iPhone Dual SIM Plans: How To Use Dual SIM & The Best Value Plans

You can activate the dual-SIM functionality on your iPhone for £6/month. It allows you to have two phone numbers at the same time.

If you’re using a fairly recent iPhone, it will have support for dual-SIM functionality using eSIM technology. This allows you to have two phone numbers at the same time on your iPhone (e.g. one work phone number and another personal phone number). With dual-SIM, you can also benefit from coverage in more places along with access to offers such as freebies or inclusive sport and entertainment subscriptions.

In this article, we’ll look at how you can use the dual-SIM functionality on your iPhone. We’ll start by looking at the benefits of dual-SIM and the  iPhones that are compatible with the technology. We’ll then compare the best dual-SIM compatible plans available from UK mobile networks like EE, O2 and Vodafone.

Using Dual SIM on the iPhone

In 2018, Apple added dual-SIM technology to the iPhone. You can now use it on all new models of the iPhones including the iPhone 11, the iPhone 12, the iPhone XS, the iPhone XR and the iPhone SE 2020.

With dual-SIM technology, you can have two phone numbers at the same time on your iPhone (which can either be from the same mobile network or from two different mobile networks). For instance, many people use dual-SIM technology so they can have both their work phone number and their personal phone number together on one device.

If you’re using dual-SIM on the iPhone, one of your phone numbers will need to be on an eSIM plan. You can currently get an eSIM plan from £6/month in the UK with compatible plans available on EE, O2 and Vodafone.

Why Use Dual SIM?

There are four main advantages to using dual-SIM technology on an iPhone:

1. You can have two phone numbers at the same time. For instance, you can have both your work phone number and your personal phone number at the same time on the iPhone. This allows you to keep your calls and messages separate without needing to carry two phones around at all times.
2. You can access mobile coverage in more places. You can access coverage from two different networks at the same time. For instance, you might still be able to get coverage on the second network even where there’s no coverage available on the first network.
3. You can benefit from lower prices when you travel. For instance, you can buy a local SIM card when you travel abroad. Alternatively, you can take advantage of inclusive roaming offers such as Vodafone’s Global Roaming Plus (81 destinations) and O2’s Travel Inclusive Zone (75 destinations).
4. You can access more exclusive customer offers. For instance, you’ll get access to VeryMe Rewards when you add a dual-SIM plan from Vodafone. Alternatively, you can get things like inclusive Disney+ when adding a plan from O2 or inclusive BT Sport when adding a plan from EE.

Dual SIM Compatible Devices

At present, you can use dual-SIM technology on the following models of the iPhone:

• Apple iPhone 11
• Apple iPhone 11 Pro
• Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
• Apple iPhone 12
• Apple iPhone 12 Mini
• Apple iPhone 12 Pro
• Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
• Apple iPhone 13
• Apple iPhone 13 Mini
• Apple iPhone 13 Pro
• Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
• Apple iPhone 14
• Apple iPhone 14 Plus
• Apple iPhone 14 Pro
• Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
• Apple iPhone SE 2020
• Apple iPhone SE 2022
• Apple iPhone XS
• Apple iPhone XS Max
• Apple iPhone XR

If you want your second SIM card to be from a different mobile network to your first SIM card, you’ll need to ensure your iPhone is unlocked.

Recommended Dual SIM Plans for iPhone

The easiest and best value way to get dual-SIM on your iPhone is to order an eSIM from Vodafone:

Vodafone Get dual-SIM straight away. Just choose the “eSIM” option during checkout. Plans with unlimited minutes from £7/month: Plus unlimited data from £30. 5G coverage included. Available on 5G-ready plans from £15. Learn more. Keep your existing number. It’s easy to transfer your phone number to Vodafone. If you’re looking to get dual-SIM on your iPhone with the least amount of hassle, we’d strongly recommend ordering an eSIM from Vodafone. You can choose any of Vodafone’s Pay Monthly plans: just choose the “eSIM” option during checkout (see the screenshot below). As long as you do this, Vodafone will give you an eSIM straight away, which will allow you to enable dual-SIM functionality on your iPhone. At present, it’s possible to get an eSIM plan from £7/month on Vodafone. This will give you unlimited UK minutes, unlimited UK texts and an allowance of mobile data to use in the UK. For faster speeds, you can choose a 5G-ready eSIM from £15 per month. There are also eSIM plans with unlimited data from £30 per month. You’ll get access to VeryMe Rewards on all Vodafone price plans, along with Global Roaming Plus when you choose an Unlimited Max eSIM. Get a Vodafone eSIM (for Dual-SIM iPhones) →

Besides Vodafone, it’s also possible to get an eSIM from EE (available from £18 per month) and from O2 (available from £8 per month). However, both EE and O2 require you to get a physical SIM card first before you can change it to an eSIM. This means a few more steps and a little bit of extra hassle before you can start using dual-SIM on your iPhone.

Compare iPhone Dual SIM Plans

In the following table, you can compare eSIM-ready plans available from EE, O2 and Vodafone. All of these plans can be used with dual-SIM functionality on your iPhone.

If you choose a plan from EE or O2, you’ll initially be sent a plastic SIM card through the post. You’ll need to insert the plastic SIM card into your iPhone to activate it before applying to switch your plastic SIM card into an eSIM. Once the switchover to eSIM is complete, you’ll be able to use the dual-SIM functionality on your iPhone.

On Vodafone, you’ll be issued with an eSIM straight away as long as you choose the “eSIM” option during checkout. This allows you to start using dual-SIM functionality straight away.

More Information

For more information about using dual-SIM on the iPhone, see the documentation and instructions on Apple’s website.

For information about compatible eSIM plans, see our guide to eSIM on UK mobile networks and the best eSIM plans.