A Subscriber Identity Module, or SIM, stores information your device uses to connect to a carrier's mobile network. It also identifies your device and your plan with the carrier. SIM can be stored on a removable, physical SIM card or be built-in, digital, embedded SIM (eSIM).
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Dual SIM -using 2 numbers on 1 phone FAQs
Learn about having 2 numbers on 1 mobile phone using a Dual SIM device.
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A Dual SIM device has 2 (or more) SIMs.
- Device manufacturers determine how many and what type of SIM a mobile device can have:
- 2 physical SIM cards.
- 2 electronic SIM cards (eSIMs).
- 1 physical SIM Card.
- 1 eSIM.
- Some new smartphones can store up to 8 eSIMs.
Important: If you want a Dual SIM smartphone that can have 2 active plans/numbers at the same time, it must also be Dual SIM/Dual Standby (DSDS). Without DSDS, a mobile device may be equipped to store multiple eSIMs, but it can only have one of them activated with a carrier at a time.
A phone specification that describes having 2 receivers and 1 transmitter in a mobile phone. DSDS-capable phones can have 2 mobile numbers from the same carrier or 2 mobile numbers from 2 different carriers.
DSDS enabled devices allow you to have 2 different mobile numbers from 2 different cellular carriers or 2 mobile numbers from the same carrier.
Keep in mind:
- Only one mobile number can receive calls / messages or use cellular data at a time.
- If 2 mobile numbers are activated on the device and 1 is on an active call, calls to the other number ring through to Voicemail. The incoming call doesn't appear on the screen.
- After ending the active call, a missed call notification will appear.
- A “new message” Voicemail indicator also appears if the caller chooses to leave a message.
If your device has more than 1 SIM a you can have multiple numbers on 1 phone.
With DSDS, each SIM can be activated on a separate mobile phone number. Options include:
- Add a Second Number plan from Verizon, for just $15/mo.
- Have 2 numbers from 2 different carriers (domestic or foreign).
- For support for carriers other than Verizon, reach out to the specific carrier.
- For support for carriers other than Verizon, reach out to the specific carrier.
- Have 2 numbers from different Verizon accounts or with different Unlimited plans.
Note: For laptops with Dual SIM, you can only use one SIM at a time.
Important: You can only use data on one SIM at a time, for any device.
To have 2 usable, active mobile numbers, a smartphone must have:
- At least 2 SIMs:
- Each SIM is identified by an IMEI code.
- Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) capability, enabled.
Check the manufacturer's website to see if your smartphone is Dual SIM and DSDS-capable.
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Visit our Second Number page for information about adding a second Verizon number to your phone.
You can add a Second Number plan from Verizon, for just $15/mo.
You'll have to activate each SIM with the carrier that provides service for that mobile number. To activate your SIM on a Verizon line:
- Learn how to activate eSIM with Verizon.
- Find out how to activate a physical SIM card with Verizon.
Important: If you're buying a Dual SIM device from Verizon, there's a 60-day SIM lock to prevent fraudulent activity. This means you must wait 60 days before activating another carrier's service on the second SIM. If you need to add a second carrier sooner, contact us.
With a Dual SIM device that's DSDS-capable, you can make and receive calls and messages from either phone number.
- Only 1 line at a time can be selected for data.
- Choose which number is your primary number. Your secondary number is still active for calls and text messages.
- The first number you had is the default, but you can change the assignments and the names of each SIM.
- Each time you place a call or start a text thread you can choose which number to use.
- If you didn't choose a number, your phone will automatically select your primary number.
- If you get a call while you're on the phone, calls to that number go to Call Waiting. Calls to your alternate line go to that number's voicemail (you won't get a missed-call notice).
- Verizon's Call Filter app will work on one Verizon line of service at a time.
- If you didn't choose a number, your phone will automatically select your primary number.
See our device-specific Dual SIM guides for more information:
- Apple iPhone - Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) - Transfer SIM/eSIM
- Apple iPhone - Dual SIM with an eSIM - Switch Default Voice Line
- Apple iPhone - Dual SIM with an eSIM - Set Preferred Cellular Plan by Contact
- Apple iPhone - Dual with an eSIM - Label Cellular Plan
- Google Pixel Phones - Dual Standby Dual SIM - Switch Default Voice Line
- Google Pixel Phones - Dual Standby Dual SIM - Change Default Cellular Number
- Samsung Galaxy Note20 - Dual SIM Dual Standby - Change Default Mobile Number
- Samsung Phones - Dual SIM Dual Standby - Rename SIM Line
Your phone still has only one contacts list, even when you've got 2 numbers on 1 phone.
Note: You can set the preferred "call from" number for each of your contacts.
See how each SIM is assigned by checking the settings on your phone:
- Apple - Settings > General > About
- Google - Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network
- Samsung smartphones - Settings > Connections > SIM card manager
If you have 2 Verizon mobile numbers on your device, you can add TravelPass to both numbers.
Important: If you choose a different carrier for your second SIM while traveling, Verizon isn’t responsible for support and services.
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To help protect against fraud, we have a 60-day lock policy before you can activate another carrier's service on your Verizon phone. To request an exception to this policy, contact us.
WhatsApp is a third-party service. Visit the WhatsApp Help Center for help with:
- Setting up 2 WhatsApp accounts on 1 phone.
- Changing the phone number associated with a WhatsApp account
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