Apple no Longer uses Cellular Data to activate its Exclusive SIM Cards for iPads

Without WiFi, you'll need to utilize a carrier card or an eSIM to access the internet

To connect an older iPad to cell networks, you might need to put in a little extra effort. According to information obtained by MacRumors, the business ceasedperforming Apple SIM activations in some iPads as of October 1st. If you're impacted, you'll need to either utilize an eSIM in newer tablets or contact your carrier (and probably get a SIM card). If you already have mobile service enabled, this won't effect you.

The iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, 5th and 6th generation base iPads, and the first 12.9-inch iPad Pro all came with a standard SIM card from Apple. The card was preinstalled on the 9.7-inch, 10.5-inch, and second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. Since the fall of 2018, all iPad models have supported eSIMs.

This choice fits into a larger pattern. In recent years, Apple has shifted its focus toward eSIMs, even going so far as to remove the SIM tray from the US versions of the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro. The technology is more widely supported than Apple SIM and eliminates the need for a physical slot, saving both money and space. However, if you intended to utilize cellular data on an older iPad and didn't set up the SIM until later, this could be a pain.

It is not necessary to install a SIM given by the carrier because the Apple SIM supports wireless services from a variety of carriers and may be chosen through a user interface within iOS and iPadOS.

The Verge says that promotional materials on the company's website identify the feature as being targeted toward consumers of short-term mobile Internet contracts across several carriers, even though Apple did not mention it when launching the iPad models that come with Apple SIM.

Among the carriers that Apple SIM supports are AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile US, EE, au, GigSky, Truphone, Three, and AlwaysOnline Wireless. Apple claims that these carriers offer service in more than 100 countries. On the other hand, activating mobile services on AT&T permanently locks the Apple SIM to AT&T, making the purchase of a new Apple SIM necessary in order to switch carriers.

In other news, US bank account transactions were unavailable to Coinbase users on Sunday, October 2, for almost six hours. A problem with the Automated Clearing House Network, which is utilized for electronic transactions between bank accounts nationwide, started just before 7 AM Eastern Time, according to an Engadget article.