- Movistar and O2 allow you to convert your physical SIM into a native eSIM on Android at no cost and without a visit to the store.
- The feature is integrated into the system settings on compatible models from Xiaomi, Oppo, Motorola, and Samsung.
- Telefónica brings the same eSIM experience to Android as is already available on iPhone and expands self-management through apps, websites and stores.
- The eSIM facilitates multiple lines on the same device, improves security, reduces plastics, and also extends to wearables.
Telefónica has taken a significant leap in the way mobile lines are managed by bringing the ability to Android to switching from a physical SIM to an eSIM integrated directly into the systemThe new feature applies to customers of its Movistar and O2 brands in Spain and positions the operator as the first in the national market to offer this experience natively on the phone itself.
From now on, those with a compatible mobile phone will be able to convert your traditional SIM card into a digital eSIM profile or transfer the eSIM to another Android device. You can do it yourself, without going to a store, downloading additional apps, or paying extra. The process is done through your device settings, with security verification, and you always keep the same phone number.
What changes for Movistar and O2 customers with Android
The main novelty is that the Migration from physical SIM to eSIM becomes a standard Android system feature In certain models. From the initial phone setup, or later in the network settings menu, the user will find the option to transform their physical SIM card into an eSIM or to transfer an existing eSIM from another phone.
In practice, this means that the The physical card is no longer necessary and is replaced by an electronic profile. stored on the device's eSIM chip. Once the change is complete, the line retains the same terms and the same number; only the service that manages it changes.
Telefónica has integrated this experience into the flow of power on and device settingsThis means that anyone getting a new phone can activate the eSIM almost as soon as they connect to Wi-Fi or log into their Google account. It's also possible to launch the assistant later if the user decides to switch to eSIM while already using the device.
The company emphasizes that the entire process is carried out in a autonomous, at no extra cost and with additional security controls to prevent fraudulent use. There's no need to handle trays, use PINs, or wait to receive a new card at home, something that was common practice with many SIM card changes until now.
Those who prefer other channels still have the traditional options available: Movistar and O2 apps and websites, as well as the Movistar store networkwhere you can activate, duplicate or pre-install eSIMs without paying extra for it.
How does native physical SIM to eSIM transfer work?
The switch from physical SIM to eSIM is performed as a native function within the Android operating systemWhen starting a compatible mobile phone for the first time, or when accessing network settings, the system displays the option to switch the physical card to an eSIM or to bring an eSIM from another Android device belonging to the same user.
During the wizard, Android checks that the line belongs to Movistar or O2 and performs an identity verification. Once that step is completed, the device downloads the eSIM profile directly to the integrated chip, without needing to scan QR codes or fill out additional forms.
If the user is changing phones, the process also includes the transfer of an eSIM already active in the previous mobileIn either case, the line maintains the same number, the same rate, and the same associated services; the only thing that changes is the device where the digital credential is stored.
When the operation is complete, the new eSIM is activated and the physical card, or the old profile, stops working. From the customer's perspective, the effect is that the new mobile phone is up and running in a matter of minuteswithout having to worry about card sizes, adapters, or delicate trays.
This integration turns the eSIM into a further phone settings, such as WiFi or user account settingsand not in a separate process that requires handling paperwork or waiting for in-person or telephone assistance.
Compatible models and deployment in the Spanish market
Native physical SIM to eSIM transfer is not available across the entire Android catalog at once. In this first phase, Telefónica has activated the feature on specific models that operate in the Spanish marketprovided they include the necessary hardware for eSIM.
According to data provided by the company, the option is operational in certain Xiaomi, Oppo and Motorola devices with Android 14as well as on various devices Samsung starting with One UI 8.0 layerThese are generally recent mobile phones with an integrated eSIM chip.
However, simply updating to a compatible Android version does not guarantee access to this feature, since The key requirement is having physical eSIM support in the terminalOn devices that do not include this component, the system cannot offer native conversion.
Telefónica has announced that the The list of accepted makes and models will be expanded in the coming months.As manufacturers strengthen integration with Android and carrier systems, this option is expected to become increasingly common on the initial setup screen of new mobile phones.
Meanwhile, customers with incompatible equipment can continue using the Usual eSIM activation methods: management from the Movistar and O2 app or website, or activation and pre-installation in Movistar stores, always at no additional cost to the line.
Parity with iOS and evolution of the eSIM ecosystem at Telefónica
With this integration into Android, Telefónica standardizes the eSIM experience between the two major mobile systemsIn the Apple environment, the company has allowed the digital transfer of the eSIM from one iPhone to another since December 2023, without QR codes or the need to go to a store, something that was pioneering in the Spanish market at the time.
Subsequently, in December 2024Movistar took a further step by enabling the customer I left the store with the new device already configured with eSIMWith no extra costs and the line ready to use from the first time it's switched on. This option remains available as an alternative for those who prefer to make the switch with the help of an agent.
En March 2025The operator expanded the possibilities by activating the Free eSIM management from the Movistar and O2 app and websiteSince then, it has been possible to register new lines, request duplicates, or switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM remotely, without having to travel.
The arrival of native transfer on Android fits into that roadmap: now the eSIM can be managed from the operating system itself, from digital channels or in storeAccording to each customer's preferences. Technology ceases to be an optional add-on and becomes the core of the experience for new service activation, device upgrades, and line maintenance.
Telefónica, which introduced eSIM in Spain in 2018, is thus reinforcing its role as benchmark in the consolidation of the eSIM ecosystem, combining agreements with manufacturers, network improvements and self-management tools to make everyday life easier for users.
What can you do with eSIM with Movistar and O2?
Beyond simply changing the card format, the eSIM opens the door to more flexible uses of the mobile lineespecially for those who frequently change their phone or manage multiple personal and professional lines.
In the Telefónica environment, the eSIM allows Register new lines 100% digitally, without any in-person steps. The profile is downloaded directly to the compatible device and the line becomes operational without the need to send physical cards.
When a customer buys a mobile phone at a Movistar store, they can take the device home with them. with the eSIM already installed and configuredThis avoids having to scan codes later or wait for additional procedures. This practice has been gradually expanding across the retail network.
For those who are upgrading their device, the eSIM makes it possible for the Line transfer between one phone and another is resolved in secondswithout worrying about SIM size or finding the right adapter. All the information needed to connect to the network travels in the digital profile.
In addition, the company facilitates Free eSIM duplicates and replacements through online channelsThis is especially useful in cases of loss or theft of the device, always following security protocols to protect the owner's identity.
eSIM in wearables, MultiSIM and family lines
Telefónica's commitment to this technology goes beyond smartphones and extends to Smartwatches and other Android-based wearablesThese devices can have their own mobile connectivity via eSIM, without needing to insert a physical card into an already very small space.
From the mobile app to which the watch is linked, Movistar and O2 customers can configure the wearable line remotelyIt is possible to do it in [mode/mode]. Multi SIM, sharing a number with the main phone, or through additional lines specific to each device.
These additional lines are especially useful for children or dependent persons They need to be reachable, but don't always carry a mobile phone. The wearable connects directly to the mobile network via its eSIM, while management and control are handled from the main smartphone.
The fact that the eSIM is integrated inside the device avoids the problems associated with handling very small cards and facilitates the incorporation of new devices into the user's personal connectivity ecosystem.
In this way, the eSIM becomes the foundation of an environment in which Mobile phones, watches, and other connected devices share the same management logic., with highs, lows and lows that are largely resolved digitally.
Practical advantages, security and sustainability of the eSIM
In day-to-day use, the native integration of the eSIM in Android translates into a significant reduction in steps, waiting times and in-person proceduresChanging your mobile phone no longer involves visits to a store or waiting for a courier: the device itself guides and completes the process.
For most users, this is noticeable in that The service remains virtually uninterrupted. Even when a new device is used. The new phone "inherits" the SIM card in a similar way to how contacts or settings are retrieved from the cloud, without needing to touch a physical card.
In terms of security, the eSIM offers an additional layer compared to the conventional SIM. Since it is not removable, It is more difficult to steal or manipulate, and the verification mechanisms during activation and changes help to limit certain types of fraud based on card duplication.
There is also an environmental component to consider. The widespread adoption of eSIM contributes to reduce the production, transport and disposal of plastic cards and their respective packaging, an aspect that fits with the sector's sustainability strategies.
Finally, the possibility of manage multiple eSIM profiles on the same device It allows you to combine personal and work lines, have one line for home and another for travel, or configure secondary devices without accumulating physical SIM cards. All of this positions the eSIM as a key component in a more digital, flexible, and less plastic-dependent connectivity.
With the activation of native SIM to eSIM conversion and transfer on Android, Telefónica consolidates a strategy in which mobile line management is integrated into the system itself. simplifying device switching, expanding self-management, and extending connectivity to new devices such as wearables, both in Movistar and O2 within the Spanish market.
