How To Set Up Dual SIM Cards On An iPhone

Anyone who wants to add more than one number to their iPhone, whether they are doing so to separate their personal and professional lives or simply to have more than one number on their phone. You’ll be happy to learn that digital SIMs approved by Apple make this possible. You can learn how to set up an iPhone with dual SIM cards and how to use multiple SIM cards on your iPhone in this quick guide. We’ll walk you through how to use multiple dual SIM iPhone cards with the iOS operating system and its assortment of phones.

If you want to keep your personal calls and business calls separate on one phone, using two or more numbers is a good idea. You can add more cellular or data plans with the help of an eSIM, a digital SIM platform, without using a second physical SIM card. Due to Apple’s decision to give the iPhone only one SIM card slot since its introduction, it is physically impossible to add two SIM cards to the device.

iPhones that support eSIM (except models purchased in China)

The iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 mini can all support multiple SIM cards using Dual SIM, which can have two active eSIMs or a nano-SIM and an eSIM. With older Apple devices like the iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, you can also use two SIM cards simultaneously: a nano-SIM and an eSIM.

Also: 9 Best Hidden Features in iOS 16: What You Need to Know

Once configured, using multiple or dual SIM with your iPhone enables you to add a local data plan when traveling outside of your home country, allowing you to avoid paying roaming fees. When setting up mobile hotspots, you can also use separate SIMs for voice and data plans to take advantage of lower data allowances. You can save money on data usage by connecting your laptop, tablet, or family devices directly to your iPhone.

If you want to use 5G data connections with Dual SIM cards on older iPhone 12 models, you must have iOS 14.5 or later installed. When using dual SIMs with iOS 13, your phone can only connect to one cellular data network at a time. Although, with iOS 13 and later, iPhone users can make and receive voice and FaceTime calls, as well as send and receive messages via iMessage, SMS, and MMS.

You need to have an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or later running iOS 12.1 or later and be signed up with a cellular network carrier that supports eSIM technology in order to enable Dual Sim support on your iPhone. A quick call to your network’s support line or a quick search of its website should reveal the answer you need if you’re unsure whether it supports eSIM.

Dual-SIM iPhone

The fact that both of your cellular network plans must be from the same company is also important to keep in mind if your iPhone is not unlocked. This becomes a problem if you travel to other nations where cellular service providers may vary. If your iPhone is unlocked, you can use it with two carriers simultaneously. The second SIM won’t support CDMA if your first SIM is provided by a CDMA carrier, according to Apple. It is best to speak with your network provider or, if you are using a business iPhone, the administration team for more clarification.

Configure your eSIM

Apple lets you store multiple eSIMs on your iPhone, but only one of them can be used at once. You must switch from one to the other. This is done by going to your Settings app, selecting Cellular or Mobile Data, and then selecting the plan you want to use. We recommend labeling your plans to facilitate quick and easy switching between dual SIM iPhone plans. If you want to change the name of each individual plan, go to Settings > Choose Cellular or Mobile Data, tap the plan’s phone number, and then choose Cellular Plan Label to enter your new name.

Default SIM card

When you call or message someone who isn’t on your Contacts app’s contact list, you can choose to have one SIM take priority over the other. Apple gives you the option to select the cellular plans you want to use for iMessage and FaceTime. You can also switch between using the cellular data from both of your SIM cards by enabling Allow Cellular Data Switching.

Your iPhone will automatically dial the same number you used to call a particular contact the last time when managing dual SIM cards. The default number you’ve set up as above will be used by your iPhone if you haven’t already called anyone in your contacts list. You can select which SIM to use if you prefer to choose which plan to use when contacting particular contacts on your iPhone:

1. Select the person from the Contacts app on your iPhone

2. Select the “Preferred Cellular Plan” option

3. Select the SIM number you would like to use for this contact

Digital SIMs

If you want to choose the SIM card that will be used for a specific call, you can do so by:

1. Select the contact or type in the phone number you’d like to call

2. Tap the phone number near the top of the screen

3. Select the SIM number or label you have set up to use that cellular network

If you already have the contact in your iPhone Favorites address book:

1. Select the person you would like to contact and press the Info button

2. Select the current phone number and tap your other SIM number

You can also use iPhone Dual SIMs to send and receive iMessages, SMS, and MMS messages with either SIM, and you can choose whether to use the number before or after starting a conversation. Simply launch the messages app and follow these steps:

1. Tap the new button in the top right-hand corner of your screen

2. Enter the name of the contact you would like to message

3. Select the current phone number, followed by the SIM number you want to use. When you want to change SIM numbers in the middle of a conversation, tap the number that is currently displayed near the top of the screen.

Apple makes it simple to view the status and signal strength of your two carriers when using dual SIM on your iPhone by navigating to the Control Center. If you require additional help, it may be worthwhile to get in touch with Apple directly through its engineers using the Genius Bar in Apple stores or the Apple support website.