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+.
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):
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
You may follow the following steps to add, change, or remove the SIM card for Galaxy 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.
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.
Once the SIM card tray is ejected, you can pull it out from the phone.
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:
You now need to press the SIM card gently so that it is secured in the SIM card tray.
Once the SIM card is secured, you can push back the SIM card tray into the phone.
If you powered off the phone before these steps, you could now power on the phone.
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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+)
So, do not waste money and time to convert the single-SIM Galaxy Note 10 (or 10+) to the dual-SIM version.
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.
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.
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
This post was last modified on September 10, 2019 2:12 pm
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View Comments
Can you have same number on both dual Sims so if your away from one Sims towers with no signal it can switch to the other sim cards towers so you don't ever lose signal ??
But if they are the same number, they are surely from the same mobile company and therefore both will lose connection in this case.
For the dual sim version, both can be active simultaneously regardless of the number.
Can you set to always ask which sim to use for messages? After updating the software, I can't do this anymore.
In the Messages app, there should have two send buttons if you are using two SIM cards.
Thank you so much guys! You helped us with the new Note 10 Lite :) Tysm
I have a sim-only E.E. deal with my Galaxy Ace 4. I have received a new Samsung phone for Christmas which now requires a nano card. Please let me know the procedure to transfer to a nano sim card whilst keeping my mobile tel no 07977 057460. I do not wish to change my current sim only deal with E.E.
im using note 10 lite and trying to switch mobile data using another sim card but the only option it gives me is sim 1 and off. But I have 2 simcards inserted properly. Can you help?
Are both SIM cards registered properly? In the SIM card manager can you see two SIM cards?
I bought a Note 10+ at an auction but is a knock off of the Samsung. Only thing different is there is no S pen, however it shows the notch for the SIM card as being on the opposite side as the notch on my card, making it impossible for me to use my current SIM. Could it be that I need to get a whole different SIM card to be able to use this?
The SIM card size is standardized. You only need to consider a new SIM card if the slot is too big or too small.
For your case, you should follow the shape of the slot (turn over the card?). The slot should fit the card perfectly.
Anyway, you can check with the seller on the SIM card size requirement. Most phones use a nano-SIM. But a few phones may still use micro SIM card (which is way larger than the nano-SIM).
i broke my sim try note 10 SM-N970F where can i get a new one?
Many local mobile phone shops have such parts. You can also get one from Ebay.
Most Samsung service centres also have spare parts. But it is usually more expensive.
Hi Simon,
You stated, "All Galaxy Note 10 devices sold in the USA." How about the Galaxy Note 10 plus devices sold in the USA?
Thanks.
It includes Note 10+. The US market is dominated by big carriers, who do not like dual SIM phones (they can make more money by bundling phone and mobile plans). So most manufacturers have to disable it if they want to sell the devices in the US.
The dual SIM version of Galaxy Note 10 (and Note 10+) were brought in by some parallel importers. They have no US warranty (Samsung does not offer international warranty) and may not work on some US bands/frequencies.
How do I get the phone to connect to sim 2 as a preference
In Settings - Connections - SIM card manager, you can set the preferred (default) SIM card for calls and mobile data. For SMS, there are always two send buttons when you are using two SIM cards.
Hi,
I recently got a Korean version of the Aura Glow 12GB RAM 512GB Note 10+ 5G. To my surprise when I got the phone, my sim card tray had space to insert a second sim card (cutout was there). Is there a possible firmware update in the future that will read both cards or is the tray just not the right one for this phone?!… I find it odd to have the space for the sim, yet the phone will currently not read the card when inserted. Almost as if the hardware is ready, but the Android OS version on this model is not...
Please advise.
Nope. The 5G version only supports one SIM card. As I know, there is no way to use two sim cards on the 5G version of all Samsung phones.