Do Sim Free Iphones From Apple Have Sim Slots

In China, Hong Kong, and Macau, Apple released an iPhone XR and an iPhone XS Max with dual-sim card slots. So, instead of a single SIM card slot, and an eSIM, the two devices have space for two.

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There were a lot of news stories out this past week covering the fact that Apple started selling variants of the iPhone 7 as 'SIM Free.' Most of the news sites are just simply reporting that these 'SIM free' versions of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are now available, but they don't really explain the difference between unlocked and SIM free.

The Physical Difference

If you buy an iPhone, either through a carrier or even through Apple's Upgrade Program, the iPhone is still delivered to you with a SIM card already installed. This means you have to make a choice of carrier when you purchase the phone. Now, when you unbox that beautiful new iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus it is ready to activate on the network of the carrier you chose at the time of purchase. So that it the physical difference between unlocked and SIM free. Unlocked comes with a SIM card installed (when buying the phone brand new) and SIM free phone come without a SIM card (you must supply your own SIM card and install it before the phone can fully function). Both a carrier unlocked phone and a SIM free phone can be used on other carriers as they are both not locked to a single carrier (at least from a network perspective). In other words, the carrier has not locked either the unlocked phone or the SIM free phone to their network so it is free to be used on another carrier's network. But just because you can take your unlocked or SIM free phone to another network doesn't mean it will actually work on another cell carrier's network.

The Band Differences

Beyond just the difference of the unlocked iPhone 7 having a SIM card and the SIM free iPhone 7 coming without any SIM card there are other differences as well. In the case of the iPhone 7 the other major difference between unlocked and SIM free is the supported LTE bands. I could literally write several thousand words trying to explain all the differences between the unlocked iPhone 7 and the SIM free, but I won't. Instead, I will just summarize it this way. The SIM free version of the iPhone sold by Apple are essentially the same iPhones as the ones you get when you get an iPhone 7 for the Sprint or the Verizon networks (they just come without a SIM card and are not pre-configured to work on a specific network). In other words, it is an iPhone that comes with a Qualcomm CDMA modem. CDMA is a cellular technology that is used by Verizon and Sprint, while AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. So if you buy an iPhone 7 to specifically use on AT&T or T-Mobile it comes with an Intel modem that uses GSM technology.

So what does buying a SIM free iPhone 7 mean if you want to use it on AT&T, T-Mobile or over seas? An iPhone 7 bought specifically for AT&T or T-Mobile (which means is has the Intel modem and only supports GSM) will NOT work on other U.S. cell carrier networks. But a SIM free iPhone (which has the Qualcomm CDMA modem) will work on all the major U.S. cell carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon) because the Qualcomm modem (while primarily a CDMA modem) will also support GSM. From an international perspective you are probably ok with any iPhone 7 you purchase. Most foreign cell networks use GSM as their cellular technology so all variants of the iPhone 7 support this. But there are always outliers so check Apple's compatibility website for any countries you may visit before you decide.

Purchasing Differences

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It is important to note that the only way you can purchase a SIM free iPhone 7 in the U.S. is by purchasing it directly from Apple (either online or in one of their Apple Stores). Cell carriers and 3rd party re-sellers like Best Buy are not selling the SIM free variant of the iPhone 7. The SIM free iPhone 7 also does not come with any financing options like you can get with Apple's Upgrade Program or through carrier financing. So if you want a SIM free iPhone 7 then you are going to need to buy it directly from Apple and you will have to pay the full price up front.

So Who is a SIM Free iPhone For?

In summary, the SIM free iPhone 7 is mostly for people who plan to use their iPhone on more than one U.S. cell carrier network (because it works with them all) and for people who do a lot of foreign travel (because again, it gives them the most compatibility). But this is a very small percentage of the population. For most people, just getting an unlocked iPhone 7 through Apple's upgrade program or even an iPhone 7 directly from a U.S. cell carrier is going to serve them just fine. Hopefully this post helped you. It was driving me crazy reading all of the news articles about the SIM free iPhone 7 and having NONE of them explain what the difference between unlocked and SIM free really meant.

What is Dual SIM?

Here are just a few of the many ways that you can use Dual SIM:

  • Use one number for business and another number for personal calls.
  • Add a local data plan when you're travelling outside the country or region.
  • Have separate voice and data plans.

With iOS 13 and later, both of your phone numbers can make and receive voice and FaceTime calls and send and receive messages using iMessage, SMS and MMS.2 Your iPhone can use one mobile data network at a time.

1. eSIM on iPhone is not offered in China mainland. In Hong Kong and Macao, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone XS feature eSIM. Find out about using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards in China mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.
2. This uses Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) technology, which means that both SIMs can make and receive calls.

About 5G and Dual SIM

If you have iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max, and both phone lines are active, 5G isn't available. To use 5G on these iPhone models, disable Dual SIM mode by turning off either one of your phone lines:

  1. Open the Settings app, then tap Mobile.
  2. Select the line that you want to turn off.
  3. Turn off the switch next to Turn On This Line.

Turn the line back on to return to Dual SIM mode.

What you need

  • An iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later with iOS 12.1 or later
  • A wireless carrier that supports eSIM

To use two different providers, your iPhone must be unlocked. Otherwise, both plans must be from the same provider. If a CDMA network provides your first SIM, your second SIM won't support CDMA. Contact your network provider for more information.
If you have an enterprise or corporate data service plan, check with your company administrator to see if they support this feature.

Set up your mobile data plan with eSIM

On iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and later, you can use a physical nano-SIM for a mobile data plan and an eSIM for one or more other mobile data plans. If you don't have a nano-SIM and your provider supports it, an eSIM can serve as your only mobile data plan. The eSIM provided by your network is stored digitally in your iPhone.

To activate your second mobile data plan, you can scan the QR code your provider gave you, use your provider's iPhone app, install an assigned plan, or you can enter the information manually:

Scan a QR code

  1. Open the Camera app and scan your QR code.
  2. When the Mobile Data Plan Detected notification appears, tap it.
  3. Tap Continue, at the bottom of the screen.
  4. Tap Add Mobile Data Plan.

If you're asked to enter a confirmation code to activate the eSIM, enter the number that your network provider gave you.

Use a network provider's app

  1. Go to the App Store and download your network provider's app.
  2. Use the app to purchase a mobile data plan.
Sim

Install an assigned mobile data plan

With iOS 13 and later, some network providers can assign a mobile data plan for you to install. Contact your network provider for more information.

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If a plan was assigned to you, follow these steps:

  1. When a notification appears that says Provider Mobile Data Plan Ready to Be Installed, tap it.
  2. In the Settings app, tap Provider Mobile Data Plan Ready to Be Installed.
  3. Tap Continue, at the bottom of the screen.

Enter the information manually

If necessary, you can enter your plan information manually. To enter your plan information manually, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
  3. Tap Add Mobile Data Plan.
  4. Tap Enter Details Manually, at the bottom of your iPhone screen.

You can store more than one eSIM in your iPhone, but you can use only one at a time. To switch eSIMs, tap Settings, tap either Cellular or Mobile Data, and then tap the plan you want to use. Then tap Turn On This Line.

The next sections give you more information about the remaining setup screens on your iPhone.

Label your plans

After your second plan has been activated, label your plans. For example, you can label one plan Business and the other plan Personal.

You'll use these labels when you choose which phone number to use for making or receiving calls and messages, to designate a number for mobile data and to assign a number to your contacts so you know which number you will use.

If you change your mind later, you can change your labels by going to Settings, tapping either Cellular or Mobile Data, and then tapping the number whose label you want to change. Then tap Mobile Data Plan Label and select a new label or enter a custom label.

Set your default number

Choose a number to use when you call or send a message to someone who isn't in your Contacts app. With iOS 13 and later, choose which mobile data plans you want to use for iMessage and FaceTime. With iOS 13 and later, you can choose either or both numbers.

On this screen, choose a number to be your default number, or choose which number will only be used for mobile data. Your other number will be your default. If you want your iPhone to use mobile data from both plans, depending on coverage and availability, turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching.

Use two phone numbers for calls, messages and data

Now that your iPhone has been set up with two phone numbers, here's how to use them.

Let your iPhone remember which number to use

When you call one of your contacts, you don't need to choose which number to use every time. By default, your iPhone will use the same number that you used the last time you called that contact. If you haven't called that contact, your iPhone will use your default number. If you want to, you can specify which number to use for your calls with a contact. Follow these steps:

  1. Tap the contact.
  2. Tap Preferred Mobile Data Plan.
  3. Tap the number that you want to use for that contact.

Make and receive calls

You can make and receive phone calls with either phone number.

With iOS 13 and later, when you're on a call, if the network provider for your other phone number supports Wi-Fi calling, you can answer incoming calls on your other number. When you're on a call using a line that isn't your designated line for mobile data, you need to turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching to receive calls from your other line. If you ignore the call and you have voicemail set up with your provider, you’ll get a missed-call notification and the call will go to voicemail. Check with your provider for Wi-Fi calling availability, and find out if additional fees or data usage from your data provider will apply.

If you're on a call and your other line shows No Service, either your provider doesn't support Wi-Fi calling or you don't have Wi-Fi calling turned on.1 It could also mean that Allow Mobile Data Switching is not turned on. When you're on a call, an incoming call on your other phone number will go to voicemail if you set up voicemail with your provider.2 However, you won't get a missed-call notification from your secondary number. Call Waiting works for incoming calls on the same phone number. To avoid missing an important call, you can turn on call forwarding and forward all calls from one number to the other. Check with your provider for availability and to find out if additional fees apply.

1. Or if you're using iOS 12. Update to iOS 13 or later to receive calls when you're using your other number.
2. If data roaming is on for the number that uses mobile data then Visual Voicemail and MMS will be disabled on your voice-only number.

Switch phone numbers for a call

You can switch phone numbers before you make a call. If you're calling someone in your Favourites list, follow these steps:

  1. Tap the Info button .
  2. Tap the current phone number.
  3. Tap your other number.

If you're using the keypad, follow these steps:

  1. Enter the phone number.
  2. Tap the phone number, near the top of the screen.
  3. Tap the number that you want to use.

Send messages with iMessage and SMS/MMS

You can use iMessage or SMS/MMS to send messages with either phone number.* You can switch phone numbers before you send an iMessage or SMS/MMS message. Here's how:

  1. Open Messages.
  2. Tap the New button, in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
  3. Enter your contact's name.
  4. Tap the current phone number.
  5. Tap the number that you want to use.

* Additional fees may apply. Check with your provider.

Learn about Dual SIM status icons

The icons in the status bar at the top of the screen show the signal strength of your two providers. Learn what the status icons mean.

You can see more status icons when you open Control Centre.

When Provider 1 is in use, the other line will show No Service.

The status bar shows that the device is connected to Wi-Fi and Provider 2 is using Wi-Fi Calling.

With Allow Mobile Data Switching turned on, the status bar shows that Provider 1 is using LTE and Provider 2 is using the mobile data of Provider 1 and has Wi-Fi calling enabled.

Change your mobile data number

One number at a time can use mobile data. To change which number uses mobile data, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
  3. Tap Mobile Data.
  4. Tap the number that you want to use mobile data.
Sim

If you turn on Allow Mobile 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.

If you turn off Allow Mobile Data Switching and you're active on a voice number that isn't your designated mobile data number, then mobile data won't work when you're on the call.

To turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
  3. Tap Mobile Data.
  4. Turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching.

* Your data line switches automatically for the duration of your call. This mobile data switching will not work if you are currently using Data Roaming. Check with your provider for availability and to find out if additional fees apply.

Manage mobile settings

To change your mobile settings for each of your plans, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
  3. Tap the number that you want to change.
  4. Tap each option and set it as you normally would.

Transfer your eSIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone

To transfer your eSIM to your new iPhone, you can scan the QR code your network provider gave you, use your network provider's iPhone app or install an assigned mobile data plan*. When your mobile data plan is activated on your new iPhone, the plan on your previous iPhone will be deactivated.

To set up your new iPhone, follow the steps in the Set up your mobile data plan with eSIM section. If you're asked to 'Transfer Mobile Data Plan' during Quick Start setup, follow these steps.

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Erase your eSIM

If you need to erase your eSIM, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
  3. Tap the plan you want to erase.
  4. Tap Remove Mobile Data Plan.

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If you erase all content and settings from your device, you can choose to erase your eSIM as well or keep it. If you want to cancel your mobile data plan, you still need to contact your provider.

Learn more

  • Use Dual SIM with an eSIM and your Apple Watch.
  • If you can't set up your eSIM or if you have trouble using your eSIM, learn what to do.