Pakistan does not yet have a confirmed launch date for automated cross-platform eSIM transfers. However, a new development in Brazil shows what could eventually become possible for Pakistani users who switch between an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel or another Android phone.
On July 22, 2026, TIM Brasil selected HCLTech to enable what the companies described as South America’s first cross-platform eSIM transfer capability. Using the HCLTech Device Entitlement Gateway, the service is designed to let eligible TIM customers move an eSIM profile securely between supported devices and operating systems.
The development is relevant to Pakistan because PTA is separately finalizing a uniform policy under which consumers would be able to transfer an eSIM up to ten times through QR codes without a transfer charge. The official Senate of Pakistan report does not, however, confirm that Pakistan’s proposed system will include automated iPhone-to-Android transfers.
What TIM Brasil and HCLTech Have Announced
The TIM Brasil and HCLTech announcement says customers will be able to transfer their eSIM profiles between devices and operating systems when switching smartphone brands or upgrading to a new phone.
The system uses HCLTech’s Device Entitlement Gateway, or DEG. This platform connects the mobile operator’s subscriber systems with supported devices, helping the operator determine whether a customer and subscription are eligible for a requested feature.
For eSIM transfers, that can allow the operator to:
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Confirm the customer’s eligibility
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Verify the old and new devices
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Authorize the transfer
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Download the approved profile to the receiving phone
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Deactivate the subscription on the previous phone
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Reduce dependence on physical SIM cards and store visits
The technology was developed by HCLTech and is being deployed by TIM Brasil as a South American first. It is therefore more accurate to describe it as a new cross-platform service launching in South America rather than technology developed in South America.
Why Cross-Platform Transfers Matter to Dual-Phone Users
The biggest benefit appears when someone moves between two different mobile ecosystems.
Consider a user with:
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An active eSIM on an iPhone
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A Samsung Galaxy as a second or replacement phone
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No removable physical SIM
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An old QR code that may not be reusable
Under a traditional eSIM replacement process, that person may need to contact the operator, request a new QR code, complete identity verification or visit a service centre. Deleting the original profile too soon can leave the user without mobile service.
A properly supported cross-platform transfer system could simplify the process:
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The user starts the transfer on the new phone.
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The phones establish a secure connection.
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The mobile operator checks the account and devices.
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The user approves the transfer.
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The operator activates an authorized profile on the receiving phone.
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The subscription on the old phone is deactivated.
This is different from copying the original eSIM profile without permission. The mobile operator remains responsible for authorizing the transfer.
Readers unfamiliar with the technology can review PrimeSIM.pk’s guide explaining what an eSIM is and how it works.
Cross-Platform Does Not Mean Every eSIM Can Be Moved
Cross-platform support does not mean every eSIM can be transferred between every phone.
Eligibility may depend on:
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The issuing mobile operator
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The customer’s account type
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The old and new phone models
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Regional versions of both phones
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The installed iOS or Android versions
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Whether the receiving phone is carrier-unlocked
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Manufacturer support
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The operator’s security requirements
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Whether the profile is a local subscription or travel eSIM
The receiving phone must also support eSIM. Users can check the exact model, regional variant, EID and carrier-lock requirements through PrimeSIM.pk’s eSIM-compatible devices directory.
An Add eSIM menu confirms that a phone can install an eSIM profile. It does not prove that a particular mobile operator supports automatic transfers.
Apple Already Supports Selected Android-to-iPhone Transfers
Apple’s official Android-to-iPhone eSIM transfer guide says iOS 26 supports direct transfers with selected carriers and compatible Android manufacturers.
Its published requirements include:
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A supported mobile carrier
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An iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26
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A compatible Android phone running Android 16 or later
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Wi-Fi on both phones
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Bluetooth enabled on both devices
Apple lists TIM in Brazil as a supported carrier. As of July 23, 2026, no Pakistani mobile operator appears on the carrier list published on that page.
This does not mean Pakistani operators cannot replace or manually move an eSIM. It means users should not currently expect Apple’s automatic Android-to-iPhone transfer process to work with a Pakistani subscription unless their operator confirms support.
Samsung Supports iPhone-to-Galaxy Transfers on Selected Networks
Samsung documents a separate process for transferring an eSIM from an iPhone to a supported Galaxy phone.
On an eligible device, the user may see:
Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM > Transfer SIM from iPhone
Samsung’s Galaxy eSIM and supported-carrier guide states that the feature is available only through supported carriers. If the carrier is not listed, the user must contact it for help moving the eSIM.
Samsung also says:
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Both phones should use current software.
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Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be enabled.
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The receiving phone must support eSIM.
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The receiving device must be unlocked where required.
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The old iPhone is used to approve the transfer.
No Pakistani operator appears in Samsung’s published iPhone-to-Galaxy Instant Transfer list reviewed on July 23, 2026.
Google Pixel Transfers Also Depend on the Carrier
Google provides SIM-transfer options on selected Pixel phones, but support varies by operator, phone and country.
The Google Pixel SIM-transfer instructions explain that customers may be able to transfer a subscription during setup or through the phone’s SIM settings. If automatic transfer is unavailable, the carrier may need to activate the eSIM or provide another installation method.
The important lesson is consistent across Apple, Samsung and Google:
The phone can provide the transfer interface, but the carrier must support and authorize the transfer.
Where Pakistan Currently Stands
Pakistan has two related but separate eSIM developments.
PTA is preparing a uniform transfer policy
During a Senate Standing Committee meeting on July 16, 2026, the PTA chairman said Pakistani telecom operators currently follow different eSIM-transfer policies.
According to the Senate’s official account of the meeting, PTA is finalizing a uniform policy that would allow consumers to transfer an eSIM up to ten times using QR codes free of cost.
The announcement could reduce operator differences and make changing phones less expensive. However, it does not yet explain:
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When the policy will take effect
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Which prepaid and postpaid accounts will qualify
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Whether customers will reuse an existing QR code
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Whether operators will generate a new QR code
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Whether transfers can be completed remotely
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Whether identity verification will be required
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Whether the system will connect directly with Apple, Samsung or Google
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Whether transfers between iPhone and Android will be automated
Pakistan’s proposed QR-transfer allowance should therefore not yet be described as equivalent to the TIM Brasil system.
Local operators support eSIM, but that is not the same as cross-platform transfer
Several Pakistani operators provide eSIM service. Samsung’s global carrier list, for example, identifies Jazz, Ufone and Zong among operators that may support eSIM.
Basic eSIM support means a compatible phone can install an operator-issued digital profile. Cross-platform transfer is a separate capability requiring additional integration between the operator and the phone manufacturer.
When Could Pakistan Get Cross-Platform eSIM Transfers?
There is no verified launch date.
Pakistan could move closer to automated transfers after local operators combine PTA’s final policy with the infrastructure required to authorize transfers across phone brands.
A broader rollout would likely require:
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Final PTA rules
Operators need consistent requirements for transfer limits, charges, security and customer verification. -
Operator entitlement infrastructure
Each carrier needs systems that can verify subscribers and securely approve profile transfers. -
Manufacturer integration
Pakistani operators would need to work with Apple, Samsung, Google and other manufacturers to support their transfer interfaces. -
Compatible devices and software
Users would need supported phone models with the required operating-system versions. -
Fraud and identity controls
Operators must prevent unauthorized transfers and SIM-swap fraud. -
Lost-phone procedures
A separate process is required when the original device is damaged, lost or stolen and cannot approve the request. -
Clear customer instructions
Users need to understand the difference between installing a new eSIM and transferring an existing subscription.
The TIM Brasil deployment proves that the operator-level model exists. PTA’s policy work suggests that easier eSIM movement is also being considered in Pakistan. The remaining issue is whether local operators will implement comparable cross-platform infrastructure.
What an iPhone-to-Samsung Transfer Could Look Like
On a fully supported network, the process could work as follows:
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Open Settings on the new Samsung Galaxy.
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Select Connections.
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Open SIM Manager.
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Tap Add eSIM.
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Select Transfer SIM from iPhone.
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Scan the pairing QR code using the old iPhone.
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Choose the number that should be transferred.
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Approve the transfer on the iPhone.
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Wait for the operator to activate the eSIM on the Samsung.
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Test calls, SMS and mobile data before erasing the iPhone.
Menu labels may differ according to the Galaxy model and software version.
Pakistani users should not delete their active profiles simply because this menu appears. The transfer will still fail if the local operator does not support the process.
What Pakistani Users Should Do for Now
Until operators publish new procedures, users changing phones should follow the existing instructions from their eSIM issuer.
Before starting:
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Identify whether the profile is a local operator eSIM or travel eSIM.
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Ask whether the existing QR code can be reused.
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Confirm whether the provider must issue a replacement.
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Check that the receiving phone supports eSIM.
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Confirm the exact model number and regional variant.
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Check whether the phone is carrier-unlocked.
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Keep the old phone powered on and connected.
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Do not erase or sell it until the new phone has service.
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Test mobile data, calls and SMS where included.
PrimeSIM.pk’s non-PTA phone eSIM guide explains how eSIM compatibility, carrier locking, plan support and PTA status can affect connectivity.
What About Travel eSIMs?
TIM Brasil’s announcement concerns an operator-issued mobile subscription. It does not create a universal right to transfer independently purchased travel eSIMs.
A travel eSIM may be:
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Limited to one installation
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Tied to the original device
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Reinstallable after proper deletion
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Replaceable through customer support
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Non-transferable once activated
Before deleting a travel profile, ask the provider:
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Can the eSIM be installed on another phone?
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Can the original QR code be reused?
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Must it be removed from the old phone first?
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Will the provider issue a replacement?
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Will unused data carry over?
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Will the original validity period continue?
Deleting a profile without checking can make a single-use QR code unusable.
Why This Development Matters to PrimeSIM.pk Users
PrimeSIM.pk serves travelers, overseas Pakistanis and users of supported eSIM-capable devices. Many use one line for their main number and another for travel data, making device compatibility and profile management particularly important.
Before purchasing a plan, users should:
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Confirm that the exact phone supports eSIM.
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Check that the device is unlocked.
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Review the destination and data allowance.
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Confirm when the plan activates.
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Understand whether the profile can be reinstalled or transferred.
Travelers who need mobile data in Pakistan can compare the current PrimeSIM.pk Pakistan eSIM plans after checking device compatibility. The current public PrimeSIM.pk pages do not establish a universal right to move an activated profile between phones, so users should confirm their specific situation before deleting an eSIM.
PrimeSIM.pk will continue covering PTA policy changes, new manufacturer features and international telecom developments through its eSIM news and information guides.
What Happens Next?
The next important development will be the publication of PTA’s final uniform eSIM-transfer rules and implementation instructions from Pakistani operators.
Users should watch for answers to three questions:
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When will the ten-transfer allowance take effect?
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Will operators support automated iPhone-to-Android transfers?
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Will users still need replacement QR codes or service-centre visits?
TIM Brasil’s partnership with HCLTech shows that operator-level cross-platform eSIM transfers are technically possible. Pakistan has not announced an equivalent system, but PTA’s policy work means easier eSIM transfers are now part of the country’s telecom discussion.
For users who regularly move between an iPhone and Samsung phone, the headache is not solved in Pakistan yet. The route toward a simpler experience is becoming clearer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pakistan currently support cross-platform eSIM transfers?
Not through a universally announced automated system. Pakistani operators may replace or move eSIMs using their own procedures, while PTA is finalizing a uniform QR-based transfer policy. The published announcement does not confirm automatic transfers between iPhone and Android.
When will Pakistan get cross-platform eSIM transfers?
No launch date has been announced. Adoption will depend on PTA’s final policy, operator infrastructure, security requirements and integration with manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung and Google.
What did TIM Brasil announce?
TIM Brasil selected HCLTech to enable cross-platform eSIM transfers through the HCLTech Device Entitlement Gateway. The announced system is intended to help supported customers move an eSIM profile between different devices and operating systems.
Can I currently transfer a Pakistani eSIM from iPhone to Samsung?
Possibly through your operator’s existing replacement process, but automatic phone-to-phone transfer should not be assumed. Samsung states that its iPhone transfer feature works only with supported carriers. Contact your operator before deleting the eSIM from the iPhone.
Will PTA’s ten-transfer policy support iPhone-to-Android transfers?
That has not been confirmed. PTA’s Senate briefing referred to up to ten free QR-based transfers but did not explain whether the process would integrate with Apple, Samsung or Google’s automated transfer systems.
Can I transfer a travel eSIM to another phone?
Only when the travel-eSIM provider permits it. Some profiles are single-installation or tied to the original device, while others can be reissued or reinstalled. Check the provider’s rules before deleting the active profile.
Does transferring an eSIM copy my photos and applications?
No. An eSIM transfer moves or reactivates a mobile subscription. Photos, applications, contacts and messages are moved through separate phone-migration tools, although both processes may appear during the same setup session.