Running two eSIMs at once lets you keep a home number active while using a travel data plan, or separate work and personal lines on a single phone. Apple introduced dual active eSIM support with the iPhone 13, and Android followed with Pixel 7 and Samsung Galaxy S23. This guide explains how to configure both lines, assign calls and data, and avoid common dual-eSIM problems.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Verify your phone supports dual active eSIMs
On iPhone, models from the iPhone 13 onward support two active eSIMs. U.S. iPhone 14 and later models have no physical SIM tray and run exclusively on dual eSIM. On Android, Pixel 7 and later plus Samsung Galaxy S23 and later support two active eSIMs.
Older models (iPhone XS through 12, Pixel 3 through 6, Galaxy S21-S22) support one eSIM plus one physical SIM but not two eSIMs simultaneously.
Tip: Check Settings > Cellular (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM Manager (Samsung) to see how many active SIM slots your device offers.
- 2
Install both eSIM profiles
Add your first eSIM using the standard QR code scanning process. After it activates, go back to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM (Samsung) and add the second profile. Each profile needs its own QR code from its provider.
Label each line clearly during setup. For example, label your home carrier 'Personal' and your travel plan 'Travel Data' so you can identify them in settings.
Tip: Install both profiles while connected to Wi-Fi at home before traveling. This eliminates the risk of not having internet access to download the second profile.
- 3
Assign lines for calls, messages, and data
On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular. Tap 'Default Voice Line' to pick which eSIM handles outgoing calls. Tap 'iMessage & FaceTime' to assign messaging.
Tap 'Cellular Data' to choose your data line. For travel, set the travel eSIM as the data line and your home eSIM for calls and messages. On Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager and configure 'Calls,' 'Texts,' and 'Mobile data' individually.
You can also set per-contact SIM preferences for outgoing calls.
Tip: On iPhone, the green and blue signal bars in the status bar indicate which eSIM line is handling data and which is on standby.
- 4
Configure cellular data switching
On iPhone, Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data has an 'Allow Cellular Data Switching' toggle. When enabled, if your selected data line loses signal, the phone automatically uses the other line for data. For travel setups, leave this off to prevent your home carrier from incurring roaming charges as a fallback.
On Samsung, this feature is called 'Data switching' under SIM Manager and works the same way.
Frequently asked questions
Can both eSIMs receive calls at the same time?
Yes. With Dual SIM Dual Standby, both lines are reachable for incoming calls. However, if you answer a call on one line while on a call on the other, the first call goes to voicemail. True simultaneous calling (Dual SIM Dual Active) is not available on current smartphones.
Will two active eSIMs drain my battery faster?
Running two active eSIM lines uses slightly more battery because the phone maintains two concurrent radio connections. The difference is typically 5% to 10% over a full day. If battery life is critical, you can toggle off the line you are not actively using in Settings > Cellular.
Can I use data from both eSIMs simultaneously?
No. Current smartphones use Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS), which means only one line handles data at any moment. You choose which line gets data in Settings. The 'Allow Cellular Data Switching' feature on iPhone lets the phone switch data lines automatically when signal drops, but it never uses both lines for data at the same time.
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