---
title: "bird esim release"
description: "Release an eSIM"
canonical: "https://bird.com/docs/cli/reference/esim-release"
---

# `bird esim release`

## Usage

```bash
bird esim release <esim-id> [flags]
```

## Description

Permanently release an eSIM. Irreversible: it can never be installed or used again, remaining package balances are forfeited, and release never credits anything back. Use release when responding to fraud or closing out a trip; to pause service temporarily use suspend instead.

This is destructive and cannot be undone; pass --yes to confirm.

## Examples

```bash
bird esim release <id> --yes
```

## Options

#### Safety

| Name                | Description                                                    |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--idempotency-key` | Deduplication key; a retry with the same key won't act twice   |
| `--yes`             | Confirm a destructive action (required; the CLI never prompts) |

#### Options

| Name                            | Description                                                                                                                                                   |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--acknowledge-balance-forfeit` | Confirms you accept that remaining package balances are forfeited. Omitted or false while unexpired balance remains, the request fails with a conflict error. |
| `--response-schema`             | Print the fields this command returns, then exit                                                                                                              |

## Related

| Name                                                                        | Description                  |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| [`bird esim compatible-offers`](/docs/cli/reference/esim-compatible-offers) | List offers an eSIM can take |
| [`bird esim get`](/docs/cli/reference/esim-get)                             | Get an eSIM                  |
| [`bird esim list`](/docs/cli/reference/esim-list)                           | List eSIMs                   |
| [`bird esim resume`](/docs/cli/reference/esim-resume)                       | Resume an eSIM               |
| [`bird esim suspend`](/docs/cli/reference/esim-suspend)                     | Suspend an eSIM              |
| [`bird esim update`](/docs/cli/reference/esim-update)                       | Update an eSIM               |

## Related resources

- [Should I use a Bird SDK or call the API directly?](/explained/platform/should-i-use-an-sdk-or-call-the-api-directly) (answer)
- [Build your first integration](/learn/paths/integration) (course)
- [Send your first email](/docs/get-started/send-your-first-email) (docs)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=api-basics)