eSIM Agent

iPhone 12 mini eSIM Setup & Compatibility — 2026

Released Nov 2020 on iOS. Current OS: iOS 26.

iPhone 12 mini supports eSIM

How many eSIMs can it hold?

Stored
8
Active
2
Dual eSIM
No

How to install an eSIM on iPhone 12 mini

Scan QR Code

  1. 1

    Open Settings

    Go to Settings > Cellular > Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM. On UK/EU/AU iPhones the menu is labelled 'Mobile Service' instead of 'Cellular' — same path.

  2. 2

    Use QR Code

    Tap 'Use QR Code' and scan the code from your eSIM provider

  3. 3

    Add Cellular Plan

    Tap 'Continue' then 'Add Cellular Plan' (or 'Add Mobile Plan'). Enter the confirmation code if your provider supplied one.

  4. 4

    Label the line

    Choose a label such as 'Travel' so you can identify the eSIM later

  5. 5

    Pick default lines

    Choose which line handles calls, iMessage/FaceTime and Cellular Data (or 'Mobile Data')

Enter activation code manually

  1. 1

    Open Settings

    Go to Settings > Cellular (or 'Mobile Service' in the UK/EU/AU) > Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM

  2. 2

    Use QR Code screen

    Tap 'Use QR Code', then 'Enter Details Manually' at the bottom

  3. 3

    Enter SM-DP+ details

    Paste the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code from your provider

  4. 4

    Add Cellular Plan

    Tap 'Next' then 'Add Cellular Plan' (or 'Add Mobile Plan')

  5. 5

    Label and assign

    Label the line and pick default lines for calls, iMessage and data

Carrier Activation (auto)

  1. 1

    Wait for the carrier push

    After purchasing service, your iPhone shows a banner such as 'Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed' (or 'Mobile Plan Ready to Be Installed' on UK/EU iOS)

  2. 2

    Tap the notification

    Or open Settings and tap the same banner at the top

  3. 3

    Continue

    Tap 'Continue' on the activation screen and wait for the line to activate

  4. 4

    Verify service

    Make a test call. If replacing a nano-SIM, remove it and restart the iPhone.

Quick Transfer from another Apple device

  1. 1

    Open Settings on the new iPhone

    Go to Settings > Cellular (or 'Mobile Service' on UK/EU/AU iOS) > Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM. Place the old iPhone nearby with Bluetooth on.

  2. 2

    Transfer From Nearby iPhone

    Tap 'Transfer From Nearby iPhone' (or pick the listed phone number)

  3. 3

    Confirm on the old iPhone

    Approve the prompt that appears on your old device. Enter the verification code if asked.

  4. 4

    Wait for activation

    The new iPhone activates the line automatically and the old SIM stops working. Requires iOS 18.4+ on both devices.

Apple eSIM troubleshooting

Why does my iPhone say 'Mobile Service' instead of 'Cellular'?

Apple uses different labels depending on the iPhone's language and region. US English shows 'Cellular' and 'Cellular Data'; UK English, Irish English, Australian English, and most other English-speaking locales show 'Mobile Service' and 'Mobile Data'. The menu path and behaviour are identical — only the wording changes.

"Cellular Plan Cannot Be Added" — what now?

This is almost always carrier lock. Check Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock — it must read "No SIM restrictions." If it does not, contact the original carrier to unlock the device. Also confirm iOS is current under Settings > General > Software Update and you are on a stable Wi-Fi network.

QR code will not scan

QR codes from eSIM providers are single-use. If you have already scanned it once it will not work again — request a new code from the provider, or use Enter Details Manually with the SM-DP+ address and activation code.

No service after installing eSIM

Toggle Airplane Mode on and off, then open Settings > Cellular (or 'Mobile Service'), disable and re-enable the new line. Check Settings > General > About for a carrier settings update. If still no service, restart the iPhone and confirm Data Roaming is on for travel eSIMs.

How do I transfer my eSIM to a new iPhone?

On the new iPhone go to Settings > Cellular (or 'Mobile Service') > Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM > Transfer From Nearby iPhone. Both devices need iOS 18.4+, Bluetooth on, and the same Apple Account. iOS 26 also supports Android → iPhone transfer on select carriers.

How do I delete an eSIM?

Settings > Cellular (or 'Mobile Service'), tap the line you want to remove, scroll down and tap Delete eSIM (or Remove Cellular Plan on older iOS). Deleting on-device does not cancel the carrier plan — you still need to contact the provider to stop billing.

How many eSIMs can my iPhone hold?

Every eSIM-capable iPhone (XS and later) can store eight or more eSIM profiles, with two lines active simultaneously. iPhone 13 and later can run two eSIMs active at once — earlier models needed one physical SIM as the second line.

Other Apple models

iPhone 17e

2026

iPhone Air

2025

iPhone 17 Pro Max

2025

iPhone 17 Pro

2025

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