Does the iPhone 12 have a SIM card?

Where is the SIM card slot on an iPhone 12?

The iPhone 12 SIM card slot is on the left edge of the phone, just below the volume buttons. To open it, insert the SIM ejector pin that came with the phone into the small hole beside the tray or use a straightened paperclip if you don’t have the tool. All four iPhone 12 models use a physical nano-SIM, the smallest standard physical SIM card size. The SIM tray is in the same location on the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

How to remove the SIM card from an iPhone 12

Removing or inserting the SIM card on an iPhone 12 takes less than a minute if you follow these steps:

1. Power off your iPhone 12.

2. Find the SIM tray on the left edge of the phone, below the volume buttons. Look for the small pinhole beside the tray.

3. Press the SIM ejector pin straight into the hole until the tray pops out.

4. Pull the SIM tray out of the phone.

5. Place the nano-SIM in the tray with the gold contacts facing down and the notched corner aligned with the tray.

6. Slide the tray back into the phone in the same orientation.

7. Power the iPhone back on and wait for your carrier name to appear.

If you get a new iPhone and your old SIM card won’t fit, never force the SIM tray or use a cut or modified SIM card. Apple’s hardware warranty doesn’t cover damage caused by either. If you’re having trouble ejecting the SIM tray, take your phone to your carrier or an Apple Store for help. For more detailed instructions, see our guide on how to remove a SIM card from an iPhone.

Will removing the SIM card delete anything?

Removing the SIM card from an iPhone 12 doesn’t delete your personal data. Photos, messages, and apps all stay on the phone, and your iCloud-synced data stays safe in your account too. Replacing your SIM card also doesn’t delete the contacts stored on your iPhone or synced with iCloud either. Purchases from the iTunes Store are tied to your Apple Account rather than the SIM card, so they stay accessible no matter what SIM you use.

The SIM card mainly stores the identifiers your carrier uses to authenticate your line on its network. If you remove it, you’ll temporarily lose cellular calls, texts, and mobile data, but Wi-Fi will continue to work normally. For more detail, see our guide to what is stored on a SIM card.

Does the iPhone 12 support eSIM technology as well?

The iPhone 12 supports dual SIM functionality with one physical SIM card and one eSIM active at the same time — though models sold in mainland China don’t have eSIM and use two physical SIMs instead. If you’re deciding between the two, see how an eSIM compares with a physical SIM. You can store multiple eSIM profiles on an iPhone 12, but it doesn’t support two active eSIMs at once — that capability starts with the iPhone 13. To use 5G while both lines are active, your iPhone 12 needs iOS 14.5 or later.

For more details, see our guides to iPhone dual SIM functionality and how to install an eSIM on an iPhone.

💡 Pro tip: Not sure if your phone supports eSIM technology? You can also check Saily’s list of eSIM-compatible devices before choosing a plan.

Which iPhone 12 models have two SIM slots?

iPhone 12 models that support two physical nano-SIMs are limited to those sold in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, with one important exception for the iPhone 12 mini.

The iPhone 12 mini is the exception worth watching for. Unlike the other iPhone 12 models sold in Hong Kong and Macao, it does not use two nano-SIMs. Instead, it supports Dual SIM functionality with one physical nano-SIM and one eSIM.

The information about the features in this comparison was last verified on the official Apple Support website on September 30, 2026.

What if your iPhone 12 says “No SIM card?”

If you see a “No SIM card” message on your iPhone 12, the most likely causes are that the SIM tray isn’t fully seated, the card is dirty or damaged, your carrier settings need updating, or the phone is carrier locked.

When you get the “No SIM card” message, try these fixes:

1. Remove the SIM tray, make sure the nano-SIM is seated correctly, and slide the tray back in firmly.

2. Restart your iPhone.

3. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “About” and install any available carrier settings update.

4. Turn airplane mode on, wait a few seconds, then turn it off again.

5. Check whether the iPhone is carrier unlocked by going to “Settings” > “General” > “About” and looking for “Carrier lock.”

If the problem continues, see our guide to what “No SIM available” means or learn how to check whether your iPhone is unlocked.

Using an iPhone 12 abroad without swapping your SIM

Unlike newer US iPhone models that rely entirely on eSIM, most iPhones 12 support both a physical SIM and eSIM. That means you can add a travel data plan without removing your home nano-SIM.

Saily offers eSIM data plans in 200+ destinations, and you can install your eSIM over Wi-Fi before you leave. It works alongside your physical nano-SIM, so you can use Saily for mobile data while keeping your home line active for calls and texts. Check the list of eSIM-supported devices, compare Global eSIM plans, or use the data usage calculator to estimate how much data you’ll need.

Every Saily plan includes security features at no extra cost. The ad blocker reduced data use by an average of 28.6% in independent West Coast Labs testing against four other eSIM providers across 22 websites. You can also use web protection and a virtual location feature with 115+ locations. Choose a Saily plan for your destination and set it up before your trip so you can connect when you arrive.

We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but eSIM service provider prices, plans, and features can change quickly. If you spot something that seems outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] — we’d really appreciate the heads-up!