How to use two SIMs on an Android phone

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Add the second SIM under Settings, Network & internet, SIMs, either as an eSIM with Add SIM or by inserting a card. Then choose under Your primary SIMs which one is used for calls, for texts and for mobile data. For calls and texts you can also choose Ask every time.

Two SIMs give you two numbers in one phone, for example work and private, or your home number and a local data plan abroad. Most current Android phones manage this with one physical SIM and one eSIM, or with two eSIMs.

Menu names below are from Google Pixel phones on a recent Android version. Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands rename some of them. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

  1. Check what your phone supports

    On Pixel phones, the Pixel 3a and later can use one physical SIM and one eSIM, and the Pixel 7 and later can also run two eSIMs. For other brands, look at the SIM tray and the technical data of your model.

  2. Network & internetInternetSIMsAirplane modeHotspot & tethering

    Add an eSIM

    Open Settings, Network & internet, SIMs and tap Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM. Scan the QR code from your provider or choose the provider from the list, and follow the steps.

  3. Or insert a second SIM card

    Put the card into the tray and push it in. The phone recognises it and starts the set-up. Tap Get started, Next and Done.

  4. Choose the SIM for each job

    Under Settings, Network & internet, SIMs, look at Your primary SIMs. Choose one SIM for calls, one for text messages and one for mobile data. For calls and texts you can pick Ask every time.

  5. Give the SIMs clear names

    Tap a SIM to rename it, for example Work and Private, so you can tell them apart when the phone asks which one to use.

  6. Decide about data during calls

    On newer phones you can turn on Automatic data switching for the second SIM. Mobile data then keeps working while you are on a call with the other SIM.

Good to know

Both numbers can receive calls while the phone is idle. What happens to a call on one SIM while you are talking on the other depends on the phone and the provider.

Apps such as WhatsApp are tied to one number. Many phones can run a second copy of a messaging app for the second number.

Abroad, keep your home SIM for calls and texts and set the local SIM for mobile data. Switch off data roaming for the home SIM.

If a SIM is not found: Android phone says no service or SIM not detected: 8 fixes. On Apple phones: how to use two numbers on an iPhone with dual SIM.

In short: Settings, Network & internet, SIMs, Add SIM or insert a card, choose the SIM for calls, texts and data under Your primary SIMs, rename them.

Sources
  • Pixel Phone Help: How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.