Since Saturday, October 1, Apple’s SIM card is no longer available to activate new cellular plans on supported iPad models, according to a support document published by the firm for the occasion. One more step towards the eSIM.
The use of the eSIM facilitated by iOS 16
Introduced in 2014, Apple SIM was designed to allow iPad users to activate cellular plans from multiple carriers around the world. Initially, the Apple SIM was a physical nano-SIM card, but it was integrated inside later iPad Pro models, much like the company has been offering since the iPhone XS and XR. Apple SIM was similar to modern eSIM technology, but with more limited carrier support.
Starting October 1, 2022, Apple’s SIM technology will no longer be available to activate new mobile data plans on iPad. Contact your carrier to find out how to activate a mobile data plan on iPad.
A physical Apple SIM card came with the following cellular iPad models:
- iPad Air 2
- iPad mini 3
- iPad mini 4
- First-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro
- iPad 5
- iPad 6
A built-in Apple SIM card was included in the following cellular iPad models:
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- Second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro
Be careful though, if Apple no longer provides SIMs in certain countries, the iPad models listed above obviously still support SIM cards. Apple’s support document advises customers to contact their carrier for details on how to activate a plan on these iPad models in the future.
All iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad models released since October 2018 support standard eSIM technology without the need for an Apple SIM. This echoes the iPhone 14 only eSIM in the USA.