How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone

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).

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.

Important: Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) phones with two SIMs in use will fall back to 4G networks. To connect to 5G networks, temporarily turn off the SIM that isn't set to use data.

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

How to set up your first Google Pixel SIM

Before you can add a second SIM, you need to add the first SIM. Learn how to add a SIM.

How to set up a second SIM on your Google Pixel

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 Add.
  4. Tap Download 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 and then 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.

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 and then 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

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 Mobile network and then 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 different SIM during calls
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 Mobile network.
  3. Turn on Data during calls.

Turn off or stop using a SIM 

Turn off a SIM temporarily

To temporarily turn off an eSIM or SIM card:

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

Important: Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) phones with two SIMs in use will fall back to 4G networks. To connect to 5G networks, temporarily turn off the SIM that isn't set to use data.

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 and then 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 and then Advanced and then Confirm SIM deletion.
Stop using a SIM card
Remove it from the phone. Learn how to remove 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.

Important: Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) phones with two SIMs in use will fall back to 4G networks. To connect to 5G networks, temporarily turn off the SIM that isn't set to use data.

Find your phone's identification numbers

Find your phone's IMEI number

To find your phone’s IMEI number, check: 

  • Your phone's box.
  • Your phone's SIM card tray.
  • Your phone's Settings app. 
    • Tap About phone, then look for "IMEI."
  • Google Find My Device. At the top left, tap your phone. Then tap Information .

Find an EID number

To find your phone’s EID number, check: 

  • Your phone’s box.
  • Your phone’s Settings app: Tap About phone and then SIM status. Then look for “EID.”

To find your phone’s EID QR code:

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet.
  3. Next to “Mobile network,” tap Add and then Download a SIM instead?.
  4. Tap Next and then Activating in a store?.

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