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).

On Pixel 7/7 Pro and later devices and if your operator allows, you can use two eSim profiles simultaneously.

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

Learn how to set up an eSIM on your Pixel phone with our step-by-step tutorial.

Important: Some of these steps only work 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.
3. Next to 'Mobile network', tap 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 and Internet 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 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 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 and Internet  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 only work 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  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 operators or tap Ask me every time.
   • Texts: Tap SMS Preference. Then, pick your default operators 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 and Internet  SIMs.
3. Turn on Data during calls.

Turn off or stop using a SIM 

Important: Some of these steps only work 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. Select the SIM that 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 mobile device's settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet Mobile network.
3. Select the eSIM that you want to delete.
4. Tap Delete SIM.

Require password to delete an eSIM

1. Open your mobile device's settings app.
2. Tap Security Advanced 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

Important: Some of these steps only work 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