Devices
iPhone 12 and 13 eSIM: key differences and adding a travel eSIM
Does the iPhone 12 or 12 Pro have eSIM, why the iPhone 13 was the first series with two active eSIMs, how to check your phone and how to add a travel eSIM as a second line.
Every iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 has eSIM, including the 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13 mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, except for most versions made for mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. The key difference between the generations: the iPhone 12 runs a physical SIM and one eSIM at the same time, while the iPhone 13 is the first series where two eSIMs can be active at once. You can add a travel eSIM as a second line on both, as long as the phone isn’t carrier-locked.
Do the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 have eSIM?
Yes. According to Apple at the time of their launch in 2020 and 2021, every iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 model made for most countries supports eSIM. Both series have a tray for one nano-SIM in every regional version; eSIM-only models came later, starting with the US iPhone 14. The exception is most versions for mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, which have two physical SIM slots and no eSIM.
| Series | Models | Active at the same time | Versions for China, Hong Kong and Macao |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 (2020) | 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max | nano-SIM + one eSIM | Mostly two nano-SIMs, no eSIM |
| iPhone 13 (2021) | 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max | nano-SIM + eSIM, or two eSIMs | Mostly two nano-SIMs, no eSIM |
Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 can store several eSIM profiles. The only difference is how many eSIMs can be switched on at the same time, and that’s what decides where your home number is best kept.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12: what’s different for eSIM?
The iPhone 13 is the first iPhone series with two eSIMs active at the same time, a feature known as Dual eSIM. On the iPhone 12, 12 Pro and the rest of the 12 series, a second line is only possible paired with a physical SIM: one eSIM is on, and any other profiles are stored switched off.
In practice, this matters if you’ve already moved your home number to eSIM. On the iPhone 13, your home eSIM and a travel eSIM work together. On the iPhone 12, if both are eSIMs, you have to choose: either your home number or your travel data.
- iPhone 12 with your home number on a physical SIM: the travel eSIM installs as a second line, and both work at the same time.
- iPhone 12 with your home number on eSIM: the travel eSIM won’t run alongside it; it’s better to ask your carrier to move your home number back to a physical SIM.
- iPhone 13 with your home number on a physical SIM or on eSIM: the travel eSIM installs as a second line either way.
How to check your iPhone 12 or 13 for eSIM
You can check an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 in a couple of minutes in Settings: the model number shows which market the phone was made for, and the EID confirms eSIM support.
- Dial *#06# in the Phone app. If you see an EID in addition to the IMEI, your phone has eSIM.
- Open Settings > Cellular (Mobile Data in some regions): an Add eSIM option also means support.
- Open Settings > General > About and tap Model Number to see a number in the format A-xxxx.
- Look up the model number in the specs on Apple’s website: it shows which market the version is for.
- Check the Carrier Lock line: for a travel eSIM it needs to say No SIM restrictions.
- Update iOS to the latest version available for your model; installing an eSIM on an up-to-date system is more reliable.
Can you use eSIM on an iPhone 12 or 13 at home and abroad?
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 work with eSIM at home and abroad, as long as the phone isn’t carrier-locked. Many carriers now issue eSIMs for their own plans, but the process varies and changes over time, so check your carrier’s website or app for the current steps.
For travel, the iPhone 12 and 13 have an advantage over the US iPhone 14 and later: every version has a nano-SIM tray. Your home SIM stays in the tray and receives calls and texts, while the travel eSIM handles mobile data.
Supported network bands differ between versions made for different countries. For popular destinations this is rarely an issue, but before a trip to a less common country, check your version’s specs on Apple’s website.
How to install a travel eSIM on an iPhone 12 or 13 as a second line
A travel eSIM installs the same way on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, through Settings > Cellular. It’s best to install it at home over Wi-Fi: the plan starts counting on first connection in the destination country, not when you install it.
- Check your model with the automatic compatibility check in the bot @moresim_bot.
- Buy a plan for your destination on the MoreSim website or in the bot, paying with Telegram Stars from any country, right in the bot (bank card and SBP payments currently work with cards issued in Russia).
- Get the QR code in the chat; it arrives in about 30 seconds.
- Open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and scan the code.
- Label the new line, for example with the country’s name.
- On your trip, pick the eSIM under Cellular Data and turn on data roaming for it. Turn off mobile data on your home SIM, but keep the line itself on if you’re expecting texts from your bank.
MoreSim plans are data-only, with no phone number: your home number stays on the physical SIM, and you can call through messaging apps where they aren’t restricted. The data and validity for each country are shown on its catalog page. If you run out of data, you can top up without a new eSIM: use “Top up data” on the eSIM card in your account or in the bot’s app, if top-ups are available for that plan.
Buying a used iPhone 12 or 13: what to check
When buying a used iPhone 12 or 13, check four things: the EID, the carrier lock, the series and whether the seller has signed out of their Apple ID. These phones have usually seen a few years of service, so there’s more to inspect than eSIM, but for connectivity these are the points that matter — all visible in Settings.
- EID via *#06#: versions for China, Hong Kong and Macao usually don’t have one, so a travel eSIM won’t install.
- Carrier Lock: it should say No SIM restrictions only. Carrier-locked phones turn up among iPhones from the US and other countries.
- Series: if your home number is on eSIM and you want to keep it that way, get an iPhone 13, since the iPhone 12 can’t run two eSIMs at once.
- The seller has signed out of their Apple ID, Find My is off, and any old eSIM profiles have been deleted.
If you’re choosing between an iPhone 13 and an iPhone 14, pay attention to the regional version: the US iPhone 14 no longer has a SIM tray, while the iPhone 13 has one in every version. For a summary table covering every generation, see our article on which iPhones support eSIM. If something goes wrong with the installation, MoreSim support is reachable via /support in the bot, a ticket in your account and email.
FAQ
Does every iPhone 12 have eSIM?
Almost every one: the iPhone 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max support eSIM, except for most versions made for mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, which have two nano-SIM slots instead. To check yours, dial *#06#: an EID line means it has eSIM. On the iPhone 12, a physical SIM and one eSIM can be active at the same time.
Can the iPhone 12 Pro use two eSIMs?
The iPhone 12 Pro can store several eSIM profiles, but only one eSIM can be active at a time, and the second line is the physical SIM in the tray. If your home number is already on eSIM, you’d have to switch on the travel eSIM in its place. It’s easier to keep your home number on a physical SIM and use eSIM for travel.
Does the iPhone 13 support dual eSIM?
Yes. The iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are the first iPhone series where two eSIMs can be active at the same time. You can also still use a physical SIM plus an eSIM, as before. The exception is most versions for mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, which have no eSIM.
Can I use a travel eSIM on an iPhone 12 abroad?
Yes, as long as the phone isn’t carrier-locked. A travel eSIM installs on the iPhone 12 as a second line next to your physical SIM. Every version of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, including US models, has a nano-SIM tray, so your home SIM can stay in the phone.
How do I check if my iPhone 12 or 13 has eSIM?
Dial *#06# in the Phone app: if you see an EID in addition to the IMEI, your phone has eSIM. Another way is to look for Add eSIM in Settings > Cellular (Mobile Data in some regions). The model number under Settings > General > About shows which market your version was made for.
Which is better for travel, the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 13?
Both series work with a travel eSIM, as long as the phone isn’t carrier-locked. The difference is where your home number can live: on the iPhone 12 it’s best kept on a physical SIM, while on the iPhone 13 it can also be on eSIM, since two eSIMs work at the same time.