Using Dual SIM with ii nano-SIM cards

In Communist china mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, sure iPhone models feature Dual SIM with 2 nano-SIM cards. This gives you two phone numbers to brand and receive calls and text messages.

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

Here are a few of the many means y'all can use Dual SIM:

  • Use one number for business and another number for personal calls.
  • Add together 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 vocalisation and FaceTime calls and send and receive messages using iMessage SMS and MMS.* Your iPhone can utilise one cellular data network at a time.

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

What you need

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

  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone thirteen Pro Max
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone eleven
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR

How to install the nano-SIM cards

Insert a paper prune or SIM eject tool into the pocket-size pigsty of the SIM card tray, and 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 lesser 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 aforementioned orientation that you removed it. The tray fits only 1 mode.

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 forepart SIM menu and dorsum SIM card.

Characterization your plans

After your second plan is activated, label your plans. For example, you tin label i programme Concern and the other program Personal.

You'll use these labels when y'all choose which telephone 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 lot alter your mind later, you can change your labels by going to Settings > Cellular, or Settings > Mobile Data, and borer the number whose characterization you want to alter. And then tap Cellular Program Characterization and select a new label or enter a custom label.

Set your default number

Choose a number to use when you call or ship 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 on, yous can choose either or both numbers.

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

Apply two phone numbers for calls, messages, and data

At present that your iPhone is set up with two telephone numbers, hither's how to use them.

Permit your iPhone remember which number to use

When you lot phone call i of your contacts, you don't demand to choose which number to use every time. By default, your iPhone uses the same number that y'all used the terminal time you lot chosen that contact. If you haven't called that contact, your iPhone uses your default number. If y'all want to, y'all 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 y'all want to apply with that contact.

Brand and receive calls

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

With iOS 13 and subsequently, 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. Yous will need to turn on Allow Cellular Information Switching when you are on a phone call that isn't your default data line. Or, if you lot ignore the call and you have voicemail gear up with your carrier, you'll get a missed-call notification and the call will go to voicemail. Bank check with your carrier for Wi-Fi calling availability, and find out if additional fees or information usage applies from your data provider.

If your carrier doesn't back up Wi-Fi calling or you don't accept Wi-Fi calling turned on,1 and so when you're on a telephone call, an incoming call on your other phone number will go to voicemail, if you lot have voicemail set up with your carrier.2 However, y'all won't get a missed-telephone call notification from your secondary number. Call Waiting works for incoming calls on the aforementioned telephone number. To avoid missing an important phone call, you can turn on call forwarding and frontwards 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, and so Visual Voicemail and MMS will exist disabled on your voice-but number.

Switch phone numbers for a phone call

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

  1. Tap the Info push.
  2. Tap the current phone number.
  3. Tap your other number.

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

  1. Enter the telephone number.
  2. Tap the phone number, nigh the top of the screen.
  3. Tap the number you desire to use.

Transport messages with iMessage and SMS/MMS

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

  1. Open Messages.
  2. Tap the New push, in the upper right corner of the screen.
  3. Enter your contact'southward name.
  4. Tap the current phone number.
  5. Tap the number you want to apply.

* Boosted fees might apply. Check with your carrier.

Larn about Dual SIM status icons

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

The status bar shows that Carrier one is using LTE, and Carrier ii is using the cellular data of Carrier i.

Change your cellular data number

1 number at a time can use cellular information. 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 plow on Allow Cellular Data Switching, then while you lot're on a vocalisation call on your vox-just number, that number automatically switches to use voice and data.* This lets you utilize both voice and data while on the call.

If you lot turn off Let Cellular Data Switching and you're active on a vocalisation 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 Information Switching, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular, or Settings > Mobile Data.
  2. Tap Cellular Information.
  3. Turn on Allow Cellular Information Switching.

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

Virtually 5G and Dual SIM

While using two active lines in Dual SIM mode, 5G is supported on the line that's using cellular information. In Hong Kong and Macao, to use 5G with Dual SIM on iPhone 12 models, brand sure that yous have iOS 14.five or later on.

Manage cellular settings

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

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data.
  2. Tap the number y'all want to modify.
  3. Tap each choice and set it as you normally would.

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