URL: https://esimgo.in/help/dual-sim/ Source: eSIM Go (esimgo.in) Author: Nadezhda Semenova, entrepreneur, co-founder of the Trippy travel service, https://esimgo.in/author/ Updated: 20 Oct 2026 # Dual SIM on iPhone and Android: keep your Indian SIM and add a travel eSIM for data A dual SIM iPhone runs two lines at once. Apple's wording: "Dual SIM enables you to have two active phone numbers or SIMs to make and receive calls and text messages." On a trip, your Indian SIM keeps your number and a travel eSIM carries the mobile data. We sell travel eSIMs, so we have an interest here. ## What dual SIM means on a phone Apple's own example fits a trip: "For example, you can use one number for your home line and another for your travel line." Apple adds: "Add a local data plan when you're travelling outside the country or region." No plan of ours carries your Indian number, and most plans are data-only, with no calls and no SMS. Calls and OTP texts stay on the Indian line; [keeping your Indian SIM for OTPs](/help/keep-indian-sim-for-otp/) covers that side. ## Which iPhones and Android phones run two lines Apple says the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later run two lines. Google says a Pixel 3a or later takes one physical SIM plus one eSIM. Samsung India prints the slot type on each model's spec page. Check your exact model before you buy a plan. | Phone | Two lines | Two eSIMs at once | Source (checked 20 Oct 2026) | |---|---|---|---| | iPhone | XS, XS Max, XR or later: physical SIM and eSIM | iPhone 13 models and later | [Apple 109317](https://support.apple.com/en-in/109317), published 18 Sep 2026 | | iPhone Air | No SIM slot: "does not support a physical SIM" | "two active eSIMs" | [Apple India spec page](https://www.apple.com/in/iphone-air/specs/) | | Pixel | Pixel 3a or later: one physical SIM, one eSIM | Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro or later, if "Your operator allows this feature." | [Pixel Help 9449293](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/9449293) | | Samsung Galaxy | Field "SIM Slot Type" on each spec page | S24, S25, S25 FE, S25 Ultra, A56, A57 ("Dual eSIM") | [Samsung India spec pages](https://www.samsung.com/in/smartphones/galaxy-s25-ultra/specs/) | Google adds: "DSDS and eSIM work with some mobile operators. To find out if they'll work with your phone, ask your mobile operator." Model lists: [iPhone eSIM guide](/esim-iphone/), [eSIM phone list](/esim-compatible-phones/). You do not need to take your Indian SIM out for a travel eSIM; both lines stay active. For a local SIM, Apple (109357, 20 Mar 2026) says to "insert a paper clip or a SIM-eject tool into the hole beside the tray". The tray is on the left on iPhone 12 to 17 models, on the right on iPhone 11 and older and every SE. With the Indian SIM out, its SMS cannot reach this phone. The iPhone Air has no SIM tray. ## One line carries data: make the travel eSIM your mobile data line On an iPhone or a Pixel, one line carries mobile data at a time. Apple says "Your iPhone can use one mobile data network at a time", and Google says "Only one SIM can be the default for data." Install the eSIM in India; it connects when you land abroad, and that is when you switch mobile data to it. **iPhone** (Apple 109317, 18 Sep 2026): Open Settings, tap Cellular or Mobile Service, tap Mobile Data, then tap the number you want to use mobile data. **Pixel** (Pixel Help 9449293, no date on the page): Open Settings, tap Network and Internet, then SIMs. Under 'Your primary SIMs', tap Mobile data and choose the SIM. **Samsung** (Samsung India, updated 11 Sep 2024): "Settings > Connections> SIM card manager> Mobile data > Choose SIM 1/ SIM 2". Apple's other data setting is Allow Mobile Data Switching: "If you want your iPhone to use mobile data from both plans, depending on coverage and availability, turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching." Data Roaming is set for each line separately; the [data roaming guide](/help/data-roaming/) explains why the two lines get opposite settings. ## Calls and SMS on your Indian number while the eSIM carries data On a dual SIM iPhone, Apple says, both numbers "can make and receive voice and FaceTime calls", and they "can also send and receive messages using iMessage, SMS and MMS". Abroad, the Indian line also needs international roaming switched on with your operator. For a second call while you are on a call, Apple sets conditions: "When you're on a call using a line that isn't your designated line for mobile data, you need to turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching to receive calls from your other line." If the other line's provider supports Wi-Fi calling, "you can answer incoming calls on your other number". Otherwise the call "will go to voicemail if you set up voicemail with your provider", with no missed-call notification. Apple also warns: "This mobile data switching won't work if you're currently using Data Roaming." Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and earlier: "If you're on a call, you can't get a call through the other SIM at the same time. Calls to the other SIM will go to voicemail." Pixel 8a and later: "You can use both SIMs for calls at the same time", if mobile data is on for both SIMs, automatic data switching is on for the second SIM and "Your operator must support Wi-Fi calling for the second SIM." ## Two eSIMs at once: when your Indian line is already an eSIM Two eSIMs run at once on iPhone 13 models and later, on a Pixel 7 or later if your operator allows it, and on the six Galaxy models in the table. The iPhone Air has no SIM slot, so both its lines are eSIMs. Apple's travel page says: "You can have two eSIMs active at the same time on supported iPhone models. For example, you can use one eSIM for your home phone number and another eSIM for the place you're visiting." If your Jio, Airtel or Vi line is already an eSIM, that is your case. To move your Indian number to an eSIM, ask your operator. ## A phone locked to one operator cannot add a second Apple states the rule twice. Its dual SIM page: "To use two network providers, your network provider must unlock your iPhone, or both plans must be from the same network provider." Its travel page: "To use your iPhone with another network provider when travelling internationally, your iPhone cannot be locked to a network provider." On an iPhone, "No SIM Restrictions" next to Network Provider Lock in Settings, General, About means unlocked (Apple 118227). The [carrier lock guide](/help/carrier-lock/) covers Android phones and who can unlock a phone. ## Sources Checked on 20 Oct 2026 (IST). 1. [Apple Support India 109317: Using Dual SIM with an eSIM](https://support.apple.com/en-in/109317), published 18 Sep 2026 2. [Apple Support India 118227: Use eSIM while travelling internationally with your iPhone](https://support.apple.com/en-in/118227), published 21 Sep 2026 3. [Apple India: iPhone Air tech specs](https://www.apple.com/in/iphone-air/specs/) 4. [Google Pixel Help 9449293: How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/9449293) (no date on the page) 5. [Samsung India: How to troubleshoot Mobile data issues](https://www.samsung.com/in/support/mobile-devices/how-to-troubleshoot-mobile-data-issues/), last update 11 Sep 2024 6. Samsung India spec and product pages, field "SIM Slot Type": [Galaxy S25 Ultra](https://www.samsung.com/in/smartphones/galaxy-s25-ultra/specs/), [S24](https://www.samsung.com/in/smartphones/galaxy-s24/specs/), [S25 FE](https://www.samsung.com/in/smartphones/galaxy-s/galaxy-s25-fe-navy-256gb-sm-s731bdbcins/), [A56 5G](https://www.samsung.com/in/smartphones/galaxy-a/galaxy-a56-5g-awesome-graphite-256gb-sm-a566ezkhins/), [A57 5G](https://www.samsung.com/in/smartphones/galaxy-a/galaxy-a57-5g-awesome-navy-256gb-sm-a576bdbfins/) 7. [Apple Support India 109357: Remove or switch the SIM card in your iPhone](https://support.apple.com/en-in/109357), published 20 Mar 2026 ## FAQ ### What does dual SIM mean on an iPhone? A dual SIM iPhone has two active lines. Apple says it needs an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later. ### Can I use my Indian SIM and a travel eSIM at the same time? Yes, on a dual SIM phone both lines stay active. No plan of ours carries your Indian number, so keep the Indian SIM in the phone for calls and OTP texts. ### Which SIM uses mobile data on a dual SIM phone? The one you pick in Settings. Apple says "Your iPhone can use one mobile data network at a time", and Google says "Only one SIM can be the default for data." ### Will calls to my Indian number ring while the travel eSIM uses data? Both numbers can receive calls, Apple says, and abroad the Indian line needs international roaming. During a call on one line, an iPhone takes a call to the other only with Allow Mobile Data Switching or Wi-Fi calling; on Pixel 8 and earlier it goes to voicemail. ### Can an iPhone use two eSIMs at once? Yes, on iPhone 13 models and later: "You can have two eSIMs active at the same time on supported iPhone models," Apple says. The iPhone Air takes eSIMs only. ### Do I need an unlocked phone for dual SIM? For two network providers on an iPhone, yes: the provider must unlock it, Apple says, or both plans must come from the same provider. "No SIM Restrictions" in Settings, General, About means unlocked. ### Do I need to take my Indian SIM out of my iPhone before the trip? No, you do not need to take your Indian SIM out: it stays in for calls and OTP texts while the travel eSIM carries data. With the SIM out, its SMS cannot reach the phone. For a local SIM, Apple says to use "a paper clip or a SIM-eject tool"; the tray is on the left on iPhone 12 to 17 models and on the right on iPhone 11 and older, every SE included. The iPhone Air has no SIM tray.