Short answer
No. One installed eSIM profile stays on that phone, because the GSMA says a profile is always located on one particular embedded SIM chip and that the chip must not export the profile, so another traveler does not receive it on their phone, and each person who wants cellular data on their own phone needs a download on that phone.
Sharing one phone's connection with nearby devices is the Japan eSIM hotspot page, and this page does not repeat those steps. A rental pocket Wi-Fi that several devices join is covered in Should I get an eSIM, pocket WiFi, or a physical SIM for Japan?.
Fact table
As of 2026-10-21
Each claim names its source. The full source list, with the date each page was read, is below.
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| The GSMA defines a bound profile package as a protected profile package cryptographically linked to one particular embedded SIM chip. | GSMA, SGP.21 architecture |
| The GSMA says a profile does not exist outside that chip, and that a profile is always located on one particular embedded SIM chip. | GSMA, SGP.21 architecture |
| The GSMA requires that the chip not export a profile installed on it. | GSMA, SGP.21 architecture |
| The GSMA says an activation code is information an operator or service provider gives the user, and that the user uses it to request the download and installation of a profile. Entering that code has to support at least typing it and scanning a QR code. | GSMA, SGP.21 architecture |
| The GSMA says that when the procedure for adding a profile with an activation code finishes, the profile has been installed on the user's device. Those sentences do not say that the same code installs that profile on a second phone. | GSMA, SGP.21 architecture |
| au says an eSIM can be set on only one device per phone number, and that an eSIM with the same phone number cannot be set on multiple devices at the same time. | au, one eSIM per phone number |
| au says that using the eSIM you have now on another device means moving it to that device, and that when the move is complete the eSIM on the old device can no longer be used. au says that move is au's eSIM reissue or eSIM transfer. | au, one eSIM per phone number |
| au points to a separate feature, Number Share, for voice calls with that au phone number on a smartwatch au describes as supporting 5G or 4G LTE. That note is not a second phone. | au, one eSIM per phone number |
| SoftBank says that using an eSIM on another device requires a model-change procedure, at a SoftBank shop or the online shop. | SoftBank, eSIM on another device |
| docomo says that after eSIM Quick Transfer, the SIM on the phone you were using becomes invalid. | NTT docomo, eSIM Quick Transfer |
| Apple says that if your carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer, transferring the SIM to a new iPhone deactivates the previous SIM when the cellular plan on the new iPhone activates. | Apple Support, set up eSIM |
| Google says you can transfer a physical SIM or an eSIM to an eSIM on a new phone, that it depends on the carrier, and that the existing device or eSIM can still work if the transfer does not succeed. | Google Pixel Help, transfer a SIM |
| JNTO describes renting a personal hotspot or pocket Wi-Fi device, from a rental kiosk at a major airport or by delivery to a hotel, as a way to get Wi-Fi in Japan. | JNTO, Wi-Fi in Japan |
| A Wakamo Japan plan lists no phone number and no voice calls. | Wakamo Japan plan page |
| The Japan plan page does not describe installing one plan on every phone in a group. | Wakamo Japan plan page |
| Wakamo help describes installation for the purchase you open in your account. It does not describe installing that purchase on a second traveler's phone, and it does not describe a phone-to-phone transfer of a Japan plan. | Wakamo help |
| When the account marks a purchase In Use, it says that means the eSIM is installed. The account does not show a control that installs that purchase on another phone. | Wakamo account |
| The Japan eSIM guide is where Wakamo writes how to install a Japan plan. This page does not repeat those steps. | Wakamo Japan eSIM guide |
FAQ
Can two travelers use one installed eSIM at the same time?
No. The GSMA says a profile does not exist outside one particular embedded SIM chip, that a profile is always located on that chip, and that the chip must not export a profile installed on it. Another traveler's phone does not receive that profile.
Can we copy the profile onto someone else's phone?
No. The GSMA defines a bound profile package as cryptographically linked to one particular embedded SIM chip, and it requires that the chip not export a profile installed on it.
Does the QR code put that same profile on every phone?
The GSMA says an activation code, which the user can type or scan as a QR code, is a request to download and install a profile. When that procedure finishes, the profile has been installed on the user's device. Those sentences do not say that the same code installs that profile on a second phone.
What if we transfer it to the other iPhone?
Apple says that if your carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer, transferring the SIM to a new iPhone deactivates the previous SIM when the cellular plan on the new iPhone activates. Wakamo help does not describe a phone-to-phone transfer of a Japan plan. On a Pixel, Google says a transfer to a new phone depends on the carrier, and that the existing device or eSIM can still work if the transfer does not succeed.
What do au, SoftBank, and docomo say about a second phone?
au says an eSIM with the same phone number cannot be set on multiple devices at the same time, and that after you move it the eSIM on the old device can no longer be used. SoftBank says using an eSIM on another device requires a model-change procedure, at a SoftBank shop or the online shop. docomo says that after eSIM Quick Transfer, the SIM on the phone you were using becomes invalid. These sentences are about those carriers' own lines. A Wakamo Japan plan lists no phone number and no voice calls.
Does au Number Share let two travelers share one number?
No. au points to Number Share for voice calls with an au phone number on a smartwatch au describes as supporting 5G or 4G LTE. That note is not a second phone. A Wakamo Japan plan lists no phone number and no voice calls.
Does each person need their own Wakamo Japan plan?
Each person who wants cellular data on their own phone needs a download on that phone. Wakamo help describes installation for the purchase you open in your account and does not describe installing that purchase on a second traveler's phone. The account does not show a control that installs that purchase on another phone. The Japan plan page does not describe installing one plan on every phone in a group.
Is a pocket Wi-Fi the same as sharing the eSIM?
No. JNTO describes renting a personal hotspot or pocket Wi-Fi device, from a rental kiosk at a major airport or by delivery to a hotel. That rented device is not the eSIM profile the GSMA locates on one phone.
Sources
GSMA, SGP.21 architecturegsma.com
SGP.21 version 2.7, 24 April 2026. A bound profile package is a protected profile package cryptographically linked to one particular embedded SIM chip. A profile does not exist outside that chip, and a profile is always located on one particular chip. The chip must not export a profile installed on it. An activation code is information an operator or service provider gives the user, and the user uses it to request the download and installation of a profile. Entering that code has to support at least typing it and scanning a QR code. When the procedure for adding a profile with an activation code finishes, the profile has been installed on the user's device. Those sentences do not say that the same code installs that profile on a second phone.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
au, one eSIM per phone numberau.com
au says an eSIM can be set on only one device per phone number, and that an eSIM with the same phone number cannot be set on multiple devices at the same time. Using the current eSIM on another device means moving it, and when that move is complete the eSIM on the old device can no longer be used. The move is au's eSIM reissue or eSIM transfer. au points to a separate feature, Number Share, for voice calls with that au phone number on a smartwatch au describes as supporting 5G or 4G LTE. The page was updated on 26 August 2026. These sentences are about an au phone number.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
SoftBank, eSIM on another devicesoftbank.jp
SoftBank says that using an eSIM on another device requires a model-change procedure, at a SoftBank shop or the online shop. This sentence is about SoftBank's own eSIM.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
NTT docomo, eSIM Quick Transferdocomo.ne.jp
docomo says that after eSIM Quick Transfer, the SIM on the phone you were using becomes invalid. This sentence is about docomo's own transfer.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Apple Support, set up eSIMsupport.apple.com
If the carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer, Apple says you can transfer the SIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone. When the cellular plan on the new iPhone activates, it deactivates the previous SIM.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Google Pixel Help, transfer a SIMsupport.google.com
Google says you can transfer a physical SIM or an eSIM to an eSIM on a new phone, that it depends on the carrier, and that the existing device or eSIM can still work if the transfer does not succeed.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
JNTO, Wi-Fi in Japanjapan.travel
JNTO describes renting a personal hotspot or pocket Wi-Fi device, from a rental kiosk at a major airport or by delivery to a hotel, as a way to get Wi-Fi in Japan.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Wakamo Japan plan pagewakamo.io
Wakamo product information. A Japan plan lists no phone number and no voice calls. The page does not describe installing one plan on every phone in a group.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Wakamo helpwakamo.io
Wakamo product information. Help describes installation for the purchase you open in your account. It does not describe installing that purchase on a second traveler's phone, and it does not describe a phone-to-phone transfer of a Japan plan.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Wakamo accountwakamo.io
Wakamo product information. When the account marks a purchase In Use, it says that means the eSIM is installed. The account does not show a control that installs that purchase on another phone.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Wakamo Japan eSIM guidewakamo.io
Wakamo product information. The Japan eSIM guide is where Wakamo writes how to install a Japan plan. This page does not repeat those steps.
Accessed 2026-10-21.