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 network provider, 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 Indian network provider in-store, or often found at authorised mobile retailers and even kiosks at airports for tourists.

• 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.

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 the kind of person that prefers calling. 

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.

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 network provider 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.

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 once.² 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:

Dual SIMs mean you have two mobile 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.

You can sign up for a network provider  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 network provider 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 India network provider’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.

Data and network coverage in India 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 network provider is affected by calling or data issues.

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 benefit from your plan.

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 Indian network providers bundle data and calling plans, so get in touch with your carrier of choice to see if you can grab a deal.

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