This guide covers the complete dual SIM setup process on Android — adding a second line, labeling SIMs, assigning default lines, and managing active SIMs. What Is Dual SIM? explains the underlying technology (DSDS, DSDV, DSDA) and which modes Android devices support. Using Dual SIM for Travel covers the operational setup once you are abroad. This guide focuses on the Android configuration steps.
iPhone users should refer to Dual SIM Setup on iPhone instead — the settings menus and configuration paths differ significantly between iOS and Android.
Supported Android Devices
Dual SIM support on Android depends on the device model, production region, and carrier lock status.
Google Pixel
| Model | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Pixel 3a and later | Physical SIM + eSIM (DSDS) |
| Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro (2022) and later | Dual eSIM — two eSIM profiles active simultaneously |
| Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL (US) | eSIM-only — no physical SIM slot |
| Pixel 10 Pro Fold (all regions) | Physical SIM slot retained |
Dual eSIM on Pixel 7 and later is enabled by MEP (Multiple Enabled Profiles), introduced in Android 13 and defined in GSMA SGP.22 v3.0.
Source: Get a SIM or eSIM & add it to your Pixel phone — Google Pixel Phone Help
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy S20 and later flagship models support eSIM alongside a physical SIM on most regional variants. Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series also support eSIM.
eSIM availability varies by region and carrier lock status. Some carrier-locked Galaxy models and China-market variants do not expose the eSIM option even if the hardware is capable. Confirm eSIM support for your specific model and region on Samsung’s eSIM support page.
Other Android Brands
Many recent OnePlus, OPPO, Motorola, and Xiaomi flagship models include eSIM support. The quickest check is to look for Add eSIM or Download SIM under your mobile network settings. If the option is absent, the device may not support eSIM, or it is carrier-locked.
Before You Start
Before adding a second SIM or eSIM, confirm the following three things.
Check Carrier Lock Status
A carrier-locked Android device will either hide the eSIM menu entirely or reject activation attempts from a second carrier. To check:
- Insert a SIM from a different carrier. If the device displays “No SIM” or “SIM not supported,” it is carrier-locked.
- On Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operators. If only your current carrier appears, the device may be locked.
Contact your original carrier to request an unlock. Most carriers provide an unlock process once any installment plan or contract period is complete.
Connect to Wi-Fi
Downloading an eSIM profile requires an active internet connection. Use Wi-Fi for reliability. Once the profile is installed, Wi-Fi is no longer needed to use the eSIM.
Prepare Your QR Code or Activation Code
Your carrier or travel eSIM provider sends a QR code by email or displays it in their app. Display it on a second device — a laptop, tablet, or second phone — before you start. If the QR code is only available on the Android phone you are configuring, take a screenshot of it before beginning the setup flow.
For the complete eSIM installation walkthrough on Android, see How to Set Up eSIM on Android via QR Code. This guide focuses on the dual SIM configuration after installation.
Adding a Second SIM — Google Pixel
These steps apply to Pixel 3a and later running Android 11 or later.
Step 1 — Open SIM Settings
Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.
If you have one SIM already active, it appears listed here. You will also see an option to add a new SIM.
Step 2 — Add a New SIM
Tap Add SIM or the + icon.
On the next screen, tap Download a SIM instead if you are adding an eSIM. If you are inserting a physical SIM, eject the SIM tray, insert the new card, and return to this screen — the physical SIM appears automatically.
Step 3 — Scan the QR Code
Point the camera at the QR code on a second screen.
When your carrier name appears, tap Download, then tap Activate after the profile installs.
If the QR code is only on this device: Tap Use photo instead on the scan screen and select the screenshot you saved earlier.
Step 4 — Assign the New SIM to Its Role
After activation, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and configure each SIM:
- Under Your primary SIMs, tap Mobile data and select the SIM for data
- Tap Calls and select the SIM (or choose Ask every time) for outgoing calls
- Tap Texts and select the SIM for outgoing text messages
You can also set Ask every time for calls if you want the device to ask which SIM to use for each outgoing call.
Adding a Second SIM — Samsung Galaxy
These steps apply to Galaxy S20 series and later running One UI 4.1 or later.
Step 1 — Open SIM Card Manager
Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager.
On One UI 6 and later, the menu label may read SIM manager (without “card”).
If you have one SIM active, it appears here. A physical SIM appears automatically once inserted; an eSIM requires manual installation.
Step 2 — Add a Mobile Plan (eSIM)
Tap Add mobile plan or Add eSIM.
Select Scan carrier’s QR code and point the camera at the QR code on a second screen.
Tap Add or Download when prompted. After the profile downloads, the device may prompt a restart — follow the on-screen instruction.
Step 3 — Configure Preferred SIM
After restart, return to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager.
Under Preferred SIM, assign each SIM:
- Calls — select the SIM for outgoing calls
- Texts — select the SIM for outgoing SMS
- Mobile data — select the SIM for data traffic
You can also enable Auto data switching if you want the device to automatically move data to a stronger signal. Turn this off if you want to keep data fixed to one SIM — for example, when using a travel eSIM abroad and you do not want the device switching to your home SIM’s roaming data.
Adding a Second SIM — Other Android
For OnePlus, OPPO, Motorola, Xiaomi, and other Android brands, the path to the eSIM installation screen varies. Look for one of the following:
- Settings > Network > SIM settings > Add eSIM
- Settings > Mobile network > Add mobile plan
- Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Add eSIM
If none of these appear, search for “eSIM” or “SIM” in the Settings search bar. Once you find the screen to add or download a new SIM, the QR scan process is identical to the Pixel steps above.
After installation, look for a SIM management or SIM preferences section to assign calls, data, and SMS to each SIM.
Labeling and Default Line Setup
Clear SIM labels make subsequent configuration straightforward and prevent confusion when calls arrive or when switching lines.
Google Pixel: Rename a SIM
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs
- Tap the SIM you want to rename
- Tap the name field at the top and type a new label
- Tap Save or press the checkmark
Samsung Galaxy: Rename a SIM
- Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager
- Tap the SIM you want to rename
- Tap SIM name and type a new label
- Tap Save
Suggested Labels
| Use case | Label |
|---|---|
| Home plan / primary carrier | ”Personal” or carrier name |
| Work plan | ”Work” |
| Travel eSIM | ”Travel” or destination (e.g., “Travel EU”) |
| Backup line | ”Backup” |
The label appears on incoming call screens, in the SIM manager, and in the notification when the device connects to a network — making it easy to confirm which line is active.
Default Line Assignment
After labeling, explicitly assign each SIM to its role:
On Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > under Your primary SIMs, tap Mobile data, Calls, Texts and select the SIM for each
On Samsung: Settings > Connections > SIM card manager > Preferred SIM > set Calls, Texts, Mobile data
Do not leave these at the device’s default. The device may default to the first-installed SIM for all traffic, which may not be what you intend — particularly if one SIM is a data-only travel eSIM.
Switching Active Data Line
You may need to change which SIM handles data mid-use — for example, when you arrive at your travel destination and want to switch from your home SIM to the travel eSIM.
Google Pixel
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs
- Tap the SIM you want for data
- Tap Mobile data and select the SIM you want for data
The previously active data SIM’s internet toggle turns off automatically.
Samsung Galaxy
- Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager
- Under Preferred SIM, tap Mobile data
- Select the SIM you want for data
Quick Access via Notification Panel
On some Android versions, a SIM card shortcut appears in the notification panel Quick Settings tiles. If available, tapping it opens the SIM manager directly — faster than navigating through the full Settings menu.
Managing SIMs (Turn Off, Remove)
Turn Off a SIM Without Deleting It
Turning a SIM off suspends it — it will not receive calls, SMS, or use data — without removing the profile from the device.
On Pixel:
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs
- Tap the SIM
- Toggle the SIM off (the toggle at the top of the SIM details screen)
On Samsung:
- Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager
- Toggle off the SIM you want to suspend
To re-enable, follow the same steps and toggle it back on. The profile stays installed and does not need to be reinstalled.
Delete an eSIM Profile
Deleting an eSIM removes the profile from the device permanently. Before deleting, confirm your provider’s reinstall policy — some providers allow reinstallation via their app or a new QR code; others do not allow reinstallation or charge for it.
On Pixel:
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs
- Tap the eSIM
- Tap Delete SIM or Erase SIM
- Confirm deletion
On Samsung:
- Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager
- Tap the eSIM
- Tap Delete or Remove
- Confirm deletion
Remove a Physical SIM
Eject the SIM tray using a SIM eject tool. Android removes the SIM from the SIM manager automatically once the tray is out. No in-settings action is required.
Android-Specific Considerations
Data Roaming on Travel eSIMs
Travel eSIMs use roaming agreements to connect to local networks in foreign countries. Unlike your home SIM, the travel eSIM requires data roaming to be enabled to function. After assigning the travel eSIM as your data SIM, confirm data roaming is on for that SIM:
On Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > [travel eSIM] > Roaming — on
On Samsung: Settings > Connections > SIM card manager > [travel eSIM] > Data roaming — on
At the same time, keep data roaming off on your home SIM to prevent it from incurring international roaming charges.
Private DNS and Dual SIM
Android’s Private DNS setting (Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS) applies globally to all network connections on the device — it is not configurable per-SIM. If you use a custom DNS provider via Private DNS, it applies to both SIMs simultaneously. This is generally not a problem, but if a travel eSIM or local carrier blocks external DNS queries, it can cause connectivity issues. In that case, switch Private DNS to Off temporarily.
Background Data Per SIM
Android does not natively restrict background data to a specific SIM — background data uses whichever SIM is set as the data SIM. If you want to prevent certain apps from using a particular SIM’s data, use per-app data restrictions in Settings > Network & internet > Data usage > App data usage, or enable a data limit on the SIM.
APN Configuration
Most carriers configure the APN (Access Point Name) automatically when you download the eSIM profile. If mobile data is not working after installation, check the APN settings:
On Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > [SIM] > Access Point Names
On Samsung: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Access Point Names
Contact your carrier or travel eSIM provider for the correct APN values if the default does not work.
FAQ
Which Android phones support dual SIM with eSIM?
Google Pixel 3a and later support physical SIM + eSIM (DSDS). Pixel 7 and later support dual eSIM — two eSIM profiles active simultaneously. Samsung Galaxy S20 and later flagship models support eSIM alongside a physical SIM on most regional variants. eSIM availability depends on the region and whether the device is carrier-locked.
How do I set a default data SIM on Android?
On Google Pixel, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, then under Your primary SIMs tap Mobile data and select the SIM you want for data. On Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager > Preferred SIM > Mobile data and select the SIM. Set this explicitly before you need data — the device does not always default to the intended SIM.
Can I turn off one SIM without deleting it on Android?
Yes. On Pixel, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap the SIM, and toggle it off. On Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager and toggle the SIM off. The profile stays on the device and can be re-enabled at any time.
What is the difference between the Pixel and Samsung dual SIM menus?
Google Pixel uses Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. Samsung Galaxy uses Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. The underlying functionality is the same — assign each SIM to data, calls, and SMS — but the menu paths and UI labels differ because Samsung runs One UI on top of Android.
How do I check if my Android phone is carrier-locked?
Insert a SIM from a different carrier. If the device shows “No SIM” or “SIM not supported,” it is carrier-locked. Contact your original carrier to request an unlock. Most carriers provide an unlock process once any installment plan or contract term is complete.
Do travel eSIMs on Android need data roaming enabled?
Yes. Travel eSIMs use roaming agreements to provide connectivity abroad. After assigning the travel eSIM as your data SIM, enable data roaming for that specific SIM. This is separate from your home SIM’s roaming setting — enable roaming on the travel eSIM, keep it off on the home SIM.
Related Guides
- What Is Dual SIM? — DSDS, DSDV, and DSDA modes explained; which modes Android supports
- Dual SIM Setup on iPhone — The equivalent setup guide for iOS
- Using Dual SIM for Travel — Line assignments, roaming charge prevention, and SMS 2FA when abroad
- How to Set Up eSIM on Android via QR Code — Full eSIM installation walkthrough for Pixel and Samsung
- What Is an eSIM? — How eSIM technology works and which devices support it
To compare available SIM and eSIM plans for your destination, use SimFinder Travel.
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