How to Reset iPhone without Losing eSIM in iOS 15/16/17

Case: Want to reset iPhone without losing eSIM

Even though Apple iPhone is one of the best phones in the world, sometimes it goes wrong or slows down, so we have to restore the device to factory settings. The factory reset can clear out all the trash and reboot the system, which can have a positive impact on its performance.

Factory reset means deleting everything. The iPhone will go back to the status as we first turn it on. If necessary, you can backup iPhone before factory reset. However, either iTunes or iCloud will back up your eSIM. So you come here and want to figure out how to reset iPhone without losing eSIM, right? You’ve come to the right page! Here in this guide, we will tell you everything you want to know about how to restore iPhone while keeping eSIM.

Does restoring iPhone delete eSIM?

The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and later series support eSIM, allowing users to activate a cellular plan from the carrier without having to use a physical SIM card.

eSIM brings convenience, however, if you intend to reset your iPhone, then you may be troubled. Resetting iPhone means deleting all content and settings, what about eSIM? Does restoring iPhone delete eSIM? If you are not planning to sell your iPhone or give it away, you definitely want to keep the eSIM when you reset your device. So how to restore iPhone without deleting eSIM?

In fact, before starting the reset, you can choose to delete or keep the eSIM. You will be given an option to either keep eSIM plan or delete it. If you choose to keep eSIM, then your eSIM will survive the factory reset! You can use the eSIM as usual after the reset.

How to reset iPhone without losing eSIM

After you tap “Erase All Content and Settings” option, it will not start the reset process immediately but will show you the data that will be deleted from iPhone and give you the option to keep eSIM or not. Let’s start to see how to reset iPhone without losing eSIM.

Backup iPhone before factory reset

Before starting the reset, please make sure you have backed up your important data. If you have updated to iOS 15 and later versions, you can use temporary iCloud storage to backup your iPhone. It offers free and unlimited iCloud space to help you backup everything.

Also, you can choose to backup iPhone to computer with iTunes. If you just want to back up certain types of data, then you can use FoneTool, one easy-to-use iOS data management tool for Windows users. It can help you backup contacts, messages, photos, videos and songs.

If you are worried about losing your contacts after the reset, you can let FoneTool help you backup iPhone contacts. Below are the steps.

• Download, install and launch FoneTool.

• Choose Phone Backup and go to Selective Backup.
• Click Contacts to select the contacts you want to backup.
• Select a storage path and click Start Backup.

Reset iPhone without losing eSIM

When you tap the reset button, it will ask you whether you want to delete eSIM or keep it. You can choose to keep eSIM, in this way, after you complete iPhone setup, you can continue using the eSIM as usual without any other operations.

1. Go Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap Erase All Content and Settings.

2. In the next screen, it will tell you what kind of items will be removed from the iPhone. Just tap Continue. If you tap eSIM, it will explain that you will have the option to keep the eSIM.

3. Enter your passcode. If your iPhone has not been backed up recently, then a backup will begin. When it’s done, enter your Apple ID and passcode to turn off the activation lock.

4. A confirmation prompt will appear and you should tap Erase Data and Keep eSIMs if you want to reset iPhone without losing eSIM.

It will start to reset the iPhone once you have tapped the option. When you set up your iPhone, you don't need to set up eSIM again and you can use it as before.

FAQs about restoring iPhone without losing SIM

What will happen to my eSIM If I reset?

When you reset iPhone, it will ask you if you want to keep the eSIM . If you choose to erase data and eSIM, your eSIM will be deleted from iPhone. If you choose to erase data and keep eSIM, your eSIM will still be working after the factory reset.

How do I get my eSIM back after factory reset iPhone?

If you delete the eSIM, you will need to contact your carrier to get a new one and then set up your new eSIM. You can activate your eSIM while you are setting up your iPhone.

Will reset network settings remove eSIM?

The reset will not delete any mobile carrier functionality or account information. It will delete Wi-Fi passcodes, Bluetooth-paired devices, VPNs - any changes to mobile preferences you may have made after activation.

Final words

That’s all about how to reset iPhone without losing eSIM. If you do not want to lose the eSIM after the factory reset, you can choose to keep eSIM when the confirmation prompt appears. To ensure that no contacts or other data are lost after the reset, don’t forget to make a backup in advance!