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).

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.

Set up and use an eSIM on your Pixel phone

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 .
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 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 & 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 & 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 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  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 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  SIMs.
3. Turn on Data during calls.

Use a second SIM during calls (Pixel 8a & 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 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 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 SIMs 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 SIMs 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 a SIM:

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network & internet 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 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 Advanced 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 two SIMs 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

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