How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (2024)

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).

You can use 2 eSIM profiles at once if:

  • You have a Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, or later phone.
  • Your carrier allows this feature.

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.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Add an eSIM as a second SIM

On a phone that's already using a SIM card, but not yet using an eSIM:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet.
  3. Next to “Mobile network,” tap Add How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (1).
  4. TapDownload a SIM instead?.
  5. When asked, "Use 2 SIMs?" tap Yes. Your phone will update.
  6. After your phone updates, open your Settings app again.
  7. Tap Network & internet How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (2) Mobile network.
  8. To set call and text preferences, tap your networks.

Tip: To have your phone ask your network preference every time, tap Ask me 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 & InternetHow to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (3)SIMs.
  3. Tap Download a SIM instead?
  4. Follow the instructions.

Add a SIM card as a second SIM

On a phone that’s already using an eSIM, but not yet using a SIM card:

  1. Insert the SIM card. Learn how to insert a SIM card.
  2. When asked, "Use 2 SIMs?" tap Yes. Your phone will update.
  3. After your phone updates, open your Settings app again.
  4. Tap Network & internet How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (4)Mobile network.
  5. To set call and text preferences, tap your networks.

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

Change dual SIM preferences on your Google Pixel phone

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

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 How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (5)SIMsHow to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (6) your network.
  3. For each network, set your preferences:
    • Data: Turn on Mobile data.
      Important: Only one SIM can be the default for data. If you already have one set up, you'll get a notification.
    • Calls: Tap Call Preference. Then pick your default carriers, or tap Ask me every time.
    • Texts: Tap SMS Preference. Then pick your default carriers, or tap Ask me every time.

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 How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (7)SIMs.
  3. Turn on Data during calls.

Use a second SIM during calls (Pixel 8a only)

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:

  • You must turn on mobile data for both SIMs.
  • You must turn on automatic data switching for the second SIM.
  • Your carrier must support Wi-Fi calling for the second SIM.

Turn on mobile data

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (8) SIMs.
  3. Tap your first SIM’s name.
  4. Turn on Mobile data.
  5. Repeat for the second SIM.

Turn on automatic data switching for second SIM

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (9) SIMs How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (10) your network.
  3. Tap your second SIM’s name.
  4. Turn on Switch mobile data automatically.
  5. Tap Use Wi-Fi calling.

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.
    Tip: The second SIM’s carrier’s display name switches to “[Carrier] Backup Calling.”
  3. To swap between the 2 calls, swipe up and tap Swap.

Turn off automatic data switching

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (11) SIMs How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (12) your network.
  3. Tap your SIM’s name.
  4. Turn off Switch mobile data automatically.

Turn off or stop using a SIM

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Turn off a SIM temporarily

To temporarily turn off aSIM:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (13) Mobile network.
  3. Select the SIM you want to turn off.
  4. Tap Use 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

Delete an eSIM

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (14) Mobile network.
  3. Select the eSIM you want to delete.
  4. Tap Delete SIM.

Require password to delete an eSIM

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Security How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (15) Advanced How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (16) Confirm SIM deletion.

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

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

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 twoSIMs 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.

Related resources

  • Find your IMEI and other Pixel phone ID numbers
  • Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
  • Change mobilenetwork settings

Need more help?

Try these next steps:

Post to the help community Get answers from community members Contact us Tell us more and we’ll help you get there
How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone (2024)

FAQs

How does dual sim work on Google Pixel? ›

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).

How do I switch between SIM cards in Google pixels? ›

Open Settings, then tap Connections. Tap SIM card manager. Tap the SIM card you want to activate. Slide the switch to On.

How do you switch between SIMs on a dual SIM phone? ›

Press the settings icon. Press Connections. Press SIM card manager. Press the name of the SIM.

How does dual sim work on Pixel Fold? ›

Select settings for dual SIM functionality on your Google Pixel Fold Android 14. In addition to your normal SIM, you can also use an eSIM in your phone. You can select which price plan you want to use for calls, messages and mobile data. To select settings for dual SIM functionality, you need to activate your eSIM.

What is the point of a dual SIM phone? ›

Dual SIM models allow you to use two SIM cards in one device. This is handy if you have separate phone numbers for work and home or if you would like to use a local number while keeping your original number active when in a foreign country. What type of SIM cards tray does my device have?

Can I switch back and forth between eSIM and my physical SIM card? ›

Your device may allow you to store multiple eSIMs at once, and it's easy to switch between your eSIMs. You can also switch from an eSIM back to your Primary SIM.

Can the Pixel 8 take two SIM cards? ›

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.

Can I use eSIM and physical SIM at the same time? ›

Most recent iPhone models, Google Pixel phones, and several Android devices from various manufacturers offer this capability. Once you have a compatible device, you can set up your eSIM through your carrier or by scanning a QR code, while inserting your physical SIM card as usual.

How do you know if someone is using two SIM cards? ›

You can check on your notification panel. On that you can check for 2 network indicators. If there is two network indicators, that means that phone has two sim cards. You can check you phone setting, in that you can find “Sim card” or “Sim Card Manager” option inside your Mobile Network tab.

How do I choose which SIM card to use? ›

To set default SIM for calling in Android smartphones, tap on the settings options and navigate to Network & Internet or Wireless & Networks. Under the option, open the dual SIM settings of your smartphone. In the menu, you will get the option to select a specific SIM when you make a call.

Does Google pixel support 2 SIM cards? ›

If you have a Pixel 3a or later phone, you can use two SIM cards: one regular SIM card and one eSIM. For Pixel 7, 7 Pro, and newer models, if your carrier permits, you can use two eSIM profiles at the same time. Learn more about how to use dual SIMs on your Pixel phone .

How does dual SIM work on Pixel 8? ›

Yes, the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have dual-SIM functionality. You can simultaneously use the physical nano-SIM card slot, as well as an eSIM. If your carrier allows it, you can also use two eSIM cards simultaneously and leave the physical nano-SIM card slot empty.

How does dual Pixel work? ›

Each pixel is split into two photodiodes; one left and right looking. Using micro-lenses placed on-top pixels makes this possible. When taking a photo, the processor first analyses the focus data from each photodiode before combining the signals to record the full pixel used in the final image.

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