YouTube video shows how to add dual nano-SIM support to the iPhone 12

It's not news that Apple's iPhones can be simultaneously used with two SIM cards. This function was introduced with the iPhone XS in 2018, but in Western markets this feature is rendered possible by utilizing one physical nano-SIM card and an additional digital eSIM. Only in China Apple is selling smartphones that allow true dual SIM functionality with two physical SIM cards. An ingenious YouTuber has now successfully upgraded his American iPhone to match this exclusive feature of Chinese iPhones.

To accomplish that, Hugh Jeffreys ordered a dual nano-SIM reader from China and installed it in his iPhone 12 (US$710 on Amazon). The most difficult step of the modification was to carefully remove the display from the iPhone's chassis, which can be quite tricky due to the glue that makes the device resistant to water and dust. Once he gained access to the internals of the phone, it was a simple plug and play operation thanks to the modular design of the iPhone 12.

After installing the SIM module and reassembling the device, the iPhone 12 automatically detected both nano-SIM cards. No further software modifications were needed, but the iPhone's eSIM function was deactivated, which means that this mod will not allow the phone to use two physical and one digital SIM card. In spite of that, the video reveals an interesting option for iPhone users outside of China who desperately want two working nano-SIM cards in their phone. Besides the iPhone 12, this modification should also be technically feasible for the iPhone XR and iPhone 11.