Automatic SIM switching on dual-SIM devices: not supported natively — no workaround via Esper Console

Android

Title: Dual-SIM automatic switching not available — configuration options and workarounds

When managing dual-SIM Android devices through Esper, automatic SIM switching based on signal strength or network availability is not possible through the Esper Console or Esper Agent.

Why this happens

Automatic SIM switching is controlled by the device operating system and OEM firmware, not by MDM policy. Android exposes this capability through its SubscriptionManager and TelephonyManager APIs at the system level, and Esper does not surface policy controls for those APIs. This applies to all dual-SIM Android devices regardless of manufacturer or Android version.

What Esper does support for dual-SIM devices

While automatic switching is not available, you can use the Esper Console to:

Configure APN settings per SIM slot via Blueprints → Network Settings → APN Settings
View SIM information, including carrier name and ICCID, via Devices & Groups → [Device Name] → Device Info

Alternative approaches

Check your device OEM settings. Many dual-SIM devices include a native automatic SIM selection mode built into device firmware. Open the device's system Settings → SIM & Network (exact path varies by manufacturer) and look for an option labeled "Automatic SIM selection," "Smart SIM switching," or equivalent. Refer to your device manufacturer's documentation for the specific setting name and location.
Deploy a third-party SIM management application. A third-party SIM switching app can handle switching logic independently of Esper. Deploy the app through Apps & Configuration → App Management, then install it to the target devices or group. Before deploying to production, test the app thoroughly in your kiosk or lockdown configuration — some SIM management apps require system-level permissions that may conflict with Esper's device policy settings.
Submit a feature request. If automatic SIM switching is a critical requirement for your deployment, submit a request through the Esper Console feedback option so the product team can track demand.

Verify: After enabling OEM-level automatic SIM selection or deploying a third-party app, place the device in an area with degraded signal on the primary SIM. Confirm within a few minutes that the device has connected via the secondary SIM and that network connectivity is restored.

If this doesn't resolve it

If you have a specific dual-SIM deployment scenario that none of the above options address, contact Esper Support with the following information:

Device manufacturer, model, and Android version
Carrier and SIM configuration (which SIM slots are active)
A description of the switching behavior you need and under what conditions
Any third-party apps already tested, and the results

Still need help?

If you need assistance with SIM switching functionality on your dual-SIM devices, please submit a support ticket and include your device model, Android version, and details about your specific SIM switching use case.