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Seamless Switching: Learn about Pixel's eSIM and Dual SIM for Smarter Connectivity.
Google Pixel phones come SIM-free so you can pick the right telco and plan for you. With this handy guide, you’ll get up to speed with everything you need to know about choosing a SIM, swapping cell providers, and having two lines in a dual SIM set up.
Two people holding Pixel phones engaged in a joyful lively conversation. Two people holding Pixel phones engaged in a joyful lively conversation. Two people holding Pixel phones engaged in a joyful lively conversation.

When you buy a Pixel phone from Google Store, you can choose to sign up with any network provider you like, as they come without SIMs. But, what is a SIM? It’s an identity chip that lets you connect your phone to a telco, and it’s either in a plastic card, or embedded into your device. You can choose to install a SIM on your Pixel in three ways:

  • Traditional physical nano SIM: Tiny chips that are readily available from any Australian network provider in-store, or often found at local supermarkets, petrol stations, and even airports.

  • Instant eSIM: For ultimate convenience, activate an eSIM profile directly online. There's no need to fuss with tiny plastic cards – it's all handled seamlessly and digitally.

  • Versatile dual SIM: Your Pixel can handle both! Run a physical SIM and an eSIM simultaneously, perfect for managing work and personal numbers, or for international travel.

Shop and swap: Switch providers easily on your Google Pixel.

Are you a daily YouTube Shorts binger, or a video game enthusiast? You’ll need to get a big data plan each month. Not much of a talker? Sign yourself up for a data-only SIM. Or, go for a call-heavy, low-data plan if you’re an “it’s easier to get on the blower” kind of person. 

Since Google Pixel phones are designed to work with any network, you have the freedom to select a call and data plan tailored to your lifestyle and switch plans easily. Plan cancellation and number porting fees are typically now a thing of the past, but it pays to check the fine print on your contract before switching providers.

Making the switch is as simple as contacting your new provider and swapping out your old SIM for their new card, and you can keep on using your favourite Pixel phone.

Apply for and activate an eSIM easily online.

Google Pixel 4 models and newer support eSIMs1, where you don’t even need a card to connect with a cell network – your cell info is built into a chip in your device. All your telco needs to do is connect to it, which they’ll give you the steps for online. Or, check out this handy guide for more details on eSIM set up.

In no time at all, you’ll be surfing the web and sending out texts in exactly the same way a physical SIM card lets you. No need for setting up a tiny card.

You’ll find most providers will offer eSIM connections, with some even offering specific eSIM deals. Because eSIM set up can all be done online, you can sort it out before you need it, like when you’re coming back from overseas travel or a business trip abroad.

Dual SIMs: Switch between accounts for calls and data.

With your Google Pixel, you can set up two SIMS with a physical nano SIM in your phone as well as an eSIM. Plus, you can easily switch between the SIMs and use them for different things, like texting and calling on one SIM and using data on the other. This handy feature is known as dual SIM (or Dual SIM Dual Standby, DSDS).

From Google Pixel 7 phone series and later, you can even set up two eSIMs at once2. For all the details on how to get eSIM and dual SIMs on Pixel phones, check out this helpful guide.

A dual SIM set up can be a real winner for making life easier. Here’s a few ways you can make it work for you:

Keep your work and personal numbers separate.

Dual SIMs mean you have two cell numbers on your one device. This is handy for keeping your work-life balance even and for making sure you don’t charge your personal chats to the business account.

Plus, Pixel’s clever Google Assistant, enhanced by Gemini, has a Call Screen feature3 that acts as a middleman to screen calls from unknown numbers, confirming who they are and what they want. For example, dual SIM lets you answer calls to your business SIM immediately, but screens calls to your personal number - so you can decide whether to pick up.

A person holding a Pixel phone with the display showing the Call Screen function detailing information of an unknown caller. Use a local SIM while you’re travelling overseas.

You can sign up for a telco in the country you’re visiting before you even get there. That’s the beauty of eSIM. By using dual SIM, you can sign up with a local telco in your destination country while still keeping your personal or work plan for when you’re back home.

Using a local SIM and plan is often cheaper than an Aussie telco’s roaming rates, so you can save a stack on data while you’re figuring out the local maps and still receive calls to your normal number.

Stay connected in patchy spots with dual SIMs.

Data and cell coverage in Australia can be variable at times, which is where dual SIMs come in handy. If you’re having trouble connecting with one provider, you can easily switch to the other. For power outages and weather events, dual network providers can be helpful if one telco is affected by calling or data issues.

A UI screen shot of dual SIMs switched on in Pixel phone SIMs Settings. Be flexible with your dual SIM usage on Google Pixel.

Your Google Pixel’s dual SIM capability lets you combine different plans for each SIM. You can pick a plan for cheap calls on one SIM and another plan for mega data usage on your other SIM. Or, mix and match however you like between mobile provider plans to get the most bang for your buck.

Data-only eSIM plans are available with international plan providers, where you can make calls, but only through data and wifi-connected messaging apps. Many Australian telco providers bundle data and calling plans, so get in touch with your carrier of choice to see if you can snag a deal.

All Google Pixel phones sold on Google Store support nano SIMs, eSIMs, and a dual SIM set up, so you can choose the plan that is most handy for you.

Takeaways
Google Pixel phones come without a SIM, so you can pick the provider and plan that best work for you.Save time and use your Google Pixel phone almost instantly with an online eSIM set up.Dual SIMs let you have two cell numbers and providers to help manage your life.
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Help at Home
Curious about smart home devices? Start here.
  1. All smartphones from the Google Pixel 4 onwards support eSIM.

  2. Only if your carrier allows the ability to use two eSIM profiles simultaneously.

  3. May not be available in all languages ​​or countries. Visit g.co/pixel/callassist for more information.