Dual SIM on an iPhone: Supported models and setup

How does a dual SIM work on an iPhone? 

Dual SIMs work by allowing your iPhone to carry two SIM cards — and therefore two different phone numbers — at once. Dual SIMs are incredibly useful if you want to use different business and personal numbers without getting a separate iPhone or if you’re traveling abroad and want to switch between your home mobile provider and an international carrier.

To understand exactly how dual SIMs work on an iPhone, let’s define a few terms. First off, what is a SIM card? A SIM card is how your phone connects to mobile networks. In the past, all phones had physical SIM cards that fit into a slot in your device. As technology advanced, phones started using smaller, nano-SIM cards. Some modern smartphones still use nano-SIM cards, but others have gotten rid of the physical SIM cards altogether, opting for eSIM technology instead.

What is an eSIM? Introduced in 2016, eSIMs are digital alternatives to nano-SIMs that use software on your phone to connect to mobile networks without the need for a physical card. Some iPhones can support both nano-SIMs and eSIMs, but some newer iPhone models are eSIM-only.

If you’re looking at dual SIM iPhones, you have four options:

1. iPhones with two nano-SIM card slots. These are only available in regions like China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

2. iPhones with one nano-SIM and one eSIM. This is the most popular dual SIM configuration globally, offering flexibility for physical and digital SIM use.

3. iPhones that support two eSIMs at once, or one nano-SIM and one eSIM. Some newer models offer this versatile option.

4. iPhones that only support two eSIMs. These are becoming increasingly common in regions with high eSIM adoption, such as the US, especially in newer models like the iPhone 14 and later, which completely dropped the physical SIM slot in the US. 

Even if your iPhone is dual SIM compatible, you’ll also need to be running iOS 12.1 or later — the operating system that introduced the dual SIM functionality for iPhones. If you plan to use an eSIM, you should also ensure that your mobile carrier offers eSIM services. Some mobile providers also “lock” a device, which keeps it from being used with another carrier and/or in another country, so check if your iPhone is locked before you purchase a second SIM.

Which iPhones have a dual SIM function? 

Below, you’ll find comprehensive lists of iPhones that offer dual SIM functionality, grouped by whether they support nano-SIMs, eSIMs, or both. However, even if your device supports dual SIM technology, your dual SIM functionality may be limited by your mobile provider and/or region. 

eSIM-only dual SIM iPhones:

• iPhone 14

• iPhone 14 Plus

• iPhone 14 Pro

• iPhone 14 Prox Max

• iPhone 15

• iPhone 15 Plus

• iPhone 15 Pro Max

• iPhone 16

• iPhone 16 Plus

• iPhone 16 Pro

• iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhones that support two eSIMs or a nano-SIM with an eSIM:

• iPhone 13

• iPhone 13 Mini

• iPhone 13 Pro

• iPhone 13 Pro Max

• iPhone SE (3^rd generation)

• Some iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models purchased outside of the United States 

iPhones with nano-SIM and eSIM functionality

• iPhone XR

• iPhone XS

• iPhone XS Max

• iPhone 11

• iPhone 11 Pro

• iPhone 11 Pro Max

• iPhone 12

• iPhone 12 mini

• iPhone 12 Pro

• iPhone 12 Pro Max

• iPhone SE (2^nd generation)

iPhones that have two nano-SIM card slots

Certain iPhones sold in China, Hong Kong, or Macao offer two nano-SIM card slots. These dual nano-SIM phones are available in every model manufactured after 2018 (starting with the iPhone XR).

How to use a dual SIM on an iPhone

To use a dual SIM on an iPhone, first, you want to identify the type of dual SIM functionality you’re interested in: two eSIMs, a nano-SIM/eSIM combination, or two nano-SIMs. We have step-by-step instructions for every method.

To use two eSIMs at once:

1. Purchase your secondary eSIM plan. Follow your provider’s instructions for activation.

2. Open “Settings.”

3. Tap “Cellular.” You should see both of your eSIMs listed.

4. Select the inactive eSIM.

5. Tap “Turn on this line.”

Follow these steps for how to install an eSIM on an iPhone for dual functionality with a nano-SIM:

1. Buy and activate your eSIM plan.

2. Open “Settings.”

3. Tap “Cellular.” You should see both your nano-SIM and eSIM listed.

4. Click the inactive profile.

5. Select “Turn on this line.”

 To use two nano-SIM cards at once:

1. Purchase a second nano-SIM card.

2. Eject your SIM card tray.

3. You’ll notice that the tray has top and bottom slots.

4. Insert the nano-SIM into an open tray slot.

5. Reinsert the SIM card tray.

6. Open “Settings.”

7. Select the inactive nano-SIM.

8. Tap “Turn on this line.”

If you’re not sure whether you were successful, read this article for more information on how to check if an eSIM is activated on an iPhone.

Once both of your SIMs are active, you may want to set up one as the default line and the other as secondary. You can also select options to switch between SIMs depending on which can get better coverage. You can give each SIM a label, like “Personal” and “Business.” Once your dual SIMs are activated, each number can send and receive phone calls, text messages, and FaceTime calls.

When you make a call, your iPhone will automatically use your default number. To switch numbers, open the contact you’re calling, tap “Default,” and then select the number you want to use with that contact. If you’re calling someone who isn’t saved in your contacts, type in the number as you usually would, then click the phone number at the top of your screen and select the phone number you want to use to make the call. Incoming calls will be labeled with the phone number they’re calling.

You can also use dual SIM functionality to text. To choose the number you want to text from:

1. Open “Messages.”

2. Select “New messages.”

3. Enter the contact’s name or phone number.

4. Tap the contact.

5. Select the phone number you want to use.

It’s important to note that you can’t separate the text messages or iMessages you receive by phone number. All incoming texts will go into the Messages app.

Advantages of using the dual SIM function on an iPhone

Using a dual SIM function on an iPhone comes with a lot of advantages:

• 

  You can have two phone numbers at once. Dual SIMs let you have two numbers, such as a business and a personal line, without needing to get another phone or switch out SIM cards.

• 

  You can stay connected while traveling. With dual SIM functionality, you can purchase a cheaper, local data plan while you’re traveling to another country and set it as your default. This strategy keeps roaming costs low but still gives you the option to roam with your home carrier if you need to.

• 

  You can purchase separate plans. Depending on your needs and location, you may be able to work out better deals with two separate mobile providers. Dual SIM functionality makes it possible for you to use one carrier for voice and text services and another for data.

• 

  You can use multiple carriers to get the best coverage. If you live in an area where data coverage is spotty, you can use dual SIM functionality to automatically switch between mobile providers in your region, getting the best coverage for your location.

• 

  You can track work calls. If you need to track the length of your work calls for billable hours, tax deductions, or reimbursement, designating a separate SIM card solely for business communication makes it easy to get an accurate overview of how much time and/or money you spend on work calls.

Disadvantages of using a dual SIM function on an iPhone

While dual SIMs are often a cheaper, more convenient option, they also have some drawbacks:

• 

  Your phone may run out of battery more quickly. When two SIMs are operating at once, your phone will have to exert more power, so your battery will drain at a faster rate.

• 

  Dual SIM use is a little more complicated. When you have two SIMs, you have to go through a few extra steps to make sure that you’re calling, texting, or using data on the correct line.

• 

  Reduced network speeds. Some iPhones may not be able to support 5G on both SIMs at once, which means that you may experience slower internet speeds or decreased call quality.

• 

  It is more expensive than a single SIM. Having two SIMs is more expensive than having one because you have to pay for two separate plans. However, dual SIM functionality is still cheaper than buying two phones.

Why should you use an eSIM with the dual SIM function on an iPhone?

If you want to get the best coverage, separate personal and work calls, or travel abroad with ease, the iPhone’s dual SIM function is your best bet. With an iPhone dual SIM, you can switch between numbers and providers with ease — while saving money. And if you need to stay connected internationally, Saily is a great choice.

With Saily, you get access to affordable, high-speed data all over the world with just the tap of a button. It also serves over 200 locations, so no matter where you go, you won’t have to worry about the hassle of getting physical international SIM cards for your iPhone. Learn how to download an eSIM and get Saily!