How to set a different ringtone for each SIM on iPhone (dual SIM and eSIM)

Yes, on iOS 17 and later. Apple added separate ringtones for each line of a dual-SIM iPhone in iOS 17, and the reports we found describe it working for two physical SIMs or any mix of SIM and eSIM, as long as both lines are active.

On iOS 16 and earlier, we found no per-line ringtone setting: every call used the one ringtone. If you are on an older version, updating iOS is the simplest fix; the contact-based route further down works on any version.

The menu names can change between iOS versions, so if yours looks different, search Settings for “Ringtone”.

1. 1Open Settings and tap Sounds & Haptics.
2. 2Tap Ringtone. With two active lines, you should see them listed by their labels, such as Primary and Secondary or the names you gave them.
3. 3Tap the first line and pick a tone.
4. 4Go back and repeat for the second line with a different tone.
5. 5Ask someone to call each number once to confirm which tone plays.

If you only see one Ringtone row, check that both lines are switched on under Settings › Cellular (or Mobile Service) and that you are on iOS 17 or later.

Only tones in your ringtone list appear in that menu, so a custom tone has to be added first. It must be under 30 seconds. Once it is in the list, it shows under Ringtones and you can choose it for either line.

A practical pattern is to leave the personal line on a standard tone and give the work line something distinctive that you will notice in a pocket, such as a short sound that does not resemble anything else you hear.

Our guide on changing your ringtone covers the steps for the usual route, and the custom vibration guide shows how to add a matching vibration.

• Give the tone to people instead of lines. Our guide on setting a ringtone for one contact shows how. This tells you who is calling rather than which of your numbers they dialled, but for a work line it often amounts to the same thing.
• Update to iOS 17 or later if your iPhone supports it.
• Check that the second number is a real cellular line. Apps that give you a second number do not appear as a SIM in Settings, and their calls use the app’s own sound.

Ringsy does not choose which line uses a tone; that last step is always yours, in Settings. What it does is make the tone. Pick a song file, a video’s soundtrack or a recording, trim it on the waveform and tap “Save & set as ringtone”, which on iOS 26 opens the share sheet with “Use as Ringtone”. On iOS 17–18 it walks you through GarageBand.

Making a tone is available on the free plan, which includes two exported ringtones. Ringsy Unlimited is a one-time purchase with no subscription.

• Per-SIM ringtones: Settings › Sounds & Haptics › Ringtone, on iOS 17 and later.
• Both lines must be active; we found no such setting on iOS 16 or earlier.
• A custom tone must be under 30 seconds and in your ringtone list first.
• Calls through apps use the app’s own sound, not the SIM ringtone.