The latest set of iPhones (such as iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR or iPhone 14) now comes with the feature of Dual SIM (that means there is the ability to use TWO SIM lines in your phone). This article talks about how to set up eSIM on iPhone in Singapore.
Update Dec 2022 : This article was written back in April 2019 so it is very old, I guess. I have not set up a new eSIM anymore (except when travelling which I used Airalo eSIM). So I am not sure how accurate or updated the steps below are. Sorry for that. I have been transferring eSIM from old iPhone to latest iPhone though. See this article.
Table of Contents
What is Dual SIM
One is a physical nano-SIM and another eSIM.
What is an eSIM ? “An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical SIM card.
So why would you have two SIM lines. Most of the cases, it will be for people who has a personal line and a business line. Rather than having two physical phones, it will be nice to have just one phone with two lines. But as you can see later in this blog, there are some inherent limitations.
When you travel, you can also use the many eSIM providers that can be used for data roaming at a very low cost and more importantly, without removing your SIM card. I have been enjoying using eSIM for my iPhone for travelling so that I can have two lines on my iPhone. In fact, whenever I go travel, I no longer buy any SIM cards but just use Airalo which comes with eSIM for every country possible.
Referral Link 🙂
Hey, have you tried an eSIM? Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo. Use code PATRIC1448 when you sign up or apply it at checkout. https://ref.airalo.com/LyFA
How to sign up for an eSIM in Singapore
In Singapore, as at April 2019, the only phone provider that has an eSIM offering is M1. However, in Dec 2022, there are a few others who joined the market such as MyRepublic and Circles. Go Google/Bing for the one you like
Back in April 2019, when you sign up for a eSIM with M1, you will NOT be given a physical SIM card (of course) but instead just a QR code.
The instructions are on the email above and also you can refer to the instructions in Apple Web site. There is also a good video on YouTube too.
Setting up eSIM on iPhone
Go to Settings > Mobile Data (for Singapore)
And then click on “Add Data Plan” (you can see that I have a Singtel line and is now adding M1 eSIM line).
You will see a camera to try to scan the QR code. Point the camera at the email sent to you by M1.
Confirm that you are adding a new eSIM line (I don’t know why they call it a Data Plan as it is more than data. It does include SMS and Cellular phone calls too).
Next as you have TWO lines in your phone now, Apple invites you to set up a label for each line. So I named my Singtel line as Personal and my new M1 line as Business. You can name it anything you want as there is a custom label (e.g. my secret line to call my lover etc) 🙂
And when you are done, you are asked to select which line will be the default line. The default line is the one iPhone use for iMessage and for calling anyone not in your address book (this is because in your address book, you can see a default line to use). Read the above again. There is one number you can use for iMessage. Yes. If you need iMessage for BOTH lines, then this is NOT for you (at least in April 2019). You can only have one line as the iMessage. The other line is a SMS line.
You can see that in the Messages Setting that only 1 line can be used for iMessage and FaceTime.
(Update in Sep 2019)
With iOS 13, this seemed to have changed. Now BOTH lines can be used for iMessage.
Example, my business line (my eSIM line) can now be used in iMessage
The iMessage setting is different in iOS 13. There is no need to choose anymore.
FaceTime is also different in iOS13. Allows you to use BOTH lines too. That means Now BOTH lines can be used for FaceTime too.
That’s a huge improvement in iOS13 for eSIM !
(Sept 2019 : End Edit)
Now you are done. You can further configure the two lines for use. You can see that you can configure a default voice call line. You can switch on one of the data plan or BOTH the data plan (but only one will be used at anytime. But then when you run out of data, you can switch to the other data plan).
When you make a call, you can see that a PERSONAL line is selected. You can change that to the 2nd line by touching the icon.
You can choose between which line to use when making a call. This make sense as you might want to use the Business Line to make a call for business reasons and the Personal Line for making the sweet call to your wife or lover 🙂
You can also choose between which line to use when sending a message. One will be iMessage. One will be by SMS.
You can set up default phone lines for EACH contact. For example, to sabo people for illegal parking, I use my personal line (kidding). To call HDB about HDB procedures and policies, I use my business line.
Finally you will see TWO reception icons in your phone from now on. Get used to it 🙂
There you go.. the latest fun thing to do in an iPhone. Many years behind Android phones but hey, that’s how it is 🙂
How to use Multiple Chat Apps in iPhone when you have multiple phone lines
Of course, the above steps are only for iPhone calls and SMS and data.
But today we use other chat apps (e.g. Telegram, WhatsApp etc).
How do we have TWO of these applications in an iPhone running two lines (one physical SIM, one eSIM). In this case, again, iPhone is way behind Android. But nevertheless, here’s TWO apps that can work.
Using Telegram when you have two iPhone lines
For Telegram, there is Telegram and then there is Telegram X. Download both and use one for each line.
Update May 2019: Note that Telegram has stopped development of Telegram X and has recommended you use Telegram for MULTIPLE accounts. It is possible to do so in the settings and add account. So you just need one app.
The Telegram App which allows you to set up to 3 Telegram accounts. Anything more needs Telegram Premium subscription.
Using WhatsApp when you have two iPhone lines
And for WhatsApp, there is (now) the WhatsApp app and the new WhatsApp for Business app. Those of us in business really like the WhatsApp for Business as it allows us to do a lot of customisation with the focus on providing a service to our clients.
Not sure about other chatting apps as I don’t use them 🙂 Do share them in the comments below if you have any other chatting apps for multiple iPhone lines.
Other eSIM articles on Patnotebook Blog
Do read two other eSIM articles if you feel them useful too. eSIM is the way to go.
How to use eSIM for data roaming
Transferring eSIM from old iPhone to new iPhone
