What is dual SIM? By Ashley Burnett Originally published October 14, 2024 | Last Updated February 11, 2025 Merriam Webster’s defines it as…just kidding. Dual SIM refers to a phone that can have two SIM cards at once. Those are considered dual SIM devices. Dual SIM means a phone can have either a physical SIM card and an eSIM, two eSIMs or two physical SIM cards. Dual SIM is the way of the future when it comes to SIM cards. For example, since iPhone XS came out in 2018, all subsequent iPhone models have had dual SIM capabilities. When iPhone 14 dropped (and for subsequent models), only eSIM was enabled, which makes them by default dual SIM-compatible. And phones are not the only devices that are capable of using two SIM cards–some tablets, including newer iPads, also allow you to have a physical SIM card or an eSIM. Read on for more about dual SIM, how it works and all of its myriad advantages. In this article How does dual SIM work? To have two SIM cards on one phone (apart from needing to have a dual SIM-compatible phone), all you have to do is activate both your SIM cards whether you have a physical SIM card and an eSIM or two eSIMs. If you have two physical SIM cards, you’ll most likely have to swap them in and out unless you have an adapter. Once your SIM cards are both activated, you’ll usually have to choose which number is your default number (for example, you can have one number for calling and texts and another for cellular data) and also assign different contacts to different numbers if you don’t want to constantly toggle between the two SIM cards. Advantages of dual SIM Two phone numbers on one phone: If you use your phone for business, this is a great way to keep professional and personal calls separate, but handle them on the same phone. Having two separate phone bills can also come in handy if you have a business. Keep voice and data plans separate: Yes, it’s possible to use two different networks on the same phone with dual SIM. Some people prefer to have one network just for calls and another for everything else. But note: your phone needs to be unlocked to do this.In other countries outside of the U.S., this is very common since some foreign wireless providers offer calls free between people using the same networks. No need to swap SIMs: You don’t have to constantly swap different SIM cards to achieve the same effect that a dual SIM compatible phone provides. Helps avoid international roaming fees: With dual SIM compatibility, you can simply purchase a local SIM card when you’re traveling abroad to spend less on calls, texts and other wireless essentials. You’ll also avoid roaming fees. And you don’t have to worry about taking out or deactivating your home SIM card. That’s what we call a win-win. Dual SIM vs eSIM Dual SIM: Refers to the fact that some smartphones have the capability of having two SIM cards. Usually, at least one of those SIM cards will be an eSIM, which leads us to… eSIM: A completely virtual SIM card—that is, one you can’t physically touch. Instead, it’s a programmable SIM card that does what a tangible SIM card does: it connects you with your network and gives you access to your service so you can use your wireless service. Dual SIM on iPhone Using dual SIM on iPhone is easy. Just follow the steps below to get all set up. How to set up dual SIM on iPhone Tap Settings > Cellular and make sure you have at least two lines Tap Turn On this Line for both lines you want to use Choose the default line for cellular data Tap Cellular Data, then tap the line you want to use Choose the default line for voice calls Tap Default Voice Line, then tap the line you want to use Check Out Mint's Dual SIM Phone Deals Browse the latest dual SIM-enabled models at the link below. Shop Dual SIM Phone Deals Dual SIM on Android phones Since Android phones have so many different manufacturers, the steps to setting up dual SIM may differ slightly. However, here’s how to get up and running on Samsung and Google phones. How to activate dual SIM on Samsung phones Go to Settings > Connections Tap SIM card manager Tap the SIM card you want to enable Switch on the SIM card Tap Name and name your SIM card How to activate dual SIM on Google phones Open Settings Tap Network & Internet Tap Add + next to Mobile network Select Download a SIM instead? Tap yes when asked Use 2 SIMs? After your phone updates, tap Settings Select Network & internet > Mobile network Set your call and text preferences by tapping networks Ready for a duel dual? Now that you know all about dual SIM, maybe you want to add another SIM to your phone — we have a ton of dual SIM-compatible phones for you to check out. You can check out whether your phone is eSIM compatible by tapping the button below. And if you’re wondering what duel SIM is, that’s when you and a fellow wireless user draw SIM cards at dawn to defend your honor. We’ll see you at dawn. Originally published May 2022; Updated October 2024 Check eSIM compatibility By Ashley Burnett Ashley Burnett is a content writer at Mint Mobile, which means she spends 95% of her time thinking of puns for the word "mint." Related Articles November 5, 2024 Is it bad to charge your phone overnight?> October 29, 2024 How does wireless charging work? > October 10, 2024 SIM card sizes: Everything you should know>