How can I recover my eSIM after a transfer issue?

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How can I recover my eSIM after a transfer issue?

Was doing a Quick Start phone transfer from 14 Pro Max to 15 Pro Max that was inadvertently interrupted during data transfer. Attempted to restart the transfer and am now receiving an Activation Lock notice on my new phone. No Activation Lock notice was encountered during the first attempted/interrupted transfer. Earlier today, my old phone was connecting to WiFi but not cellular. Now it is not even connecting to WiFi. So…1) Any thoughts about why I’ve lost WiFi connection on old phone (speed test shows WiFi is working)? 2) How can I restore my eSIM to my old phone so that I can use it while I attempt to resolve the Activation Lock issue (such a bummer…I have NO idea who the Activation Lock Apple ID belongs to!)? Thank you.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Jan 31, 2025 10:02 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 31, 2025 10:56 PM in response to MrAppleSauce

Apple ID and Activation Lock

iCloud uses Apple ID credentials.

If you do not remember the Apple ID Password then follow the steps given in this Apple Article -> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

If you do not remember the Apple ID then follow the steps given in this Apple Article -> If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you are the owner or the owner has shared all information with you then to open Activation Lock:- If it is Activation locked, read here --> Turn off Activation Lock - Apple Support Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Learn how to remove a device from a previous owner's account.

If you are not the owner and do not have the Apple ID and Password then there is no way that you can get into this iPhone unless the original owner shares the Apple ID and password with you. If you are lucky you can get into this iPhone if they (owner) accidentally remove the device from their Apple ID.

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Answer 2

Jan 31, 2025 11:24 PM in response to MrAppleSauce

MrAppleSauce wrote:

such a bummer…I have NO idea who the Activation Lock Apple ID belongs to!

It sounds like the iPhone 14 Pro Max that you mentioned was a second-hand phone. (If you had been the original owner, it would have been Activation Locked to your Apple ID.)

See: The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone – Apple Community

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Answer 3

MrAppleSauce Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 1, 2025 08:30 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply here. I do understand the Activation Lock piece. I’m confused though as to how I got half way through the Quick Start process on my first attempt before inadvertently interrupting the transfer. The Activation Lock screen only presented when I attempted to restart the Quick Start process. As a result, I have no access to my eSIM. How can I recover my eSIM to the old phone (the 14 Pro Max from which I was trying to Quick Start the 15 Pro Max)?

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How can I recover my eSIM after a transfer issue?

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