Moving to a new phone with an eSIM can be a little jarring because eSIMs are strictly single-use profiles—they cannot be transferred or re-downloaded once they are erased or moved to a new device.
Fortunately, Public Mobile has updated their system so that eSIM replacements are completely free for existing eSIM users. While the app will show a standard $5 price tag initially, the system automatically detects your account history and drops the balance to $0 at checkout.
To get your new eSIM generated and installed on your new phone, follow this sequence exactly.
Grab your new phone, connect to Wi-Fi, and install the official Public Mobile App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Log into your account. If the system tries to send a 2-factor text code to your phone (which won't arrive because your service is dead), tap "Resend code" or "Try another way" and choose to receive the code via Email instead.
Once you are logged into the dashboard, tap the Account tab at the bottom, select Purchase SIM Card, and choose eSIM.
Review the order summary. The checkout screen will show a $5 charge, but as you hit the final verification step, it will drop to $0.00. Tap Pay and Install.
Your phone will automatically prompt you with a system window asking to download a new cellular profile. Tap Allow / Continue and wait. Do not close or minimize the Public Mobile app until the progress wheel finishes and says the eSIM is successfully activated.
If the automatic setup stalls out or crashes midway through Step 5, check your email inbox. Public Mobile automatically fires off a backup QR Code to your account email whenever a new eSIM is generated. If the app fails to push it natively, go to your phone's network settings (Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM), select Use QR Code, and scan the graphic from your email to finish the cellular handshake manually.
