Set up cellular data service on your Wi-Fi + Cellular model iPad

If you have a Wi-Fi + Cellular model iPad, you can sign up for a cellular data plan. This helps you stay connected when you're away from a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Use a physical SIM card from your carrier

If you set up a cellular data plan using a physical SIM card at your local carrier, then the SIM card will be activated. Just open the SIM card tray and insert the SIM card from your carrier. If you have a SIM card from your previous iPad that you would like to transfer to your new iPad, remove the SIM card from your previous iPad and insert it into the SIM card tray on your new iPad.

If you can't connect to cellular data, go to Settings > Cellular Data and make sure that cellular data is on.

If you need help transferring a plan, or if you use a corporate or post-paid account, you might need to contact your carrier.*

Use an eSIM

You can set up a cellular data plan on some iPad models using an eSIM. To set up a cellular data plan using an eSIM on your iPad, use eSIM Carrier Activation, transfer your plan from another iPad, join an existing iPhone cellular plan, find a new plan, use a QR code, or use your carrier's iPad app.

Learn more about cellular data on iPad

Find out which iPad model you have

Use eSIM Carrier Activation

Some carriers and worldwide service providers can use eSIM Carrier Activation to assign a new eSIM to your iPad. If an eSIM was assigned to your iPad when you bought it, turn on your iPad and follow the instructions to activate your eSIM.

If you contacted your carrier for an eSIM after you set up your iPad, and they set up eSIM Carrier Activation:

  1. When a Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed notification appears, tap it.

  2. In the Settings app, tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed.

  3. Tap Continue.

  4. If the plan you activated replaces the plan on your physical SIM card, remove your SIM card, then restart your iPad.

Transfer your plan from another iPad

Some carriers support eSIM Quick Transfer, which transfers your SIM from your previous iPad to your new iPad without needing to contact your carrier. If you're asked to transfer your eSIM during setup, follow the onscreen instructions.

You can also transfer your eSIM from another iPad after setup:

  1. Make sure your iPad is using the latest version of iOS.

  2. Go to Settings > Cellular Data > Transfer iPad Plan.

  3. If you see a Transfer button next to the line you want, tap it.

  4. Follow the onscreen instructions to transfer service. You might need to wait a few minutes for activation to complete.

If you don't see a Transfer button, or if you can't transfer a plan, you might need to contact your carrier.*

Join an existing iPhone plan

If supported by your carrier, you can set up a cellular data plan by adding your iPad to an existing iPhone cellular plan.

  1. Make sure your iPad is using the latest version of iOS.

  2. Go to Settings > Cellular Data > Join iPhone Plan, then follow the onscreen instructions.

If you can't select Join iPhone Plan, make sure that you enabled Wi-Fi on the iPad, and that you're signed in with the same Apple ID on both your iPhone and iPad.

Find and setup a new plan

Some carriers support purchasing and setting up a cellular data plan directly on your iPad. To see a list of local carriers available, make sure location services are on. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and turn on Location Services.

  1. Make sure your iPad is using the latest version of iOS.

  2. Go to Settings > Cellular Data > Find a New Plan.

  3. Select a carrier from the list of local carriers.

  4. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up and activate your new cellular data plan on your iPad.

Use a QR code

To activate your eSIM using a QR code while setting up your iPad for the first time:

  1. When you get to the Set Up Cellular screen, tap Use QR code.

  2. Follow the onscreen instructions.

To activate your eSIM using a QR code after you set up your iPad:

  1. Contact your carrier to get a QR code.

  2. Open the Camera app and scan your QR code. When the Cellular Plan Detected notification appears, tap it.

  3. If you're using an iPad with iOS 17.4 or later, and you get a QR from your carrier in an email or from the carrier's webpage, touch and hold the QR code, then tap Add eSIM.

  4. Tap Continue.

  5. Tap Add Cellular Plan.

If you're asked to enter a confirmation code to activate your eSIM, enter the number that your carrier provided.

Other eSIM activation methods

Some carriers may support other eSIM activation methods to help you to set up a cellular data plan on your iPad.

Use a link

If your carrier sends you a link to download and activate your eSIM:

  1. On your iPad with iOS 17.4 or later, tap the link.

  2. When the Activate New eSIM notification appears, tap Allow.

  3. Tap Continue.

Use a carrier app

If your carrier supports activating eSIM using an app, download your carrier's app from the App Store and follow the onscreen instructions.

Using eSIM with your iPad in China mainland

Activating a cellular data plan with eSIM in China mainland is available only on iPad (10th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, model number A3162. All other iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini models in China mainland, as well as all models purchased outside of China mainland, are unable to install an eSIM from carriers in China mainland. Contact China Unicom for more details.

Learn more about using eSIM with your iPad in China mainland

Change your plan

To change or check the status of your plan, go to Settings > Cellular Data. If you set up your cellular data plan with a carrier, you might need to contact them directly to change your plan.

You can have multiple plans on your iPad by signing up on your iPad with multiple carriers, adding multiple eSIM plans, and inserting a SIM card in the nano-SIM tray. To switch between active plans, go to Settings > Cellular Data and tap the plan you want to use under Cellular Plans.

Deactivate your plan

Some carriers allow you to deactivate your cellular data plan, which is either prepaid or postpaid, on your device.To deactivate a prepaid plan, which is contract free, don't renew it at the end of the month.

Postpaid plans renew monthly. To deactivate a postpaid plan:

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular Data.

  2. Tap the name of your carrier and choose not to renew your plan.

If a message says that the account type isn't supported or if you got a SIM from your carrier and you don't see a Manage Carrier Account button, call your carrier and ask them to deactivate your account.

If you have an iPad with Apple SIM or embedded Apple SIM

Beginning October 1, 2022, Apple SIM technology will no longer be available for activating new cellular data plans on iPad. Contact your carrier for details on how to activate a cellular data plan on iPad.

If you're not sure if your iPad uses Apple SIM, find your iPad model and click the link for its tech specs.

* Your iPad is subject to your wireless service provider’s policies, which may include restrictions on transferring a data plan. Contact your carrier for more details. If you aren't sure which carrier to call, go to Settings > Carrier on your iPad or remove the SIM card and check the card for the carrier's name or logo.

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