Tech
How many eSIMs can one phone hold, and how to use two lines
How many eSIMs you can add to one phone, how to choose which line handles data and calls, and how to make sure bank text messages keep arriving as usual.
A phone with eSIM usually stores several profiles, but only two lines work at the same time: a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs on models without a SIM tray. An eSIM doesn’t replace your home number; it sits next to it as a second line, so data on a trip runs through your travel plan while calls and bank texts stay on your usual number. Menu names depend on your model and software version.
How many eSIMs can you add to one phone?
How many eSIMs you can add depends on the model: phones can store several profiles, but usually only two lines are active at once. It’s worth keeping those two numbers apart. The exact number of stored profiles depends on the model and manufacturer, and it’s sometimes quite high.
The classic setup is a physical SIM plus one eSIM. Models without a SIM tray run two eSIMs at the same time. Everything else you’ve ever installed sits in memory switched off and can be turned on with a couple of taps in settings: an old profile from a previous trip doesn’t interfere with the new one and doesn’t use data.
- Stored profiles: several; the exact number depends on the model.
- Lines active at once: generally two.
- A physical SIM plus an eSIM is supported on almost every phone that supports eSIM at all.
- Not every model can run two eSIMs at once, so check your phone’s specs.
- It’s handy to keep unused profiles switched off and turn them on when needed.
The easiest way to check whether your phone supports eSIM at all is the bot @moresim_bot, which has an automatic compatibility check. It answers the main question, whether an eSIM will work, while the number of lines that can be active at once is best checked in your specific model’s specs.
How does dual SIM work on a phone?
Two SIMs on one phone work as two independent lines, and your phone asks which one does what. The settings almost always come down to three choices: the line for mobile data, the default line for calls and the default line for messages. You can mix them however you like, for example data through the eSIM and calls and texts through your home number.
| Setting | What to choose when traveling | What happens if you choose otherwise |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile data | The eSIM with your travel plan | Data runs through your home number on roaming |
| Default for calls | Home number | Outgoing calls come from a number the other person doesn’t know |
| Default for messages | Home number | Codes and bank texts may not arrive |
| Data roaming on the eSIM | Usually on; if your plan’s instructions say otherwise, follow them | Most travel eSIMs run as roaming, so without it you usually get no data |
Turn off mobile data on your home SIM so your data doesn’t go through your home carrier or get used in the background. Keep the line itself on if you’re expecting texts from your bank; for that, your carrier needs to offer roaming where you are. Calls and texts don’t need mobile data.
How do you set up two lines after installing an eSIM?
Setting up two lines after installing an eSIM takes a few minutes, and it’s easiest to do at home before you fly.
- Install the eSIM at home while you have stable Wi-Fi: the QR code arrives in the chat in about 30 seconds.
- Give the lines clear names, such as “Home” and “Travel”, so you don’t mix them up in a hurry.
- In your mobile network settings, select the eSIM for mobile data.
- Turn on data roaming for that line: most travel eSIMs run on a local carrier’s network as roaming, so without it you won’t get data. If your plan’s instructions say otherwise, follow them.
- Keep your home line on for calls and bank texts, but turn off mobile data on it.
- Check which line is the default for texts: when traveling, it should almost always be your home number.
- After landing, make sure your phone has registered on a local network. If data doesn’t appear within a few minutes, toggle airplane mode on and off.
Menu names differ between software versions: on one phone it’s “SIMs”, on another “Mobile network” or “SIM manager”. The logic is the same, only the words change, so look for the meaning rather than an exact match.
What happens to your home number and bank texts?
A MoreSim eSIM installs as a second line: your home number and physical SIM stay in the phone. Nothing is replaced or transferred; you simply get an extra channel for data that turns on and off separately from your main number.
While you travel, your home line runs on your carrier’s roaming. Incoming calls and texts usually get through, but every carrier has its own terms, so check them before you fly. Rules differ between carriers and change from time to time, so it’s better to double-check than to rely on memory.
If your bank sends codes only by text, keep your home line on for the whole trip. If your banking app supports push notifications, those come over the internet, and then your home number is mostly needed for calls and the occasional service message.
How do I find my eSIM’s phone number?
A travel eSIM usually has no phone number: MoreSim plans, for example, are mobile data only. Numbers come with a carrier eSIM, say if you’ve moved your home number to an eSIM. That number shows on the line’s page in settings, usually in a field like “My Number”, and on some phones you can type it in manually so you don’t confuse your lines.
What a plan includes is listed on its page on the website and in the bot. If no phone number is listed, you won’t be able to make calls or receive texts on that line, which is normal for a data plan. You call through messaging apps where they aren’t restricted, and bank texts still reach your home SIM.
What happens to your eSIM when you switch phones or reset?
An eSIM profile is stored on the chip of a specific device. That’s the main difference from a physical card, which you can simply move to a new phone. So switching devices and doing a full factory reset are two situations where you should act carefully and plan ahead.
- Keep the message with your QR code: you may need it later.
- Don’t delete a profile until you’re sure it can be reinstalled.
- Before a factory reset, message support and describe your situation.
- On a new phone, check eSIM support first, then move your lines.
- After the move, reassign which line handles data, calls and messages.
A second line doesn’t make anything more complicated in itself. Once you’ve split the jobs between your numbers, you’re back to a familiar phone: data runs through your travel plan, your bank sends codes to your home number, and there’s nothing left to switch on the road.
If data doesn’t show up after landing, check three things: is the eSIM selected for mobile data, is data roaming on for it, and has the phone registered on a local network? If that doesn’t help, message us: support is available.
FAQ
How many eSIMs can I have on one phone?
A phone can store several eSIM profiles; the exact number depends on the model and manufacturer. Generally two lines are active at the same time: a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs on models without a SIM tray. The other profiles stay switched off and can be turned on in settings with a couple of taps.
Can an eSIM and a physical SIM work at the same time?
Yes, and that’s the most common setup. A MoreSim eSIM installs as a second line, and your home number and physical SIM stay in the phone. Data runs through the eSIM, while calls and texts go through your usual number, as long as the default lines are set up that way.
How do I choose which SIM uses mobile data?
Your phone’s mobile network settings have a separate option for mobile data, where you pick the line with your travel plan. Turn on data roaming for that line too: most travel eSIMs run as roaming, so without it you won’t get data unless your plan’s instructions say otherwise. Menu names vary by model and software version, but the logic is the same everywhere.
How do I find my eSIM’s phone number?
A travel eSIM usually has no phone number: MoreSim plans are mobile data only. If a line does have a number, for example a carrier eSIM, it’s shown on the line’s page in settings, usually in a field like “My Number”. What a plan includes is listed on its page on the website and in the bot.
What happens to my eSIM when I switch phones?
An eSIM profile is tied to the device, so you can’t just move it like a physical card. A deleted profile usually can’t be reinstalled from the same QR code, and built-in transfer tools don’t work between every pair of models. Before switching phones or doing a factory reset, check the right steps with support.