Switching to a new phone is exciting — until you realize your eSIM doesn’t automatically come with it. Unlike a physical SIM card that you can just pop out and slide into a new device, an eSIM is embedded in your phone. Moving it to a new device takes a few extra steps.
If you’re on Public Mobile in Canada and just got a new phone, this guide walks you through exactly how to transfer your eSIM. We’ll cover what eSIM transfer actually means, the step-by-step process for Public Mobile specifically, what to do if something goes wrong, and whether it makes more sense to just get a fresh eSIM instead of transferring.
new phone doesn’t mean you have to get a new mobile plan. If you’re a Public Mobile customer using an eSIM, you can transfer your service to a compatible new device in just a few steps. The process is straightforward, but it’s important to follow the correct order to avoid activation issues or temporary service interruptions.
How to Transfer eSIM to New Phone Public Mobile in 2026. In 2026, transferring a Public Mobile eSIM typically involves installing a new eSIM on your new phone through the Public Mobile app or your online account, then activating it on the new device. Before you begin, ensure your new phone supports eSIM technology, is unlocked, and is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
This guide explains how to transfer an eSIM to a new phone on Public Mobile in 2026, including the requirements, step-by-step instructions for both iPhone and Android, common troubleshooting tips, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you complete the transfer quickly and securely.
What Is an eSIM and Why Can’t You Just Move It Like a Physical SIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built directly into your phone’s hardware. It stores your carrier profile — your number, plan details, and network authentication — all digitally.
When you had a physical SIM, switching phones meant physically removing the card and inserting it. Simple. With eSIM, the card doesn’t move — only the digital profile does. That profile has to be deactivated on your old phone and reactivated on your new one through your carrier’s system.
Public Mobile, like most Canadian carriers, manages this through their self-serve portal and customer support. The process isn’t complicated, but it does require a few specific steps in the right order.
Before You Start: Things to Check First
Rushing into an eSIM transfer without preparation can leave you temporarily without service. Run through this checklist first.
1. Make sure your new phone supports eSIM Most flagship phones from 2020 onwards support eSIM. Check your new phone’s specs to confirm. In 2026, virtually all iPhones (iPhone 14 and newer are eSIM-only in some markets), Samsung Galaxy S and A series, Google Pixel 6 and above, and many mid-range Android devices support eSIM.
2. Confirm your new phone is unlocked or locked to Public Mobile. Public Mobile uses the Telus network. If your new phone is locked to a different carrier, it won’t work with a Public Mobile eSIM. Most phones sold directly by manufacturers (Apple, Google) are unlocked. Phones bought through other carriers may need to be unlocked first.
3. Back up your old phone before you start.t This is just good practice any time you switch devices. Back up to iCloud, Google One, or your computer.
4. Keep your old phone nearby and charged. ed You may need to confirm the transfer on your old phone or use it to access the Public Mobile self-serve portal during the process.
5. Have your Public Mobile account credentials ready. You’ll need your Public Mobile login email and password, or your account PIN. If you’ve forgotten these, reset them before starting — it’ll save frustration mid-process.
How Public Mobile Handles eSIM Transfers in 2026
Public Mobile is a budget-friendly Canadian carrier that operates entirely online — no physical stores. That means all eSIM management, including transfers, happens through their self-serve portal or customer support chat (called Simon, their support bot, and their community forums).
Public Mobile uses QR code-based eSIM provisioning. When you first activated your eSIM, you scanned a QR code to download the profile onto your phone. Transferring to a new device means getting a new QR code for your new phone.
Here’s the key thing to understand: you cannot scan the same QR code twice on two different devices. Once an eSIM profile is activated on a device, that QR code is spent. For a new phone, you need a new QR code from Public Mobile.
Step-by-Step: How to Transfer eSIM to New Phone Public Mobile
Step 1: Log Into Your Public Mobile Self-Serve Account
Go to selfserve.publicmobile.ca on a browser (use your computer or another phone — not the phone you’re transferring from or to, since you’ll need both during the process).
Sign in with your email and password. If you’ve forgotten your password, use the “Forgot Password” link and reset it through your email.
Step 2: Navigate to Your SIM/eSIM Settings
Once logged in, go to your account dashboard. Look for the section related to your plan or SIM details. In 2026, Public Mobile’s portal has a “SIM Management” or “Change SIM” option under account settings.
Click on that option.
Step 3: Select “Change SIM” or “Switch to eSIM”
You’ll see options related to your current SIM. Select the option to change your SIM or switch to eSIM. The portal will ask you whether you’re switching to a physical SIM or an eSIM on your new device.
Select eSIM.
Step 4: Confirm Your Identity
Public Mobile will ask you to verify your identity before making changes. This usually involves confirming your account PIN or a one-time code sent to your email or a backup number.
Complete the verification step.
Step 5: Request a New eSIM QR Code
After verification, the system generates a new eSIM QR code for your account. This QR code is tied to your existing number and plan — nothing changes about your plan, only which device it’s activated on.
Important: The old eSIM on your previous phone will be deactivated as part of this process. Make sure you’re ready to make the switch before confirming.
Write down or screenshot the QR code on a separate device — you’ll need to scan it with your new phone.
Step 6: Prepare Your New Phone
On your new phone, go to Settings.
- iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data (or Cellular) → Add eSIM → Use QR Code
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add eSIM → Scan QR Code
- Google Pixel: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM → Scan QR Code
Follow the on-screen prompts until you reach the QR code scanner.
Step 7: Scan the QR Code
Point your new phone’s camera at the QR code shown on your computer screen or printed/screenshotted on another device.
Your new phone will download the Public Mobile eSIM profile. This takes 30 seconds to a couple of minutes depending on your Wi-Fi connection.
Step 8: Activate and Confirm
Once the profile downloads, your new phone will prompt you to activate it. Confirm the activation.
Wait 5–10 minutes. Public Mobile’s network needs a moment to fully switch your number to the new device.
Step 9: Test Your Service
Make a test call. Send a text. Check your mobile data. If everything works, you’re done. Your old phone’s eSIM is now deactivated, and your number is fully running on your new device.
What If the Self-Serve Portal Doesn’t Work?
Public Mobile’s portal is generally reliable, but users occasionally run into issues — especially right after a new phone launch when traffic spikes. Here are your backup options:
Contact Public Mobile Support (Simon Bot + Community): Public Mobile doesn’t have phone support. Instead, they use a chatbot called Simon on their website, plus a community forum where moderators respond within a few hours. Go to productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca and post your issue or search for existing solutions.
Submit a Support Ticket:t Through the self-serve portal, you can submit a ticket. A Public Mobile moderator (PM_Moderator) typically responds within 24–48 hours. Not fast, but it works.
Visit a Telus Store: re Since Public Mobile runs on the Telus network, some Telus retail locations can help with SIM-related issues, though they may refer you back to Public Mobile’s online support. Worth trying if you’re stuck.
Alternative: Get a Fresh eSIM Instead of Transferring
In some cases, it’s actually easier to get a new eSIM activation rather than transferring an existing one — especially if:
- You’re switching phone numbers at the same time
- Your old phone is lost or damaged (can’t deactivate the old eSIM cleanly)
- You’re changing plans
If your old phone is broken or inaccessible, Public Mobile support can deactivate the old eSIM remotely before issuing a new QR code. Contact them through the community forum and explain the situation.
eSIM Transfer vs. Physical SIM: Key Differences on Public Mobile
| Physical SIM | eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer method | Remove card, insert in new phone | New QR code from Public Mobile |
| Time to transfer | Under 5 minutes | 15–30 minutes |
| Portal needed? | No | Yes |
| Risk of error | Very low | Low if steps followed |
| Works if old phone broken | Yes | Needs remote deactivation |
| Multiple profiles on one device | No | Yes (some phones) |
| Lost SIM risk | Higher | Lower (digital) |
Practical Example: iPhone 15 to iPhone 16 Transfer on Public Mobile
Here’s a real-world scenario to make this concrete.
Situation: You’re upgrading from an iPhone 15 (which had an active Public Mobile eSIM) to a new iPhone 16.
Step 1: You log into selfserve.publicmobile.ca on your laptop.
Step 2: Under SIM Management, you click “Change SIM” and select eSIM.
Step 3: You verify your identity with your account PIN.
Step 4: The portal generates a new QR code. Your iPhone 15’s eSIM is now deactivated (it will show “No Service”).
Step 5: On your new iPhone 16, you go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code.
Step 6: You hold your iPhone 16 up to your laptop screen and scan the QR code.
Step 7: The eSIM downloads in about 45 seconds. You follow the prompts to activate it.
Step 8: After about 5 minutes, you make a test call to a friend. It works. Your number is now fully on the iPhone 16.
Total time: about 20 minutes, including waiting for the network to update.
Pros and Cons of eSIM on Public Mobile
✅ Pros
- No physical SIM card to lose or damage
- Transfer can be done entirely online — no store visit needed
- Your number and plan carry over exactly as-is
- eSIM profiles are tied to your account, so recovery is possible if your phone is lost
- Supports dual SIM on compatible devices (use Public Mobile eSIM + another carrier’s physical SIM)
- Faster than waiting for a SIM card to be mailed
❌ Cons
- Public Mobile has no phone support — everything goes through the online portal or community forum.
- If the portal has issues, you’re stuck waiting for moderator help (24–48 hours)
- Transfer deactivates old eSIM immediately — there’s a brief window where you have no service.e
- Same QR code can’t be reused — one mistake means starting over with a new request.
- Not all budget phones support eSIM (important for Public Mobile’s prepaid customer base)
- International travel with eSIM requires checking roaming compatibility separately.y
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Problem: QR code shows “already used” err. This means the code was already scanned or there was a partial activation. Go back to the portal and request a new QR code. The old one is no longer valid.
Problem: eSIM downloaded but shows “No Service.” Wait up to 15 minutes. If it still shows no service, restart your new phone. If still no service, contact Public Mobile support — the profile may need to be re-pushed on their end.
Problem: Portal won’t let you change SIM. Some accounts have a temporary lock after a recent SIM change (fraud prevention). Public Mobile typically locks SIM changes for 7 days after the last change. If this is the case, you’ll need to contact support to override it.
Problem: New phone not recognising eSIM. Make sure your phone is unlocked. Go to Settings and confirm eSIM is supported (some budget Android phones marketed as eSIM-compatible have limited carrier support). Restart the phone and try again.
Problem: Old phone still showing active service. This can happen if the portal didn’t fully deactivate the old profile. Contact Public Mobile support — running two active eSIMs on different devices on the same number causes call and data routing issues.
FAQs: eSIM Transfer on Public Mobile
Q: Can I transfer my Public Mobile eSIM without contacting support?
Yes, in most cases. The self-serve portal at selfserve.publicmobile.ca lets you change your eSIM yourself. You only need to contact support if the portal throws an error or if your old phone is inaccessible.
Q: Will I lose my phone number when transferring my eSIM?
No. Your phone number stays the same. eSIM transfer only moves the profile to a new device — it doesn’t change your number, plan, or billing.
Q: How long does the eSIM transfer take on Public Mobile?
The technical process takes 15–30 minutes. The actual network switch after scanning the QR code usually completes within 5–10 minutes. Occasionally it takes up to an hour during peak times.
Q: Can I transfer my eSIM to an Android phone if I was previously on an iPhone?
Yes, as long as your new Android phone supports eSIM and is unlocked (or locked to a compatible carrier). The process is the same — you request a new QR code from the portal and scan it on your Android device.
Q: What happens to my old phone after the eSIM transfer?
The eSIM profile on your old phone is deactivated. The phone still works on Wi-Fi, but it will show “No Service” for calls and mobile data. You can use it as a Wi-Fi-only device, sell it, or trade it in.
Q: Does Public Mobile charge a fee to transfer an eSIM?
As of 2026, Public Mobile does not charge a fee for eSIM transfers done through the self-serve portal. This is one advantage over some larger carriers that charge $10–$15 for SIM changes.
Q: Can I use my Public Mobile eSIM on two phones at once?
No. An eSIM profile can only be active on one device at a time. Activating it on a new phone deactivates it on the old one.
Q: My phone was stolen. Can someone transfer my eSIM without my permission?
Not easily. Public Mobile requires account verification (PIN or email confirmation) before any SIM change. If your phone is stolen, log into your account immediately and change your PIN. You can also contact Public Mobile support to lock your account.
Conclsion
Transferring your eSIM to a new phone on Public Mobile is a straightforward process once you know the steps. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that you need a new QR code for every device — the original activation code is a one-time-use key.
The self-serve portal handles most of this without needing to talk to anyone, which suits Public Mobile’s fully online model. Just work through the steps methodically, keep both phones nearby during the process, and give the network 10–15 minutes to fully update after scanning the QR code.
If something goes wrong, the Public Mobile community forum is genuinely helpful — moderators know the system well and respond within a day. It’s slower than calling a carrier, but the answers are usually accurate and specific to your situation.
Once your new phone is up and running, the eSIM experience on Public Mobile is clean and reliable — no card to lose, easy to manage from your account, and one less physical thing to worry about next time you upgrade.