How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (original) (raw)

If you have a Pixel 3a or later Pixel phone, you can use two SIMs: one physical SIM card and one eSIM. You can choose which SIM to use for which action, like messaging or calling. This option is called Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS).

Important [US only]: If you have a Pixel 10 or later, except the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, you can only use an eSIM.

You can use 2 eSIM profiles at once if:

Based on your device and carrier, you can have either 2 eSIMs or one eSIM and one physical SIM.

DSDS and eSIM work with some mobile carriers. To find out if they’ll work with your phone, ask your mobile carrier. If you bought your Pixel 3a in Japan, it can’t have two SIMs.

Pixel 4a (5G) and later phones in dual SIM mode can connect to 5G networks.

Add an eSIM as a second SIM

Set up eSIM

Tip: To have your phone ask your network preference every time, tap Ask every time.

Use 2 eSim profiles

To enable 2 eSim profiles on your eligible device:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & Internet and then SIMs.
  3. Tap Add SIM.
  4. Follow the instructions.

Add a SIM card as a second SIM

Tip: To have your phone ask your network preference every time, tap Ask every time.

Change dual SIM preferences on your Google Pixel phone

You can choose which SIM your phone uses for data, calls, text messages, and more. Your phone uses that SIM automatically.

Set default SIM for data, calls, and text messages

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then SIMs.
  3. To access data with your mobile network, turn on Mobile data.
  4. Under "Your primary SIMs," choose which SIM you want to use for:
    • Calls: Tap Calls.
      * To have your phone ask for each call, tap Ask every time.
    • Texts: Tap Texts.
    • Data: Tap Mobile data.
      * Only one SIM can be the default for data. If you already have one set up, you'll get a notification.

Use a second SIM during calls (Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro & earlier)

Calls: If you’re on a call, you can’t get a call through the other SIM at the same time. Calls to the other SIM will go to voicemail.

Data: Most data goes through the default SIM for that use type. Exception: During a phone call, all data goes through the SIM making the call.

To use data during calls on a SIM not normally used for data:

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then SIMs.
  3. Turn on Data during calls.

Use a second SIM during calls (Pixel 8a & later)

You may want to use both SIMs at once. For example, you could have one for business and one for personal use.

You can use both SIMs for calls at the same time. If you’re on the phone and your first SIM is active, you can use the second SIM to place or answer a call. Meanwhile, the first call goes on hold.

To use this feature:

Turn on mobile data

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then SIMs.
  3. Turn on Mobile data.

Turn on automatic data switching for second SIM

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then SIMs.
  3. Turn on Automatic data switching.

Get or place calls on both SIMs

  1. Make or get a call on either SIM.
  2. On the second SIM, dial or answer the phone as usual. The first call goes on hold.
    • The SIM’s carrier will be displayed under the phone number or name of the caller.
  3. To end the first call if a second call occurs, tap Answer & end other call.

Turn off automatic data switching

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then SIMs.
  3. Turn off Automatic data switching.

Turn off or stop using a SIM

Turn off a SIM temporarily

To temporarily turn off a SIM:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then Mobile network.
  3. Tap the SIM you want to turn off.
  4. Turn off Use this SIM.

Tip: Pixel 4a (5G) and later phones in dual SIM mode can connect to 5G networks.

Learn how to change your dual SIM preferences.

Delete an eSIM or require password to delete an eSIM

Stop using a SIM card

To stop using a SIM card, remove it from the phone.

  1. Into the small hole on the phone's left edge, insert the SIM ejection tool.
    Tip: On Pixel 3 (2018), the SIM card slot is on the phone's bottom edge.
  2. Push firmly but gently until the tray pops out.
  3. Remove the tray and the SIM card.
  4. Gently push the tray back into its slot.

Learn more about how to use a SIM card.

Fix problems with dual SIMs

Some combinations of SIM networks don’t work well together. If you see a notification that says “Voice unavailable” or “Voice interruptions,” the networks on your two SIMs are having trouble working together. To get help, contact your mobile carrier.

Find your phone's identification numbers

When you speak with your carrier, you may need to provide Pixel ID numbers like the IMEI 1, IMEI 2, or EID number. Learn how to find your Pixel phone ID numbers.