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Carrier iPad Air: *Really* One LTE Model?
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Might be useful to some of you...
I have a Verizon iPad 3 but recently got a T-Mobile SIM for it. I no longer have access to the account settings page with the T-Mobile SIM installed. I also noticed this phenomena while inserting an AT&T SIM card even though I was receiving "AT&T 4G" signal. As such, I believe that you can only get the account settings page for the provider that the iPad was originally designed for. You'd have to find your own way of activating the device if it's for a different carrier (of course, if it's even compatible in the first place). Now, T-Mobile had a way to activate service without using the account setting page on the iPad. I am not sure if other carriers will have that.
So, since activating T-Mobile's 200MB is not a problem on any iPad, since it will work via safari, I would just buy the iPad for who's network you want to use if you actually had to pay for service.
I have a Verizon iPad 3 but recently got a T-Mobile SIM for it. I no longer have access to the account settings page with the T-Mobile SIM installed. I also noticed this phenomena while inserting an AT&T SIM card even though I was receiving "AT&T 4G" signal. As such, I believe that you can only get the account settings page for the provider that the iPad was originally designed for. You'd have to find your own way of activating the device if it's for a different carrier (of course, if it's even compatible in the first place). Now, T-Mobile had a way to activate service without using the account setting page on the iPad. I am not sure if other carriers will have that.
So, since activating T-Mobile's 200MB is not a problem on any iPad, since it will work via safari, I would just buy the iPad for who's network you want to use if you actually had to pay for service.
The account settings will show up no matter what provider you go with. I have an Verizon Mini and am as of last night, using a AT&T sim in it.
Below, see the screen cap with a T-Mobile sim, AT&T sim and a Verizon sim in it. You will see the account login for each. The only difference being on T-Mobile, you can set the APN and get to tether for free.
AT&T and Verizon are the two that I can't get data to work at my house so I've gone with T-Mobile as my phone provider but still use the other two for data away from home occasionally.
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I see. That's pretty cool.
So... Any idea why my iPad doesn't show the T-Mobile account settings? Or perhaps it's just because I'm using a really old device?
Either way at least it works haha.
I see. That's pretty cool.
So... Any idea why my iPad doesn't show the T-Mobile account settings? Or perhaps it's just because I'm using a really old device?
Either way at least it works haha.
Being an older device could be the reason.
7.0 made it easy to use any carrier and sign up for data using them. The APN settings are automatically set for each carrier now so all you have to do is insert the sim, sign up for a plan if you don't have one and you are good.
Actually that's probably the case. T-Mobile didn't become an official iPad carrier until this past generation, I believe. And my device is two generations old.
Does anyone know what the latest carrier version(?) is out for T-Mobile right now? I'm using T-Mobile 15.5.
How? The MEID isn't in their database.
I just went to a Verizon store and asked for a nano SIM. They wouldn't give me one because I didn't have the iPad with me even though I'm a Verizon customer (iPhone 5). What a bunch of crap. I called Verizon and they shipped me a SIM no questions asked besides what type of device it was for.
I've read that. Confirms post-paid is possible but my specific question is about pre-paid plans.
Verizon iPad Air, use T-Mobile 200MB/mo Free Data
I have been looking all over for this answer.
I read through all your October posts...now that it's January and many have enjoyed their new iPad Airs....please advise:
I have an iPhone 5c, AT&T
I am about to buy an iPad Air and spend the extra $130 for cellular capacity should I wish for that function in the future.
At first I'll almost always be able to access Internet via WiFi.
I like the idea of the free 200MB of Data that T-Mobile is offering to anyone with a device...for the occasional times I am out and about & wish to check email.
(Years ago w/ my iPad 1, I signed up for the $14.99/mo data from AT&T and what a waste of money that was for how few times I checked email using it.)
For this new purchase, I'm considering a Verizon iPad so that if I ever choose to activate the cellular I would have different (perhaps better) cellular internet coverage than on my AT&T iPhone when traveling. But as I've said, I'd like at first to put a T-Mobile SIM in to it (if possible/simple) for that free 200MB/month.
Please weigh in!!
I have been looking all over for this answer.
I read through all your October posts...now that it's January and many have enjoyed their new iPad Airs....please advise:
I have an iPhone 5c, AT&T
I am about to buy an iPad Air and spend the extra $130 for cellular capacity should I wish for that function in the future.
At first I'll almost always be able to access Internet via WiFi.
I like the idea of the free 200MB of Data that T-Mobile is offering to anyone with a device...for the occasional times I am out and about & wish to check email.
(Years ago w/ my iPad 1, I signed up for the $14.99/mo data from AT&T and what a waste of money that was for how few times I checked email using it.)
For this new purchase, I'm considering a Verizon iPad so that if I ever choose to activate the cellular I would have different (perhaps better) cellular internet coverage than on my AT&T iPhone when traveling. But as I've said, I'd like at first to put a T-Mobile SIM in to it (if possible/simple) for that free 200MB/month.
Please weigh in!!
So buy the Verizon iPad Air then? (or Sprint?)
Eric8585 says:
"Apparently you can use any carrier on the Verizon iPad Air except Sprint"
Curious why not Sprint? (Although I think I'd at first use the TMobile for the free 200MB.) Of the 4 carriers, I know the least about Sprint so maybe this doesn't matter to me. (I'm in San Diego County).
But of the 4 models is one the safest bet to purchase due to having an ability to work on all 4 carriers??
PS I sure wish there was a way to use my grandfathered 'unlimited data' I have w/ my AT&T iPhone without paying add'l...
Eric8585 says:
"Apparently you can use any carrier on the Verizon iPad Air except Sprint"
Curious why not Sprint? (Although I think I'd at first use the TMobile for the free 200MB.) Of the 4 carriers, I know the least about Sprint so maybe this doesn't matter to me. (I'm in San Diego County).
But of the 4 models is one the safest bet to purchase due to having an ability to work on all 4 carriers??
PS I sure wish there was a way to use my grandfathered 'unlimited data' I have w/ my AT&T iPhone without paying add'l...
Verizon and Sprint maintain a database of hardware IDs (MEID) that they allow on their CDMA network. You can't activate a device on their network unless the device is in their database - unless you persuade them to do it manually or use the ID of another device that is in their database.
I suggest getting the Verizon model as others have said you can use it on AT&T and T-Mobile with no issues by changing the SIM card. Unfortunately, I purchased an AT&T model and may have issues getting it to work on Verizon. I will try it later today when I receive a Verizon SIM card and let you know if it works.
If your iPhone has a nano SIM card (iphone 5/5s) you can put that in the iPad Air and use your unlimited data plan. However, your phone won't have any cellular function while the SIM card is not in it.
I suggest getting the Verizon model as others have said you can use it on AT&T and T-Mobile with no issues by changing the SIM card. Unfortunately, I purchased an AT&T model and may have issues getting it to work on Verizon. I will try it later today when I receive a Verizon SIM card and let you know if it works.
If your iPhone has a nano SIM card (iphone 5/5s) you can put that in the iPad Air and use your unlimited data plan. However, your phone won't have any cellular function while the SIM card is not in it.
T-Mobile and AT&T both work on Verizon iPad. I activated the free TMO on my Verizon rMini just to be sure it works, but am using the $25/90day/1GB AT&T plan as I need a little bit more than 200MB.
Agreed. Plus the Verizon $20/1GB/30day plan is a good middle-ground between the other steps on AT&T or T-Mobile if you're unsure of your needs.
Anyone have experience with frequently swapping SIMs on iOS devices? Personally I'd be concerned with wear & tear, but I have no idea how many eject/insert cycles that part is designed to handle. Be interesting to know.
Thanks for your feedback, Eric8585.
I have an AT&T iPhone 5c. When you say,
"If your iPhone has a nano SIM card (iphone 5/5s) you can put that in the iPad Air and use your unlimited data plan. However, your phone won't have any cellular function", seriously? You mean I can pop my AT&T iPhone's nano SIM card into my new Verizon iPad Air and use my AT&T unlimited data that I get for my phone? With no fees or troubles from AT&T? Only con being during the time of data use I'd be unable to use my phone?
I have an AT&T iPhone 5c. When you say,
"If your iPhone has a nano SIM card (iphone 5/5s) you can put that in the iPad Air and use your unlimited data plan. However, your phone won't have any cellular function", seriously? You mean I can pop my AT&T iPhone's nano SIM card into my new Verizon iPad Air and use my AT&T unlimited data that I get for my phone? With no fees or troubles from AT&T? Only con being during the time of data use I'd be unable to use my phone?
As long as you don't finance the iPad air using tmobile (which you aren't if u buy the Verizon model) using a tmobile sim works fine and is free for 200mb per month.
Cheers,
Not sure what ATT would do; but if using the phone was an issue (an ATT never dings you for swapping sim to an IPad) you could get a cheap voice only phone, such a sa Tracfone, and simply forward you # to it. It won't be an iPhone but at least you get your calls.
Depending on your call usage you might even get away cheaply with an ATT prepaid plan, or if your phone is unlocked some other GSM based carrier, and use that SIM in your IPhone with cellular data turned off.
I wonder if Skype In would work so your calls would route to Skype and you answer them on the iPad?
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You will need a number for your Skype account. Then forward calls to Skype number before you pull the sim. You will also need some money in your Skype account for outgoing calls.
I do this transfer before I leave the country to avoid expensive calls to and from stateside but it would be same principle for what you are trying.
Yup. Pretty much what I was proposing. Get a Skype number that can be dialed from non-Skype accounts and use it for outgoing calls while getting other calls transferred to it. I think you can do the same thing with Google Voice as well.
Now, if you could use your iPad as a hotspot and let Skype answer the call on your iPhone you would essentially never notice that the iPhone wasn't working as a phone. Depending on the call volume, a free tMobile 200mb account would accomplish the same thing without tethering. At about 3mb/minute for a call that would give you a little over an hours worth of calls.
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