Use a dual SIM phone

With a dual SIM Windows Phone, you have more choices when it comes to your cellular connection. For example, you can choose which SIM you want to use based on which one has a better price for cellular data or where one cellular network gives you a better signal than the other. A dual SIM phone can also help you keep your work and personal life separate if you want—use one SIM for work and the other for personal, but only carry one phone.

On a dual SIM phone, you'll get two Phone Tiles and two Messaging Tiles on your Start screen, so you can just tap the Tile for the SIM you want to use to call or text.

When you're using a Windows Phone that has dual SIMs, you can name your SIMs to tell them apart on your phone, determine which SIM is used for cellular data, control your data connection speed, and turn off a SIM all together if you want to help avoid unexpected charges on it.

To name your SIM cards

You can name your SIMs to tell them apart on your phone. The name you give each SIM will then appear in different parts of your Windows Phone—including on the Phone Tiles and Messaging Tiles on your Start screen, as well as in Cellular + SIM settings (to name a few).

1. In the App list, tap Settings 

   
    > Cellular + SIM > SIM 1 settings.

2. Under SIM 1, in the SIM name box, type a name for the first SIM, and then press the Back 

   
    button.

3. Tap SIM 2 settings.

4. Under SIM 2, in the SIM name box, type a name for the second SIM.

To choose the SIM for your cellular data connection

You can choose which SIM will be used for your cellular data connection. This lets you control costs by choosing the SIM that has lower data costs. Or you might switch back and forth between SIMs for work and personal.

1. In the App list, tap Settings 

   
    > Cellular + SIM.

2. Tap SIM for data connection, and then choose the SIM you want to use for your cellular data connection.

To choose a SIM when calling

1. On Start, tap the Phone Tile for the SIM you want to use to call someone.

   
         

2. Tap Keypad 

   
   .

3. To switch and call with the other SIM if you want, tap 1 or 2, depending on the SIM you want to use.

4. Dial the number, and then tap Call.

Note

Want to link Phone Tiles? When you link them, you'll have one Phone Tile on your Start screen, one call history that shows all your calls for both SIMs, and have one combined speed dial list. To link tiles, tap one of the Phone Tiles on Start > More 

 > Link tiles > Link. You can unlink them any time you want by tapping Phone on Start > More 

 > Unlink tiles > Unlink.

To choose a SIM when texting

1. On Start, tap the Messaging Tile for the SIM you want to use to text someone.

   
         

2. Tap New 

   
   , enter the person's mobile phone number or name.

3. To switch and send a text message with the other SIM if you want, tap 1 or 2, depending on the SIM you want to use.

4. Type your message, and then tap Send 

   
    or 
   
   .

Note

Want to link Messaging Tiles? When you link them, you'll have one Messaging Tile on your Start screen and your threads for both SIMs will appear in one combined list. To link tiles, tap one of the Messaging Tiles on Start > More 

 > Link tiles > Link. You can unlink them anytime you want by tapping Messaging on Start > More 

 > Unlink tiles > Unlink.

To choose a SIM when saving a contact

1. On Start, tap People > New 

   
   .

2. Tap Save to, and then tap the SIM that you want to save the contact to.

3. In the Name box, type the person's name.

4. Enter the person's other info, and then tap Save 

   
   .