Two SIMs on new iPhone: Mobile data & Primary Line

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dafman

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#323328 18-Nov-2025 17:23

I am on a One mobile plan and recently set up a new iPhone 17.

I transferred physical SIM from old phone and set up new phone using iCloud back up.

After set up, the new phone shows two SIMs: (1) Mobile Data (2) Primary Line

The Primary Line is shown as an E-SIM.

Often when sending messages or similar, the phone prompts me to ask which SIM I want to use which is annoying.

Qu: Why did set up create an E-SIM in addition to physical?

Qu: Can I turn one off so I don’t keep getting prompted on which one to use?

Jiriteach

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#3435702 18-Nov-2025 17:27

Need to determine which one its useing.

Check what Mobile Data is set to using
Check what the Default Voice Line is set to using

Make sure both are the same and test these. Turn off the SIM which is not being used.

Test again.

If all good - then you can remove or delete the unused one.

Sounds like its converted your Physical to an eSIM upon setup. Only 1 would be active since you cannot have two sims with the same number.

If you check those two and confirm which one then either remove or delete the other.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

dafman

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#3435762 18-Nov-2025 17:57

Thanks. Both voice and mobile were set to the Primary SIM - which is the One E-SIM.

I changed both to the Mobile Data SIM, physical SIM, but phone calls failed so I had to revert back to Primary E-SIM.

I then removed physical SIM which removed Mobile Data SIM from the phone , leaving the single mobile data E-SIM.

Phone works fine for both data and voice calls on the One E-SIM.

Maybe One NZ are phasing out physical SIMs with new phone set ups?

Jiriteach

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#3435809 18-Nov-2025 20:33

Great to hear. eSIM’s are certainly the way forward (migrating from physical that is). More and more devices will soon not even have physical sim slots.

Just got the latest M5 iPad Pro from One NZ and it has no physical sim slot - requires eSIM.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal