Turning off an eSIM without deleting it is useful when you return home from a trip, want to save battery by disabling an unused line, or need to temporarily disable a line for troubleshooting. The profile remains stored on your phone's embedded chip and reactivates in seconds when you toggle it back on. This guide covers the process on every major platform.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Turn off eSIM on iPhone
Go to Settings > Cellular. Tap the eSIM line you want to disable. Toggle off 'Turn On This Line.' The line disappears from the status bar and stops connecting to any network.
Your phone no longer registers on that carrier. The profile stays installed and can be reactivated anytime by returning to this screen and toggling the line back on.
Tip: Turning off an eSIM line is different from deleting it. Toggling off preserves the profile. Deleting removes it permanently and requires a new QR code to reinstall.
- 2
Turn off eSIM on Samsung
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. Find the eSIM in the list of installed SIMs and toggle it off. Samsung may show a confirmation dialog.
Tap 'OK' to confirm. The eSIM stops all network activity and the carrier name disappears from the notification bar. Toggle it back on in the same menu when you want to use it again.
Tip: On Samsung, a turned-off eSIM still counts toward your stored profile limit. If you need the slot for a different eSIM, you will need to delete the old profile first.
- 3
Turn off eSIM on Pixel
Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. Tap the eSIM you want to disable. Toggle it off.
Pixel immediately disconnects from that carrier network. The profile remains in your SIM list in a disabled state. Toggle it on when you want to reconnect.
Tip: On Pixel, disabled eSIM profiles show a grayed-out carrier name in the SIM list, making them easy to distinguish from active profiles.
- 4
Confirm the eSIM is fully disabled
Check your status bar after toggling the line off. The carrier name for that eSIM disappears, and only your remaining active line or Wi-Fi shows a signal indicator. On iPhone, reopen Settings > Cellular and confirm the line reads 'Off' underneath its label.
On Samsung and Pixel, the disabled eSIM appears grayed out in the SIM list rather than showing a signal strength icon. A test call to the disabled number should fail to connect or route straight to voicemail, confirming the line is fully inactive.
Tip: Reactivating takes the same few taps: return to the same settings screen and toggle the line back on when you need it again.
Frequently asked questions
Does turning off an eSIM save battery?
Yes. Each active SIM line maintains a radio connection that consumes power. Turning off an unused eSIM line reduces battery drain by the amount that second radio connection uses, typically 3% to 8% over a full day. The savings are more noticeable in areas with weak signal where the radio works harder to maintain a connection.
Does my plan keep counting down when the eSIM is turned off?
It depends on the provider. Most travel eSIM plans count validity based on calendar days from first use, regardless of whether the eSIM is on or off. A 7-day plan activated on Monday expires the following Monday even if you turn the eSIM off for three of those days. Some providers count active usage days only. Check your provider's terms.
Can I receive calls when my eSIM is turned off?
No. A turned-off eSIM line does not register on any network. Incoming calls go directly to voicemail (if your carrier offers it) or the caller hears a 'not reachable' message. Text messages are queued by the network and delivered when you turn the eSIM back on, though some messages may be lost after 48 to 72 hours of the line being off.
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