Galaxy S10 SIM card guide

You need to insert a SIM card to Galaxy S10 SIM card tray to use the mobile network (voice, SMS, and mobile data).

In the Galaxy S10 box, a SIM card is not included (although the SIM card tray ejection pin is included). You have to get one from the carrier. Of course, it is not free.

This Galaxy S10 how-to guide explains everything you need to know about Galaxy S10 SIM card: the size of the SIM card used in Galaxy S10, add or change the SIM card for Galaxy S10, check mobile network connections on Galaxy S10, use the SIM card tray for the single-SIM and dual SIM versions of Galaxy S10.

Please note that 5G support is only available on Galaxy S10 5G.

What is the SIM card size for Galaxy S10?

Galaxy S10 (all 4 models, Galaxy S10, S10e, S10+, and Galaxy S10 5G) requires a nano-SIM card, which is the smallest SIM card currently.

Most phone companies now offer 3-in-1 SIM cards, as illustrated below. You can detach the smallest part and use it on Galaxy S10.

After detaching the nano-SIM card, do not throw away plastic parts, which can be used as a SIM card adapter for old devices that may require a micro or even mini-SIM card.

You can use the existing SIM card for Galaxy S10 if you migrated to Galaxy S10 from any of the following phones,

• Samsung Galaxy S6, S7, S8, and S9 and all their variants (e.g., S9+, S8+, S7 edge, S6 edge, and S6 edge+).
• Samsung Galaxy Note 5,  Note 7 FE, Note 8, and Note 9.
• 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 (all variants), V10, V20, V30 and V40.
• Many other phones released after 2016.

If you are not sure whether you can use your existing SIM card on Galaxy S10, please post your phone model in the comments box below. We will try to check it for you.

Due to the size difference, you must use a nano-SIM on Galaxy S10. The SIM card tray was designed for this SIM card size only.

If your old SIM card is a micro SIM card,  and your carrier charges 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 usually use a specialized clipper,  which is more accurate and safer than your scissors.

If your old SIM card is a mini-SIM card, you need to check with the handphone shop. Some old mini-SIM cards have larger metal parts than nano-SIM cards. If this is the case, then you cannot trim it to a nano-SIM card. You have to change the SIM card through your carrier.

What is the dual SIM version of Galaxy S10?

Regardless of the memory, storage, and color, Galaxy S10 (except S10 5G) has two versions:

• Single SIM version. You can only use one SIM card.
• Dual SIM version. You can use up to two SIM cards on the phone.

The single SIM version is mainly sold in the US. If you bought the Galaxy S10 phone from any US carriers (carrier model),  your Galaxy S10 should be a single SIM version.

In most of the other regions, Galaxy S10 is usually the dual SIM version.

Galaxy S10 5G will only have a single SIM version in all regions.

The difference between the single SIM and dual SIM versions of Galaxy S10 in two aspects:

• Hardware. The SIM card tray and the metal contact parts inside the phone are different. The SIM card tray for the single SIM card version of Galaxy S10 can only hold one SIM card in slot 1, and the slot 2 can only hold a micro SD card.
• Software. In the single SIM version of Galaxy S10, there are no options for the second SIM card.

So, you cannot convert a single SIM version of Galaxy S10 into a dual SIM version.  Even if you can flash the software, you cannot change the metal parts inside the phone.

Please read this guide on how to use two SIM cards on the dual SIM version of Galaxy S10 and how to make both SIM cards always available.

How to use the two slots in the Galaxy S10 SIM card tray?

There are two slots in the SIM card tray.

Slot 1 in the SIM card tray is always for the SIM card.  You can put a SIM card in slot 1.

Slot 2 can always hold a micro SD card. And for the dual SIM version of the Galaxy S10, you can also use slot 2 to hold the second SIM card. But the slot (slot 2) can hold only one card at any time.

For the single SIM version of Galaxy S10, you can use the tray in the following way.

For the dual SIM version of Galaxy S10, you have two options.  You can use the SIM card tray as illustrated below.

If you are using two SIM cards, you may follow this guide.

How to insert and change the SIM card?

If you want to insert, replace, or change the SIM Card for Galaxy S10, you may follow the following steps (marked in the animation below as well).

Step 0: Power off Galaxy S10

Although it is not required, it is recommended to power off Galaxy S10 before adding or replacing the SIM card.

Step 1: eject the SIM card tray

You should insert the ejection pin, which can be found in the Galaxy S10 box, into the hole of the SIM card tray (see Galaxy S10 layout) as shown in the animation below.

You need to apply some force so that Galaxy S10 SIM card tray can be ejected.

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

Please note, if you are using any official Galaxy S10 covers, e.g., Galaxy S10 LED back cover, Galaxy S10 LED View cover, Galaxy S10 S-View flip cover, you need to remove the cover.  The SIM card tray is covered by these covers.

Step 2: Pull out of  Galaxy S10 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 S10, you have to put the SIM card into slot 1.

For the dual-SIM version, 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.

Of course, 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 SIM 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.

Placing the SIM card in the wrong way may damage the phone.

Step 4: Secure SIM card in Galaxy S10 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 can now power on the phone.

It may ask you to reboot the phone one more time if some SIM card-related phone settings must be changed.

How to check mobile network connection type and signal strength in Galaxy S10?

Sometimes, you may have problems making calls or using mobile data with Galaxy S10.

If this happens, you can check the mobile network connection status to figure out the possible causes. It may save you a trip to the service center.

Sometimes, you may figure out the cause from the status icon on the status bar.

In Galaxy S10 Settings, tap About phone, as shown in the screenshot below.

In the About phone page, tap Status as shown above to check Galaxy S10 connection status.

In the Status page, tap SIM card status to check the mobile network connection status of the phone.

Now, as shown in the screenshot above, you can find out the SIM card connection status.

If you are using two SIM cards, you can tap SIM 1 or SIM 2 (you can rename them as explained in this guide to check the connection status for the two SIM cards individually.

Normally, you need to check the following:

• Mobile network state.  If the mobile data connection is established, the state should be connected. But when you are using WiFi, or when you turn off mobile data, or when you enabled mobile data in the other SIM card, then the state should be disconnected.
• Service state. The service state indicates whether the SIM card is registered successfully in the network and whether the services are activated.
• Signal strength. The mobile signal strength affects voice quality, data connection speed, and battery life. Generally, the higher the ASU number, the better. Of course, the signal quality may also play an important role.  If the signal is too weak, you need to feedback to the carrier.
• Mobile voice network type.
• Mobile data network type.

Please note only your carrier can remedy any mobile network-related issues.  Do not use a signal booster or other devices unless you know what you are doing.

Does Galaxy S10 require a SIM card?

No, you can use the phone without a SIM card.

Without a SIM card, you will have to use WiFi or an Ethernet adapter to connect to the Internet.  Of course, there will be no phone or mobile data services.

Basically, you will use Galaxy S10 as a small wifi only tablet.

This is not a wise decision because the tablet is far cheaper with similar configurations (although they are bigger).

How to convert the single-SIM version Galaxy S10 to a dual-SIM version one?

Do NOT waste time and energy.

If you need to use two SIM cards on a single phone, you should try to get a dual SIM version.

Can I use two SIM cards plus a micro SD card in the dual-SIM version of Galaxy S10?

You probably watched some video guides on how to use two SIM cards AND a micro SD card in a dual-SIM version Galaxy S10.

But I would not recommend you to try it because it may damage the SIM card (and the SD card). The added thickness may cause some damage to the hardware inside.

If you use an external adapter, you lose waterproofing for Galaxy S10. And it is awkward to place the external adapter. Even worse, it is not very reliable.

Do you know how to use SIM card on Galaxy S10 now? Do you understand the differences between the single SIM and dual SIM versions of Galaxy S10?

If you have any questions about using SIM cards on Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, or S1o 5G, or using the Galaxy S10 SIM card tray, please let us know in the comment box below.

The community will help you find the answer.

If you have questions on the new features of Samsung Galaxy S10, please check Galaxy S10 new features guides page.

For using Galaxy S10, please check Galaxy S10 how-to guides page.

You can find detailed guides for using the Galaxy S1o camera in Galaxy S10 camera guides page.

To find and use accessories for Galaxy S10, please check Galaxy S10 accessories guides page.

To read and download the official Samsung Galaxy S10 user guides (in PDF format) in your local language, please check Galaxy S10 user guides page.

Also, do not forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest update on Galaxy S10.

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