Does the iPhone 12 Have eSIM?
Yes — iPhone 12, mini, Pro and Pro Max support eSIM on compatible regional models. Mainland-China models have no eSIM; Hong Kong and Macao models use two physical SIMs except the 12 mini, which supports eSIM.
Before buying a travel eSIM
- Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock should say ‘No SIM restrictions’. If it does not, contact your home carrier; eSIM hardware alone does not mean the phone is unlocked.
- Compare your model and purchase region with the table below. A second IMEI can belong to a physical SIM and does not prove eSIM support.
- Choose plans for your destination and check coverage, validity and what starts the activation clock. Install over Wi-Fi following the instructions for the plan you bought.
Want to try Wanderly first? Read the free eSIM trial requirements, including account eligibility, supported coverage and the no-charge card check, before claiming.
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.
If your home number already uses an eSIM, you cannot keep it active alongside a second travel eSIM on an iPhone 12. You can switch between stored eSIMs, or ask your home carrier about a physical nano-SIM if you need both lines active.
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 |
| iPhone 12 / Pro / Pro Max (Hong Kong, Macao) | No eSIM — dual physical nano-SIM |
| iPhone 12 mini (Hong Kong, Macao) | eSIM supported |
Check your exact iPhone 12 model number
Open Settings > General > About and tap Model Number to reveal the A-number. Match it below, then check Carrier Lock says “No SIM restrictions”. An EID confirms eSIM hardware; it does not confirm that your carrier has unlocked the phone.
| Model | eSIM-capable A-numbers | No eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 | A2172, A2402, A2403 | A2404 |
| iPhone 12 mini | A2176, A2398, A2399 | A2400 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | A2341, A2406, A2407 | A2408 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | A2342, A2410, A2411 | A2412 |
The 12 mini is the Hong Kong and Macao exception: A2399 supports eSIM there. Its mainland-China A2400 version does not. An eSIM-capable model still needs to be carrier-unlocked for a Wanderly plan.
Regional caveats and limits
- Mainland-China models have no eSIM hardware.
- Hong Kong and Macao iPhone 12, Pro and Pro Max use two physical SIMs; the 12 mini supports eSIM there.
- 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.
Roaming is set per line, so it has to be enabled on the travel eSIM rather than your home number. See how to turn on data roaming for the exact path on iPhone and Android. Moving to a different handset later? Read how to transfer an eSIM to a new phone first. Travel eSIM transfers depend on the plan; contact support before deleting a profile because its QR code may not be reusable.
Once your exact iPhone 12 model and region are confirmed compatible and the phone is unlocked, compare coverage and activation rules for trips to Iceland eSIM, Spain eSIM, Portugal eSIM, Italy eSIM, Germany eSIM or Australia eSIM. Browse all destinations.
Sources and verification
Compatibility details were last verified on October 14, 2026 against official manufacturer documentation. Regional carrier restrictions can still vary by model number and where the device was purchased.
Need help identifying the eSIM hardware? Read what an EID number is and where to find it.
Apple: Dual SIM with an eSIMApple: Models with two nano-SIM cardsApple: Identify your iPhone modelApple: Find your model numberApple: Check your iPhone's carrier lockFrequently asked questions
Does the iPhone 12 have eSIM?
Yes on compatible regional models. Mainland-China models do not; Hong Kong and Macao iPhone 12, Pro and Pro Max use two physical SIMs, while the 12 mini supports eSIM there.
Does the iPhone 12 Pro Max support eSIM?
Yes on A2342, A2410 and A2411 models. The A2412 model sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao uses physical SIMs without eSIM. Supported models run one eSIM and one nano-SIM together, and must be unlocked for a travel plan.
Can I keep my home eSIM active with a travel eSIM on iPhone 12?
No. The iPhone 12, mini, Pro and Pro Max allow only one active eSIM. You can switch between stored profiles, but two simultaneous lines require one physical nano-SIM and one eSIM on a supported regional model.
Does the iPhone 12 mini have eSIM?
Yes outside mainland China, including Hong Kong and Macao. It runs one eSIM alongside a physical nano-SIM. The phone must be carrier-unlocked for a Wanderly travel plan.
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.
How many eSIMs can the iPhone 12 have?
You can store eight or more eSIM profiles on an iPhone 12, but only one of them can be active at a time, alongside the physical nano-SIM.
Does the iPhone 12 support eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?
Yes. The iPhone 12 runs one eSIM and one nano-SIM simultaneously (Dual SIM Dual Standby), so a travel plan and your home number can both be live.
Once your iPhone 12 is confirmed compatible and unlocked, compare travel plans by destination. On phones with Dual SIM, you can keep your home line enabled; your home carrier may charge for calls, texts or roaming.
Browse plans by destinationNot sure which iPhones support eSIM?
Our full breakdown covers every eSIM-capable iPhone model and how to check yours.
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- Full eSIM compatibility list