Can you reuse a travel eSIM? Deleting, keeping and moving it to a new iPhone

You can reuse a travel eSIM on a later trip as long as it's still within its validity period and has data left, or can be topped up before it expires. Validity counts down continuously once a plan starts, so a 30-day plan used for a week in March won't be around in June. What you can't do is delete an eSIM and reinstall it later: a profile can be downloaded once, so deleting it spends it. With Cabin Mode, the practical rule is to leave the eSIM installed until it has expired, then delete it.

Here's how that plays out in the situations people actually ask about.

Reusing an eSIM on your next trip

Whether an eSIM can be used again depends on three things:

Has the plan started? A plan that has never been activated doesn't expire on its own. If you bought a plan and didn't travel, it can still be used later, as long as the operator hasn't withdrawn the package in the meantime. If that happens before you activate, Cabin Mode refunds you.
Is it still within validity? Once started, validity counts down every day whether you're using it or not. A 30-day plan started on 1 March is finished on 31 March, used or not.
Is there data left? If validity remains but the data has run out, a top-up adds data to the same eSIM.

Some examples:

Situation	Reusable?
Bought, installed, trip cancelled, never connected at the destination	Yes, if the plan starts on first connection. Check the plan screen: a few plans start at install
30-day plan, one-week trip, back to the same country two weeks later	Yes, the remaining days and data are still there
30-day plan, used in March, next trip in June	No, it expired in March
180-day plan, used in January, next trip in April	Yes, if there's data left or you top up first
Plan for Japan, next trip to Italy	No, a country plan only works in its country
Regional Europe plan, next trip to another country on its coverage list	Yes, while it's valid

If you visit the same place often, a longer-validity plan can make sense. Some destinations have 90- or 180-day plans. In Cabin Mode, 50 GB for 180 days is $56.00 for Japan and $44.00 each for Italy, Spain or France (USD, checked 25 September 2026). Japan plans, Europe and country plans.

Why you shouldn't delete an eSIM you might need

An eSIM profile can generally be downloaded to a device once. This is how the eSIM standard works, not a policy of any one provider. Once installed:

The QR code or activation code won't work again.
If you delete the eSIM from Settings › Cellular, it can't be reinstalled from the same code.
The plan's remaining data and validity go with it.

So don't delete an eSIM:

To fix a connection problem. Almost every connection problem has a fix that doesn't involve deleting anything. Work through the troubleshooting checklist and contact support first.
To "free up space". Current iPhones hold eight or more eSIMs. A few old ones cost nothing.
Between trips, if it's still valid. Turn the line off instead (see below).

If an eSIM has been deleted by accident, contact support with the ICCID or order. Whether a replacement is possible depends on the operator, and it's not guaranteed.

Keeping an eSIM installed without using it

Between trips, you don't need to delete the travel eSIM. Two options:

Leave it on, but not as the data line. Set Settings › Cellular › Cellular Data back to your home line. The travel line sits idle at home.
Turn the line off. Settings › Cellular › travel line › Turn On This Line off. It stays installed but doesn't connect to anything. Turn it back on when you land next time.

Either way, if the plan has started, its validity keeps counting down. Turning the line off doesn't pause it.

Deleting an expired eSIM

Once a plan has expired, there's nothing left to lose. Tidy it up:

Go to Settings › Cellular (Mobile Data or Mobile Service in some regions).
Tap the expired travel line.
Scroll down and tap Delete eSIM (on some iOS versions, Remove Cellular Plan).
Confirm.

Before you do, check you've picked the right line. Deleting your home line's eSIM is a much bigger problem, and getting it back means contacting your carrier. Clear labels ("Home", "Travel – Japan") make this easy. Dual SIM on iPhone covers labelling.

Moving to a new iPhone

This is where travel eSIMs differ most from your home line.

Your home line can often move with eSIM Quick Transfer: during setup of the new iPhone, or later in Settings › Cellular › Add eSIM › Transfer From Nearby iPhone. It works for carriers that support it, with both iPhones nearby, unlocked and with Bluetooth on. Once the transfer completes, the eSIM stops working on the old iPhone.

Travel eSIMs generally don't transfer this way. Quick Transfer is built for carriers that support it, which usually means your home carrier, and data-only travel eSIMs are commonly not included. Don't count on it.

What to do instead:

Plan around it. If you're getting a new iPhone soon, buy your next travel eSIM for the new phone, not the old one.
Don't delete the travel eSIM from the old phone in the hope of reinstalling it on the new one. Because of the one-download rule, that usually just destroys it.
If you have an active plan with validity left, contact support before switching phones. Whether a profile can be reissued depends on the operator and isn't guaranteed.
When erasing the old iPhone, iOS asks whether to keep or delete eSIMs. If you're handing it on or trading it in, delete them. If you're keeping the phone, choose to keep them.

Erasing or resetting your iPhone

Reset Network Settings (Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Reset › Reset Network Settings) keeps your eSIMs. It forgets Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings.
Erase All Content and Settings asks whether to keep or delete your eSIMs. Read that prompt carefully. Deleting them is permanent.
Restoring from a backup doesn't include eSIMs. They live on the phone's eSIM chip, not in iCloud or computer backups.

Using the same eSIM on two phones

Not possible. A profile is downloaded to one device. To share data with another phone, tablet or laptop, use Personal Hotspot. See using a travel eSIM as a hotspot.

A tidy routine

Before a trip: install the new eSIM on Wi-Fi, label it with the destination.
During: leave everything alone unless you need a top-up.
After: switch the data line back to Home. Leave the travel eSIM installed while it's valid.
Once expired: delete it.

For the whole process from scratch, see how to install a travel eSIM on iPhone. New to all this? Start with what is an eSIM.

Frequently asked questions

Can I reuse a travel eSIM for another trip?

Yes, if the plan is still within its validity and has data left, or you top it up before it expires. Validity counts down continuously once the plan starts, so a short plan used months ago will have expired.

Can I reinstall an eSIM after deleting it?

Generally no. An eSIM profile can be downloaded once. After deleting it, the original QR code won't work. Contact support with your order; a replacement depends on the operator and isn't guaranteed.

Should I delete my travel eSIM after my trip?

Only once it's expired. While it still has validity and data, leave it installed and switch your data line back to your home line. Delete it when it's no longer usable.

Can I transfer a travel eSIM to a new iPhone?

Usually not with eSIM Quick Transfer, which is built for carriers that support it. Buy your next travel eSIM for the new phone, and contact support before switching if you have an active plan.

Does turning off an eSIM line pause the validity?

No. Once a plan has started, validity counts down whether the line is on, off or unused.

Does a travel eSIM expire if I never use it?

A plan that has never been activated doesn't expire on its own, though the operator can withdraw the package; in that case Cabin Mode refunds you. Once activated, it runs for its validity period.