. Read the confirmation screen and leave any option to erase downloaded SIMs off. Do not treat every Android network reset as clearing the same settings.

Q8: My eSIM worked before factory reset, but now shows "No Service." What happened?

Check whether the profile is present first. If it is, check that the line is enabled, selected for mobile data, covered by the plan, and configured according to its APN and roaming instructions. A reset may have changed those settings. If the profile is missing, ask support about recovery. No Service alone does not identify deletion as the cause.

Q9: Does theBitJoy charge for reissuing QR codes after factory reset?

Ask BitJoy to confirm the options and any fee for your order. Do not assume that every deleted or transferred profile qualifies for a free new QR code. For refunds, the current refund policy explains the applicable guarantee, standard eligibility, and exceptions. The Help Center currently advertises a five-day program for eSIM purchases from August 18 through December 31, 2026; check the current terms for your purchase.

Q10: I'm traveling tomorrow and just did a factory reset. Will my eSIM work?

If you kept the profile, confirm it is listed, enabled, and selected for travel data. A destination-only plan may not connect until you reach a covered country. Follow its activation instructions rather than triggering the validity period just to test it early.

If you deleted it, contact support over Wi-Fi now and arrange an alternative connection if recovery cannot be completed before travel. For future trips, avoid a last-minute reset, keep access to your order email, and confirm the plan’s validity and coverage in advance.

Reset with Confidence

For the same phone, keeping the installed eSIM is usually the simplest way to avoid an unnecessary reinstall. For a new owner, remove your profiles after arranging the service you still need. For a missing profile, let the provider confirm recovery rather than assuming that a saved code or cloud backup can restore it.

Need help with your current BitJoy order? Start with BitJoy support. If you need a new trip plan, compare BitJoy eSIM data plans after confirming your device compatibility and destination.

Related guides

• SIM Card Not Working: Main Causes and Quick Fixes
• What happens if I delete the eSIM on iPhone or Android?
• How to Check and Manage Data Usage on iPhone