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How to Remove eSIM from Android Devices in Hexnode UEM?
TL;DR
The Remove eSIM action deletes Hexnode-deployed eSIM profiles from Android Enterprise devices running Android 15 or later, individually or in bulk, without prompting the user. It does not remove eSIM profiles added directly to the device or cancel the associated carrier plan. Removing an active eSIM ends its cellular service, so ensure the device has Wi-Fi or another active SIM/eSIM to maintain connectivity with Hexnode UEM and report the action result. On Profile Owner devices, OEM-specific restrictions may cause the Remove eSIM action to fail.
When should you remove an eSIM profile?
Remove a Hexnode-deployed eSIM profile when a managed Android device no longer needs the associated cellular plan:
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Employee offboarding: Remove the profile before disenrolling or reissuing the device, if it is no longer needed, as disenrolling does not remove the profile. Contact the carrier separately to cancel or transfer the plan, as removing the profile does not stop billing.
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Device reassignment: Remove the profile if the existing plan or phone number should not be used by the next user. Retain the profile if the existing cellular plan is to remain in use.
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Switching carriers: When moving to a new carrier, deploy the new eSIM profile and activate it before removing the old one to help maintain cellular service during the switch.
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Lost or stolen devices: Locate and lock the device, or wipe it if necessary, while it is still reachable through Hexnode UEM. If the device is not expected to be recovered and the eSIM profile is no longer needed, remove the profile.
If the eSIM being removed is the device’s only active cellular connection, connect the device to Wi-Fi or another network first so it can continue communicating with Hexnode UEM.
Wiping the device also removes its eSIM profiles, so a separate Remove eSIM action isn’t needed when wiping the device.
Prerequisites and Support Requirements
The device must meet the following requirements for the Remove eSIM action:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Device Enrollment | The device must be enrolled in Hexnode UEM under Android Enterprise using Device Owner, Profile Owner, or Work Profile on Company-Owned mode. |
| Android Version | The device must be running Android 15 or later. |
| eSIM hardware | The device must support eSIM. |
| Hexnode-deployed eSIM | At least one eSIM profile deployed through Hexnode UEM must be available for removal. |
The Remove eSIM action does not affect eSIM profiles added directly to the device or physical SIM cards.
How to perform the Remove eSIM action
You can remove eSIM profiles in two ways: use the Remove eSIM action from the Actions menu to remove profiles from one or multiple devices, or delete an individual profile from the eSIM Profiles section on the device’s Device Details page.
Access to eSIM management can be restricted to authorized technicians through custom roles to help protect activation codes.
Remove an eSIM profile from Device Details
The eSIM Profiles section lists the eSIM profiles deployed through Hexnode UEM.
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Open the target Android device from Manage > Endpoints.
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Navigate to Device Details > eSIM Profiles.
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Click the Delete icon next to the eSIM profile you want to remove.
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In the confirmation dialog, click Done to confirm the removal.
How to check the eSIM removal status
Open the required device from Manage > Endpoints, go to Action History, and verify the status of the Remove eSIM action.
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Success | The eSIM profile was successfully removed from the device. |
| Pending | The Remove eSIM action is queued for execution on the device. |
| Failed | The eSIM profile could not be removed from the device. |
| Partial Success | The Remove eSIM action succeeded for some eSIM profiles and failed for others. Hover over the associated tooltip to view which profiles were successfully removed and which failed. |
If the device is offline when the Remove eSIM action is initiated, the action remains Pending until the device reconnects and executes it. Hexnode UEM receives the updated status once the device is back online. You can cancel a Pending action from Action History by clicking the X button beside the Remove eSIM action.
After the next device scan check Device Details > eSIM Profiles to verify that the eSIM profile has been removed. You can also run the Scan Device remote action to fetch the latest details.
How does eSIM removal work on Profile Owner devices?
In Hexnode UEM, Profile Owner enrollment is intended for employee-owned Android devices and creates a separate work profile. On these devices, OEM-specific restrictions may prevent the Remove eSIM action from completing (for example, on some Samsung devices). If the action fails, Action History reports the status as Failed, and the eSIM profile remains on the device. In such cases, the admin should notify the user and ask them to remove the eSIM manually from the device settings. For example, open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, select the eSIM, and tap Erase eSIM. Menu names and options may vary by manufacturer and Android version.
Troubleshooting
1. Why is the eSIM profile not available for removal?
Description: The eSIM profile is present on the Android device but is not available for selection when the Remove eSIM action is initiated.
Cause: The eSIM profile was not deployed through Hexnode UEM.
Solution:
Use the device’s native eSIM settings to manage a profile that was added directly to the device.
2. Why doesn’t a device appear in the bulk Remove eSIM dialog?
Description: The device is enrolled in Hexnode UEM but is not listed in the bulk Remove eSIM dialog.
Cause: The device runs an Android version earlier than Android 15 or does not have an eSIM profile deployed through Hexnode UEM.
Solution:
Check that the device runs Android 15 or later and has at least one eSIM profile deployed through Hexnode UEM.
3. Why hasn’t the Remove eSIM action status been updated in the portal?
Description: The eSIM profile has been removed, but the action’s final status is not reflected in Hexnode UEM.
Cause: The removed eSIM was the device’s only network connection, preventing the device from communicating with Hexnode UEM.
Solution:
Connect the device to Wi-Fi or another available network to restore communication with Hexnode UEM and allow the action status to be updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can users manually remove an eSIM profile deployed through Hexnode?
Yes. Users can manually remove a Hexnode-deployed eSIM profile from the device. Hexnode detects the removal and shows the profile status as Deleted from the device in the eSIM Profiles section on the device details page. To prevent users from removing Hexnode-deployed eSIMs through device settings, disable Configure cellular network under Restrictions > Advanced Restrictions in a policy. This also disables other cellular configuration controls.
2. Can a removed eSIM profile be reinstalled?
Yes. A removed eSIM profile can be deployed again to the device using the Deploy eSIM action. However, some carriers issue single-use activation codes, so you may need to obtain a new activation code from the carrier.
3. Is the eSIM profile removed when a device is disenrolled?
No. Disenrolling the device does not remove the Hexnode-deployed eSIM profile from the device.
4. Does removing an eSIM profile through Hexnode cancel the associated carrier or data plan?
No. The Remove eSIM action removes the eSIM profile from the device only. It does not cancel the associated carrier or data plan.
