Android · Network & Internet
Manage physical SIM and eSIM profiles and mobile lines
The SIM Manager lets you view, name, activate, or remove physical SIM cards and downloaded eSIM profiles, choose a default line for calls, texts, and data, and set up dual-SIM configurations on supported devices.
How to open SIM & eSIM Manager
- Open Settings
- Tap Network & internet
- Tap SIMs (or SIM card manager)
- Select a SIM to rename, toggle, or set as default
- Tap Add eSIM to activate a new downloaded profile via QR code or carrier app
What you should know
- Supports activating a new eSIM by scanning a carrier QR code or using carrier apps
- Lets you set separate default lines for calls, texts, and mobile data
- Renames each SIM or eSIM for easier identification
- Toggles individual lines on or off without physically removing a SIM card
Why it matters
As eSIM adoption grows, especially for travel plans and dual-line setups separating work and personal numbers, the SIM Manager has become the control center for a feature that used to require physically swapping cards. Correctly configuring default lines for calls versus data avoids situations like accidentally roaming on the wrong carrier or texts going out from the wrong number.
Best practices
- Name each line clearly, such as 'Personal' and 'Work', to avoid confusion when switching defaults
- Set mobile data to the line with the better or cheaper data plan before traveling
- Download travel eSIMs in advance and keep them installed but toggled off until needed
- Remove unused eSIM profiles periodically since some carriers limit the number of profiles a device can store
Common problems and fixes
- New eSIM won't activate after scanning the QR code
- Confirm a stable Wi-Fi connection during activation, since eSIM downloads occur over data or Wi-Fi before the profile is usable
- Calls go out on the wrong line
- Recheck the default line set for calls specifically, separate from the data default
- Roaming charges appear unexpectedly
- Disable data roaming on lines not intended for use while traveling, from within this same menu
Tips and tricks
- Keep a backup physical SIM as a fallback if traveling somewhere with limited eSIM carrier support
- Use the per-line data roaming toggle instead of Airplane Mode when you only want to block one line's roaming
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a physical SIM and an eSIM active at the same time?
Yes, most modern dual-SIM devices support one physical SIM alongside one or more eSIM profiles simultaneously.
What happens if I get a new phone?
eSIM profiles generally need to be transferred or re-downloaded from the carrier for the new device; they don't move automatically.
Can I use two eSIMs without a physical SIM at all?
Yes, on eSIM-only devices you can typically store and switch between multiple downloaded eSIM profiles.
Related settings
- Data Usage / Network & InternetNetwork & internet settings show a breakdown of mobile data and Wi-Fi usage per app, and let you set a data warning or hard limit to avoid unexpectedly exceeding your plan. Individual apps can also be restricted from using background data to further control consumption.
- Hotspot & TetheringHotspot and tethering let you share your phone's mobile data connection with other devices over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable. This is useful for getting a laptop online while traveling, or letting a friend's device briefly borrow your connection.
- Airplane ModeAirplane Mode simultaneously disables cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios with a single toggle, complying with airline requirements while optionally letting you re-enable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth individually afterward.
More Network & Internet guides for Android
- Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you view nearby networks, connect with a password or QR code, and manage saved networks including auto-reconnect behavior.
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair headphones, speakers, watches, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
- NFC & Tap to PayNFC (Near Field Communication) is the short-range radio that lets your phone exchange data with a nearby reader, most commonly used for contactless payments through Google Wallet at supported terminals. It's also used for pairing some accessories and reading NFC tags, but payments are its most common everyday use.
- VPNVPN settings let you add, connect to, and manage virtual private networks that route your device's traffic through an encrypted tunnel, commonly used for work access or added privacy on untrusted networks. Android also supports an 'always-on VPN' mode that blocks other network traffic until the VPN connects.
- Nearby ShareNearby Share — recently rebranded Quick Share — lets you send photos, videos, links, and files directly to another nearby Android device, Chromebook, or Windows PC using a mix of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, without needing cellular data or a shared internet connection. Visibility settings control exactly who can discover your device and send you something.
- Private DNSPrivate DNS routes domain name lookups through an encrypted DNS-over-TLS connection to a chosen provider, such as Google or Cloudflare, preventing networks along the way from seeing or tampering with which sites you're visiting.