Apple iPhone 12eSIM Support and Specs

Use this if your order page or app provides an iOS Universal Link or direct eSIM installation link. This is usually the easiest method because it can open iPhone eSIM setup directly.

1. Open your encryptSIM order page on the iPhone 12.
2. Tap the iOS eSIM installation button or link.
3. When iPhone asks to activate the new eSIM, tap Activate.
4. Tap Continue if iPhone asks for confirmation.
5. Follow the on-screen setup.
6. Label the eSIM as encryptSIM.
7. Set Cellular Data / Mobile Data to encryptSIM.
8. Turn on Data Roaming.

Use this method if you have the eSIM QR code on another phone, computer, tablet, or printed page.

Step 1: Open eSIM settings

On your iPhone 12, go to:

Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data - Add eSIM

Depending on region or language, the menu may say Cellular, Mobile Data, Mobile Service, Add eSIM, Add Cellular Plan, or Add Mobile Data Plan.

Step 2: Choose Use QR Code

Tap Use QR Code.

If your iPhone opens the Set Up Cellular screen, tap Scan QR Code.

Step 3: Scan your eSIM QR code

Point your iPhone 12 camera at your encryptSIM eSIM QR code.

When the phone detects the eSIM, tap Continue.

If asked for a confirmation code, enter it only if one was provided with your eSIM. Most travel eSIMs do not need a confirmation code.

If asked where you will use this eSIM, choose the option that matches the plan:

• Choose Abroad if this is a travel eSIM for another country or region.
• Choose Home if this is a local eSIM for the country or region where you live.

This choice helps iPhone set up the new line in the right context. It does not change the eSIM plan itself. You can still change the important line settings later in Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data, including the eSIM label, default voice line, cellular data line, data roaming, and whether the line is turned on.

After selecting Home or Abroad, tap Continue.

If asked which type of plan you have, choose the option that matches the eSIM:

• Choose Data Only for most travel eSIMs. This keeps calls and SMS on your normal line while the eSIM is used for mobile data.
• Choose Voice and Data only if the eSIM plan includes calling and text messaging.

You can change the active data line later in Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data.

After selecting the plan type, tap Continue.

If asked how to turn on the travel eSIM, choose the option that matches how you want to use your regular line:

• Choose Travel eSIM Only to use the travel eSIM and keep your regular line from causing roaming charges. This is the safest option for most travel data eSIM users.
• Choose Travel eSIM and Current eSIM if you need your regular number active for calls or SMS while traveling. Your carrier may charge roaming fees for calls, texts, or data on the current line.

You can change which lines are on later in Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data.

After choosing the line setup, tap Continue.

If asked about Low Data Mode, choose based on the plan:

• Tap Turn On Low Data Mode if the eSIM has a small data allowance or you want to reduce background data use while traveling.
• Tap Not Now if you want normal background data behavior and are comfortable with the plan's data allowance.

Low Data Mode can be changed later in the eSIM line settings.

If your iPhone asks for final confirmation, tap Add Cellular Plan or Add Mobile Plan.

Step 4: Wait for the eSIM to install

Your iPhone may show Activating eSIM. This can take a few minutes. Keep the phone connected to Wi-Fi and do not close Settings.

When setup is complete, tap Done if your iPhone shows a completion screen. If it goes straight back to Cellular settings with the travel eSIM already turned on, confirm the new line appears, then continue with the data roaming checks below.

Step 5: Check the installed eSIM line

After installation, iPhone may return to Cellular / Mobile Data settings. Confirm that the new eSIM line appears and is turned on.

Go to:

Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data - encryptSIM

Make sure:

• Turn On This Line is on.
• Data Roaming is on.

For most travel eSIMs, Data Roaming must be enabled for the eSIM to connect abroad.

Step 6: Check that the eSIM is working

When you arrive in your destination, make sure:

• encryptSIM is turned on.
• Cellular Data / Mobile Data is set to encryptSIM.
• Data Roaming is on for encryptSIM.
• Wi-Fi is turned off briefly to test mobile data.
• Safari can load a website.

Most users only need the steps above. Use this section if iOS shows extra setup screens or if you want to change the line name.

Rename the eSIM

Use a clear label so you can recognize the eSIM later.

Recommended label: encryptSIM

If Apple shows labels like Primary, Secondary, Travel, or Business, choose Travel or edit the custom label.

Default line, iMessage, and data switching

If iOS asks during setup:

• Keep Default Voice Line on your normal SIM or phone number unless this eSIM includes voice service.
• Keep iMessage and FaceTime on your normal number unless you specifically want to switch them.
• Set Cellular Data / Mobile Data to encryptSIM for travel data.
• Keep Allow Cellular Data Switching off unless you want iPhone to switch between lines automatically.

You can change these later in Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data.

Use this if the QR code was sent to the same iPhone by email or opened in Safari.

On iOS 17.4 or later:

1. Open the email or web page containing the QR code.
2. Tap and hold the QR code, or tap Add eSIM if iPhone detects the QR code automatically.
3. Tap Add eSIM.
4. Tap Continue.
5. Follow the on-screen steps.

Use this if QR code scanning does not work.

Step 1: Open manual entry

Go to:

Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data - Add eSIM - Use QR Code

Then tap Enter Details Manually.

Step 2: Enter the manual eSIM details

Open your encryptSIM order page or email and copy the manual installation details.

Enter:

• SM-DP+ Address: provided with your eSIM
• Activation Code: provided with your eSIM
• Confirmation Code: leave blank

Tap Next, then tap Continue.

Step 3: Finish setup

Wait for the eSIM to install, then complete the same setup choices:

• Label the eSIM as encryptSIM.
• Keep Default Line as Primary.
• Keep iMessage and FaceTime as Primary.
• Set Cellular Data / Mobile Data to encryptSIM.
• Turn on Data Roaming for encryptSIM.

Unable to Activate eSIM or setup takes too long

Try this:

• Make sure Wi-Fi is connected.
• Turn Airplane Mode on for 10-15 seconds, then off. Wait up to 1 minute for the iPhone to reconnect.
• Go to Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data and check if the eSIM appears.
• If the eSIM appears, turn the line off and on again.
• Restart the iPhone if setup is still stuck.
• Make sure the phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
• Confirm the QR code or activation code has not already been used.

eSIM is installed but internet does not work

Check:

• Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data - Cellular Data is set to encryptSIM.
• Settings - Cellular / Mobile Data - encryptSIM - Data Roaming is on.
• You are in your destination.
• Your plan has remaining data.
• Network Selection is set to Automatic.
• Try the Airplane Mode reset: turn Airplane Mode on for 10-15 seconds, then off.
• Restart the iPhone.

The user cannot see Add eSIM

Possible reasons:

• The device does not support eSIM.
• The iPhone is carrier locked.
• The iPhone model is from a region with limited eSIM support.
• iOS is outdated.
• Screen Time or mobile device management restrictions are blocking changes.

Ask the user to check Settings - General - About.

Carrier Lock should say No SIM restrictions. If EID is visible, the device has eSIM hardware.