Dual SIM offers users the convenience of having two or more phone numbers on a single device. eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without a physical SIM. You can install more than eight eSIMs on your iPhone and as well use two phone numbers at the same time. eSIM is an advanced SIM technology which is embedded in your phone to activate a mobile number without having to insert a physical SIM. You can digitally activate and store multiple phone numbers with eSIM. The phone numbers can either be on the same account, different accounts or from different carriers.
Which Devices support Dual SIM?
The devices that currently support Dual SIM are;
- iPhone 11 Pro Max,
- iPhone 11 Pro,
- iPhone 11,
- iPhone XR,
- iPhone XS,
- iPhone XS Max,
- Google Pixel 3A and Google Pixel 3A XL.
This service is offered with a combination of both physical SIM and an eSIM
What are the benefits of Dual SIM?
- Using one number for business and another for personal, without needing multiple devices.
- Adding a local data plan when you travel outside the country.
What will I need to activate Dual SIM?
- A device which supports Dual SIM.
- An eSIM card
- An active cellular data or Wi-Fi connection.
How Dual-SIM with eSIM Work
A dual-SIM device has two SIM cards, which could be two nano-SIM cards or one nano-SIM and an eSIM. Newer phones use the nano/e-SIM combination. The Set up may vary from device to device but generally, it is quite a simple process. With both nano and e-SIM combinations, you only have to load the nano-SIM into the phone sim tray since the eSIM is already embedded into the phone. You can buy an eSIM online and scan the QR code or get one from a mobile carrier and do a manual setup to set up the eSIM.
Whichever method you use the result will always be the same which means you will now have two SIMs each with a separate phone number and network connection. With this you can make or receive calls, connect to the internet or send and receive messages on both. The concept may seem the same but not all dual-SIM devices are created equal. Depending on the type of dual-SIM mode your phone uses, you either use both SIMs simultaneously or you will have to choose between them. The 3 dual-SIM modes are Dual-SIM Standby (DSS), Dual-SIM Active (DSA) and Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS).
Benefits of Using Dual-SIM with eSIM
Dual-SIM phones are said to be popular mostly with travellers and corporate types, but they offer many perks that anyone can benefit from. The benefits include;
- Two Numbers, One Phone: The main aim of the e-SIM dual-SIM functionality is to have two phone numbers. This is quite useful if you want to keep both your work and personal line on one device.
- Freedom to Choose Your Network: Dual SIM phones are not locked to a particular network, so you have the liberty to sign up to any mobile network you prefer. It also means you are free to use a global e-SIM or local SIM when you travel abroad.
- Mix and Match Phone Plans: One of the main drawcards of using a dual-SIM phone is to be able to use different phone plans. You can have a voice plan with great rates on one SIM and another plan with better data and roaming charges on the other.
- Cheaper Roaming Tariff: If you travel very often to the UK and don’t want to pay the hefty roaming charges, you can buy an e-SIM from e-SIM.net for your ‘second slot’.
- More Network Coverage: To be able to use two different plans also means you will have greater network coverage. If your existing provider doesn’t offer better coverage where you live or work, you can subscribe to a plan from a provider that does and increase your network coverage.
Can Dual-SIM Phones Use Different Networks?
Yes, it can use a different network. However, phones that are bought on a contract may be locked to a particular network provider you have the contract with. In cases like this, you may need to ask them to unlock the phone. The phones bought directly from manufacturers are not usually locked. Using eSIM services gives you access to all the major networks both home and abroad. You can choose to have
your primary SIM with a home network and buy a prepaid eSIM plan for your other SIM when you travel. In conclusion, If your phone is unlocked you can use two different mobile plans.
How Do I Set up Dual-SIM with eSIM?
There are many different ways you can get dual SIM functionality depending on what phone you use and which SIM combo you have. For example, nano-SIM and eSIM. iPhones uses both eSIM and nano-SIM combination while Android phones may use the nano-SIM/eSIM combination or two nano-SIM cards.
iPhone
- Add an eSIM Service on iPhone
- Buy an eSIM online
- Retrieve QR code from email inbox
- Open Camera app and scan your QR code
- Tap Cellular Plan Detected notification when it shows
- Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen
- Select Add Cellular Plan
- Follow on-screen prompts
The other ways you can set up dual-SIM functionality on an iPhone is through a carrier’s
app, manually entering the information, or installing a cellular plan.
Android
- Add an eSIM as a second SIM
- Go into your phone’s settings
- Tap Network & Internet
- Select Add next to Mobile Network
- Tap “Download a SIM instead?”
- Select Yes when asked, “Use 2 SIMs?” and let your phone update
- Go to the Settings again after your phone updates
- Click on Network & Internet and then Mobile Network
- Set call and text preferences
- Add a SIM card as a second SIM
Google Pixel 4 was used for this guide. Setting up dual-SIM on Android phones is quite
similar whether you have a Samsung, Motorola or OnePlus device.
