Using Dual SIM with an eSIM – Apple Support (UK) (2024)

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you touse a mobile plan from your network provider without having to use a physical nano-SIM. Find out how to set up and use Dual SIM.¹

How can you use Dual SIM?

• Use one number for business and another number for personal calls.

• Add a local data plan when you're travelling outside the country or region.

• Have separate voice and data plans.

Both your phone numbers can make and receive voice and FaceTime calls and send and receive messages using iMessage, SMS and MMS.² Your iPhone can use one mobile data network at a time.

If you want to use 5G with Dual SIM oniPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini,iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max,make sure you have iOS 14.5 or later.

What you need

• An iPhone XS, iPhone XSMax, iPhone XR or later with iOS 12.1or later

• Awireless network provider that supports eSIM

Set up another mobile plan on your iPhone

All iPhone models that support eSIM can have multiple eSIMs and use Dual SIM with two active SIMs at the same time.

You can use Dual SIM by using a physical SIM and an eSIM. iPhone 13 models and later also support two active eSIMs. iPhone models without a physical SIM tray support two active eSIMs.

Find out how to activate amobile plan on an eSIM.

Label your plans

After your second plan has been activated, label your plans. For example, you can label one plan Business and the other plan Personal.

You'll use these labels when you choose which phone number to use for making or receiving calls and messages, to designate a number for mobile data and to assign a number to your contacts so you know which number you will use.

If you change your mind later, you can change your labels by going to Settings,tapping either Cellular or Mobile Data, and thentapping the number whose label you want to change. Then tap Mobile Plan Label and select a new label or enter a custom label.

Set your default number

Choose a number to use when you call or send a message to someonewho isn't in your Contacts app. Choose which mobile plans you want to use for iMessage and FaceTime. You can choose either or both numbers.

On this screen, choose a number to be your default number, or choose which number will only be used for mobile data. Your other number will be your default. If you wantyour iPhone to use mobile data from both plans, depending on coverage and availability, turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching.

Use two phone numbers for calls, messages and data

Now that your iPhone has been set up with two phone numbers, here's how to use them.

Let your iPhone remember which number to use

When you call one of your contacts, you don't need to choose which number to use every time. By default, your iPhone will use the same numberthat you used the last time you called that contact. If you haven't called that contact, your iPhone will use your default number. You can also specify which numberto use for your calls with a contact. Follow these steps:

1. Tap the contact.

2. Tap Preferred Mobile Data Plan.

3. Tap the number that you want to use for that contact.

Make and receive calls

You can make and receive phone calls with either phone number.

When you're on a call, if the network provider for your other phone number supports Wi-Fi calling, you can answer incoming calls on your other number. When you're on a call using a line that isn't your designated line for mobile data, you need to turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching to receive calls from your other line. If you ignore the call and have voicemail set up with your network provider, you'll receive a missed-call notification and the call will go to voicemail. Check with your network provider for Wi-Fi calling availability and find out whether additional fees or data usage applies from your data provider.

If you're on a call and your other line shows No Service, either your provider doesn't support Wi-Fi calling or you don't have Wi-Fi calling turned on.³ When you're on a call, an incoming call on your other phone number will go to voicemail if you set up voicemail with your provider. When you're on a call, an incoming call on your other phone number will go to voicemail if you set up voicemail with your provider.⁴

Switch phone numbers for a call

You can switch phone numbers before you make a call. If you're calling someone in your Favourites list, follow these steps:

1. Tap the Info button.

2. Tap the current phone number.

3. Tap your other number.

If you're using the keypad, follow these steps:

1. Enter the phone number.

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

3. Tap the number that you want to use.

   See Also

   iPhone 15 Models Sold Outside U.S. Still Have Physical SIM Card Tray

Send messages with iMessage and SMS/MMS

You can use iMessage or SMS/MMS to send messages with either phone number.⁵ You can choose a number to use before or after starting a conversation.

Choose a number before sending an iMessage or SMS/MMS message

1. Open Messages.

2. Tap the New button in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

3. Enter your contact's name.

4. Tap the current phone number.

5. Tap the number that you want to use.

Switch numbers during a conversation

1. Tap the number you're using, near the top of the screen.

2. Choose the number you want to use instead.

   

Find out about Dual SIM status icons

The icons in the status bar at the top of the screen show the signal strength of your two network providers. Find out what the status icons mean.

You can see more status icons when you open Control Centre.

Change your mobile data number

One number at a time can use mobile data. To change which number uses mobile data, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.

3. Tap Mobile Data.

4. Tap the number that you want to use mobile data.

   

If you turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching, then while you're on a voice call on your voice-only number, that number will switch to using voice and data automatically.⁶ This will let you use both voice and data while on the call.

If you turn off Allow Mobile Data Switching and you'reactive on a voice line that isn't your designated mobile data line, then mobile data won't work when you'reon the call.

To turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.

3. Tap Mobile Data.

4. Turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching.

Manage mobile settings

To change your mobile settings for each of your plans, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.

3. Tap the number that you want to change.

4. Tap each option and set it as you normally would.

Find out more

• Use Dual SIM with an eSIM and your Apple Watch.

• If you can't set up your eSIM or if you have trouble using your eSIM, find out what to do.

Published Date:April 10, 2024