The use of two or more SIM cards in one smartphone has long ceased to be exotic - according to data Counterpoint Research, in 2026, more than 40% of sold Android devices supported Dual SIM. However, many users are still faced with confusion: how to quickly switch between cards during a call, set up automatic selection, or avoid mistakes when dialing a number? This article reveals all the current methods for managing outgoing calls on modern versions of Android, including hidden features and workarounds for older models.

We analyzed the Samsung One UI 6.1, MIUI 15, ColorOS 14 and pure Android 14interfaces to provide universal instructions. Particular attention is paid to problems with 5G networks, where the choice of SIM can affect Internet speed, as well as the nuances of working with eSIM. If you travel frequently, use work and personal cards, or simply want to optimize communication costs, here you will find a solution to suit your task.

1. Manually selecting a SIM card before each call

The most reliable, but also the most time-consuming method is to manually specify the SIM card for each outgoing call. This method is suitable for rare switches or when you need to guarantee a call from a specific card.

On most Android smartphones, the algorithm looks like this:

  1. Open the application Phone (usually with a green handset).
  2. Enter a number or select a contact.
  3. Click on the icon SIM cards (most often located to the right of the call button, looks like two intersecting cards or a down arrow).
  4. Select the desired SIM from the list (for example, SIM 1 (MTS) or SIM 2 (Tele2)).
  5. Press the call button.

On some firmware (for example, Flyme OS on Meizu) instead of an icon there may be a text prompt like “Select SIM”. If the icon is not displayed, check the settings of the “Phone” application - perhaps a function. hidden in the menu Settings → Call → SIM card settings.

📊 How often do you switch SIM cards for calls?
Every day
Several times a week
Rarely, when necessary
I never use a second SIM
⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12 and older, when manually selecting a SIM, the system may remember your choice for a specific contact. To reset this rule, go to Contacts → Select contact → Edit → Call settings and remove the link.

2. Setting up a default SIM card for all calls

If you make calls more often from one SIM card, it is wise to assign it main. This will eliminate the need to select a card before each call, but will retain the ability to manually switch.

Instructions for most firmware:

  1. Open Settings → Connections → SIM card manager (on Xiaomi: Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks).
  2. Select item "Voice calls" or "Outgoing calls".
  3. Specify your preferred SIM card (for example, SIM 1).
  4. Confirm your choice - now all calls will be made from this card by default.

On Google Pixel smartphones with pure Android, the path may differ: Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → Advanced → SIM card settings. Here you can also configure separate rules for SMS i mobile data.

Make sure that both SIM cards are active in the "Connected" status

Check the balance on the main SIM (some operators block outgoing calls when the balance is zero)

Reboot the phone after changing the settings (recommended for Samsung Exynos)

Test a call to another number to confirm the choice-->

Firmware Path to settings Features
Samsung One UI Settings → Connections → SIM card manager → Voice calls Supports linking contacts to specific SIMs ("Always ask" function)
MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco) Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Call settings You can set up separate rules for international calls
ColorOS (Oppo/Realme/OnePlus) Settings → Mobile network → SIM card settings → Voice call Automatically suggests change SIM if the balance on the main card is low
Pure Android Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → SIM card settings Minimalistic interface, without additional options for contacts

3. Automatic SIM selection according to rules (for contacts)

Advanced firmware (for example, One UI i MIUI) allow you to create rules for automatic SIM selection for specific contacts or groups. This is convenient if you always call colleagues from your work card, and friends from your personal card.

How to set up on Samsung:

  1. Open the application Contact and select the desired contact.
  2. Click Edit (pencil icon).
  3. Scroll down to the block Call settings.
  4. Select SIM card and indicate the preferred one (for example, SIM 2 (Beeline)).
  5. Save the changes.

On Xiaomi algorithm other:

  • 📞 Open Phone → Magazine.
  • 👤 Click on contact → Information (icon "i").
  • 📱 Select SIM card for the call and indicate the required one.
  • 💾 Click Save.
💡

If a contact is saved with several numbers (for example, work and personal), you can assign different SIM cards for each number within one contact. This works on Samsung Galaxy S23+ and newer.

⚠️ Attention: On some versions MIUI (for example, 14.0.5) SIM binding to a contact may be reset after a firmware update. Check the settings after major updates.

4. Using widgets and shortcuts for quick switching

If you often have to change SIM cards for calls, but it’s inconvenient to go into the settings every time, use SIM switching widget or create a shortcut on the desktop.

Method 1: Widget on the home screen (works on most firmware):

  1. Tap and hold an empty space on the home screen.
  2. Select Widgets.
  3. Find the widget with name SIM card, SIM switch or Mobile network (on Samsung it could be Quick Tools).
  4. Drag the widget onto the screen - now you can change SIM with one click.

Method 2: Shortcut through the app Google Tasks (for pure Android):

  • 📱 Install application Google Tasks (if not installed).
  • 🔗 Create a task with the text: SIM card settings.
  • 📌 Pin it to the main screen - when pressed, the SIM selection menu will open.

For Xiaomi there is a workaround through developer mode:

Settings → About phone → MIUI version (press 7 times)

Return to Settings → Additional → For developers → Quick settings → Add "SIM cards"

5. Features of calls with eSIM and hybrid slots

With the advent of eSIM (built-in SIM card) and hybrid slots (where the second slot is combined with a memory card) the process of choosing a SIM for calls has become more complicated. Here are the key nuances:

For eSIM:

  • 📱 On Google Pixel 7/8 i Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra eSIM is displayed in the list of SIM cards as a separate item (for example, eSIM: Megafon).
  • 🔄 Switching between physical SIM and eSIM occurs in the same way as between two physical cards.
  • ⚡ On some operators (for example, Tinkoff Mobile) eSIM may have priority when calling in roaming.

For hybrid slots (SIM + microSD):

  • 🔄 If you use a memory card in the second slot, you can make calls from the second SIM will be disabled automatically.
  • 📲 On Redmi Note 12 and similar models, you can quickly change the slot from microSD to SIM in Settings → SIM cards → Use slot 2 for SIM (reboot required).
  • ⚠️ If you frequently switch between SIM and microSD, the slot contacts can wear out - this is a common cause of failure on budget smartphones.
How to check if your smartphone supports eSIM?

Open Settings → About phone → SIM card information. If there is an item "Add mobile tariff" or "eSIM", the device supports the technology. On iPhone this function is always available, but on Android its availability depends on the model and region of sale (for example, Samsung Galaxy A54 for Russia does not support eSIM, but the European version does).

⚠️ Attention: When using eSIM and physical SIM at the same time, some operators (for example Yota) may limit the 4G/5G speed on one of the cards. Check the tariff conditions in your personal account.

6. Problems and errors when choosing a SIM for calls

Even with the correct settings, users encounter typical errors. Here are the most common and ways to solve them:

Problem Possible cause Solution
SIM selection is not displayed when calling Failure in the "Phone" application or one of the SIMs is disabled Restart the application or check the SIM status in Settings → SIM cards
Calls are coming from the wrong SIM, another one is selected Conflict with default settings or rules for contact Reset SIM settings in Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings
Cannot make a call from the second SIM (error "Not in network") The SIM card is not activated or blocked by the operator Check the balance and status of the card in the operator's personal account
After updating the firmware, the SIM settings were reset Reset to factory network settings Configure the SIM again and make a backup via Settings → Google → Backup

If none of the methods helped, try an alternative application for callsfor example:

  • 📞 Google Phone (universal, works on most devices).
  • 📱 Truecaller (allows you to select a SIM before making a call even where the standard application does not provide such an option).
  • 🔄 Dual App (on Xiaomi) - creates a clone of the "Phone" application linked to a specific SIM.
💡

If the problem occurs only with a specific contact, delete it and save again. Sometimes errors occur due to a damaged entry in the phone book.

7. Additional functions: calls via the Internet and roaming

Modern smartphones allow you to make calls not only through the mobile network, but also via VoLTE (voice over 4G) or VoWiFi (Wi-Fi calls). The settings of these functions may affect the choice of SIM.

VoLTE and VoWiFi:

  • 📶 On Samsung Galaxy S24 these functions are enabled in Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → SIM 1/2 → Enable VoLTE.
  • 🌐 VoWiFi may require separate activation from the operator (for example, for MTS it is free, and for Beeline it is only for certain tariffs).
  • ⚡ When VoWiFi is active, calls can automatically switch to the SIM with the best Wi-Fi signal, ignoring your settings.

Calls while roaming:

  • 🌍 Configure roaming rules v Settings → Mobile network → Roaming. Some operators (for example Tele2) allow you to select which SIM will be used abroad.
  • 💰 Check roaming tariffs - sometimes it is cheaper to call through instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) with a second SIM left on a tariff with unlimited Internet.
⚠️ Attention: In some countries (for example, the UAE, China) there are restrictions on the use of VoIP calls (including VoWiFi). Before traveling, check local laws to avoid blocking.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about calls from different SIMs on Android

Is it possible to have calls on one SIM and only the Internet on the other?

Yes, this is called service separation. Go to Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks and assign:

  • 📞 SIM 1 — for calls and SMS;
  • 🌐 SIM 2 —only for mobile data.

On Samsung this option can be called "Use for" with the ability to select "Data only."

Why, when calling from the second SIM, the interlocutor hears an echo or interference?

This is a typical problem when using Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS)when both cards work simultaneously. Solutions:

  • 🔄 Reboot the phone.
  • 📵 Disable mobile data on the second SIM during a call.
  • 🛠️ Update the firmware - new versions Android 14 improved audio processing for DSDS.

If the problem persists, try calling through Google Duplex (available on Pixel and some Samsung), which uses cloud voice processing.

How to find out which SIM the last call was made with?

Open Call log and find the entry. On most firmwares, a SIM card icon is displayed next to the number (for example, 🟢 for SIM 1 and 🔵 for SIM 2). On Xiaomi the color of the indicator can be changed in Settings → SIM cards → Indicator colors.

If there is no icon, install an alternative application for calls, for example Simple Dialer, which shows the SIM in the call history.

Is it possible to set up automatic SIM switching according to time (for example, during the day - work, at night - personal)?

There is no such function using standard Android tools, but there are workarounds:

  • 🤖 Use Tasker or MacroDroid to create automatic time rules.
  • ⏰ On Samsung you can use Do Not Disturb mode linked to SIM: for example, turn off notifications from your work card after 18:00.
  • 📱 Application Dual SIM Selector (available in Google Play) allows you to create schedules for switching.

Please note that automatic switching may interrupt active calls or mobile sessions Internet.

What to do if the operator blocks outgoing calls from the second SIM?

This can happen for several reasons:

  1. Zero balance — top up your account or activate the "Resolve debt" option (if the operator has one).
  2. Tariff restrictions — some tariffs (for example, "For tablet" Megaphone) do not support voice calls.
  3. IMEI blocking —if the SIM is from another region, the operator may limit services. Check using the USSD command (for example, *111# for MTS).
  4. Network failure —switch the phone to Only 3G (Settings → Mobile network → Network modemode) and try calling again.

If the problem is not solved, contact operator support and check whether your SIM card supports voice services in principle (some virtual operators, for example SberMobile, issue SIM only for data).