Imessage and dual sim

So after purchasing a $1000 iPhone to use 1 iPhone for both lines, you are suggesting you still hold 2 phones?!

thats not a solution or even a workaround.. in addition, most companies disable the SIM card once u issue an esim for the same number ..

i dont think this is an option! Other Apple competitors have their dual SIM software much better and more usable from 8 years ago..

being an apple advocate, I wouldn’t simplify this design issue, specially that the hardware is compatible with much better options! apple must fix this issue...

I am not sure I understand the issue your guys are talking about. I came here to find how to reply on SMS/MMSs from the other number, and found the steps. It works flawlessly on my A2104. I use 2 different providers, I am in range, both lines at attached to a LTE carrier. Either sim can be primary, and I can reply to my SMS with either SIM. The steps worked for me all the time. Even without coverage, I tuned off the cellular network, and used only Wifi. Once iMessage is enabled, SMS can go over Wifi. So I don't see what people are complaining about here. What am I missing?

When I text people on the line that’s not imitated for iMessage. (Which means all green bubbles) the phone with often sense the other person is an iPhone and try to switch to iMessage which will then change the number that the receive my text. Even if that contact is set to always use the first phone number! Often, my person contacts get my message from my work phone number mid conversation!! Very frustrating cuz I feel like I look like a dope!

I completely agree. Apple needs to urgently work on this. Also have a similar issue with WhatsApp.

Fix this issue fast. No one told me about this and I would have bought this phone. Now I am stuck with this phone and issue. Bad thought process here on apples part. This is easy to remedy for just do it. Show u care about the user interface that is so important to the buyer and user

Have the same issue. Everything working well with my new iPhone Xr except the iMessage.

My problem is similar than the others in this topic. Start a conversation on an iMessage and following by sending text message. Just crazy. I am internationally traveling a lot switch the two lines constantly! Apple please fix this problem!!

I have the same issue and it is really frustrating to delete a whole conversation to switch the iMessage to the other line.. also why would I lose the second line phone number from send and receive iMessage?? After switching to dial sim I have to have a second iPhone always working!!!

I think this is a big issue and apple should resolve it.

Hope it might have been an issue with their development team not having the product ready and fully functional and they’re working on it to get it released. Unfortunately if it’s not part of the release notes it won’t be a feature. I think with publicity and providing frustration as customers we can hopefully push to get this implemented. I’m not convinced it’s going to be done anytime soon.

So apple community, lets keep pushing Apple to implement this.

Sadly, many countries don't offer having two SIM cards with the same number. What country are you in (and what country are the SIM cards from)? Thanks for the update and detail, and I'm glad that works for you but it won't work for most people (including me). Plus, it takes away the idea of buying a dual-SIM phone so you only need to deal with one phone.

I also have this problem! I obviously want to use both my personal and business lines with iMessage. Apple please fix this!

Everyone should send Apple feedback about this issue.

The dual sim implementation is otherwise great.

It is far more than just the IMessage issue. My phone won’t sim doesn’t show voice mail available. When someone calls if I am on one line then it goes to VM but notification shows a VM on that line.

Trying to be more specific. The esim is Att US and the main sim is Rogers Canada. I can’t see that there is a VM in the Canadian sim. I have to randomly call my cell and check if there are any Vm’s

Prior to this I had 2 phones one Att US one Rogers Canadian when someone leaves a VM there was a notification in the phone that there is a VM. Now I only see the notification for the Esim number but not the main sim #.

How do we work around that. Right now as I noted I randomly check my vm on my Canadian sim #.

I believe the reason you can not use iMessage with Dualsim is because your Esim doesn't have data connectivity. Not sure if you noticed but if your data on your main line isn't working but your secondary number is, that you still don't have data on your phone. Since iMessage needs data to send it will never send as an iMessage.

Might be why I started the comment with “I BELIEVE”. But doesn’t explain that fact that one of my friends phone service was shut off so I allowed her to use one of my extra numbers with an esim and data didn’t work. So excuse me for stating a thought that might not be correct.

@Iroten Ok, the thread was under the iMessage topic/subject, but I get what you are saying. So, I was curious and went to find a few things trying to replicate this as much as possible. I tested using Telus from Canada, and Truphone from the US.

Messages went out find. I sent message to contacts using either SIM. The right ID was displayed at the other end.

Both, using iMessage, not SMS. Each line was registered with the iPhone. iMessage and FaceTime worked.

Now, calls. If on a call on one line, the second goes to voicemail. That was not unexpected. After all, DSDS.

I then took a Samsung Galaxy Note 9, dual SIM. Tested with AT&T and Fido.

Guess what? Same thing. I was able to send / receive texts via SMS on either line, but also unable to get calls on both lines. Even with the option "Dual SIM always on", calls would not go through on the standby sim. Hence, why those devices are DSDS, or dual sim, dual standby, not dual active.

I didn't have the SIMs and Note 9 long enough to try with the reverse roaming, go on home network of the sim that was roaming, and roam on the sim that was home. I doubt the results would change though.

My only guess at this point, is a problem with the carrier of that other sim you are using, and not being properly registered for iMessage.

I hope this helps someone, It was a lot of trouble to set up and no surprises. Happy St-Patty's..... now, to green beer.