How do I move a phone number from a broken iPhone SE to an older iPhone SE?
Answer
Use the working older iPhone SE and set up cellular there: go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular, or move the physical SIM if your carrier still uses one. Carrier approval is required; a help site cannot transfer the number for you. Quick Transfer usually needs the broken 2022 SE powered on nearby, so contact the carrier if that phone will not stay on.
Follow these steps
Use the working older iPhone SE
Set aside the broken 2022 SE unless it can stay powered on. Continue on the older iPhone SE that still works and is updated enough for your carrier’s eSIM tools. Do not use an incompatible much older model if your carrier rejects it.
You should see: You are setting up cellular on the phone that will keep the number.
Start cellular setup on the older SE
Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular. Follow the carrier activation prompts, or insert the physical SIM from the broken phone if your line still uses a nano-SIM and both phones share the same SIM size.
You should see: The older SE begins activating the line or accepts the physical SIM.
Complete carrier activation
Approve the transfer in your carrier app or with carrier support if the iPhone prompts for it. If Quick Transfer asks for the broken 2022 SE nearby and that phone will not stay on, tell the carrier you need a manual eSIM or SIM swap instead.
You should see: The carrier shows the number active on the older iPhone SE.
Test calls, texts, and mobile data
Restart the older SE, then send a text, place a call, and confirm mobile data. In Settings > Cellular, make sure the transferred line is selected for voice and data.
You should see: The phone number works for calls, texts, and data on the older iPhone SE.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Settings > Cellular options such as Add eSIM or Set Up Cellular, whether the line is eSIM or physical SIM, and carrier messages that the number was activated on the older SE.
Before you change anything: Confirm the older iPhone SE is carrier-unlocked or approved on your plan. Have your carrier account login and account PIN ready. Know whether the broken phone used eSIM, physical SIM, or both. Never share carrier one-time codes with unexpected callers.