Methods and devices are disclosed for enabling efficient service acquisition on multiple SIMs of a multi-SIM wireless communication device. After both SIMs have lost service, or after initial power up of the wireless device, the wireless device may detect radio frequency channels associated with wireless networks of all SIMs, and determine whether the strongest received radio frequency channel matches a preferred network of any SIM. Upon detecting a match, the wireless device may awaken that SIM and automatically camp that SIM on cell of the matched radio frequency channel. In this manner, the wireless device may avoid repetition typically involved in acquiring service on multiple SIMs.