iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max eSIM support
Yes — the whole iPhone 12 family supports eSIM: 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max. One active eSIM runs alongside the physical SIM. The generation's one quirk, 5G being unavailable in dual-SIM mode, was fixed by a software update years ago.
What this device can do
The facts first, then why each one matters on a trip.
eSIM supportYes
Your plan arrives by email and installs without touching the SIM tray.
eSIM profiles storedMultiple — enough that you never need to delete an old one
Stored profiles cost nothing: last trip's eSIM can stay on the phone without deleting anything.
Active at the same time1 eSIM, alongside the physical SIM
Your home number stays reachable while our eSIM carries the data. Two travel eSIMs cannot run together — you switch in Settings.
Physical SIM trayYes, in every region
A physical local SIM stays available as a fallback, though you will not need one.
Dual SIM combinationsPhysical + eSIM only
The standard travel setup works; an all-eSIM setup does not on this generation.
eSIM Quick TransferYes on iOS 16 or later; whether your home line moves without a carrier call depends on the carrier
Sort your home line's transfer before departure, not at the gate.
iOS requirementSupported out of the box (ships with iOS 14); iOS 14.5+ for 5G in dual-SIM mode
An up-to-date iOS makes eSIM installs smoother and the menus match our instructions.
Hotspot on the eSIM lineYes
Your laptop or travel partner can share the plan; hotspot use counts against the data allowance.
5GYes — update iOS for 5G with two lines active
At launch 5G switched off in dual-SIM mode; a long-since-released update fixed it.
What is specific to the 12 generation
The 12 was the first 5G iPhone, and at launch 5G did not work while two lines were active — the phone dropped to 4G in dual-SIM mode. Apple fixed this in an update (iOS 14.5), so on any remotely current iOS version you get 5G with your home SIM and travel eSIM both live. If a 12 has sat in a drawer since 2020, update it before the trip.
eSIM capacity is the same as earlier generations: several stored, one active at a time alongside the physical SIM.
Mainland-China 12 models shipped without eSIM. The *#06# dial-pad check settles it: an EID line means eSIM.
Check and install
Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM (older iOS: Add Cellular Plan) confirms support in ten seconds. The phone must be carrier-unlocked.
Your eSIMion eSIM arrives by email with a tap-to-install link, a QR code, and manual details. Full step-by-step on the iPhone guide below.