How to Set Up Dual SIM on Your iPhone XS and XR
The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR include a new feature that will make traveling overseas much easier. The latest iPhones support two SIM cards — the physical nano-SIM card that you activate on your wireless carrier and an eSIM card that you can activate on another carrier.
With Dual SIM support on your iPhone, you can have two phone numbers. If you regularly travel internationally, you can use an international carrier’s service without taking out your SIM card.
Now that iOS 12.1 is available, you can start using your iPhone’s dual-SIM functionality. There’s just one caveat: right now, only Verizon and AT&T support eSIM for the latest iPhones in the U.S., with other carriers hopefully following suit in the near future. However, when traveling overseas, you can activate service with an international carrier that supports eSIM. An up-to-date list of carriers organized by country is available on Apple’s website.
Here’s how to take advantage of your iPhone’s dual-SIM support. —Caitlin McGarry
1. Make sure your iPhone XS, XS Max or XR is unlocked.
2. Install iOS 12.1 on your device, if you haven’t already upgraded. (Go to Settings and tap General, then Software Update to see what version of iOS 12 you’re running.)
3. Check to see which carriers support the secondary eSIM you want to use in the country you’re traveling to. You can’t take advantage of dual-SIM support with two U.S.-based carriers at the moment.
If the secondary carrier supports eSIM, there are two ways to activate service. The first is a carrier-provided QR code. The second is via the carrier’s app.
1. To scan the QR code provided by the secondary carrier, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Cellular.
3. Select Add Cellular Plan.
4. Your iPhone’s camera will pop up. Place the carrier-provided QR code in frame and scan it. You can also enter the details manually.
If you don’t have a QR code, you can install the carrier’s app on your iPhone and use it to buy and activate a wireless plan. Bear in mind that as the system currently operates, you can't transfer existing service from a physical SIM card to an eSIM. In other words, if you start with a physical SIM card in your iPhone for AT&T service at home, your device's eSIM will be used for other carriers, and you can't transition your AT&T plan to it. The eSIM setup notes listed below are for purchasing new lines on an unlocked handset that isn't already set up with those carriers.
Carrier-specific notes
On Verizon: Verizon customers will need the MyVerizon app to enable eSIM functionality. To begin the process, open the app and tap Join Now, copy and paste your device's digital IMEI number (found in the About menu in Settings>General), and follow the next on-screen prompts. Eventually you should receive a QR code in an email, which can be scanned through the same process listed in the steps above. A full list of directions is available on Verizon's support site.
On AT&T: AT&T customers will have to go to the carrier's bring-your-own-phone website to start up a new line through an eSIM, using that same IMEI number found in the device's settings. After purchasing service, you'll be supplied with a QR code, which can be scanned using your iPhone through the Add Cellular Plan menu in Settings>Cellular, just like the steps above indicate.
On T-Mobile: Setting up an iPhone for eSIM use on T-Mobile requires you to download one of carrier's apps, which will walk you through the process. eSIM support is currently restricted to prepaid account holders, thought that should expand to postpaid in the near future.
