eSIM to physical SIM.

You would need to get a physical SIM.  Once you deactivate a physical SIM, it’s dead.  You can’t reactivate it by transferring the eSIM back to it.  Also, I’m not even sure transferring from eSIM to physical is even possible, and don’t think AT&T provides a blank physical SIM even if it were possible.

I believe the iPhone 13 allows two eSIMs (with the second eSIM in lieu of the physical SIM), if you wanted to do that, but if you want a physical SIM, you’ll have to get a new one.

Once you have your ATT number on the esim, to convert back to a physical sim just go to an ATT store for a replacement sim and delete the esim.

So, for my needs, it appears as if:

1) I can keep two esims running at once, or I can run one esim and a physical sim. 

2) I can delete an esim (but once I do, it's gone.  gotta get a new one, say, if it is my ATT esim)  and I assume I can do this online.

I do appreciate everyone's input.  It helps quite a bit.

WJ

You can convert your ATT physical sim to an esim right on your phone through settings as long as you have iOS 15. That was a feature added to iOS 15.

It is great that you are able to find help here at our Forums, @sublimaze1!

When it comes to transferring your original number that you placed on an eSIM back to a physical SIM, as @sandblaster advised, simply visit your nearest AT&T Store to obtain a new physical SIM card.

Once you have your new physical SIM card, delete your eSIM from your iPhone:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Cellular.
3. Tap the plan you want to erase.
4. Tap Remove Cellular Plan.

Also, follow these instructions to set up and manage your eSIM (Dual SIM) to use one number for personal and one number for work or for travel (iOS 15 or later). There, you will learn how to Manage cellular plans and even Switch cellular plan for a phone call.

What's more, you can store more than one eSIM in your iPhone, but you can use only one at a time.

1. To switch eSIMs, tap Settings.
2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
3. Then tap the plan you want to use.

We hope this info helps. Thank you for contacting AT&T Community Forums.

Lar, AT&T Community Specialist

"simply visit your nearest AT&T Store to obtain a new physical SIM card."

This requires payment, right? 

(As I recall, AT&T goes back and forth on requiring payment for SIMs so I'm wondering what the current situation is.) 

@AboutToGoPostal That depends on the store. Yes, they do charge for a replacement SIM card but some stores or rather some store employees might not bother. A corporate store charges $5 for a replacement SIM card. An authorized retail store may charge more.