What is Dual SIM and eSIM? How do I use them?

An eSIM (short for embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that lets you activate a cellular service, and an associated phone number and plan, without having to use a physical SIM card.

To manage your eSIM settings, log in to MyBell.

Dual SIM provides the convenience of having two phone numbers on a single smartphone. With Dual SIM, you can have two phone numbers to make and receive voice calls, and to send and receive text and multimedia messages (SMS and MMS). For example, you can have separate personal and business numbers, or add a second line when travelling internationally.

The two phone numbers can be on the same account, on different accounts, or from different carriers (for example, one line from Bell Mobility and another line from an international carrier).

Dual SIM service is offered through a combination of a physical SIM and an eSIM.

If you activated a second Bell Mobility phone number on an iPhone, we have reserved an eSIM for your phone.

To set up your eSIM, your iPhone must be operating on iOS 13.0 or higher and must be connected to Wi-Fi or the mobile network.

1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan.
2. The Camera application will open. Scan the following QR code and follow the prompts:
   

Alternatively, you can enter the details manually if needed:

1. Select Enter Details Manually.
2. In the SM-DP+ Address field, paste or type:
   CUST-011-V4-PROD-ATL2.GDSB.NET
3. Leave the Activation Code field blank.

For more information, watch this YouTube video from Apple: How to set up and use Dual SIM.

If you activated a line on your Android smartphone, Bell has reserved an eSIM for your phone.

Google Pixel

To set up your eSIM, your Google Pixel phone must be operating on Android 10 or higher and must be connected to Wi-Fi or the mobile network.

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Select the + button next to Mobile Network.
3. Select Don’t have a SIM card?
4. Select Next to download the eSIM.
5. Select Activate.

Note: if prompted to confirm your network, select Bell as the network.

What devices are eligible for iPhone eSIM and Dual SIM?

• iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini – operating system iOS 13.0 or higher.

Can I transfer my physical SIM to my eSIM, or my eSIM to my physical SIM, on my iPhone?

• Yes. You can manage your SIM settings by logging in to MyBell or by visiting a Bell store.

What rate plans are available for the two lines?

• Either line can be activated on an Unlimited Data, Connect Everything or Bring your own device rate plan. You can choose to have a voice and text plan or a voice and data plan on either line.

I have two phone numbers with Bell Mobility, on two separate devices. Can I move one of my phone numbers to an eSIM so that I have both phone numbers on one smartphone?

• Yes. You can manage your SIM settings by logging in to MyBell or by visiting a Bell store.

Can both lines be connected to the network at the same time?

• Yes, both lines can be connected to the network at all times for voice calling, as well as call waiting alerts if a second call comes in. However, data usage charges may apply for simultaneous incoming or outgoing voice calls when using this Apple service. 

5G network connectivity is available in my area. Can I use 5G data on either of my lines?

• The iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max support connectivity to the Bell 5G network on the current iOS version. However, while using two lines in Dual SIM mode, 5G data isn't supported on either line and will fall back to 4G LTE. This is a known issue with Apple. Details are shared on the Apple website: Use 5G with your iPhone. 

How do I set up my Dual SIM device so I can use both lines simultaneously?

• Go to Settings on your iPhone.
• Under General, ensure your software has been updated to iOS 13.0 or higher.
• Activate the Wi-Fi calling option in Settings> Phone> Wi-Fi Calling, on each of the two lines. For more information on how to set up this function on your device, see Wi-Fi Calling.
• Select Cellular Data, and then choose a default line (either line 1 or line 2).
• Set Allow Cellular Data Switching to ON, which allows your iPhone to use either line depending on coverage and availability.

How can I transfer my existing Bell eSIM to a new Dual SIM iPhone?

• Transfer your existing Bell eSIM by logging in to MyBell or by visiting a Bell store. Be ready to provide your current eSIM phone number and the EID of the new Dual SIM device you are transferring to. (This can be found on the box or in the settings of the new Dual SIM iPhone by going to Settings > General > About > EID General.)

How do I tell which phone number I’m using?

• The default labels for the phone lines are Primary and Secondary. To create your own labels, go to Settings > Cellular or Mobile Data on your iPhone. For example, you can name your lines Work and Personal, or something else.
• Use these labels when you choose which phone number to use for making or receiving calls and text messages, to designate a number for cellular data, and to assign a number to your contacts so you know which number you will use when calling or texting them.

If I have a data plan on both lines, which data plan will I use and therefore be billed for?

• Both lines can support data plans, however, only one number at a time can use cellular data. If you want your iPhone to use cellular data from both plans, depending on coverage and availability, turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching.
• Your data usage will come from the line you assign as your preferred line in your iPhone’s Cellular settings. You can choose to toggle to your other line within those settings at any time. For example, during work hours, you can use the data from your "Work" line, and after work you can switch to your "Personal" line. For details, please see the Apple support page. 

Can I use data while on a call?

• Yes, if you turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching, then while you're on a voice call on your voice-only number, that number automatically switches to use voice and data. This lets you use both voice and data while on the call.
• However, if you turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching and you make a call using a voice number that isn't your designated cellular data number, then cellular data won't work while you're on the call.
• You can also access Wi-Fi on either line regardless of which line you have selected for your data usage.
• To learn more about changing your cellular data number, see the Apple support page.

How will I be billed for voice and messaging?

• Voice and messaging are calculated according to the rate plan of the line used for each activity. With Dual SIM, you have the choice of which line to use for each call and text.

Note: data charges may apply during simultaneous voice calls.


What happens when I roam?

• Just as you can choose which line to call, message or use data from while in Canada, you can do the same while you roam. Please note: you will receive your roaming notifications from Bell for both lines in the same message thread. It’s important to pay attention to the line indicator (Line 1 or Line 2) in the message thread so you can tell which line you are using for roaming, especially if you have different roaming features on each line.
• Data roaming charges may be incurred if both lines are used for simultaneous voice calling. 

Will E9-1-1 and T9-1-1 work on both lines?

• Both lines have the capability to dial 9-1-1. Where E9-1-1 is available, the caller’s number and approximate location will be provided, regardless of the line used.
• Enabling Wi-Fi Calling on both lines has implications to 9-1-1 calls.  If you call 9-1-1 from Line 1, your phone then disconnects and you get another call on Line 2, you will not receive a notification when the 9-1-1 operator calls you back.

For T9-1-1, each line needs to be registered separately. Register for T9-1-1.

How do I access my voicemail with Dual SIM on an iPhone?

The voicemail message waiting indicator, represented as a red dot on your voicemail icon, shows that you have an unheard voicemail message from your primary line. The secondary line does not have a voicemail message waiting indicator.

To check for voicemail messages on your secondary line:

1. Change the dial pad to the secondary line.
2. Press and hold the 1 key to access your secondary line’s voicemail.
3. If a password has been set, you may be asked to enter it.

Or, you can change the primary line on your iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Default Voice Line to change your primary line.

What devices are eligible for Android eSIM and Dual SIM?

• Google Pixel 3a, Google Pixel 3a XL, Google Pixel 4, Google Pixel 4 XL, Google Pixel 4a, Google Pixel 5, Google Pixel 4a 5G – operating system Android 10 or higher.

Can I transfer my physical SIM to my eSIM, or my eSIM to my physical SIM, on my Android?

• Yes. You can manage your SIM settings by logging in to MyBell or by visiting a Bell store.

What rate plans are available for the two lines?

• Either line can be activated on an Unlimited Data, Connect Everything or Bring your own device rate plan. You can choose to have a voice and text plan or a voice and data plan on either line.

I have two phone numbers with Bell Mobility, on two separate devices. Can I move one of my phone numbers to an eSIM so that I have both phone numbers on one smartphone?

• Yes. You can manage your SIM settings by logging in to MyBell or by visiting a Bell store.

How do I tell which phone number I’m using?

Upon activating your eSIM second line, you will receive a message on your device recommending that you create your own label for each line. To do so, follow the steps below:

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet
• Touch the pencil icon beside the label you would like to edit.
• Enter the new label.

When you make and receive calls, as well as send and receive text messages, the smartphone will identify each line by the name you have chosen. Compatible apps will also display different colours for each line. 

How can I transfer my existing Bell eSIM to a new Dual SIM device?

• Transfer your existing Bell eSIM by logging in to MyBell or by visiting a Bell store. Be ready to provide you current eSIM phone number and the EID of the new Dual SIM device you are transferring to. (This can be found on the box or in the settings of the new Dual SIM Google Pixel by going to Settings > About phone > SIM status.)

If I have a data plan on both lines, which data plan will I use and therefore be billed for?

• Both lines can support data plans; however, you can only access one line’s data plan at a time. Therefore, you cannot access both data plans simultaneously.
• Your data usage will come out of the default data plan you selected in your Google Pixel’s Network & Internet settings. You can choose to toggle to your other line’s data plan within those settings at any time. For example, during work hours, you can use the data from your "Work" line, and after work you can switch to your "Personal" line. For details, please see the information from the Google support page.

Can I use data while on a call?

• Yes, but only one line can use data at a time. 
• If you’re on a call using a line that was not set as the data preferred line, you won’t be able to access that line’s data while on a call unless you enable Data During Calls in your Network & Internet settings.
• You can also access Wi-Fi on either line regardless of which line you have selected.
• To learn more about changing your data preferred line, see the Google support page. 

How will I be billed for voice and messaging?

• Voice and messaging are calculated according to the rate plan of the line used for each activity. With Dual SIM, you have the choice of which line to use for each call and text.

Can both lines be connected to the network at the same time?

• Yes, both lines are connected to the network at all times. However, when you are on a call on one line (e.g., Line 1), the other line (e.g., Line 2) automatically goes on standby mode. This means, if someone tries to call you on Line 2 when you are on a call on Line 1, you will not receive a call waiting notification for the incoming call. Instead, that call will be directed to your Line 2 voicemail.
• Please be mindful that this has implications for 9-1-1 calls. If you call 9-1-1 from Line 1, your phone then disconnects and you get another call on Line 2, you will not receive a notification when the 9-1-1 operator calls you back.

What happens when I roam?

• Just as you can choose which line to call, message or use data from while in Canada, you can do the same while you roam. Please note: you will receive your roaming notifications from Bell for both lines in the same message thread. It’s important to pay attention to the line indicator (Line 1 or Line 2) in the message thread so you can tell which line you are using for roaming, especially if you have different roaming features on each line.

Will E9-1-1 and T9-1-1 work on both lines?

• Both lines have the capability to dial 9-1-1. Where E9-1-1 is available, the caller’s number and approximate location will be provided, regardless of the line used.

For T9-1-1, each line needs to be registered separately. Register for T9-1-1