dual SIM

How to use two SIM cards on Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra?

In most regions, you can use two SIM cards on Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra if you choose not to use a micro SD card.

The dual-SIM version of Galaxy S10 can work in dual-standby mode. The two SIM cards share (time-sharing) one modem and therefore the dual SIM version of Galaxy S10 does not support dual active mode.

This Galaxy S10 how-to guide explains how to use two SIM cards on Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra, how to enable and use dual SIM always on and how to use SIM card manager to set preferred SIM cards for calls, messages, and mobile data.

Please note, Galaxy S10 5G only supports one SIM card in all regions. So, in this guide, Galaxy S10 refers to Galaxy S10, S10e, and S10+ only.

Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra (both 5G and 4G variants) have a dua-SIM version. You can also use two SIM cards on these phones. This guide also applies to these Galaxy S20 phones as well.

Who can use two SIM cards on Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra?

In most regions of Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, Galaxy S10 (except S10 5G) supports two SIM cards (dual SIM version).

You can use two SIM cards concurrently. In some countries, some carriers charge excessively for mobile data if the SIM card can also make calls. Some bundle very limited mobile data with voice plans. In this case, you can use one SIM card for calls, one for mobile data.

Or when travelling, you can use one SIM card issued in your home country and the other one from a local carrier. In this way will not miss important calls and messages without paying excessive roaming voice and data fees.

You can also use one SIM card for work-related communications, and the other for private affairs.

To use two SIM cards on Galaxy S10, you need to have a dual SIM version of Galaxy S10. As mentioned, unless you bought Galaxy S10 in North America, your Galaxy S10 (S10, S10+, and S10e) is very likely the dual SIM version.

How to check whether the Galaxy S10 is a dual SIM version or a single SIM version?

If you are not sure, check the IMEI number in Galaxy S10 Settings —About phone.

As shown in the screenshot below, if there are two IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers, it means it is a dual SIM version of Galaxy S10, and you can use two SIM cards.

Also, if the model number has a suffix of /DS as shown in the screenshot, it also indicates it is a dual SIM version of Galaxy S10.

Of course, on the box of Galaxy S10, the dual SIM version is usually stated as Duos.

The limitations of Galaxy S10 dual SIM capabilities

For dual SIM phones, there are two variants: dual standby, and dual … Read the rest

Meaning of Galaxy S10 status icons and notification icons

simon · 37 Comments

You need to understand the meaning of the Galaxy S10 status icons and notification icons to get some quick information on the system status and health.

This Galaxy S10 how-to guide explains the differences between Galaxy S10 status icons and notification icons, how to customize the notifications in the status bar, and the meaning of Galaxy S10 status icons and notification icons in Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e.

Please note, in some regions or carriers, the status icon on Galaxy S10 may be slightly different.

If you want to customize or disable notification icons in Galaxy S10 status bar, you may check this guide.

What is the difference between Galaxy S10 status icons and notification icons?

Like other Android phones, Galaxy S10 uses the top part of the screen as a status bar to display status icons and notification icons. These icons tell you something about the system or inform you about unread or on-going notifications.

The status bar appears on all screens in Galaxy S10, including Galaxy S10 Home screen, apps screes, lock screen, and all apps.

The icons in the Galaxy S10 status bar are usually classified as notification icons and status icons.

As shown in the screenshot below, the Galaxy S10 notification icons are in the left side of the status bar. The Galaxy S10 status icons are on the right side of the status bar.

Please note, due to camera cutout on Galaxy S10, the status icon are aligned to the left side of the cutout, not to the right edge of the screen. If you use Galaxy S10 virtual bezel to hide the front camera cutout, the status icons will be aligned to the right side.

The differences between Galaxy S10 status icons and notification icons are

Galaxy S10 status icons are always related to the system; while Galaxy S10 notification icons are usually linked to specific apps (including a few system apps and third-party apps).
Galaxy S10 status icons are normally shown on the right side of the status bar; while Galaxy S10 notification icons always appear on the left side of the status bar.
Galaxy S10 status icons are more or less universal in all regions; while Galaxy S10 notification icons depend on individual apps, whose developers can use whatever they want.
Galaxy S10 status icons normally do not have any corresponding notifications in the notification panel; while Galaxy S10 notification icons usually have one or more corresponding notifications in the notification panel.
You can customize the number of Galaxy S10 notification icons shown on the Galaxy S10 status bar. But you cannot customize the number of status icons.

Please note, when an app is in the immersive full-screen mode, the status bar will be hidden temporally. You can swipe down from the top of the screen to bring up the Galaxy S10 status bar (and Galaxy S10 navigation bar if you are using Galaxy S10 navigation buttons).

Also, when you are in … Read the rest

Galaxy S10 SIM card guide

simon · 11 Comments

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.

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 part than nano-SIM card. If this is the case, then you cannot trim it to a nano-SIM card. You have to change the … Read the rest

Top 10 disappointing or missing features of Galaxy S10

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Galaxy S10, S10e, S10+, and S10 5G set the standard for the flagship smartphones in 2019. There are many new features and improvements in both hardware and software. But we also noticed some missing features of Galaxy S10.

Galaxy S10 (all 4 models) are far from perfect. There are some missing features in all 4 Galaxy S10 phones. Some features may also be very disappointing.

This post summarizes the top 10 disappointing and missing features of Galaxy S10.

#1. Iris scanner is gone: the most disappointing and missing feature of Galaxy S10

Iris scanner was first introduced in the explosive Galaxy Note 7. Most owners did not get the chance to try it before the phone was recalled, and re-recalled.

In Galaxy S8 (and S8+), the iris scanner works reasonably well. Many Galaxy S8 owners actually used the iris scanner because of the awkward location of the fingerprint scanner.

Obviously, the iris scanner was improved dramatically in Galaxy S9. It is faster than all other unlocking methods including the fingerprint scanner because of the less-ideal location and smaller size of the fingerprint scanner. If you are using a case or cover for Galaxy S9 or S9, it is not easy to reach the fingerprint scanner.

When more and more owners realized and started to enjoy this unlock feature, Samsung removed it from Galaxy S10. You have to use your face (face recognition) or fingerprint reader to unlock Galaxy S10 if you do not want to type the PIN/password.

None of the 4 Galaxy S10 models has the iris scanner.

The reason given by Samsung is the lack of bezel space for the iris scanner.

But if they can punch a hole for the front-facing camera(s), why cannot punch another hole for the iris scanner? Here is the Galaxy S1o layout.

Also, if you do not like the cutout (hole) for the front camera, you can use Galaxy S10 virtual bezel to hide the cutout.

#2. Freely remapping Bixby button (key): The most demanded but missing feature of Galaxy S10:

Bixby is quite good if you compare it to Siri. But if you compare it to Google Assistant, which is shipped with all Android Pie phones, Bixby is far behind.

But Samsung pushed Bixby so hard that a dedicated hardware Bixby key was introduced in Galaxy S8 and S8+, and all subsequent Galaxy phones get the button below the volume keys.

The most annoying part is that you cannot remap the button for other more useful features. e..g. Launching the Galaxy S10 camera app or using it as a camera shutter button, if you have no intention to use Bixby, or have no intention to use the Bixby button.

In Galaxy S8 and S9, you can disable the Bixby key by letting it do nothing when pressed. If you turn off Bixby Voice in Bixby settings, the long press gesture of the Bixby key will also be deactivated and do nothing.

But … Read the rest