I’m traveling to USA next week and will buy a new phone (iPhone 12 to iPhone 16) I have an eSIM currently It looks like I can switch the eSIM while there (according to this thread linked here) Do I need to do anything before I go to enable this (turn roaming on, buy USA top up, etc.)?Thanks kindly in advance!

Hi @withpurpose,Yes, you are able to do this while roaming in the USA.If you want to avoid any charges beyond your monthly line rental, we recommend setting your bill cap to £0.00. This prevents any additional usage charges.How to set your bill cap (iD Mobile)You can do this via the iD Mobile App or My Account online:Go to BillsSelect Manage bill capAdjust the limit using the slider or text boxSet it to £0.00, or the max amount you are willing to pay over your usual line rentalSave your changesYou can update this at any time, including removing or changing the cap if needed.Roaming in the USAIf you plan to buy a data roaming bundle, do this once you arrive in the USA. Roaming bundles activate immediately at the time of purchase and cannot be scheduled for a future date, to get an add-on, simply log in to the iD Mobile app or my.idmobile.co.uk..In the USA, iD Mobile roaming partners are:AT&TT-MobileIf you’re unsure how to connect, you can manually select a network on your device.Manual network selectioniPhoneGo to SettingsTap Mobile Service(s) / Mobile DataSelect your SIM (if you have more than one)Tap Network SelectionTurn Automatic offWait for available networks to loadSelect AT&T or T-Mobile (you can try both to see which works best)AndroidSteps may vary slightly depending on your device, but generally:Go to SettingsTap Connections (or Network & Internet)Tap Mobile Networks (or SIMs & Mobile Networks)Select your SIM (if prompted)Tap Network OperatorsTurn off Select automaticallyWait for networks to loadChoose AT&T or T-MobileIf one doesn’t connect properly, go back and try the otherIf you need help while you’re there, just let us know.Below you can see the cost to purchase data for USA roaming, as well as what it will cost if you make use of your bill cap, this can also be viewed onhttps://www.idmobile.co.uk/help-and-advice/international-and-roaming-chargesDataDurationPrice2 GB1 day£510 GB5 days£2020 GB10 days£35The table below displays how much you’ll be charged for any minutes, texts or data that you use.RoamingPay monthlyCalls to UK*£1.68Calls to United States (USA)*£1.68Calls received*£1.50Texts to United States (USA)**£0.42Texts to UK**£0.42Picture message (MMS) sent**£0.60Internet and Data (per MB)***£0.30* Price per minute** Please note: MMS charges vary. For further information, refer to Terms & Conditions. If you joined or upgraded on or before 20th June 2023 the MMS cost is £0.30 per message for Roaming within EU Bands 1 and 2.*** Data is charged or deducted in one kilobyte (KB) increments and any part KB used will be rounded up to the nearest KBRegards,Gemma MThe iD Mobile Social Media Team

Hi @withpurposeThank you for getting in touch. You can request a replacement eSIM directly via the iD Mobile app. To do so:Log in to the iD Mobile app.Navigate to the Plan section.Select SIM & Phone Management.Choose Request a replacement SIM or eSIM and follow the prompts to confirm your email.Once completed, a new eSIM QR code will be sent to your email.Please note that you should only submit one eSIM request. If you do not receive your eSIM, do not submit another request. Instead, contact us via live chat or through our social channels, and we will assist you further.-Owethu

Solved

Transfer eSIM to new phone while roaming

Forum|Forum|4 days ago
March 22, 2026
3 replies
18 views

W

withpurpose
New Contributor

I’m traveling to USA next week and will buy a new phone (iPhone 12 to iPhone 16)
I have an eSIM currently
It looks like I can switch the eSIM while there (according to this thread linked here)
Do I need to do anything before I go to enable this (turn roaming on, buy USA top up, etc.)?

Thanks kindly in advance!

Best answer by Gemma M

Hi @withpurpose,

Yes, you are able to do this while roaming in the USA.

If you want to avoid any charges beyond your monthly line rental, we recommend setting your bill cap to £0.00. This prevents any additional usage charges.

How to set your bill cap (iD Mobile)

You can do this via the iD Mobile App or My Account online:

Go to Bills
Select Manage bill cap
Adjust the limit using the slider or text box
Set it to £0.00, or the max amount you are willing to pay over your usual line rental
Save your changes

You can update this at any time, including removing or changing the cap if needed.

Roaming in the USA

If you plan to buy a data roaming bundle, do this once you arrive in the USA. Roaming bundles activate immediately at the time of purchase and cannot be scheduled for a future date, to get an add-on, simply log in to the iD Mobile app or my.idmobile.co.uk..

In the USA, iD Mobile roaming partners are:

AT&T
T-Mobile

If you’re unsure how to connect, you can manually select a network on your device.

Manual network selection

iPhone

Go to Settings
Tap Mobile Service(s) / Mobile Data
Select your SIM (if you have more than one)
Tap Network Selection
Turn Automatic off
Wait for available networks to load
Select AT&T or T-Mobile (you can try both to see which works best)

Android

Steps may vary slightly depending on your device, but generally:

Go to Settings
Tap Connections (or Network & Internet)
Tap Mobile Networks (or SIMs & Mobile Networks)
Select your SIM (if prompted)
Tap Network Operators
Turn off Select automatically
Wait for networks to load
Choose AT&T or T-Mobile
If one doesn’t connect properly, go back and try the other

If you need help while you’re there, just let us know.

Below you can see the cost to purchase data for USA roaming, as well as what it will cost if you make use of your bill cap, this can also be viewed on https://www.idmobile.co.uk/help-and-advice/international-and-roaming-charges

Data	Duration	Price
2 GB	1 day	£5
10 GB	5 days	£20
20 GB	10 days	£35

The table below displays how much you’ll be charged for any minutes, texts or data that you use.

Roaming	Pay monthly
Calls to UK*	£1.68
Calls to United States (USA)*	£1.68
Calls received*	£1.50
Texts to United States (USA)**	£0.42
Texts to UK**	£0.42
Picture message (MMS) sent**	£0.60
Internet and Data (per MB)***	£0.30

* Price per minute

** Please note: MMS charges vary. For further information, refer to Terms & Conditions. If you joined or upgraded on or before 20th June 2023 the MMS cost is £0.30 per message for Roaming within EU Bands 1 and 2.

*** Data is charged or deducted in one kilobyte (KB) increments and any part KB used will be rounded up to the nearest KB

Regards,

Gemma M

The iD Mobile Social Media Team

+3

Owethu M
iD Mobile Employee
Forum|Forum|4 days ago
March 22, 2026

Hi @withpurpose

Thank you for getting in touch. You can request a replacement eSIM directly via the iD Mobile app. To do so:

Log in to the iD Mobile app.
Navigate to the Plan section.
Select SIM & Phone Management.
Choose Request a replacement SIM or eSIM and follow the prompts to confirm your email.

Once completed, a new eSIM QR code will be sent to your email.

Please note that you should only submit one eSIM request. If you do not receive your eSIM, do not submit another request. Instead, contact us via live chat or through our social channels, and we will assist you further.

-Owethu

Like

W

withpurpose
Author
New Contributor
Forum|Forum|4 days ago
March 22, 2026

Thanks for the directions and speedy reply on how to request a new eSIM.

Can you please verify that this can be done while I’m traveling in USA? And if there is anything I need to do while here in the UK to prepare before I go?

Thanks very much.

Like

+7

Gemma M
iD Mobile Employee
Answer
Forum|Forum|4 days ago
March 22, 2026