iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR all support dual-SIM setups, allowing you to use two phone lines on a single device. Instead of using two nano-SIM card slots, the 2022 iPhone line allows you to link one line to a physical nano-SIM card and the other to a new built-in SIM card, or eSIM.
To set up a second line on your iPhone, you'll need a couple of things. In addition to one of Apple's latest iPhones, you'll need a QR code provided to you by your carrier, or you'll need to download your carrier's app. Also make sure your carrier supports eSIM.
Note. Apple says that you can actually set up multiple eSIMs on your iPhone at the same time, but only one can be active at a time.
Which telecom operators support eSIM?
Here are the carriers around the world that have currently either rolled out support or announced future support for eSIM on the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Brazil
Cambodia
Canada
- Bell
- Fido
- Liberty
- Lucky Mobile
- Rogers
- virgin
Chile
Croatia
Czech
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
- O2
- Telecom
- Truphone
- Vodafone
Greece
Guam
Hong Kong
- 1O1O
- 3
- csl
- China Mobile Hong Kong
- Smart
- Truphone
Hungary
India
Jordan
Kuwait
Malaysia
Mexico
- AT&T
- Netherlands
- Truphone
New Zealand
Norway
-Telenor -Telia
Oman
Philippines
Poland
-Orange -Trufon
Qatar
Romania
Singapore
Slovakia
Spain
- Movistar
- orange
- Pepephone
- Truphone
- Vodafone
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
- APT
- Chunghwa Telecom
- FarEasTone
- Taiwan Mobile
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
- from
- Etisalat
- Virgin Mobile
United Kingdom
United States
- AT&T
- T-Mobile USA
- Truphone
- Verizon Wireless
Vietnam
Here's how you set up a second cellular line on your iPhone using an eSIM. These steps should also work if you want to use your iPhone's eSIM as your primary phone line.
What is eSIM?
"ESIM" means embedded SIM card. Before bringing the eSIM card to its iPhones, Apple had already implemented this technology in its watches. New iPhones come with nanoSIM + eSIM support. eSIM requires support from service providers and in India, only Airtel and Reliance Jio currently support eSIM.
And if you're affiliated with one of the carriers above, here's how you can take advantage of dual SIM support on your iPhones.
ALSO READ: OnePlus 6T Review
How to set up an eSIM line with QR code
Some carriers will provide you with a QR code that you can scan to set up your line.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Crane Cell .
- Tap Add Cellular Plan .
- Scan the QR code provided by your operator using your iPhone's camera.
- Enter the verification code your carrier provided if you are asked to do so.
After the iPhone 7, the iPhone Xs Max doesn't look huge
To be honest, I didn’t even use the iPhone 7 with one hand
There are currently four iPhones on my desk, here are their dimensions:
- iPhone 5s: 58.6x123.8x7.6 mm
- iPhone 7: 138.3x67.1x7.1 mm
- iPhone 8 Plus: 158.4x78.1x7.5 mm
- iPhone Xs Max: 157.5x77.4x7.7 mm
Even though the iPhone Xs Max is almost the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, it certainly doesn't feel as massive. Moreover, it doesn't look too big even after two years of using the iPhone 7.
I am sure there will be no discomfort after the iPhone X, as well as any other smartphone 4.7 inches or larger.
But next to 4-inch smartphones, the new Apple flagship seems huge . However, I highly doubt that iPhone 5s or iPhone SE owners won't be able to get used to it.
How to set up an eSIM line in your carrier's app
- Download your carrier app from the App Store.
- Follow the instructions to purchase a new cellular plan .
- Open Settings on your iPhone if you need to enter your plan details manually.
- Crane Cell .
- Tap Add Cellular Plan .
- Tap Enter data manually at the bottom of the screen.
- Follow the instructions to enter all the necessary information about the new cellular plan.
After purchasing the iPhone Xs Max, I was disappointed by the App Store
Many applications are still not adapted for 18 to 9 screens, we had to remove them
Guys, there are no words...
In May of this year, Apple freaked out and obliged all developers to release application updates for the new iPhone X screen format.
However, I hasten to inform you that the situation is still deplorable . Many programs and games still do not run full screen on the iPhone Xs Max.
For example, my favorite home screen wallpaper app Blur doesn't stretch.
But I was more surprised when I bought SteamWorld Heist at a discount with the usual price tag of 749 rubles. The game also turned out to be unsuitable, and I had to return the money.
How to Label Your Cell Lines
You'll be prompted to tag your plans after you've set up your second line, but if you want to change those labels later, you can always do so in Settings.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Crane Cell .
- Click the number whose shortcut you want to change.
- Click on one of the ready-made labels in the list.
- Or tap Enter a label here under Custom shortcut .
- Enter your special shortcut .
For the new smartphone I chose the good old Spigen case
Left – Slim Armor on iPhone Xs Max, right – Tough Armor on iPhone 8 Plus
On all my smartphones, starting with the iPhone 5s, I have always put on cool Spigen Tough Armor cases.
Immediately after purchasing the iPhone Xs Max, I simply could not find this case in stock domestically, so I had to look for an alternative.
It turned out to be Spigen Slim Armor, which is thinner and slightly less protective of the smartphone during falls. However, with it, a large device fits better in the hand due to the smoothed corners.
There's also a kickstand that makes it easy to watch YouTube while enjoying your morning coffee.
How to set up joint work of cellular tariff plans
When you set up a second line, you will need to choose which line will be your default. You will also be able to choose how each line will be used. The default number you choose will be the one that iMessage and FaceTime use automatically. Here's how your options break down (assuming you chose Primary for your first row label and Secondary for your second row label):
- Use your primary line as your default line: Your primary line will be the default line for voice, SMS, iMessage, FaceTime, and data. Your additional line will be available for voice and SMS only.
- Use your secondary line as your default line: Your secondary line will be the default line for voice, SMS, iMessage, FaceTime and data. Your main line will only be available for voice and SMS.
- Use a secondary line for cellular data only: Your primary line will be used for voice, SMS, iMessage, and FaceTime, and your secondary line will be used for non-iMessage and FaceTime data only.
Using two numbers to make and receive calls, exchange messages and transfer data
Once you've set up two numbers for your iPhone, learn how to use them.
Let iPhone remember which number to use
You don't need to choose the number from which you will call the contact every time. By default, iPhone uses the number you last called this contact. If you haven't called the contact yet, iPhone uses the default number. If necessary, you can specify which number to use to contact a particular contact. Follow the steps below.
- Select a contact.
- Click "Preferred Cellular Plan".
- Select the number you want to use to contact this contact.
Making and receiving calls
You can make and receive calls using any of the numbers.
In iOS 13, when you make a call, if your other phone number's cellular carrier supports Wi-Fi calling, you can answer incoming calls to the other number. You must enable the Allow Cellular Data Switching option if the call is not on your default data line. Or if you ignored the call and set up an answering machine for that cellular provider, you will receive a missed call notification and the call will be transferred to the answering machine. Check to see if your cell phone provider supports Wi-Fi calling and if they charge extra or data charges.
If your cellular provider does not support Wi-Fi calling or you have disabled Wi-Fi calling 1 , during a call, an incoming call to another phone number will be forwarded to an answering machine if one is set up for that carrier. 2 However, you will not receive a missed call notification from the second number. Standby mode works for incoming calls to the same phone number. To avoid missing important calls, you can enable call forwarding and forward all calls from one number to another. Check with your carrier to see if this service is supported and if there is an additional charge.
1. If you are using iOS 12, please update to iOS 13 to receive calls while using another number. 2. If data roaming is enabled for a cellular data number, visual answering machine and MMS messaging will be disabled for the voice-only number.
Let's make the situation clear
In yesterday's news announcing the iPhone XS and XS Max, we noted that dual true SIM versions will only be offered in China, with single SIM and eSIM versions sold in the rest of the world. Let's clarify the situation completely.
Electronic SIM cards are currently supported by 14 operators in 10 countries, including the USA, Austria, Hungary, Canada, India, Croatia, Spain, the Czech Republic, the UK and Germany. Russia and other CIS countries are not on the list.
To use the services of two mobile operators, your iPhone must be unlocked. The electronic SIM card is activated using a QR code provided by the operator. You can store several eSIMs in your smartphone's memory, but you cannot use them at the same time.
How to change your cellular data network number
Only one of your numbers can use cellular data. You can change which of your numbers is in settings.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Crane Cell .
- Cellular data tap .
- Tap the number that you want to use cellular data.
- Press the switch next to Cellular Data Switching to the green "on" position if you want to switch to using cellular data on the line for voice/SMS during a call.
If you don't have cellular data switching enabled, you won't be able to use data during a voice call if you have a separate line for cellular data.
I immediately looked for the iPhone Xs Max with two SIM cards. For what?
This is the first dual-SIM iPhone, and it is very convenient.
Competitors have been making dual-SIM smartphones for a long time, and Android fans have been pointing out this fact to iPhone owners for years. I always thought it was stupid, but I rethought it when I started living a more mobile lifestyle.
Today my office can even be a car, bus or train. Therefore, not only the quantity, but also the quality of the work that I manage to do every day directly depends on the speed and stability of the mobile Internet.
I recently wrote that none of the cellular operators in my country guarantee LTE coverage in “hard-to-reach” areas. However, if you use two service providers at once, your chances of having fast internet increase .
In my favorite cafe, the first operator will easily provide me with mobile Internet, and in a secret place by the sea, 50 km from home, the second operator will.
A second SIM card is also useful for separating personal and work calls, connecting a local mobile operator abroad while leaving your own active, and simply reducing the cost of calls to different directions within the country.
It’s also easy to install two WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber on a dual-SIM iPhone - our readers have already written about this in Tusovka.
However, you need to understand perfectly well that two SIM cards in one iPhone will not replace two iPhones , and we will definitely talk about this in a separate article.
The main disadvantage of the iPhone Xs Max is the package included
The only correct charger for the iPhone Xs Max is in the upper left corner, but it is not included in the package
Of course, all the excitement about the iPhone Xs Max is spoiled by the power supply out of the box - that same 1A “rattle” .
I have never connected a new smartphone to the included charger and am trying to fill it with energy using the power supply from the iPad. However, even with it, the percentages in the “Control Center” of the device add up painfully slowly.
There are plans to switch to the power supply from the MacBook Pro.
Yes, that's why I'm only 95% satisfied with the iPhone Xs. It will be 100% after Apple smartphones switch to normal chargers - a suitable option is already in the box with the iPad Pro.
(4.25 out of 5, rated: 20)
