Android may soon make it easier to tell work calls from personal ones on dual-SIM phones, thanks to a native ringtone feature that appears to be in development. The idea is simple: assign a different ringtone to each SIM so incoming calls can be identified instantly, even before the screen is checked.
The clearest sign of this work comes from Android Canary 2604, where Android Authority found references to support for per-SIM ringtones. The feature is not active yet, but code discovered in the test build suggests Google is laying the groundwork for it.
A small change with a practical impact
For people who use one number for work and another for private use, call identification can still be awkward. When a phone is in a pocket, face down on a desk, or out of reach, the ringtone alone often becomes the only immediate clue.
That is why per-SIM alert tones matter. A separate ringtone for each SIM would let users know which line is ringing without unlocking the phone or checking notifications first. In daily use, that can save time and reduce confusion.
What was found in the Android build
The clue appears to come from a string labeled “sim_ringtone_pref_purpose.” The description tied to it says users would be able to choose and assign a unique ringtone to a specific SIM card.
Findings like this usually indicate that a feature is being built at the system level. Still, code references do not guarantee a public release, and the feature was not usable in the build where it was spotted.
Not new to Android phones, just new to Android itself
While this would be a native Android feature, the capability already exists on some phones through manufacturer software. OnePlus, Oppo, and Motorola are mentioned as brands that already provide different ringtones for different SIM cards through their own interfaces.
If Google adds the same option into Android directly, the experience could become more consistent across devices. That would also matter for Pixel users, who are generally closer to the stock Android experience than devices with heavier custom interfaces.
Why users have long wanted this option
Dual-SIM phones are common, but the software experience has not always made line separation easy. A call can still arrive without an immediate audio cue that identifies which number was used, especially when the phone is not being actively watched.
That limitation is especially noticeable for users who split personal and professional communication between two SIMs. In that setup, a built-in ringtone distinction is less of a novelty and more of a practical daily tool.
Still early, with no release confirmation
Google has not announced when, or even whether, the feature will reach public users. For now, the strongest evidence remains the code in Android Canary 2604 and the specific description attached to the feature name.
There is speculation that the function could arrive with Android 17, but that remains unconfirmed. Google I/O is expected in May 2026 and may offer more clarity, although nothing official has been said yet.
Until Google activates the feature or speaks publicly about it, per-SIM ringtone support remains an early development signal rather than a finished product. For now, it stands out as one of those modest Android additions that could make everyday phone use noticeably more efficient.
Source: gadgets.beebom.com
