Dual SIM lets one iPhone run two phone lines, such as work and personal numbers or a home line plus a travel data plan. Depending on the model, the second line may be an eSIM or another eSIM alongside the first.
Dual SIM is supported on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and later. Two active eSIMs require newer models such as iPhone 13 or later, or iPhone SE third generation.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you already added two cellular plans and want to choose which line handles calls, messages, labels, data, hotspot, and travel use.
Turn On Both Lines
- Open Settings > Cellular.
- Under SIMs, confirm two lines are listed. If not, add the second line through eSIM setup or your carrier first.
- Tap each line and enable Turn On This Line.
- Set a clear label such as Work, Personal, Travel, or Data.
- Repeat for the second line.
Choose Default Data and Voice Lines
- Open Settings > Cellular.
- Tap Cellular Data and choose the line used for internet access.
- Enable Allow Cellular Data Switching only if you want iPhone to switch data lines when coverage is poor. Watch for roaming or data charges.
- Return to Cellular and tap Default Voice Line.
- Choose the line used for outgoing calls by default.
Incoming calls still arrive on whichever number the caller dialed.
Dual SIM Notes
Wi-Fi Calling
If one line is on a call and the other line lacks Wi-Fi Calling, calls to the second line may go to voicemail. Enable Wi-Fi Calling per line if your carrier supports it.
SMS and MMS Conversations
A carrier text conversation started on one line generally cannot be switched to the other line later without starting a new thread. iMessage behaves differently because it is not tied to a carrier line in the same way.
Personal Hotspot
Personal Hotspot uses the line selected for Cellular Data, not necessarily the line selected as the default voice line.
Carrier Unlock
Using two different carriers usually requires an unlocked iPhone. If the second line will not activate, ask the original carrier about unlock status.
Sources
- Apple Support: Use Dual SIM on iPhone
- Apple Support: Use eSIM with iPhone
- Apple Support: Set up cellular service on iPhone