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Release an eSIM

DELETE
/v1/esim/sims/{esim_id}
bird esim release <esim-id> --yes
Response202
{
  "subscriber_id": "esub_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg",
  "id": "esm_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg",
  "status": "provisioning",
  "mode": "live",
  "iccid": "8944500212345678912",
  "phone_number": "+31612345678",
  "capabilities": {
    "data": "yes",
    "sms_inbound": "yes",
    "sms_outbound": "yes",
    "voice_inbound": "yes",
    "voice_outbound": "yes"
  },
  "order_id": "eor_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg",
  "display_name": "Amsterdam trip, order 8812",
  "installation": {
    "state": "pending"
  },
  "packages": [
    {
      "id": "epk_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg",
      "order_id": "eor_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg",
      "offer_id": "eof_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg",
      "zone_id": "ezn_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg",
      "zone_name": "Europe",
      "countries": [
        "US"
      ],
      "status": "provisioning",
      "speed": "full",
      "price": {
        "amount": "0.00995",
        "currency_code": "USD"
      }
    }
  ],
  "zone_balances": [
    {
      "zone_id": "ezn_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg"
    }
  ],
  "available_actions": [
    {
      "action": "suspend",
      "operation": "suspendEsim",
      "reason": "permission_denied",
      "requires": [
        "acknowledge_balance_forfeit"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "package_limit": 3,
  "usage_available": true,
  "balance_reporting": "available",
  "last_attachment": {
    "country_code": "US"
  },
  "tags": [
    {
      "name": "category",
      "value": "welcome"
    }
  ],
  "created_at": "2026-05-20T09:14:52Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-05-25T16:42:01Z"
}

Permanently releases an eSIM. This is irreversible: the eSIM can never be installed or used again, any remaining package data balance is forfeited, and release never credits anything back. Use release when responding to fraud or closing out a trip; to pause service temporarily, use Suspend an eSIM instead.

Release completes asynchronously: the 202 response returns the eSIM in releasing, and the esim.released webhook event confirms completion. An eSIM with an order still in flight cannot be released: wait for the order to reach a terminal status first. When unexpired balance remains, the request fails with a conflict unless acknowledge_balance_forfeit=true.

Parameters

esim_idstring

eSIM ID.

Query Parameters

acknowledge_balance_forfeitboolean

Confirms you accept that remaining package balances are forfeited. Omitted or false while unexpired balance remains, the request fails with a conflict error.

Response Payload

subscriber_id
nullable string
required

The assigned service user, or null when the eSIM has no person assignment.

id
string
required
status
string
required
mode
string
required
iccid
nullable string
required

ICCID of the eSIM profile. Null while no profile is allocated yet, for example when provisioning failed before allocation.

phone_number
nullable string
required

Phone number attached to this eSIM, in E.164 format, as the supplier reports it. Null while none is on record: a data-only plan comes with no number, and a plan that includes one reports it after provisioning.

capabilities
object
Show child attributes
order_id
string
required

The order that created this eSIM.

display_name
nullable string

Free-text label for your own reference, for example a traveler or order reference.

installation
object
required
Show child attributes
packages
array of object
required

Current data packages, one per purchase.

Show child attributes
zone_balances
array of object
required

Remaining data per coverage zone, combined across the zone's packages. Derived; the packages are the source of truth.

Show child attributes
available_actions
array of object

Actions currently available to you on this eSIM, with reasons for unavailable actions. Returned by the individual eSIM read. Use this to display controls and explain restrictions. Each action rechecks permissions and state when submitted, so availability is not a guarantee of success.

Show child attributes
package_limit
integer
required

Maximum number of concurrent data packages this eSIM can hold, counted across all zones; several packages may share one zone. Enforced when packages are added.

usage_available
boolean
required

Whether daily usage history is supported for this eSIM. The daily usage endpoint is currently unavailable; read package balances for reported consumption.

balance_reporting
string
required

Whether ongoing package consumption reporting is available. Separate from daily usage history. Null package consumption values mean no measurement is available.

ready_until
nullable string

Activate (first network use) before this moment or the eSIM expires. Null once activated.

activated_at
nullable string

When the eSIM first used a mobile network. Null until then.

active_until
nullable string

When the eSIM's service period ends. The period starts at activation and data packages cannot outlive it. Null until activated.

last_attachment
nullable object

Most recent network attachment, or null before first attach.

Show child attributes
tags
array of object

Tags for routing, filtering, and stats grouping, echoed on webhook events for the eSIM.

Show child attributes
metadata
object

Your own key-value data, echoed on webhook events for the eSIM. Maximum 2 KB serialized.

created_at
string
required
updated_at
string
required

Related resources

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