Posted on
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By
Clay Thomas
If you recently returned from a trip and your travel eSIM has expired, you may still see the old plan listed in your phone's cellular settings. It doesn't cause a problem if you leave it as is, but removing it can make it easier to set up a new one next time.
Before deleting one, make sure you are completely finished with the plan because when you remove an eSIM profile from your phone, you may not be able to reinstall it afterward.
Deleting your profile also does not necessarily cancel the underlying mobile subscription if you have an ongoing plan.
If you are using Journey Japan, remove the eSIM only after you are finished with it. Journey Japan eSIMs cannot currently be reinstalled or reissued after they have been deleted, so accidentally deleting an active plan would require purchasing a new eSIM.
Below, we'll show you how to delete an expired eSIM from an iPhone, Google Pixel, or Samsung Galaxy and what you should check before removing it.
Should You Delete an Expired eSIM?
If a travel eSIM has expired and you know you will not use that profile again, it is generally fine to remove it from your phone.
If you travel frequently and install different plans for different countries, your cellular settings can eventually fill up with names such as "Travel," "Japan," "Secondary," and old carrier profiles. Removing the ones you no longer need makes it easier to identify the correct line the next time you travel.
You may want to turn the eSIM off instead of deleting it if:
The plan is still active
You still have unused data
The provider allows you to top up or reuse the same eSIM
You may need the eSIM again
You are moving the line to a new phone and have not transferred it yet
Google Pixel, for example, allows you to temporarily turn off a SIM without erasing the profile. Apple also advises users not to erase an eSIM as a troubleshooting step unless their carrier tells them to.
If you are switching phones, transfer the eSIM first where your device and carrier support it. Google supports eSIM transfer on compatible Pixel devices and carriers, so delete the old profile after the transfer, not before.
How to Delete an eSIM
iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy devices all handle eSIM removal slightly differently.
Before continuing, check the plan name carefully. If you have several eSIMs installed, make sure you are deleting the expired travel eSIM rather than your primary phone line.
How to Delete an eSIM on iPhone
Apple's current process for removing an eSIM is straightforward.
Open Settings.
Tap Cellular.
If you only have one cellular plan, tap Delete eSIM.
If you have multiple plans, select the eSIM you want to remove.
Tap Delete Plan.
Confirm the deletion when prompted.
The expired profile should then disappear from your cellular settings.
If you have several plans installed, double-check the name before confirming. Deleting the wrong eSIM could leave you without cellular service on that line and may require contacting the provider to restore it.
Apple also notes that deleting an eSIM does not cancel the cellular plan itself. If you want to cancel a recurring mobile subscription, you still need to contact the carrier.
How to Delete an eSIM on Google Pixel
On current supported Pixel devices:
Open Settings.
Tap Network & internet.
Tap Mobile network.
Select the eSIM you want to delete.
Tap Erase eSIM.
Confirm when prompted.
Google also lets you temporarily disable a line from the same area by turning off Use this SIM, which is the safer choice if you may need the eSIM again.
Menu wording can vary slightly depending on the Pixel model and Android version, but the eSIM is managed under the phone's Network & internet settings.
How to Delete an eSIM on Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy devices manage eSIMs through SIM Manager.
Samsung's current instructions are:
Open Settings.
Tap Connections.
Tap SIM Manager.
Select the eSIM plan you want to remove.
Turn the plan off.
Tap Remove.
Confirm the removal.
The eSIM profile will then be removed from the phone.
As with an iPhone, removing a Samsung eSIM from your device does not terminate your contract or subscription with the network provider. Samsung recommends contacting your carrier separately if you also want to end the service.
What Happens After You Delete an eSIM?
Deleting an eSIM removes that mobile profile from your device.
Your phone can no longer use that profile to connect to the cellular network. If it was your only active line, you may be left with Wi-Fi only until you install another SIM or eSIM.
However, deleting an eSIM does not delete the rest of the content on your phone. Your:
Photos
Contacts
Apps
Messages
WhatsApp conversations
Files
Other SIM or eSIM profiles
remain on the device.
Your physical SIM is also unaffected. If you have another active eSIM or physical SIM installed, it can continue working normally.
Apple and Samsung both state that removing the eSIM does not automatically cancel the underlying cellular plan.
If your eSIM is attached to a monthly subscription, deleting it from your phone may stop that device from using the service while the account continues to be billed.
Can You Reinstall an eSIM After Deleting It?
Sometimes, but there is no universal rule.
Some providers allow an eSIM to be downloaded again, while others treat the profile or activation code as a one-time installation.
Because of that, you should not assume that saving the original QR code means you can simply scan it again later.
For Journey Japan specifically, the current policy states that an installed eSIM cannot be reinstalled or reissued after it has been removed. If a Journey Japan eSIM is accidentally deleted while you still need it, a new plan is required.
If you are using another provider and may need the plan again, check its reinstallation or top-up policy before tapping Delete.
What If You Deleted Your eSIM by Mistake?
If you accidentally delete an eSIM that is still active, avoid repeatedly scanning the old QR code or changing unrelated phone settings.
Start by checking:
The email you received when you purchased or activated the eSIM
Your provider's app or online account
Whether the provider allows the eSIM to be downloaded again
Whether a new activation code can be issued
If the provider supports reinstallation, follow its specific instructions rather than assuming the original setup process will work again.
If you deleted your regular carrier eSIM, contact your mobile carrier. Apple notes that an erased eSIM may require the carrier to issue or set up a new one.
For Journey Japan, do not attempt to reinstall the original activation code. Journey Japan currently states that deleted eSIMs cannot be reinstalled or reissued, so contact support if you accidentally remove an active plan.
If your eSIM is simply not connecting, troubleshoot the existing profile before deleting it. A problem with data roaming, cellular settings, network selection, or activation does not necessarily mean the eSIM itself needs to be removed.
Should You Delete an eSIM Before Selling or Giving Away Your Phone?
Yes, but make sure you transfer any mobile service you still need first.
If you are changing phones, complete the eSIM transfer or arrange a replacement with your carrier before deleting the profile from the old device.
If you are selling, trading in, or giving away an iPhone, Apple recommends removing the eSIM as part of preparing the device for its next owner. When erasing an iPhone that contains an eSIM, Apple gives you the choice to keep or delete the eSIM profile.
The same general principle applies to other devices: move anything you still need first, then remove cellular profiles before handing the phone to someone else.
Remove an Expired eSIM Once You're Finished With It
Once a travel eSIM has expired and you know you will not use it again, removing the old profile is a simple way to keep your cellular settings organized.
Make sure you're finished with the plan before deleting it. Reinstallation policies vary by provider, and removing an eSIM from your phone is not the same thing as cancelling an ongoing cellular subscription.
For Journey Japan customers, you cannot reinstall or reissue an eSIM after it has been deleted. Remove it only after your Japan plan has expired and you no longer need the connection.
