Does the iPhone 12 Have eSIM?
Yes — every iPhone 12 model supports eSIM, including the mini, Pro and Pro Max, except handsets sold in mainland China.
The iPhone 12 supports Dual SIM with one physical nano-SIM and one eSIM active at the same time. Unlike the iPhone 13, it can store multiple eSIM profiles but only keep one eSIM active at once.
Check yours in Settings > General > About: an EID row means the eSIM chip is present.
iPhone 12 models and eSIM support
| Model | eSIM support |
|---|---|
| iPhone 12 | eSIM + nano-SIM (one eSIM active) |
| iPhone 12 mini | eSIM + nano-SIM (one eSIM active) |
| iPhone 12 Pro | eSIM + nano-SIM (one eSIM active) |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | eSIM + nano-SIM (one eSIM active) |
| iPhone 12 (mainland China) | No eSIM — dual physical nano-SIM |
Regional caveats and limits
- Mainland-China models have no eSIM hardware.
- Only one eSIM can be active at a time on the iPhone 12, though several can be stored.
- The phone must be carrier-unlocked for third-party travel eSIMs.
- Update to the latest iOS available for the device before installing — older builds occasionally fail profile downloads.
How to set up an eSIM on iPhone 12
- Connect to Wi-Fi and disable any VPN.
- Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan.
- Scan the QR code, or choose manual entry for the SM-DP+ address and activation code.
- Label the plan and set your default voice line to your home number.
- On arrival: set Cellular Data to the travel plan and switch on Data Roaming for that line.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone 12 have eSIM?
Yes, all iPhone 12 models support eSIM apart from those sold in mainland China.
Can the iPhone 12 use two eSIMs at once?
No. It supports one active eSIM plus one physical SIM; the iPhone 13 and later added dual-eSIM.
How do I know if my iPhone 12 supports eSIM?
Look for the EID row in Settings > General > About.
Does eSIM drain the iPhone 12's battery?
Running two active lines uses slightly more power, but the difference is small. Disable the line you are not using to save battery.
If your iPhone 12 supports eSIM, a Wanderly travel plan installs in a couple of minutes and keeps your home number active.
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