How to Use Dual SIM on iPhone XS with an eSIM

If you have just bought the iPhone XS and you will like to know how to use Dual SIM on iPhone XS, you are on the right page.

It will interest you to know that the iPhone XS is one of the newest iPhones that features Dual SIM with a nano-SIM and an eSIM as well. You might have heard about eSIM but not many of us know how this work. You can check out more info about using eSIM on your iPhone and everything you like to know is well explained.

Be that as it may, the purpose of this post is to show you how to use Dual SIM on iPhone XS using eSIM. Dual SIM on Android phones are not new but since the iPhone XS and XS Max are the first smartphones from Apple with this functionality, you might want to see how it works to make sure everything is working fine.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM

Judging from the definition above, this is a pretty cool concept that might just be the trend on smartphones in the years to come. But the major challenge currently with this technology is that not all carriers even in the US is supported.

If you are in China, however, you might not need to stress yourself learning how to use Dual SIM on your iPhone XS or the XS Max because you can actually use the normal Dual nano-SIM cards on your iPhone.

What you need to know about Dual SIM on iPhone XS

• Here are a few of the many ways you can use Dual SIM on your iPhone XS
• Use one number for business and another number for personal calls.
• Add a local data plan when you travel outside of the country or region.
• Have a separate voice and data plans.
• Both of your phone numbers can make and receive voice calls and send and receive SMS and MMS
• Your iPhone XS can use one cellular data network at a time.

Requirements to use Dual SIM on iPhone XS

• Your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max must have been updated to iOS 12
• A QR code or a carrier app from a wireless carrier that supports eSIM
• To use two different carriers, your iPhone must be unlocked. Otherwise, both plans must be from the same carrier.
• Know that if a CDMA carrier provides your first SIM, your second SIM won’t support CDMA.
• If you have an enterprise or corporate cellular service plan, check with your company administrator to see if they support this feature.

How to set up your cellular plan with eSIM

If you are using a nano-SIM and will like to use eSIM for cellular as well. Check how you can set up a cellular plan on your phone.  If you don’t have a nano-SIM and your carrier supports it, an eSIM can still serve as your only cellular plan.

To activate your second cellular plan, you will be required to scan the QR code your carrier gave you or use your carrier’s iPhone app to set it up. You can as well enter the information manually

Method 1: Scan a QR code

• Go to Settings > Cellular.
• Tap Add Cellular Plan.
• Use your iPhone to scan the QR code that your carrier provided. If you’re asked to enter a confirmation code to activate the eSIM, enter the number that your carrier provided.

Method 2: Use a carrier app

• Go to the App Store and download your carrier’s app.
• Use the app to purchase a cellular plan. After your second plan is activated, label your plans. For example, you can label one plan Business and the other plan Personal.

How to choose which Line to use for Message, calls and data

By default number, your line is used for iMessage and to call or send messages to people who are not in your contact. You can change how you want this to be by following the steps below.

Go to your screen and choose whether to use primary as default or not and you can choose which number to be used only for cellular data as well. If you select “Use Primary as your default line” This means your primary line will be used for SMS, Data, iMessage, and FaceTime while your Secondary line will be available just for voice and SMS.

However, if you select “Use Secondary as your default line” this means your Secondary line will be used for voice, SMS, Data, iMessage, and FaceTime while your Primary line will be available for voice and SMS only.

If you are travelling outside of the US for example, it is advisable you “Use Secondary for cellular data only”, to keep your Primary line for voice, SMS, iMessage, and FaceTime.

Now that your iPhone XS is set up to use dual SIM, follow the steps below to specify which number to use for your calls and cellular

• Head over to your iPhone XS contact, tap on it
• Then Tap on Preferred Cellular Plan.
• Finally, Tap on the number you want to use for calls Once this is done, you can make and receive phone calls with either phone number. But note that when you’re on a call, you will be able to receive calls on the other line at the same time

You can as well choose which line to use for iMessage and SMS/MMS

To do this follow these steps below

• Go to Settings > Messages.
• Tap iMessage & FaceTime Line.
• Select the phone number you want to use.

How to set which Number to use for cellular data on iPhone XS

One number at a time can use cellular data. If you want to change which number uses cellular data, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings > Cellular and tap Cellular Data.
• Tap the number you want to use cellular data.
• If you are active on a voice number that isn’t your designated data number, data will not work while you are on the call.

There you have it guys on how to use Dual SIM on iPhone XS, kindly comment below if you were able to set dual SIM up successfully on your iPhone XS.