The Google Pixel 6a is an impressive $449 smartphone that delivers ample value for its price — but is it a good choice for someone who needs dual SIM functionality? Picking the right smartphone is a laborious task that's easier said than done. Looking at a phone's display, processor, battery, and cameras are all obvious considerations. But there's so much more to a phone than those four bullet points. You also need to consider things like wireless charging, water resistance, charging speeds, storage options, etc.
Another deciding factor for some shoppers is whether a phone has dual SIM. All smartphones support at least one SIM card — the tech that allows you to connect to your wireless carrier for phone calls, texts, and mobile data. Devices with dual SIM allow you to simultaneously connect to two networks. Whether you're traveling internationally, have separate personal and work numbers, or find yourself in any other situation where two phone numbers are needed, a phone with dual SIM is a must.
Thankfully, this is something Google has long supported with its Pixel smartphones. Although early Pixels lacked dual SIM functionality, Google's offered the feature since the Pixel 3a. This also includes the latest Pixel 6a. All Pixel 6a models come with dual SIM support — allowing users to have one number tied to a physical SIM card and another number tied to an eSIM built into the phone.
How To Use Dual SIM On The Pixel 6a
Having dual SIM on the Pixel 6a is great. But how does it work? There are a couple of ways to set up dual SIM, the first of which assumes you already have your first number set up with a physical SIM card. In this case, enabling dual SIM on the Pixel 6a works as follows: Open the Settings app on the phone, tap 'Network & internet,' tap the '+' icon next to 'Mobile network,' tap 'Download a SIM instead,' and tap the 'Yes' button on the prompt asking you if you want to use two SIMs. Following a quick update, go back to the Settings app, tap 'Network & internet,' tap 'Mobile network,' and follow the on-screen instructions for setting up your eSIM service.
Alternatively, if you're already using the Pixel 6a's eSIM as your first number, you can use a SIM card for your second one. To get started, use the SIM removal tool that came with the Pixel 6a, remove the SIM tray, place your SIM card in it, and slide the tray back into the phone. From here, the process is pretty familiar. Tap 'Yes' on the pop-up asking if you want to use two SIMs. After downloading and installing the update, open the Settings app, tap 'Network & internet,' tap 'Mobile networks,' and choose your SIM card from the list to finish setting up your service.
Source: Google