Modern Android smartphones are almost always equipped with a slot for two SIM cards, which allows users to flexibly manage personal and work calls. However, situations arise when it is necessary to temporarily disable or hide the second communication line from prying eyes, whether for privacy reasons or the desire to avoid unnecessary notifications. Users are often looking for ways to prevent the second SIM card from being displayed in the interface or its number not being identified during outgoing calls.
It is important to immediately distinguish between concepts: technically, you cannot “hide” a physical card, but you can deactivate it programmatically, change the display settings in the menu, or set up call forwarding so that the subscriber does not guess about the presence of a second number. In this article we will look at all the legal methods of controlling the visibility of the second SIM card, setting the privacy of the number and the features of working with Dual SIM in various shells.
It is worth noting that the possibilities of hiding directly depend on the version of the operating system Android and the specific firmware of the manufacturer, be it MIUI, One UI or ColorOS. Some steps may differ, but the general principle of working with communication modules remains the same for the entire ecosystem.
Software disabling the second SIM card
The simplest and most reliable way to “hide” the second SIM card is to completely disable it at the software level. In this state, the communication module does not work, the number is not detected by the network, and the corresponding icon disappears in the status bar. This is an ideal option if you need to temporarily free up a slot or save battery power.
To perform this operation, you need to go to the device settings. The path may vary slightly, but usually it looks like this: Settings → Connections → SIM card manager. In this section you will see a list of all installed cards with activity switches.
Find the second SIM card you need and move the toggle switch to position “Disabled”. The system may request confirmation of the action, since disabling the card will interrupt all active connections, including the mobile data, if it was configured through this slot.
⚠️ Attention: When you disable the second SIM card through the settings, all incoming calls and SMS to this number will be unavailable until re-activation. Subscribers will hear a standard message from the operator that the subscriber is unavailable.
After disconnection, the second SIM card will no longer appear in the list of available networks. If you are using a smartphone with a hybrid slot, you do not need to physically remove the card - a software lock is enough. This allows you to quickly switch between operating modes without the risk of losing the small SIM card tray.
☑️ Check before disconnecting
Setting the number to be displayed during calls (CLIR)
Often, when asking the question “how to hide a SIM card,” users mean the desire to make their number invisible to the interlocutor when making an outgoing call. This function is called CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction) and is supported by most mobile operators.
You can set up number hiding directly in the call menu of your smartphone. Open the application Phone, click on the three dots in the corner of the screen and select Settings → Accounts → Hide number. Here you will be offered three options: show the number, hide the number or use the default settings.
By selecting the option "Hide number", you will make sure that when calling from this SIM card the subscriber will see the message “Unknown number” or “Private number”. It is important to understand that this setting applies to all outgoing calls from the selected card until you change it back.
An alternative way is to use USSD codes, which are faster than system settings. To temporarily hide a number before a specific call, you can dial the code #31# before the subscriber's number. For permanent active hiding services, codes may differ between different operators (for example, *31# or special combinations in your personal account).
If code #31# does not work, check the “Caller ID” service in your mobile operator’s application. For some providers, this service is paid and requires a separate connection.
Hide IMEI and device identification data
More advanced users may be interested in hiding the unique device identifier - IMEI. This is necessary in rare cases of software testing or ensuring increased anonymity in specific networks. However, it should be remembered that changing the IMEI may be illegal in a number of jurisdictions.
On standard civilian smartphones, it is impossible to hide the IMEI from the operator's network - the network always sees the equipment identifier for authorization. But you can hide the display of this number in the menu of the phone itself for unauthorized persons using the device.
To access advanced radio interface settings, use the engineering menu. You can enter it by dialing a special code in the “Phone” application, for example ##4636## or *#06# to view. In some firmware, such as MIUI, you need to enter a code in the dialing field without pressing the call button.
##4636##
*#06#
##8255##In the engineering menu you can find a section Phone Informationwhere details about the SIM card and network are displayed. There is no direct “Hide IMEI” button, but you can disable network types (LTE, WCDMA), which indirectly affects how the device registers on the network. Be extremely careful: incorrect settings can lead to loss of connection.
⚠️ Attention: Interfering with the operation of the engineering menu and attempting to change IMEI through third-party applications can lead to blocking of the device by the telecom operator or turning the smartphone into a “brick”. Proceed only if you understand the risks.
Why can't you just change the IMEI?
IMEI is written to a protected memory area (NVRAM). An attempt to rewrite without factory keys often leads to a bootloader failure and loss of the ability to register in the GSM/LTE network.
Features of interfaces from different manufacturers
Smartphone manufacturers are actively modifying standard Android, adding their own SIM card management functions. This creates variety in the ways to access the settings for hiding and managing communication lines.
On devices Samsung with a shell One UI control is carried out through the section Connections. Here you can not only disable SIM cards, but also set up the “Smart Switch” mode, which automatically activates the second card only if there is no signal on the first, effectively hiding its downtime.
In smartphones Xiaomi i Redmi (shell MIUI/HyperOS) there is a “Speed Card” function. It allows you to assign one SIM card as priority for calls, and use the second one only for the Internet, or completely disable the voice module for it, leaving only data transfer active.
Devices Google Pixel and Moto offer the cleanest Android interface. Here the settings are laconic: Network and Internet → SIM cards. The number hiding function is integrated directly into the card of each SIM card, which simplifies the process of setting up privacy.
| Brand / Shell | Path to SIM settings | Feature hide |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung (One UI) | Connections → SIM Manager | Smart mode switch |
| Xiaomi (MIUI) | SIM cards and mobile networks | Separate control of voice and Internet |
| Google Pixel | Network and Internet → SIM cards | Integrated CLIR switch |
| Huawei (EMUI) | Wireless networks → SIM management | Setting up names for quick recognition |
Using third-party applications to manage contacts
If your goal is not to hide the SIM card itself from the system, and specialized applications will help you make sure that certain contacts do not see your second number or that calls from it do not bother you. They do not change the system settings of the radio module, but effectively filter the flow of information. Applications such as call managers or call managers allow you to set a password for the Phone application or a specific SIM card in the dialing interface. This creates the illusion that there is no second line for the person who picks up your phone.
Applications like Call App Locker or call managers allow you to set a password for the Phone application or a specific SIM card in the dialing interface. This creates the illusion that there is no second line for the person who picks up your phone.
There are also virtual number services that work on top of the main SIM card via the Internet (VoIP). Using such applications, you can make calls from an additional number without inserting a physical second SIM card. In this case, the “second SIM card” is hidden by definition, since it is not physically present, and the number is generated programmatically.
For complete anonymity, it is recommended to use instant messengers that support calls (Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal) linked to virtual numbers. This allows you to completely bypass the cellular operator's number identification system, since the call is made through an encrypted data channel.
Third-party applications cannot hide the SIM card from the telecom operator, but are great for restricting access to call functions within the device itself.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When trying to hide or configure the second one SIM card users often encounter typical problems. For example, after disconnecting the card, the phone may continue to show the network icon, or the setting to hide the number is reset after a reboot.
One common reason is a network profile conflict. If the “4G Only” mode is selected in the settings, and the second SIM card is working in 2G/3G mode, it may appear as “No network” instead of being completely disabled. The solution is to reset the network settings to factory settings through the menu Reset Wi-Fi settings, mobile. Internet and Bluetooth.
Sometimes a telecom operator blocks the number hiding service at the level of its network, ignoring the phone settings. In this case, you need to contact the operator's technical support with a request to activate the Caller ID service on the server side.
If the second SIM card is displayed in the menu, but is not disabled (the slider is not pressed), there may be a PIN code set on the card that the system cannot request due to an interface failure. Try removing and reinserting the SIM card to initiate an unlock code request.
⚠️ Attention: If, after manipulating the settings, the signal on both SIM cards is lost, completely reboot the device. In rare cases, flashing the modem is required, but this is a last resort.
Before resetting the network settings, write down the current settings of access points (APN) for the mobile data so as not to configure them again manually.
Is it possible to hide the second SIM card so that it receives SMS, but not calls?
Yes, this is possible in some firmware (for example, Xiaomi). In the SIM card settings, you can turn off voice calls, leaving the mobile data and SMS service active. However, standard Android often disables the card completely.
Why do they still see my phone after hiding the number?
Clearing the number (CLIR) only works for voice calls. In instant messengers, when sending SMS or using the Internet, your number can be determined through Google accounts, social networks or the operator’s database.
Does hiding the second SIM card affect Internet speed?
No, software disabling or hiding the number does not affect the channel bandwidth. However, if you are using Dual SIM 4G mode, disabling the second card can slightly reduce the load on the processor and save the battery.
How can I find out if my number is hidden from the other person?
There is no direct way to find out. You can call your other phone or ask a friend to check the number display. If “Private number” or “Unknown” is displayed on the screen, the setting works.