How to use two eSIMs in an iPhone to balance data usage

Apple offers a switch that can help when you're roaming with multiple networks that have different coverage and data limits.

- GLENN FLEISHMAN

If you have an iPhone or iPad that supports two cellular calling plans at once, that gives you an option letting your device draw from both connections when it's useful. iPhones and iPads released in the last few years with a physical SIM slot let you add a second as an eSIM. The iPhone 13 and later can also use two eSIMs instead of a physical SIM, while iPhone 14 models sold in the U.S. only have eSIM support (for one or two in use at a time).

You might use a second SIM in your home region if each network subscription has different capabilities, such as nonlocal free voice calling or data limits based on network coverage. However, it's most likely you'd install another SIM for travel away from your home region or country, as I did recently when I went to Central Europe.