Techniques to manage updates for eSIMs of a secondary wireless device are disclosed. Responsive to a user input, expiration of a timer, receipt of a message from an associated primary wireless device, processing circuitry of the secondary wireless device commands an eUICC to update an eSIM. A secure data connection is established between the eUICC and a network provisioning server, either directly from the secondary wireless device to a cellular wireless network or relayed indirectly via the primary wireless device. The eUICC and the network provisioning server exchange messages in accordance with a BIP process to update the eSIM. The eUICC provides a status to the processing circuitry indicating success or failure for the eSIM update. Upon success, a portion of the secondary wireless device may be placed in a reduced power state. Upon failure, the eSIM update process may repeat up to a maximum number of retries.