iPad Pro Can you buy cellular iPad Pro and activate/deactivate cellular when needed?

[mbrink12]

Hey yall! I just got married and one of the things Amazon gave us since we hit a certain threshold for our registry, they gave us a 20% discount code. My wife wants to use it to buy us a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9" and I've never owned a cellular iPad before. One of the questions I had was does it always have to be connected/activated to cellular or can you activate and deactivate it when you are traveling/out of wifi range? I appreciate the help! Hopefully this makes sense?

 

[fwmireault]

Hi! I own a cellular iPad and it works like the iPhone, you have a button in control center to enable/disable cellular data on your device. Hope it helps!

Congrats for your marriage!

 

[mk313]

Depends on what type of plan you select. Prepaid will allow you to buy it month to month. Or week to week, etc. buying it in a contract or signing up for postpaid may lock you into a contract. fyi, if you’re in the us, t mobile has the best prepaid plan for occasional use. I get 5 gigs of data over 150 day for $10.

 

[bradbomb]

You can buy a cellular iPad and never activate a plan. With the eSIM or Apple SIM, you can just buy a plan for a month from the iPad if you want it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I highly recommend the T-Mobile 5GB / 150 day plan for $10.

 

[Rafterman]

I don't know of any plan where you can stop/start service easily. (I assume you mean you don't want to pay when not using it)

 

[rui no onna]

I don't know of any plan where you can stop/start service easily. (I assume you mean you don't want to pay when not using it)

In the US, you can sign up for such prepaid pay-as-you-go plans directly from the iPad’s settings (unlocked iPads anyway, carrier-branded ones seem to prevent this). The plans simply expire at the end of the period if you don’t actively renew.

The best value is the T-Mobile $10/5GB/5 month plan.

 

[Big Bad D]

Hey yall! I just got married and one of the things Amazon gave us since we hit a certain threshold for our registry, they gave us a 20% discount code. My wife wants to use it to buy us a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9" and I've never owned a cellular iPad before. One of the questions I had was does it always have to be connected/activated to cellular or can you activate and deactivate it when you are traveling/out of wifi range? I appreciate the help! Hopefully this makes sense?

Yes. You need a data plan, but can switch iPad use of cellular on and off. This works well for example if you have a mobile provider/subscription that allows iphone permanent connection plus another device when needed.

 

[polyphenol]

Hey yall! I just got married and one of the things Amazon gave us since we hit a certain threshold for our registry, they gave us a 20% discount code. My wife wants to use it to buy us a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9" and I've never owned a cellular iPad before. One of the questions I had was does it always have to be connected/activated to cellular or can you activate and deactivate it when you are traveling/out of wifi range? I appreciate the help! Hopefully this makes sense?

I have an iPad cellular (2018 model). Never had a SIM put into it - always used on wifi.

But, if I have the need/desire, I can just stuff a SIM in.

And, even without a SIM, it has proper GPS.

 

[canuckRus]

If activated with a Sim there is a small minimum monthly charge even if cellular not used.

 

[bradbomb]

Yes. You need a data plan, but can switch iPad use of cellular on and off. This works well for example if you have a mobile provider/subscription that allows iphone permanent connection plus another device when needed.

Go here. https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/set-up-cellular-service-ipad9940e098/ipados
You do not need to setup a plan initially. If you ever want a plan, you can go setup at that time and many carriers offer plans that are only a certain length of time with a bucket of data and do not auto renew.

 

[Big Bad D]

Go here. https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/set-up-cellular-service-ipad9940e098/ipados
You do not need to setup a plan initially. If you ever want a plan, you can go setup at that time and many carriers offer plans that are only a certain length of time with a bucket of data and do not auto renew.

I answered the original question about a person wanting to occasionally activate cellular, which yes - as I said - would require some form of mobile plan to be in place at that time. But agreed of course you can have a cellular iPad without a mobile contract.

 

[Mac47]

What’s the best prepaid option for Canada?

 

[vault]

The way it works is pretty dumb in my opinion. By default it stays connected to both wifi AND cellular just like an iPhone, and you can switch both radios on and off as you please. I thought it would be more intelligent and only switch to cellular when out of wifi range. It doesn't need to be connected to both an it's just draining battery. Now, since instant hotspot became a thing I stopped using cellular altogether, kinda regret getting it in the first place.

 

[ackmondual]

Since I'm invested in this thread, I'm assuming you pay for data a la carte, as opposed to getting 'x' allotment of data per month? If it's the former, the turning off cellular should be enough to prevent spending data you don't want to.

Another poster pointed out there may be a monthly surcharge if data isn't used, or regardless, so would like to know more about that

 

[Macky-Mac]

I have a cellular iPad and only buy cell time

.... can you activate and deactivate it when you are traveling/out of wifi range?.....

Depends on who you buy your cell service from.

The company I use offers 1 day, 15 day and 30 day plans. I only buy cell time for my iPad when I'm traveling.

 

[rui no onna]

Since I'm invested in this thread, I'm assuming you pay for data a la carte, as opposed to getting 'x' allotment of data per month? If it's the former, the turning off cellular should be enough to prevent spending data you don't want to.

Another poster pointed out there may be a monthly surcharge if data isn't used, or regardless, so would like to know more about that

This probably varies by region and carrier. The T-Mobile pay as you go prepaid passes are a la carte. If you run out of prepaid data, then your cellular connection simply cuts off automatically.

Disabling cellular via Settings or Control Center simply disables the cellular radio and has no effect on whatever underlying data plan one has. The only thing that actually does is to stop using cellular data (could be helpful if one is trying to use, say, a tiny 1GB allotment sparingly).

 

[canuckRus]

Since I'm invested in this thread, I'm assuming you pay for data a la carte, as opposed to getting 'x' allotment of data per month? If it's the former, the turning off cellular should be enough to prevent spending data you don't want to.

Another poster pointed out there may be a monthly surcharge if data isn't used, or regardless, so would like to know more about that

Canadian situation (Bell Mobility). Lowest rate plan starts at $10/mo irrespective of cellular use. Had iPad plus iPad mini so was charged $20/mo. Kept in case wi-fi not accessible at times.

 

[Syk]

I highly recommend the T-Mobile 5GB / 150 day plan for $10.

Where is this plan on T-Mobile website or do you only see it from the iPad?

Thinking about getting a Mini and debating on cell or wifi. I have unlimited data and hotspot on my phone so it's not a must have but would be nice to have the built in GPS and the option to use another carrier if needed or not drain my phone battery from hotspot use.

Also can you stack that plan? ie spend $20 and get 10gb for 300 days?

 

[rui no onna]

Where is this plan on T-Mobile website or do you only see it from the iPad?

Thinking about getting a Mini and debating on cell or wifi. I have unlimited data and hotspot on my phone so it's not a must have but would be nice to have the built in GPS and the option to use another carrier if needed or not drain my phone battery from hotspot use.

Also can you stack that plan? ie spend $20 and get 10gb for 300 days?

iPad only, Settings - Cellular.

Can't stack but so far, I've been able to renew once the plan expires or data is used up (whichever comes first).

 

[Syk]

iPad only, Settings - Cellular.

Can't stack but so far, I've been able to renew once the plan expires or data is used up (whichever comes first).

Thanks for the reply...that plan sounds pretty dang good. I wouldn't do any movie streaming since Disney & HBO allow downloads. I'd do that at home when I know I'm going to be traveling.
5GBs would last me a while just web surfing or for the quick VPN into the office to check on something.

Will the built in eSim work or does it require a physical Tmo sim?
Do you have to wait for the data to run out or time out before you can renew or does it allow you renew lets say 48hrs before it's due to expire?
Do you renew on the iPad or do you have to call TMo to renew it?

I guess either way just make a reminder to remind you when the 150 days are up

 

[Mac47]

Canadian situation (Bell Mobility). Lowest rate plan starts at $10/mo irrespective of cellular use. Had iPad plus iPad mini so was charged $20/mo. Kept in case wi-fi not accessible at times.

Same monthly rate as Telus.

Our options suck in Canada. I could wish we had the choice of a T-mobile style plan, with 5 GB lasting 150 days. I’m effectively paying $120/year for data that I want only occasionally.

 

[rui no onna]

Will the built in eSim work or does it require a physical Tmo sim?
Do you have to wait for the data to run out or time out before you can renew or does it allow you renew lets say 48hrs before it's due to expire?
Do you renew on the iPad or do you have to call TMo to renew it?

I guess either way just make a reminder to remind you when the 150 days are up

Built-in eSIM works fine as long as the iPad is unlocked (not purchased from AT&T or Verizon or with carrier financing).

Can’t renew until data is completely used up or plan has expired. The expiration date and remaining data shows up in Settings - Cellular. You have to re-up directly from the iPad.

 

[Syk]

Built-in eSIM works fine as long as the iPad is unlocked (not purchased from AT&T or Verizon or with carrier financing).

Can’t renew until data is completely used up or plan has expired. The expiration date and remaining data shows up in Settings - Cellular. You have to re-up directly from the iPad.

Good deal. I would buy it off Amazon so I should be good to go there.
Now to figure out if I want a screen protector and type of case..

 

[StageMomma]

Depends on what type of plan you select. Prepaid will allow you to buy it month to month. Or week to week, etc. buying it in a contract or signing up for postpaid may lock you into a contract. fyi, if you’re in the us, t mobile has the best prepaid plan for occasional use. I get 5 gigs of data over 150 day for $10.

Can you link to this? I’ve been trying to find this deal.