How To Safely Remove Your eSIM Before Selling Your Phone
Factory resetting your phone does not always delete your eSIM! Here is how to keep your number and bank OTPs safe.
Does a factory reset delete your eSIM?
Not automatically! When resetting an iPhone or Android phone, the system asks whether you want to 'Keep' or 'Delete' your eSIM. If you choose 'Keep', your active phone number and OTPs will stay on the phone even after all photos and apps are deleted.
With millions of smartphone users now using digital eSIMs on iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, deleting your eSIM before selling is essential for protecting your banking accounts.
Back when all phones used plastic SIM cards, getting ready to sell was simple: you popped open the SIM tray, took out your card, and put it in your new phone. Now that many phones use digital eSIMs on Jio, Airtel, and Vi, you need to make sure your digital SIM is properly removed so no one else receives your calls or bank OTPs.
1. The Reset Trap Many People Fall Into
Phone operating systems store your personal photos and your mobile network profile in different parts of memory.
When you choose to factory reset your phone, a screen pops up asking:
'Do you want to keep or delete eSIMs?'
Many people quickly tap 'Keep' without realizing what it does. This leaves your actual phone number working on the phone! Whoever turns on the phone next could receive your bank OTPs and text messages.
2. The 3 Easy Steps to Delete Your eSIM Safely
Follow these three easy steps before handing over your phone:
Step 1: Move your eSIM to your new phone first. Make sure calls and mobile data work on your new phone before touching the old one.
Step 2: Manually delete the eSIM on your old phone. On iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular / Mobile Service > tap your plan > tap 'Delete eSIM'. On Samsung / Android: Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > tap your eSIM > tap 'Remove'.
Step 3: Factory reset the phone. When the phone asks, choose 'Delete All Content and Delete eSIMs'.
3. CashALL Helps You On-Site
When our pickup technician arrives at your home, they will double check with you to make sure all SIM profiles and accounts are removed.
This gives you total peace of mind that your private data and phone number remain 100% in your control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my Jio or Airtel eSIM without visiting a physical store?
Yes, both Jio and Airtel allow you to move your eSIM to a new phone directly through the MyJio or Airtel Thanks app or through SMS.
What should I do if I already sold a phone with my eSIM inside?
Call your telecom company (Jio, Airtel, or Vi) immediately from another phone and ask them to temporarily block or re-issue your SIM.
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