Galaxy Note 10 SIM Card Guide

You need to add a SIM card to Galaxy Note 10 (and Note 10+) if you want to use any mobile services.

But do you know how to add or replace the Galaxy Note 10 SIM card? Do you know your Galaxy Note 10 is single SIM version of dual-SIm version? Do you know how to use the SIM card tray and use two SIM cards on the phone?

This Galaxy Note 10 guide explains everything you need to know about using SIM cards on Galaxy Note 10: the sim card size, dual-SIM vs single-SIM, adding/replacing SIM cards, using the SIM card tray, managing and customizing  SIM cards, and using two SIM cards. It also answers some questions you may have about using SIM card on Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 10+.

What’s the SIM card size for Galaxy Note 10?

Both Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 requires nano-SIM (the smallest one).

Traditionally, SIM card comes with 4 types of size (form factor):

1. Full-size SIM. There are no smartphones using it.
2. Mini-SIM. You can only find it in vintage phones.
3. Micro-SIM. The popular SIM card 3-4 years ago.
4. Nano-SIM. The mainstream SIM card.

The relative size of these 4 SIM card sizes is illustrated in the picture below.

Most phone companies offer 3-in-1 SIM cards. What you need is the smallest one.

You can detach the nano-SIM (the smallest part) and use it on Galaxy Note 10, as shown below.

Please note, you should not throw away the remaining plastic part.  You can use it as a SIM card adapter for old devices that may require a micro-SIM or even mini-SIM card.

If you are using one of the following popular phones, you can use the existing SIM card on Galaxy Note 10:

• Samsung Galaxy Note 5,  Note 7 FE, Note 8, and Note 9.
• Samsung Galaxy S6, S7, S8, S9, S10 and all their variants (e.g., S10, S10+, S10e, S9, S9+, S8,  S8+, S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, and S6 Edge+).
• Any of Samsung Galaxy A series: Galaxy A3, A5, A7, A8, and A9.
• Galaxy J3 2017 and later, Galaxy J5 2017 and later, Galaxy J7 and later.
• iPhone 5, 6, 7, 8 and X (and all variants).
• Moto X (all generations).
• Moto Z (all generations)
• Moto G5, G6, and G7.
• Moto E4 and E5.
• Pixel and Pixel XL (all generations).
• LG G5, G6, G7, G8 (all variants), V10, V20, V30, V40 and V50.

Please note, this is not an exhaust list.  If you are not sure, you can post your phone brand and model in the comments section. We will check it for you.

If your old phone uses a micro-SIM card,  and your carrier (greedy one!) will charge you for changing to the nano-SIM,  you may trim the old SIM card to a nano-SIM card. It is recommended to do it in the handphone shop. They have a specialized clipper, which is more accurate and safer than your scissors.

If your dinosaur phone uses a mini-SIM card,  it is probably impossible to trim it to a nano-SIM card because the metal part is a bit too large. You may check with your the local headphone shop first.

Is your Galaxy Note 10 the Dual-SIM version or Single SIM version?

There are two versions of Galaxy Note 10 (and Galaxy Note 10+): single-SIM and dual-SIM.

Please note all Galaxy Note 10 5G and Galaxy Note 10+ 5G only support one SIM card. We will discuss the 5G variant in this post.

In most regions, Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ are dual-SIM version except:

• All Galaxy Note 10 devices sold in the USA.
• Galaxy Note 10 5G.
• Galaxy Note 10+ 5G.

These Galaxy Note 10 devices are single SIM version only.

For the single-SIM version, you can use only one SIM card. You have no options.

For the dual-SIM version, you can use up to 2 SIM cards in dual-SIM dual-standby (DSDS) mode. Of course, you can choose to use only one.

Please note, for the dual-SIM version of Galaxy Note 10+, you cannot use the micro SD card if you use two SIM cards.

How to use Galaxy Note 10 SIM card tray?

The SIM card tray in Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ is different.

Galaxy Note 10 does not support micro SD card as explained in this post. So, the SIM card tray is for the SIM card(s) only.

For the single-SIM version of Galaxy Note 10, you can find the SIM card tray only has one slot for your SIM card.

The dual-SIM version of Galaxy Note 10 has two slots. Both are for the SIM card only, as illustrated below.

Galaxy Note 10+ uses a hybrid card tray. Slot 1 is for SIM card only.  Slot 2  can be used for the micro SD card only, for the single-SIM version of Galaxy Note 10+, as illustrated below.

For the dual SIM version of Galaxy Note 10+, slot 2 can be used for either a SIM card or a micro SD card (but not both at the same time).

The two scenarios (options) are illustrated below.

How to add, change, or remove the SIM card?

You may follow the following steps to add, change, or remove the SIM card for Galaxy Note 10.

Step 0: Power off Galaxy Note 10/Note 10+

It is recommended to power off Galaxy Note 10 before adding or replacing the SIM card.

Some carriers may ask you to reboot the phone if you add or change a SIM card without powering off the phone.

Step 1: Eject the SIM card tray

You should insert the ejection pin in the Galaxy Note 10 box, to the hole of the SIM card tray (see Galaxy Note 10 layout) as shown in the animation below.

You need to apply some force so the SIM card tray can be ejected.

Do NOT pierce the microphone or the top speaker on the top side of Galaxy S10.

As the official Samsung cases for Galaxy Noe 10 and Note 10+ (e.g., Galaxy Note 1o clear view cover) do not cover the top part of the phone, it is not necessary to remove the cover to access the tray.

Step 2: Pull out of  the SIM card tray

Once the SIM card tray is ejected, you can pull it out from the phone.

Step 3: Place the SIM card into the SIM card tray

For the single-SIM version Galaxy Note 10 or Note 10+, you have to put the SIM card into slot 1.

For the dual-SIM version of Galaxy Note 10+, you can put the SIM card into either slot. You can also put two SIM cards into the two slots individually. In this case, the slot number does not matter. But, if you want to use a micro SD card, you MUST put the SIM card into slot 1 only because slot 1 cannot hold a micro SD card.

When placing the SIM card, you need to make sure:

• The metal (gold-plated) part is facing downwards (away from the screen when the SIM card tray is placed on the phone).
• The notch in the SIM card matches the slot.

Step 4: Secure SIM card in the SIM card tray

You now need to press the SIM card gently so that it is secured in the SIM card tray.

Step 5: Put back the SIM card tray

Once the SIM card is secured, you can push back the SIM card tray into the phone.

Step 6: Power on the phone

If you powered off the phone before these steps, you could now power on the phone.

How to use two SIM cards on the dual-SIM version of Galaxy Note 10

For the dual SIM version of Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, you can use two SIM cards concurrently in the dual-standby mode.

When two SIM cards are used, you can set the preferred SIM card for calls, messages, and mobile data in the Settings.

As shown in the screenshot below, in the Galaxy Note 10 Settings, tap Connections.

In the Connections settings page, tap SIM card manager, as shown above.

In the Galaxy Note 10 SIM card manager, as shown below, you can:

1. Manage and customize individual SIM card.
2. Assign preferred (default) SIM card for calls, messages, and mobile data.
3. Enable/disable dual SIM always on.

For example, you want to manage SIM card 1.

So, tap SIM 1 (marked as 1) as shown below.

You can now manage and customize SIM card 1, as shown above:

• Enable/disable this SIM card (without removing it).
• Choose a new icon for this SIM card.
• Give a name to this SIM card.
• Set network mode for this SIM card. You should not mess up this setting unless you know what you are doing.

In the SIM card manager, you can also set the preferred SIM card for calls, SMS, and mobile data.

For example, tap calls (marked as 2), you will then have the option to set the preferred SIM card for calls as:

• Ask always.
• SIM 1.
• SIM 2.

Please note, on the dual-SIM version of Galaxy Note 10, Phone app (dialer) and Messages app always have two buttons for each SIM card if two SIM cards are detected.

So, this preferred SIM card setting is mainly for other apps (e.g., Bixby).

When you use two SIM cards in DSDS mode, as explained in this guide, both SIM cards can be in standby mode simultaneously.

But only one SIM card can be engaged in voice calls (even for voLTE).

So, when you are in a voice call through one SIM card and someone calls the number of the other SIM card, the caller will get “not reachable” response by default.

If you want to make both SIM cards reachable, you can enable dual SIM always on as shown above.

Please note, you should enable dual SIM always on only if both SIM cards are local SIM cards. Because the dual SIM always on will set up call forwarding to each other, roaming calls can be very expensive for call forwarding.

FAQs on Galaxy Note 10 SIM card

Can I use the phone without a SIM card?

Of course, you can use Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10+ without a SIM card.

In this case, you cannot access any mobile services. You are just using an expensive Galaxy Note 10 as a cheaper WiFi-only tablet.

Can I convert the single SIM version Galaxy Note 10 into dual-SIM version?

No, you cannot convert the single SIM version into the dual SIM version because in the single-SIM version of Galaxy Note 10 (Note 10+)

• There is no hardware to read the second SIM card.
• There are no options for the second SIM card in the software.

So, do not waste money and time to convert the single-SIM Galaxy Note 10 (or 10+) to the dual-SIM version.

Can I use two SIM cards AND a micro SD card on the dual-SIM version of Galaxy Note 10?

No, you cannot.

If you use two SIM cards, then there is no place for the micro SD card

Although there are some guides teaching you how to hack the SIM card to stack SIM card with the micro SD card, you should NOT try.

Is it safe to trim the SIM card to a nano-SIM?

It depends.

Normally, it is easy to trim a micro-SIM card into a nano-SIM card.

But for a mini-SIM card, it can be very tough due to the large metal part.

Do you have any questions on SIM card on Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+?

If you have any questions on using SIM card on Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+, you may let us know in the comment box below.

We will try to help you.

You can read online or download a PDF version of the official Galaxy Note 10 users manuals in your language here.

You may check our Galaxy Note 10 guides if you have any other Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy Note 10+ related question