How to Swap IMEI1 and IMEI2 eSIM Assignments (iPhone & Android)

When activating an eSIM, some users find that their eSIM is assigned to the “wrong” IMEI (IMEI2 instead of IMEI1, or vice versa). This can cause activation errors, no signal, or mobile data not working.

This article explains what IMEI1 and IMEI2 mean, when IMEI swapping is possible, and how to fix eSIM assignment issues, especially for users in Indonesia.

Important
You cannot change or edit an IMEI number.
IMEI is hardware-based.
What is possible is moving an eSIM so it uses the correct IMEI slot.

 

What are IMEI1 and IMEI2?

On dual-SIM phones:

Term	Meaning
IMEI1	Used by the first active cellular line
IMEI2	Used by the second active cellular line

Each active SIM or eSIM occupies one IMEI.

 

Why IMEI assignment matters for eSIM

Some carriers and activation systems:

• Register one SIM or eSIM to one specific IMEI
• Reject service if the eSIM later uses a different IMEI
• Show “activated” status but provide no signal or data

This is common with local carrier eSIMs and Telkomsel-based eSIMs in Indonesia.

 

iPhone: How to Swap eSIM Between IMEI1 and IMEI2

Supported iPhones

This method works on all iPhones that show both IMEI and IMEI2, including:

• iPhone XR, XS, XS Max
• iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 series
• Models with eSIM or dual eSIM support

Check at: Settings → General → About → IMEI / IMEI2

Core iPhone rule (important)

• iPhone can store multiple eSIMs
• But only 2 cellular lines can be active at the same time
• Activating a third line forces iOS to ask which line to turn off

This forced choice is what allows IMEI reassignment.

 

Name	Meaning
eSIM #1	Target eSIM (the one you want to move)
eSIM #2	Secondary eSIM or physical SIM
eSIM #3	Temporary / dummy eSIM

Example (before swap):

Goal: Move eSIM #1 to IMEI1

Line	Status	IMEI
eSIM #1	Active	IMEI2
eSIM #2	Active	IMEI1
eSIM #3	Inactive	—

 

Step-by-step: Swap eSIM #1 from IMEI2 → IMEI1 (iPhone)

Step 1: Turn ON eSIM #3

Go to Settings → Cellular → eSIM #3 → Turn On This Line

iPhone shows a message that only two lines can be active.

Step 2: Turn OFF eSIM #1

From the pop-up, choose Turn Off eSIM #1

eSIM #3 replaces eSIM #1 in IMEI2.

Step 3: Turn eSIM #1 back ON

Enable eSIM #1 again.

The same pop-up appears.

Step 4: Turn OFF eSIM #2

Choose Turn Off eSIM #2 (the line using IMEI1).

Result

Line	Status	IMEI
eSIM #1	Active	IMEI1 ✅
eSIM #3	Active	IMEI2
eSIM #2	Inactive	—

eSIM #1 is now correctly assigned to IMEI1.

When this iPhone method may not work

• Carrier locks the eSIM to a specific IMEI in their system
• The eSIM profile needs to be reissued
• Device is restricted to one active line (rare)

 

Swap eSIM IMEI in Android (General)

On Android, IMEI swapping for eSIM is limited and depends on the device.

Many Android phones use a dedicated IMEI for eSIM, which means the eSIM cannot be moved between IMEI1 and IMEI2.

What you can check first

• Go to Settings → About phone
• Look for:
  • IMEI
  • IMEI2
  • IMEI (eSIM)

If your phone shows IMEI (eSIM) separately, the eSIM is usually locked to that IMEI, and swapping is not supported.

Steps you can try (best-effort)

These steps may work on some models, but are not guaranteed.

1. Turn OFF all SIMs and eSIMs
   Settings → Network / SIM Manager → Turn off eSIM #1 and physical SIM
2. Activate eSIM #1 first
   Keep the physical SIM removed or disabled while activating the eSIM.
3. Reinsert or enable the physical SIM
   Check if the IMEI assignment changes.

If the IMEI does not change, your device likely uses a fixed eSIM IMEI.

Android overview

Brand	IMEI swap possible?	Explanation
Google Pixel	Sometimes	Depends on model and setup order
Samsung Galaxy	Usually no	eSIM tied to “IMEI (eSIM)”
Xiaomi	Usually no	eSIM uses dedicated IMEI
OPPO	Usually no	IMEI assignment is fixed

On many Android phones, you can switch active lines, but you cannot move eSIM between IMEI1 and IMEI2.

Most Samsung, Xiaomi, and OPPO phones bind eSIM to a dedicated IMEI.

Android takeaway

• IMEI swapping on Android is not reliable
• eSIM is often fixed to one IMEI
• iPhone offers far more control over IMEI assignment

 

Telkomsel BaliEasy Case (Indonesia IMEI Regulation)

In Indonesia, regulations require that one SIM or eSIM is registered to one IMEI only.

This applies to Telkomsel physical SIMs and Telkomsel-based eSIMs, including BaliEasy.

What happens if IMEI changes

If an eSIM that was registered under IMEI1 later moves to IMEI2:

• Signal may stop
• Mobile data may not work
• The eSIM appears active but cannot connect to the network

This is not a faulty eSIM, it is an IMEI mismatch.

Why IMEI swapping is sometimes required

Common BaliEasy cases:

• eSIM registered under IMEI1
• iPhone assigns it to IMEI2
• Network blocks service

The fix is to move the eSIM back to the registered IMEI, using the iPhone IMEI swap method above.

What if you only have 1 eSIM, or 1 eSIM + 1 SIM?

If you only have:

• eSIM #1 only, or
• eSIM #1 + one physical SIM

You may not be able to trigger IMEI reassignment.

Solution

You can contact BaliEasy customer support to:

• Borrow 1 or 2 dummy eSIMs
• Use them temporarily as eSIM #2 and eSIM #3
• Complete the IMEI swap
• Remove the dummy eSIMs afterward

The dummy eSIMs:

• Do not need signal or data
• Are used only to manage IMEI assignment

 

Final takeaway

• IMEI numbers never change
• Only which eSIM uses which IMEI can change
• On iPhone, IMEI assignment can be controlled using eSIM #1, #2, and #3
• On Android, IMEI swapping is often not possible
• For Telkomsel BaliEasy in Indonesia, IMEI mismatch is a common cause of no signal

If your eSIM suddenly stops working after activation, the issue is often IMEI assignment, not the eSIM itself.