How to Set Up and Use Dual SIM on iPhone [VIDEO]

Apple on Saturday published a new video tutorial on its Apple Support YouTube channel, explaining how iPhone users can have two active phone lines on one device thanks to Dual SIM support.

“With iPhone, you can add a second phone line and use both lines on a single iPhone,” says Apple in the video.

Dual SIM functionality gives iPhone users the ability to have one phone number that’s tied to the physical SIM card installed in their phone, and another phone number on an eSIM assigned to them by a wireless carrier.

Before you can switch to Dual SIM mode on your iPhone, you will need to first obtain an eSIM. This can be done by either converting an existing phone line with a physical SIM card into an eSIM connection or purchasing a secondary plan from a wireless carrier that supports eSIM.

Once your additional, eSIM line has been activated, you should receive a QR code or other instructions from your carrier that will take you to the ‘Add Cellular Plan’ wizard on your iPhone. Once there, you need to:

  1. Tap on Install Cellular Plan.
  2. Label each of your two phone lines so you know which is which. You can select one of the preset labels, or create your own.
  3. Tap on Continue.
  4. Select a default phone line for making calls and sending text messages.
  5. Tap on Continue.
  6. Select which phone number(s) you want to use with iMessage and FaceTime. You can choose one of the lines or both.
  7. Tap on Continue.
  8. Select a default phone line for cellular data usage. You can only use the internet on one phone plan at a time, so if you think you’ll want to switch between the two lines for cellular data, make sure you enable the Allow Cellular Data Switching option.
  9. Tap on Done.

You’re now set to use Dual SIM on your iPhone. Whenever you dial or text a number on your iPhone, your default phone line will be used to make the call or send the message. You can change the phone line that will be used for a particular call or text by tapping on the current phone number (displayed in gray/blue) and switching to the number you want to use.

When calling or texting a saved contact, your iPhone will use the phone line you last used to contact them to start a new call or message. You can also set a default phone line for each of your contacts. To do so, simply:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Locate and tap on the contact you want to set a default phone line for.
  3. Tap on the option next to default under the contact’s name.
  4. Select whichever of the two phone lines you want to always use to contact this number.
  5. Tap on Done.

Dual SIM functionality with one nano-SIM and one eSIM is supported on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, all iPhone 11 models, all iPhone 12 models, and the entirety of the iPhone 13 lineup. In addition, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 mini are the first iPhones to feature Dual SIM support with two eSIMs.

5G cellular data in Dual SIM mode wasn’t available on iPhone 12 series phones at launch, but now works on iOS 14.5 or later.

YouTube video

Check out the full video tutorial from Apple above for more details.

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