Managing eSIM profiles has long promised to simplify mobile connectivity — removing the need for physical SIM cards, enabling fast switching between carriers, and offering a truly digital experience. However, despite growing adoption, transferring an eSIM from one device to another on Android remains a cumbersome and frustrating process for users.

Currently, many Android users must rely on their carrier’s manual intervention, often requiring lengthy verification steps, customer service calls, or even issuing a new eSIM profile entirely. If a device is lost or damaged, the situation becomes even more complicated, often resulting in temporary service loss and significant downtime.

In contrast, Apple has made considerable strides with eSIM management in its iOS ecosystem. With the launch of iOS 16, Apple introduced a seamless eSIM transfer feature between iPhones via Bluetooth during device setup. This allows users to move their eSIM from one iPhone to another quickly without involving the carrier in most cases — an advantage that has further strengthened Apple’s reputation for a smooth user experience.

A New Chapter for Android’s eSIM Transfers

Until now, Android users lacked a comparable, standardized solution across devices and brands. That landscape is poised to change. Google is actively working on integrating eSIM backup and restore functionality into the Google One service, aiming to close this critical gap. Once implemented, Android users will be able to securely back up their eSIM profiles to their Google account and effortlessly restore them during device setup — offering an experience much closer to (and potentially even more flexible than) what Apple users currently enjoy.

This development not only addresses one of the biggest pain points in Android device management but also signals Google’s commitment to enhancing user experience and reducing reliance on carriers for routine mobile operations. As eSIM adoption accelerates globally, particularly in markets where physical SIM trays are disappearing, a seamless, secure, and user-friendly transfer method becomes essential.

​How Google’s eSIM Backup Will Work

Recent code found in a teardown of Google Play Services (version 25.16.33) reveals that Google is preparing a system where eSIM profiles can be securely backed up to a user’s Google One account. During the setup of a new Android device, users would then be offered the option to restore their eSIMs directly from the cloud, eliminating the need to contact their carrier or manually scan QR codes again.

This new feature is expected to work similarly to how app data, settings, and even SMS messages are already backed up through Google One. The eSIM data would be encrypted and tied to the user’s account, ensuring that only the rightful owner can restore it to a new device.

Importantly, early reports suggest that the eSIM backup feature will not require both phones to be present at the same time — a major improvement over Apple’s Bluetooth-based transfer method, which requires access to the old device. In cases where a phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, users could still recover their mobile service seamlessly during the setup process.

What This Means for Carriers and the Android Ecosystem

This development could significantly reshape the relationship between mobile carriers and device manufacturers. Today, many carriers tightly control eSIM activations and require users to jump through administrative hoops when changing devices. A direct user-controlled eSIM backup and restoration system would shift that dynamic, making Android users less dependent on carrier support and more in control of their mobile connectivity.

However, there could be challenges ahead. For Google’s solution to work universally, carriers will need to allow their eSIM profiles to be backed up and restored without manual re-provisioning. Some carriers may resist this move initially, fearing a loss of control over their subscribers or citing security concerns. Google’s rollout strategy will likely involve close partnerships with major carriers to ensure broad compatibility, especially in key markets like North America, Europe, and parts of Asia where eSIM adoption is growing fastest.

Why eSIM Backup Matters Now More Than Ever

eSIM technology is no longer just a niche feature; it is rapidly becoming the default in modern smartphones. Flagship Android devices such as the Google Pixel series, Samsung Galaxy S24, and foldables like the Galaxy Z Flip5 already offer eSIM functionality. Moreover, Apple’s iPhone 14 lineup in the U.S. went fully eSIM-only, with no physical SIM tray at all — a move that hints at a broader industry trend.

With device upgrades happening more frequently and consumers expecting a frictionless experience, the ability to manage and transfer eSIMs easily is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. Google’s initiative could not only enhance Android’s competitiveness against iOS but also push the entire mobile industry toward a more user-centric, cloud-driven model of connectivity.

Conclusion about Android eSIM backup

By building eSIM backup and restoration directly into Google One, Google is addressing one of the last major pain points in the Android experience. If executed well, this feature could eliminate much of the complexity associated with eSIM transfers, reduce dependence on carriers, and give Android users the same (or even better) ease of switching devices that iPhone users currently enjoy.

With global eSIM adoption expected to reach 3.4 billion smartphone users by 2030 (according to Counterpoint Research), now is the perfect time for Google to act. Android’s future in a fully digital mobile world is starting to take clearer shape — and it’s looking more user-friendly than ever.