Has anyone been able to use the built in Apple sim to sign up for data while roaming? Just got my 9.7 Pro (Love it!) and I'm doing the installment plan so I wonder if it's locked. Can't get a clear answer from ATT and I'm heading on a business trip soon and would like to know if anyone has had any luck.
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AT&T iPad Pro roaming
- Thread starter lah
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While the device is unlocked, it's a bit more complicated with the Apple sim. The Apple sim lets you switch amongst supported carriers unless you choose ATT, which locks it to ATT in the US. It should still allow you to switch overseas but if not you may need to get a local sim.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203099
http://www.apple.com/ipad/apple-sim/
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203099
http://www.apple.com/ipad/apple-sim/
I have unlimited data through AT&T. I travel to Asia extensively. I just buy a local sim card and data when I'm out of the States. Works perfect. Just keep up with your AT&T sim so you can put it back in when you return to the States. I'm currently using the 12.9 iPP. Very simple to do.
When I purchased my iPad from ATT, the guy used an external SIM and left the internal SIM unregistered.
This may be confusing, but he said that while he should be using the internal, it's best to use an external on AT&T's network because attempting to connect the internal to the network will lock it to AT&T. That means you need an external other carrier SIM to change networks. However, if an external AT&T SIM is used, then you can freely change the internal Apple SIM to any supported network (except AT&T, which will try to lock it).
This may be confusing, but he said that while he should be using the internal, it's best to use an external on AT&T's network because attempting to connect the internal to the network will lock it to AT&T. That means you need an external other carrier SIM to change networks. However, if an external AT&T SIM is used, then you can freely change the internal Apple SIM to any supported network (except AT&T, which will try to lock it).
This is good news. The person who sold me the iPad grabbed an external SIM and activated it, which was inserted to the iPad. Did not use the (internal) Apple SIM at all. So hopefully this means my iPad is unlocked.
Thanks for the answers!
The iPad is always unlocked, it's only the sim which get locked to ATT if you chose ATT and buy from an ATT store; other carriers do not lock the sim card to the network. Inserting a sim card in the slot will add another carrier option; so you can use that to get an overseas account and not pay ATT roaming.
iPad Pros have an internal SIM. In settings, with an external SIM, you can see them both listed and switch between the two. I have one right in front of me.
Attempting to use it on AT&T's network warns that you will be locking the internal SIM to AT&T, attempting to use it on any other network does not. The iPad is always unlocked, meaning you can pop any external SIM in, but I prefer to leave the internal SIM open to flip around in future uses.
I should have posted this link before and it may be useful to OP: http://techcrunch.com/2016/03/23/ex...e-ipad-pros-embedded-apple-sim-means-for-you/
Yup, I forgot he was talking about the 9.7, which has an embedded sim, and not the 12 which I have which does not. I edited my post to correct my error. Thanks.
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Does ATT try to lock all internal sims? It appears from my google search that they only lock iPads purchased from ATT; which would imply Apple as included a way to lock the sim but only ATT can do it. VZW apparently disables the internal sim rendering it useless for adding another carrier. It's a shame Apple built in that capability since it limits the adaptability of the new Pro. Some customers may get frustrated when they discover the same iPad Pro, bought from someone else, has the ability to switch between multiple carriers as needed.
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Verizon makes the embedded sim useless? Is that for an iPad purchased at a Verizon store or would that happen to any iPad in which you insert a Verizon SIM card into the accessible SIM card tray?
It appears to only be those purchased from VZW and is only for the embedded sim in the 9.7 Pro; the sim slot works normally.
[doublepost=1462550727][/doublepost]I bought mine from Apple. I have AT&T unlimited data and I can even tether from it!!
If you buy your iPad Pro 9.7 from Apple, AT&T does not lock the embedded sim. I have both AT&T and T Mobile on my embedded Sim and can switch between them.
Good to know. i thought the was the case with only ATT store iPads Sim locked but it is great to have someone verify that is the case.
Whoops my bad - yep, I meant ATT iPads purchased from them contained lockable embedded SIMs, not all ATT iPads in general.
Exceptions being iPads purchased from other channels and employees being cool about it.
I think with that clarification, everything is pretty accurate in this thread, albeit confusing.
Exceptions being iPads purchased from other channels and employees being cool about it.
I think with that clarification, everything is pretty accurate in this thread, albeit confusing.
How are you going about tethering from it? Did you just transfer the sim or are you using the embedded sim? Just wondering because I have the AT&T unlimited plan that I have hung onto for years, but I have never been able to tether.
I used the embedded sim and for some reason it gives me the option for personal hotspot.
That is interesting. I am tempted to try this out. I can always transfer the plan back to one of my older LTE ipads and have it associate with previous sim if it doesn't work out. That would be HUGE!