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).

Set up and use an eSIM on your Pixel phone
Go to this video with audio descriptions: Learn more about eSIM

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 two eSIM profiles at once, if:

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

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

DSDS and eSIM work with some mobile operators. To find out if they’ll work with your phone, ask your mobile operator. 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: On Pixel phones, 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 and Internet SIMs Add SIM Set up an eSIM.
3. To begin the setup process, choose the network provider of your eSIM.
4. Once the setup is complete, tap Settings.
5. When asked to set your SIM preferences, tap Get started Next Done.
6. To set call and text preferences, tap the network that you want to edit.

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

Use two eSIM profiles

To enable two eSIM profiles on your eligible device:

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet SIMs.
3. Tap Add SIM.
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 to set your SIM preferences, tap Get started Next Done.
3. After your phone updates, open your Settings app again.
4. Tap Network and Internet SIMs.
5. To set call and text preferences, tap the network that you want to edit.

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

Change dual SIM preferences on your Google Pixel phone

Important: On Pixel phones, 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 and Internet 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 and 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 and Internet  SIMs.
3. Turn on Data during calls.

Use a second SIM during calls (Pixel 8a and 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:

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

Turn on mobile data

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet SIMs.
3. Turn on mobile data.

Turn on automatic data switching for second SIM

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet 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 operator 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 and end other call.

Turn off automatic data switching

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

Turn off or stop using a SIM 

Important: On Pixel phones, 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 a SIM:

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet Mobile network.
3. Tap the SIM that 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

Delete an eSIM

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet Mobile network.
3. Select the eSIM that you want to delete.
4. Tap Erase eSIM.

Require password to delete an eSIM

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Security Advanced Confirm SIM deletion.

Stop using a SIM card

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

1. Insert the SIM ejection tool into the small hole on the phone's left edge.
   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: On Pixel phones, 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 two SIMs are having trouble working together. To get help, contact your mobile operator.

Find your phone's identification numbers

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

Related resources

• Get a SIM and add it to your phone
• Find your IMEI and other Pixel phone ID numbers
• Use your Pixel phone with any mobile operator
• Change mobile network settings