From what I understand about how Dual SIM “Standby” works, only one SIM has access to the higher bandwidths of 3G, 4G/LTE. The other SIM is delegated to 2G or slower. Although not an Android phone, I am able to send/receive SMS with both SIMs, but with one issue; 2G is not widely supported in my area, and the secondary SIM often will not send/receive SMS messages unless it can find one of those towers.
To overcome this issue, I tried a Dual “Active” SIM phone, which has 2 antennas. SMS and phone calls work fine, and only one SIM can be selected for Data. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to find newer Dual Active SIM phones. The one I have is the ASUS ZenFONE 3 Deluxe. (ASUS is big on dual SIM, but had stopped with Active Dual SIM.) I don’t know of any newer handsets than that. It’s really hard to find this information.
It’s unfortunate that SMS doesn’t work well on Dual SIM Standby, and the public should be made aware of this. Imagine buying a brand-new flagship with dual SIM, and finding out that SMS doesn’t work on both SIMs.
Chia
5 years ago
I am using xiaomi redmi note 5a dual sim – cannot find any of the function on my phone
Bela
5 years ago
Hi, Can i set up colours for sim cards? I mean for example vodafone is for red, o2 os for blue?
Happy to help. Do not hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter, for more useful tutorials. 😉
Satish Kumar soni
4 years ago
In case sim 1 is set as default for calls,sms,internet. In case while at some places sim 1 is not working due to no network. How to take work from sim 2 without changing slots.
ds
4 years ago
I need to disable outgoing international calls from SIM1. I only want to use SIM2 for internatinal calls. Or, I would like to assign a default SIM to use for outgoing calls to each contact in my favorites. Can this be done by Android or any phone settings? Any help is appreciated
r j whitaker
4 years ago
okay, that tells me how to set up 2 sims, but how to use them?
i have just moved from windows (forced to) On a windows phone there are two phone icons. Press icon 1 to make call on 1 or press 2 to make a call on 2.
same goes for messages.
On Android I only get the one sim, so how do I choose, one call at a time, which sim…?
Sue
4 years ago
This article was very helpful, easy to follow. Will definately keep this site in my favourites for any tech type questions. As I am a senior I need all the tech help I can find.
Sandy
4 years ago
Thanks so much for your help – it explained so many queries I had. Really appreciated
I’m glad that we have helped you. Do not hesitate to subscribe to our e-mail newsletter, for more useful tutorials.
Aubrey sehlako
4 years ago
Is there a way to make a dual sim configuration that will automatically connect to second im when sim 1 doesn’t have network
Timy Miller
4 years ago
Can I interchange sim1and SIM 2 data in one gmail account. That’s what I want to know. Thanks
Marisa
4 years ago
I am on Android 9 (Pie) and do not have a Dual SIM / Dual SIM Management or anything closely resembling it in the menu item under Wireless & Networks in Settings. Where do I look?
Era
4 years ago
My Huawei P10 Lite dual SIM display for SMS and calls is not working since I updated my sytem to EMUI version. Please help. I cant see the “always ask me” phrase in the settings. Intead, it automatically sets a single SIM function only. I used to have dual SIM display on my SMS and dialer portion. Now, its gone. Please help. 🙁
Riche reel schock
4 years ago
I was following along with your video and somehow a sim security passcode turned on an I don’t know what to do it’s a brand new phone it’s model is a
p20 plus. Imei. 355 426 310 280 910
Imei. 355 426 310 280 928. Please help us we need this for work an our new family thank you, [email protected]
Emily
4 years ago
I have Huawei P30 Lite and even though it is dual sim (passive) I have no such options like in those pictures to navigate between sims.
Stephen
4 years ago
I have a Nokia 5.1 dual sim.
In slot 1 is an Amaysim “text and talk” and in slot 2 an Optus “data only”
Go to Settings -> Network and Internet -> Sim cards and make sure both are on.
Tap Mobile data and set to Optus
Tap Calls and set to Amaysim
Tap SMS and set to Amaysim
Mike
3 years ago
I have the XT2045-3 Moto G Fast
MO # YDMYI0504AIP
Randy
3 years ago
i have a s20 dual Sim, but cannot find the settings for them
Cathy Dunlap
3 years ago
I have a phantom 6 plus techno phone from China and it’s a dual sim card phone and it reads both lines differently but I can’t find a Dual SIM card reading in order to tap that dual sim so that I put my both sim cards on WhatsApp same time, please how do I find that dual sim resetting button in order to connect my two lines on WhatsApp than reading sim 1&2?.
Zarish
3 years ago
I’ve Q mobile noir x 1s. There is no option of select sim messages to always ask..and sometimes i needed to sent message from both sims..is there any setting for this?
Godfrey
3 years ago
It didn’t highlight slot 1
Omar Elsharkawy
3 years ago
The first sim1 slot is not functioning that why the preferred data network tab is disabled. How I can change preferred data network to sim card two without having 2 inserted sims?
robthemovement
3 years ago
Hello, to whomever this reaches bless your would if you can find a way to help me figure this out. I have a Red Hydrogen One phone. It has a dual slot which can double as memory or as 2 dual sims. I get most of the options you show as I am running 8.1.0 but when I put the second sim in. It simply has a pop up message that says “The VZW card in slot 2 will not available, because it is not set as a data card” I’m not sure how to set it as a data card. I’ve accessed the developer options but don’t know what to go in and tinker with. Any advice would help. Thank you in advanced.
Rob
Los Angeles, CA
JP
3 years ago
Congratulations for this great and thorough tutorial.
Although, I’ve been looking for an option I can’t find on my Samsung Note 10+ and it’s hard to believe Google and/or manufacturers haven’t thought about.
I want to set different sound modes (i.e. Sound vs Vibration vs Silent) between the #2 SAM’S and I can’t!
One of the uses of a Dual SIM phone is to avoid having #2 different phones for #2 SIM cards.
I get home and I want to silence my work phone. If I do that on an Android I will also switch off my private line.
Is it possible?
Haven’t those brains thought about that feature yet?
Thank you for your kind words! You can try accessing Settings -> Sounds and vibration and set a different Ringtone and Notification sound for each SIM. Then, choose Silent as the ringtone or sound for the SIM you want to mute. This might be time-consuming, but we were unable to find a more comfortable option to do what you want.
Hope this helps. D.A.
Jack
3 years ago
Since the last software update I stopped having the sim card selection option for sms sending. I have a Samsung Note 10 lite device. Ihave to go to Settings every time Iwant to change the sim used.
Please advise.
Thank you.
Chan PN
2 years ago
Thanks for the above very detailed info on the SIM settings on Android phones.
But I still am not clear how to “Set Preferred Network Type” on the second SIM Card.
This I need to send & receive SMS messages separately on each of the two SIM cards.
Pls clarify for me !!
Many thanks again!
Tracy
2 years ago
What messaging app are you using? I have tried the default Message+ app, Textra, NextSMS and Dual SIM SMS Messenger. I have configured my phone settings to have SIM 2 as my preferred text app (and conversely to troubleshoot, SIM 1 as preferred). In all configurations I can send and receive from SIM 1, but I can only send and not receive from SIM 2, not even when someone replies to a text I sent. I am using a Blackberry Key2LE and both SIMS are from Verizon. SIM 1 is my personal cell and 2 is from my work. Any ideas to troubleshoot the SIM 2 incoming issue?
Saddam
2 years ago
My mobile not shwoing dual mssage settings
Jake
2 years ago
Great tutorial!
Can you also show how to Set Calling SIM by Contact in the messaging section? Thank you
José
7 months ago
How to set the phone number associated with each each SIM to avoid the “Uknown phone number” label?
Bought a model S93 android 6.0 mtk 6580 octa core cell phone.dual sim but cell server can’t recognize it or make it work on their network
This page was very helpful. I’m new to Android phones and this was very well explained. Thank you!
Glad to help. 😉
From what I understand about how Dual SIM “Standby” works, only one SIM has access to the higher bandwidths of 3G, 4G/LTE. The other SIM is delegated to 2G or slower. Although not an Android phone, I am able to send/receive SMS with both SIMs, but with one issue; 2G is not widely supported in my area, and the secondary SIM often will not send/receive SMS messages unless it can find one of those towers.
To overcome this issue, I tried a Dual “Active” SIM phone, which has 2 antennas. SMS and phone calls work fine, and only one SIM can be selected for Data. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to find newer Dual Active SIM phones. The one I have is the ASUS ZenFONE 3 Deluxe. (ASUS is big on dual SIM, but had stopped with Active Dual SIM.) I don’t know of any newer handsets than that. It’s really hard to find this information.
It’s unfortunate that SMS doesn’t work well on Dual SIM Standby, and the public should be made aware of this. Imagine buying a brand-new flagship with dual SIM, and finding out that SMS doesn’t work on both SIMs.
I am using xiaomi redmi note 5a dual sim – cannot find any of the function on my phone
Hi, Can i set up colours for sim cards? I mean for example vodafone is for red, o2 os for blue?
you could if it was a Windows phone…
Lenovo k6 power
After read this artical i have a very clear picture for dual sim. These was so helpful a
Happy to help. Do not hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter, for more useful tutorials. 😉
In case sim 1 is set as default for calls,sms,internet. In case while at some places sim 1 is not working due to no network. How to take work from sim 2 without changing slots.
I need to disable outgoing international calls from SIM1. I only want to use SIM2 for internatinal calls. Or, I would like to assign a default SIM to use for outgoing calls to each contact in my favorites. Can this be done by Android or any phone settings? Any help is appreciated
okay, that tells me how to set up 2 sims, but how to use them?
i have just moved from windows (forced to) On a windows phone there are two phone icons. Press icon 1 to make call on 1 or press 2 to make a call on 2.
same goes for messages.
On Android I only get the one sim, so how do I choose, one call at a time, which sim…?
This article was very helpful, easy to follow. Will definately keep this site in my favourites for any tech type questions. As I am a senior I need all the tech help I can find.
Thanks so much for your help – it explained so many queries I had. Really appreciated
I’m glad that we have helped you. Do not hesitate to subscribe to our e-mail newsletter, for more useful tutorials.
Is there a way to make a dual sim configuration that will automatically connect to second im when sim 1 doesn’t have network
Can I interchange sim1and SIM 2 data in one gmail account. That’s what I want to know. Thanks
I am on Android 9 (Pie) and do not have a Dual SIM / Dual SIM Management or anything closely resembling it in the menu item under Wireless & Networks in Settings. Where do I look?
My Huawei P10 Lite dual SIM display for SMS and calls is not working since I updated my sytem to EMUI version. Please help. I cant see the “always ask me” phrase in the settings. Intead, it automatically sets a single SIM function only. I used to have dual SIM display on my SMS and dialer portion. Now, its gone. Please help. 🙁
I was following along with your video and somehow a sim security passcode turned on an I don’t know what to do it’s a brand new phone it’s model is a
p20 plus. Imei. 355 426 310 280 910
Imei. 355 426 310 280 928. Please help us we need this for work an our new family thank you, [email protected]
I have Huawei P30 Lite and even though it is dual sim (passive) I have no such options like in those pictures to navigate between sims.
I have a Nokia 5.1 dual sim.
In slot 1 is an Amaysim “text and talk” and in slot 2 an Optus “data only”
Go to Settings -> Network and Internet -> Sim cards and make sure both are on.
Tap Mobile data and set to Optus
Tap Calls and set to Amaysim
Tap SMS and set to Amaysim
I have the XT2045-3 Moto G Fast
MO # YDMYI0504AIP
i have a s20 dual Sim, but cannot find the settings for them
I have a phantom 6 plus techno phone from China and it’s a dual sim card phone and it reads both lines differently but I can’t find a Dual SIM card reading in order to tap that dual sim so that I put my both sim cards on WhatsApp same time, please how do I find that dual sim resetting button in order to connect my two lines on WhatsApp than reading sim 1&2?.
I’ve Q mobile noir x 1s. There is no option of select sim messages to always ask..and sometimes i needed to sent message from both sims..is there any setting for this?
It didn’t highlight slot 1
The first sim1 slot is not functioning that why the preferred data network tab is disabled. How I can change preferred data network to sim card two without having 2 inserted sims?
Hello, to whomever this reaches bless your would if you can find a way to help me figure this out. I have a Red Hydrogen One phone. It has a dual slot which can double as memory or as 2 dual sims. I get most of the options you show as I am running 8.1.0 but when I put the second sim in. It simply has a pop up message that says “The VZW card in slot 2 will not available, because it is not set as a data card” I’m not sure how to set it as a data card. I’ve accessed the developer options but don’t know what to go in and tinker with. Any advice would help. Thank you in advanced.
Rob
Los Angeles, CA
Congratulations for this great and thorough tutorial.
Although, I’ve been looking for an option I can’t find on my Samsung Note 10+ and it’s hard to believe Google and/or manufacturers haven’t thought about.
I want to set different sound modes (i.e. Sound vs Vibration vs Silent) between the #2 SAM’S and I can’t!
One of the uses of a Dual SIM phone is to avoid having #2 different phones for #2 SIM cards.
I get home and I want to silence my work phone. If I do that on an Android I will also switch off my private line.
Is it possible?
Haven’t those brains thought about that feature yet?
Thank you for your kind words! You can try accessing Settings -> Sounds and vibration and set a different Ringtone and Notification sound for each SIM. Then, choose Silent as the ringtone or sound for the SIM you want to mute. This might be time-consuming, but we were unable to find a more comfortable option to do what you want.
Hope this helps. D.A.
Since the last software update I stopped having the sim card selection option for sms sending. I have a Samsung Note 10 lite device. Ihave to go to Settings every time Iwant to change the sim used.
Please advise.
Thank you.
Thanks for the above very detailed info on the SIM settings on Android phones.
But I still am not clear how to “Set Preferred Network Type” on the second SIM Card.
This I need to send & receive SMS messages separately on each of the two SIM cards.
Pls clarify for me !!
Many thanks again!
What messaging app are you using? I have tried the default Message+ app, Textra, NextSMS and Dual SIM SMS Messenger. I have configured my phone settings to have SIM 2 as my preferred text app (and conversely to troubleshoot, SIM 1 as preferred). In all configurations I can send and receive from SIM 1, but I can only send and not receive from SIM 2, not even when someone replies to a text I sent. I am using a Blackberry Key2LE and both SIMS are from Verizon. SIM 1 is my personal cell and 2 is from my work. Any ideas to troubleshoot the SIM 2 incoming issue?
My mobile not shwoing dual mssage settings
Great tutorial!
Can you also show how to Set Calling SIM by Contact in the messaging section? Thank you
How to set the phone number associated with each each SIM to avoid the “Uknown phone number” label?