Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN) (2024)

In China mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, certain iPhone models feature Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards. This gives you two phone numbers to make and receive calls and text messages.

If you have an iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), or an iPhone XS in Hong Kong or Macao, learn how to use Dual SIM with an eSIM.

Here are a few of the many ways you can use Dual SIM:

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

  • Add a local data plan when you travel outside of the country or region.

  • Have separate voice and data plans.

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

* This uses Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) technology, which means that both SIMs can make and receive calls.

What you need

To use Dual SIM, you need iOS 12.1 or later, two nano-SIM cards, and one of these iPhone models:

  • iPhone 14

  • iPhone 14 Plus

  • iPhone 14 Pro

  • iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • iPhone 13

  • iPhone 13 Pro

  • iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • iPhone 12

  • iPhone 12 Pro

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • iPhone 11

  • iPhone 11 Pro

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • iPhone XS Max

  • iPhone XR

How to install the nano-SIM cards

Insert a paper clip or SIM eject tool into the small hole of the SIM card tray, then push in toward iPhone to remove your SIM tray, notice the notch in one corner of the new SIM card. Place the new SIM card into the bottom of the tray — it will fit only one way, because of the notch. Then insert the other SIM card into the top tray.

Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN) (1)

With the two nano-SIM cards in place, insert the SIM tray back into the device completely and in the same orientation that you removed it. The tray fits only one way.

If your SIM cards are protected with a personal identification number (PIN), note the position — front or back — of each SIM card in the tray. If asked, carefully enter the PINs for the front SIM card and back SIM card.

Label your plans

After your second plan is 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 cellular 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 > Cellular, or Settings > Mobile Data, and tapping the number whose label you want to change. Then tap Cellular Plan Label and select a new label or enter a custom label.

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Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN) (3)

Set your default number

Choose a number to use when you call or send a message to someone who isn't in your Contacts app. Choose which cellular plans you want to use for iMessage and FaceTime. With iOS 13 and later, you can choose either or both numbers.

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

Use two phone numbers for calls, messages, and data

Now that your iPhone is 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 uses the same number that you used the last time you called that contact. If you haven't called that contact, your iPhone uses your default number. If you want to, you can specify which number to use for your calls with a contact. Follow these steps:

  1. Tap the contact.

  2. Tap Preferred Cellular Plan.

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

Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN) (4)

Make and receive calls

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

With iOS 13 and later, when you're on a call, if the carrier for your other phone number supports Wi-Fi calling, you can answer incoming calls on your other number. You will need to turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching when you are on a call that isn't your default data line. Or, if you ignore the call and you have voicemail set up with your carrier, you’ll get a missed-call notification and the call will go to voicemail. Check with your carrier for Wi-Fi calling availability, and find out if additional fees or data usage applies from your data provider.

If your carrier doesn't support Wi-Fi calling or you don't have Wi-Fi calling turned on,1 then when you're on a call, an incoming call on your other phone number will go to voicemail, if you have voicemail set up with your carrier.2 However, you won't get a missed-call notification from your secondary number. Call Waiting works for incoming calls on the same phone number. To avoid missing an important call, you can turn on call forwarding and forward all calls from one number to the other. Check with your carrier for availability and to find out if additional fees apply.

1. Or if you're using iOS 12. Update to iOS 13 or later to receive calls when you're using your other number.

2. If data roaming is on for the number that uses cellular data, then Visual Voicemail and MMS will be disabled on your voice-only number.

Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN) (5)

Switch phone numbers for a call

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

  1. Tap the Info buttonUsing Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN) (6) .

  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 you want to use.

Send messages with iMessage and SMS/MMS

You can use iMessage or SMS/MMS to send messages with either phone number.* You can switch phone numbers before you send an iMessage or SMS/MMS message. Here's how:

  1. Open Messages.

  2. Tap the New button, in the upper right corner of the screen.

  3. Enter your contact's name.

  4. Tap the current phone number.

  5. Tap the number you want to use.

* Additional fees might apply. Check with your carrier.

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Learn about Dual SIM status icons

The icons in the status bar at the top of the screen show the signal strength of your two carriers. Learn what the status icons mean.

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

Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN) (8)Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN) (9)

The status bar shows that the device is connected to Wi-Fi and Carrier 2 is using Wi-Fi Calling.

The status bar shows that Carrier 1 is using LTE, and Carrier 2 is using the cellular data of Carrier 1.

Change your cellular data number

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

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular, or Settings > Mobile Data.

  2. Tap Cellular.

  3. Tap the number you want to use cellular data.

If you turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching, then while you're on a voice call on your voice-only number, that number automatically switches to use voice and data.* This lets you use both voice and data while on the call.

If you turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching and you're active on a voice number that isn't your designated cellular-data number, then cellular data won't work while you're on the call.

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

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular, or Settings > Mobile Data.

  2. Tap Cellular Data.

  3. Turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching.

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* Your data line switches automatically for the duration of your call. This cellular-data switching will not work if you are currently using Data Roaming. Check with your carrier for availability and to find out if additional fees apply.

About 5G and Dual SIM

While using two active lines in Dual SIM mode, 5G is supported on the line that’s using cellular data. In Hong Kong and Macao, to use 5G with Dual SIM on iPhone 12 models, make sure that you have iOS 14.5 or later.

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Manage cellular settings

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

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data.

  2. Tap the number you want to change.

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

Learn more

  • Use Dual SIM with your Apple Watch.

  • Fix issues with Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards.

Published Date:

Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN) (2024)

FAQs

Using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards - Apple Support (IN)? ›

To use Dual SIM, you need iOS 12.1 or later, two nano-SIM cards and one of these iPhone models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max. iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Can we use 2 nano SIM in iPhone? ›

To use Dual SIM, you need iOS 12.1 or later, two nano-SIM cards and one of these iPhone models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max. iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Does dual nano SIM iPhone support eSIM? ›

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.

Can a Dual SIM phone support two SIM cards simultaneously? ›

There are lots of dual SIM options out there right now but they're all Android. So if you're team Apple and want to go dual SIM you'll need to jump ship. That or carry two handsets with you. Some top dual SIM smartphones include the OnePlus 8 Pro, Huawei P40 Pro, Honor View 20, Oppo Find X2 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S20.

Can I use Dual SIM iPhone with 2 different carriers? ›

To use two different carriers, your iPhone must be unlocked. Otherwise, both plans must be from the same carrier. If a CDMA carrier provides your first SIM, your second SIM won't support CDMA. Contact your carrier for more information.

How do I use Dual SIM with two nano SIM cards Apple support? ›

Place the new SIM card into the bottom of the tray — it will fit only one way, because of the notch. Then insert the other SIM card into the top tray. With the two nano-SIM cards in place, insert the SIM tray back into the device completely and in the same orientation that you removed it. The tray fits only one way.

Does iPhone 14 support dual nano SIM? ›

To use Dual SIM, you need iOS 12.1 or later, two nano-SIM cards, and one of these iPhone models: iPhone 14. iPhone 14 Plus. iPhone 14 Pro.

What is the point of a dual SIM phone? ›

Dual SIM models allow you to use two SIM cards in one device. This is handy if you have separate phone numbers for work and home or if you would like to use a local number while keeping your original number active when in a foreign country.

Can dual SIM make two calls at the same time? ›

You can receive calls and messages on both SIM cards. Before you can use the SIM cards, you have to enable them in the Dual SIM settings menu..Under Dual SIM Dual Active, both SIM cards are active at the same time. This allows you to make and receive phone calls from either SIM, at the same time.

Can you use two different networks on a Dual SIM iPhone? ›

To use two different network providers, your iPhone must be unlocked. Otherwise, both plans must be from the same provider.

How do I know if my iPhone can use Dual SIM? ›

You can set up Dual SIM with the following:
  1. One physical SIM and one eSIM; available on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and iPhone 14 and later (purchased outside the U.S.)
  2. Two eSIMs; iPhone 13, iPhone SE (3rd generation), and later.

Which iPhone accepts 2 SIM cards? ›

You can set up Dual SIM with the following: One physical SIM and one eSIM; available on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and iPhone 14 and later (purchased outside the U.S.)

What is dual nano SIM? ›

Using a Nano SIM and eSIM Together

Most modern devices are equipped with Dual SIM technology, which allows you to use more than one SIM card or eSIM simultaneously. Dual SIM allows you to do the following: Use one number for business and another for personal calls. Add a local data plan when you travel.

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