Dual sim on differe...
 

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Dual sim on different networks experience

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If anyone has experience of this set up I’d like to know how smoothly it works please.

I want to add an eSIM to my iPhone to give me separate work and personal numbers. They could be on the same network but I’m thinking of going with two separate networks to give me a little extra chance of at least one working in bad reception areas.

Anyone done this and had any problems? Should I just get a second sim from my current provider (Vodafone)? Is the whole thing going to be a pain in the arse? I need both working simultaneously for calls at least. Any info appreciated


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 12:23 pm
 5lab
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i use e-sims when I travel somewhere my contract doesn't cover - last time was India. Took a few hours for it to register correctly but otherwise worked fine (android phone). You just choose which sim you're using for data at any point, and when you place a call it works from either (you're prompted). Receiving calls works on both all the time.

battery life was shorter (as you'd expect), I think the phone may have to be unlocked (mine is anyway)


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 12:33 pm
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I had two sims in my phone when I went to New Zealand for work.

One was a work SIM and the other was a NZ Local SIM. It worked really well and had no issues.

Upon my return I put my UK local and work in and worked really well as per above.

I haven't tried two SIMS on the same network but I can't see why it wouldn't work


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 12:34 pm
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My wife has a UK normal sim and a spanish esim from different carriers. No issues


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 12:47 pm
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Sounds like it will all work fine, good to hear reality matches the expectation. Thanks all


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 12:52 pm
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Yeah, it works fine. Once another SIM is active you get a bunch of new options so you can have a default SIM for calls but override on a per-contact basis. Data can be using just one or use the second as backup if you lose signal on the primary.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 1:28 pm
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I use two SIMs on my Android phone to give me more chance of decent network. Main SIM is Lebara (so on Vodafone network). For second SIM I got a Three Mobile 2 year 24 GB data SIM for £35. On Android can set a 'Switch data SIM' button to quickly switch between the two. It's been really useful. I'm not streaming when on the backup SIM and I've just checked and see I've only used 2 GB in 6 months - so it will easily last 2 years.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 1:33 pm
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I’ve done it frequently (dual eSIM) when travelling to the far east, no issues. Except that is WhatsApp which gets a bit confused sometimes. I try not to use WhatsApp for work so generally ok. 


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 1:33 pm
 Aidy
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If you can, I'd have your primary number be an eSim. Often easier to switch to temporary networks with a physical sim.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 1:36 pm
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I have two physical SIMs, because work gave me one and I have a Samsung Galaxy. All Galaxy phones have dual SIM if you buy them from Samsung, which is the same price or cheaper than getting them from a carrier and Samsung also do 0% over 2 years so you can treat it as if it were on contract, but it's unlocked. You do need to give up the SD card slot though.

No issues with battery life. Very occasionally I have been able to get online with one SIM where the other had signal, but my work SIM is Vodafone so it's shitter than my own EE one anyway. It is however dead handy when I go abroad for work because I can just change the data over to the other SIM and work can pay.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 1:38 pm
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I’ve been using a dual sim Galaxy for about 6 years. One is my personal UK sim, and the other is my French work SIM. I’ve never had the slightest problem.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 7:23 pm
 hb70
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Works fine. I have my work in one, and personal in another. Seamless for calls coming in. And I switch the work one on when I go out. I have 2 physical ones but guess the virtual is the same.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 7:31 pm
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Also have two sims in my iPhone. Both EE. One work and one personal. All my work contacts are set to ring and text using the work number. I have the option to use whichever number I prefer for outgoing calls, texts and data, and when I’m not working, I can turn the work sim fully off. It’s great, I love not having to carry a second phone around for work.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 7:35 pm
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Recent Pixel phones can support one physical sim and one esim at the same time, my daughter has a UK sim and Singapore esim in hers.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 7:40 pm
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tell me about e sims.... We are off to Asia next yr  so be 2 phones for 3weeks  to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, quick look at maya (1st google hit) and it seems to be the job or is there anything I'm missing with it   


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 8:21 pm
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I use whichever of Airalo or Nomad has the best deal for where I'm going.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 9:44 pm
bruneep and bruneep reacted
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I was looking at this for trips to Dubai.

Here I use Tesco mobile and was looking for a cheap Esim for data in Dubai but hadn't found one yet.

I've just seen that Tesco are about to start offering esims though, so I'll swap my physical tesco sim for one of those and then stick a physical Dubai SIM in and switch it on when I'm there.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 10:55 pm
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Last time I went away I just gave EE £15 and carried on as if I were at home. Not sure how many countries that covers mind.


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 11:02 pm
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Tell me about e sims…

Note that a lot (not all!) of eSims are "data only" so you don't have a phone number for calls or SMS purposes. So, if you need a phone number, make sure you check the eSim has one (I found those with a phone number are more expensive or include less data)


 
Posted : 06/11/2023 11:05 pm

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