How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (2024)

What type of SIM cards tray does my device have?

There are three types of SIM card trays:

  • Single SIM: 1 SIM card slot
  • Dual SIM: 2 SIM card slots
  • Hybrid SIM: 1 SIM card slot and a hybrid slot

A hybrid slot can take either a second SIM card or a microSD card for expandable memory, giving you the flexibility to choose between a second SIM card or extra storage.

Find out more about how to use an SD card on your device.

To check which type of SIM card tray your device has, remove the SIM card tray and have a look. If it saysSIM2it's a dual SIM, if it saysSIM2 \ microSDit's a hybrid.You can also find out here what size SIM or memory card your device has.

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (1)

The S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra come with a new, more compact dual SIM card tray. This tray has space for one nano SIM card on the top, and another on the underside. Follow the steps below for more details on using two SIM cards with your S21.

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (2)

Enable a second SIM card

By activating two SIM cards you can receive calls and messages on both cards. If you are speaking on a call using one card, the other card cannot be used to receive new calls at the same time.

2Tap SIM card manager

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (4)

3Tap the SIM card that you would like to enable

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (5)

4Tap the switch to activate the SIM card

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (6)

5Tap Name, enter the name that you would like to give that SIM card, then tap Done

For example, you may want to distinguish the name of your SIM card depending on whether it is used for work or home, or by local and non local networks.

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (7)

6Tap Icon to change the icon, select your preference then tap OK

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (8)

Switch between SIM cards

Once you have enabled both SIM cards, you can switch between SIM cards quickly using the quick panel, through the settings menu, or through the phone and message app.

To switch between SIM cards through the quick panel:

1Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the quick panel

2Tap Calls, Text Messages or Mobile data

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (9)

3Tap the SIM card you would like to switch to

To switch between SIM cards through the settings menu:

1Open the Settings app, then tap Connections

2Tap SIM Card Manager

3Tap Calls, Text Messages or Mobile data

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (10)

4Tap the SIM card you would like to switch to

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (11)

To switch between SIM cards through the phone or message app

In the Phone app:

1Type the name or number of the person you want to call and the sim card icon will appear at the bottom of the screen. Tap the icon to switch between sim cards

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (12)

In the Messages app:

1Type the name or number of the person you want to send a message to and the sim card icon will appear in the bottom right of the screen. Tap the icon to switch between sim cards

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (13)

How to use or manage dual SIM cards on your phone | Samsung UK (2024)

FAQs

How do I manage my dual SIM phone? ›

How to use dual SIM cards on your Android phone
  1. Open Settings, then tap Connections.
  2. Tap SIM card manager.
  3. Tap the SIM card you want to activate.
  4. Slide the switch to On.
  5. Tap Name, type in a name for the SIM card, then tap Done.
Mar 26, 2024

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.

How do phones work with 2 SIM cards? ›

A Dual SIM card phone is a phone with two SIM cards. Each SIM card gives you a phone number and a connection to the phone network. It can hold two numbers and two identities at once. You can make or receive calls and send or receive texts on either number and you can give each number only to the people that you chose.

How do I know if someone is using dual SIM? ›

If you've noticed new, unfamiliar numbers on caller ID but the same voice responds, they might be using another SIM. Network Fluctuations: Dual-SIM phones often show two signal strength indicators. Notice if there are fluctuations or changes in the network icon(s) on their phone.

How to use dual SIM when traveling? ›

If you have a phone with a dual-SIM tray (i.e. a SIM tray that supports two SIM cards), you can purchase a local tourist or prepaid SIM card at your destination upon arrival. Simply insert the second SIM card in the empty SIM slot, and activate it in your device settings.

What is the best use of dual SIM? ›

Getting the best network: Dual SIM phones are handy when coverage is spotty or when you move between regions with different providers. You can easily switch between carriers. Pick the SIM with the best network, data plan, or coverage wherever you are.

Does 2 esims drain battery? ›

Does using multiple eSIM profiles reduce battery life? Yes, if you are using multiple eSIM profiles at the same time, then it definitely does consume more battery than if you were to just have a single eSIM profile. However, this is no different from using two physical SIMs, as in the case of a dual-SIM.

Who uses dual SIM? ›

Dual SIMs are popular for separating personal and business calls, in locations where lower prices apply to calls between clients of the same provider, where a single network may lack comprehensive coverage, and for travel across national and regional borders.

Do I really need a dual SIM phone? ›

Cost Savings. Users can switch between carriers based on their location or usage needs by having two active SIM cards in a single device, eliminating the need to purchase multiple phones or plans. This can save you a lot of money on roaming fees, international calling charges, and data plans.

Can you turn one SIM off on a dual SIM phone? ›

Can I switch off one SIM in a dual SIM phone? Yes you can..go to settings-sim card management-standby sim-then you can turn off one sim out of two.

How to manage dual SIM? ›

Learn how to check your Android version.
  1. Add an eSIM as a second SIM.
  2. Use 2 eSim profiles.
  3. Add a SIM card as a second SIM.
  4. Set default SIM for data, calls, and text messages.
  5. Use a second SIM during calls (Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro & earlier)
  6. Use a second SIM during calls (Pixel 8a only)
  7. Turn off a SIM temporarily.

What happens when you use 2 SIM cards? ›

In fact, it's two smartphones in one. This means Active SIM cards can work separately from each other, so you're available at all times on both SIM cards. If you're using the internet on SIM card A, you can still receive a call on SIM card B. You can also easily turn off one of the 2 SIM cards.

What does a dual SIM look like? ›

If you take a look at the back or side of the phone, you can see a slot (or two) that are used for putting in the SIM cards. If there are two slots, then it is a dual SIM phone. Otherwise, the phone can only hold 1 SIM card at a time.

How to switch between dual SIM cards on Android? ›

Open the Settings app on your dual-SIM smartphone. Select "SIM cards" or "Dual SIM settings." Select "Mobile data" or "Data usage." Choose the SIM card you want to set as the default SIM card for mobile data.

How do I find dual SIM settings on my Samsung? ›

Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. Choose your preferred SIM card for calls, text messages, and mobile data. You can also set up call confirmation or Dual SIM always on.

Can dual SIM phones be on different networks? ›

Dual SIM phones aren't locked to a specific network, so you have the freedom to sign up to any mobile network you prefer. This also means you're free to use a global eSIM or local SIM when you travel abroad. A major drawcard of using a dual-SIM phone is being able to use different phone plans.

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