You scan your new travel eSIM QR code, follow the installation steps, and suddenly your phone shows an error:
"Activation Failure: Maximum Profiles Limit Reached"
or
"Cannot Add eSIM: Storage Full"
This usually happens when your phone already has too many saved eSIM profiles. The problem is not your phone's normal storage for photos, apps, or files. It is the limited storage available for digital SIM profiles.
The fix is simple: remove old, unused eSIM profiles from previous trips, restart your phone, and install your new travel eSIM again.
This guide explains why the error happens, how to safely delete old profiles, and how to activate your new travel data plan without affecting your main phone number.
Quick Fix: Remove Old eSIM Profiles
If you need your travel data working quickly, follow these steps:
Open your phone's Settings app.
Go to Cellular / Mobile Data on iPhone or SIM Manager on Android.
Review your saved eSIM profiles.
Select old travel eSIMs you no longer need.
Tap Delete eSIM, Remove SIM, or Erase SIM.
Restart your phone.
Try installing your new travel eSIM again.
Remember: turning an eSIM off does not remove it. A disabled eSIM still takes up space until you delete the profile completely.
Why Does the "Maximum Profiles Limit Reached" Error Happen?
Modern smartphones use an embedded SIM system called an eUICC. This allows your phone to store digital SIM profiles without needing a physical SIM card.
However, the eSIM storage area has a limit. The exact number of profiles depends on your phone model and manufacturer.
Over time, travelers may collect multiple unused eSIMs from:
Previous vacations
Business trips
Testing different providers
Temporary data plans
Even when these eSIMs are no longer active, they can remain stored on your device. When you try to add another one, your phone may block the installation because available eSIM storage is full.
Turning an eSIM Off Is Not the Same as Deleting It
Many travelers make this mistake.
Switching an eSIM line off only stops your phone from using that connection. The profile remains saved on your device.
To free space, you must permanently remove the old eSIM profile.
Before deleting anything, make sure the eSIM is no longer needed. Some travel eSIMs cannot be restored after deletion because their activation codes may be single-use.
How to Delete Old eSIM Profiles on iPhone
Follow these steps:
Open Settings.
Tap Cellular or Mobile Data.
Select the old travel eSIM.
Tap Delete eSIM.
Confirm the deletion.
After removing unused profiles:
Restart your iPhone.
Connect to Wi-Fi.
Try adding your new travel eSIM again.
How to Delete Old eSIM Profiles on Android
The menu name can vary depending on your phone model.
Samsung Galaxy
Open Settings.
Tap Connections.
Select SIM Manager.
Choose the unused eSIM.
Tap Remove eSIM.
Google Pixel
Open Settings.
Tap Network & Internet.
Select SIMs.
Choose the unused eSIM.
Remove the profile.
Other Android Phones
Look for:
SIM Manager
Mobile Network
eSIM
Downloaded SIMs
The exact wording depends on your manufacturer.
Restart Your Phone After Removing Profiles
After deleting old eSIMs, restart your device.
A restart helps your phone refresh its SIM management system and recognize that additional eSIM space is available.
A normal restart is enough:
Turn the phone completely off.
Wait about 30 seconds.
Turn it back on.
You do not normally need to reset network settings.
Install Your New Travel eSIM
Once old profiles have been removed:
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network.
Open your phone's SIM settings.
Select Add eSIM.
Scan your provider's QR code.
Wait for installation to complete.
After installation:
Name the new eSIM clearly, such as "Europe Travel Data" or "Japan Data".
Select it as your mobile data line.
Turn Allow Cellular Data Switching off to avoid accidental home SIM data usage.
Enable Data Roaming on the travel eSIM if your provider requires it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstall a deleted travel eSIM later?
Usually, no.
Many travel eSIM activation codes are designed for one-time installation. After deleting the profile, you may need a new QR code from your provider.
Only delete an eSIM when you are certain you no longer need it.
How many eSIM profiles can my phone store?
There is no universal number for all phones.
The capacity depends on:
Phone model
Manufacturer
eSIM provider configuration
Most modern phones can store multiple eSIM profiles, but only a limited number can be active at the same time.
How many eSIMs can I use at once?
Most recent smartphones support two active SIM connections.
Examples:
Physical SIM + eSIM
Two eSIMs on supported models
Other saved eSIM profiles remain stored but inactive.
Will resetting network settings fix this problem?
Usually, no.
Resetting network settings removes:
Saved Wi-Fi networks
Bluetooth connections
Network preferences
It does not remove stored eSIM profiles.
To fix a profile limit error, you normally need to manually delete old eSIMs.
Final Verdict
The "Maximum Profiles Limit Reached" eSIM error is usually caused by having too many saved eSIM profiles on your phone.
The fastest solution is:
Delete old travel eSIMs you no longer use.
Restart your phone.
Install your new eSIM again.
Set your travel eSIM as the preferred mobile data line.
Cleaning up unused eSIM profiles before your next trip helps prevent activation problems and keeps your mobile data ready when you arrive overseas.
Need help finding the exact steps for your device? Check your phone model:
iPhone model (for example iPhone 15 Pro)
Samsung Galaxy model
Google Pixel model
Other Android phone
The menu locations may vary depending on your device.