Resolved Confusing regarding iPad and cellulcar (e-sim) dataplan. Please, help.

[TinaBelcher]

bought WiFi model, so no need to reply anymore

Hello.

This is towards people who have e-sims and uses cellular iPads ect.

So, I've always bought non-cellular iPads in the past, but been tempted to go cellular with mini 7.
I asked my carrier how much an e-sim data plan would cost monthly ect. They told me it depends how much data I would need per month. I was completely confused, cause I assumed, with an e-sim plan, that I would be able to use the data storage I already subscribe to on my existing plan. I don't use e-sim on my iPhone. It's still the old school sim slot. I have no experience or very much knowledge about e-sim. I'm only familiar with regular sim-cards, and used one in the past for a non-iPad tablet. I don't know if me not being an e-sim user is the reason or not. But regardless, I always assumed that an eSim subscribtion plan would allow me to use the same data storage that I already have...

Can anyone clarify that I understood it correctly, or help me understand better? I'm feeling very confused and disappointed right now. I really hoped, that my days of hotspot sharing would be over, so my iPhone's battery wouldn't drain.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

You'll need to hear from others, but any such policy in support of what you seek would need to be offered by the cellular service provider. Could they do it? Yes. Will they do it? It's up to them. If they have good success getting people to pay more to "add a device", they're emboldened to keep such a policy in place. If people have resisted "just paying", they may put making customers happy above attempting to shake more money out of their customers. But key to this is customers as a group refusing to pay up. If consumers reward such pricing policy with "more money," we only encourage them to stick to such policies.

I opted to use a VOIP app + buds to make an iPad Mini double as my phone too. I've been doing that since Mini 2, so about 11+ years now. Just like iPhone can also be a map or a flashlight or a camera, etc... telephony is just an app. So I chose to have NO iPhone- ONLY a cellular iPad that also covers phone & texting needs too. No, I don't hold it up to an ear like a phone- that's where the buds come into play.

iPads often have data plans, some of which are not "monthly plans." For example, one I just keep using is T-mobiles 5 months or 5GB for $10 offering. By being a bit data miserly when on 5G (such as saving streaming video or music until I'm in a free wifi zone), I can easily make 5GB last the full 5 months. That makes 5G data for continuous connection average about $25/yr. Others have cheap data offerings like that too but this one seems to be one of the better ones... especially for my own iPad/Phone "hybrid" needs. Of course, I spend MANY hours each day in free wifi and that certainly helps.

If your existing cellular provider for your phone doesn't offer a satisfactory option to add on an iPad, shop around and find someone who will let you use both together in one block of data (if any exist). And if not, consider doing what I did if you can be a 5G data miser and dump the phone.

Hopefully others will chime in with knowledge of some carrier with a great rate that will let a second device "piggyback" onto the same data. U.S carriers are particularly exploitative. So I wouldn't hold my breath too much but maybe there's someone- maybe one of the MVNOs- who don't exploit such a common want/need. I wouldn't expect any of the "big 3" to do that, as they have a long history of shaking far more revenue out of each user.

 

[LibbyLA]

Your tablet is usually considered an additional device and there’s typically a charge for that, whether you use an eSIM or a physical SIM and whether the tablet is added to your phone plan or on a standalone tablet plan.

I currently have two iPads on data plans. Both are on AT&T annual plans ($300/year paid up front). One has a physical SIM and the other an eSIM. Both are also on the T-Mobile 5G/$10/150 days plans (both eSIM) because I needed to test whether there is T-Mo signal at our camp. There wasn’t until recently.

T-Mo offers monthly plans for $20 or $25/month (depending on the plan you choose).

Once my AT&T plans run out, I’ll probably try the 150-day plan because I think that I can renew before 150 days if I use all the data in less time. Most months, I think I’ll still come out ahead doing that, but if not, I’ll probably opt for the $20/month plan because I don’t need a lot of cellular data most months.

 

[rui no onna]

This is carrier dependent.

Afaik, the only US carrier that gives your free add-on data-only SIMs is Google Fi but they require physical SIM slot at the moment.

On most other carriers, a separate paid line for the iPad is required regardless of SIM or eSIM. On Verizon, I pay $10/mo add-on for iPad with unlimited data which isn't bad considering I use a lot of data.

 

[TinaBelcher]

Thanks everyone for the reply.
I just want to make it clear, that I was aware and ready to pay for the plan, I just thought the extra cost would link it to my existing plan I use through my iPhone, not a second one. I guess I'm gonna have to go with wifi again this time. bummer....

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Once my AT&T plans run out, I’ll probably try the 150-day plan because I think that I can renew before 150 days if I use all the data in less time.

You can. I had to do that one time and it worked just fine.

 

[Johnny365]

I use cellular on my iPad devices so I can grab and go, not worry about "Does this area or place have public wifi" or not having to tether from my phone. Plus all cellular ipads have integrated GPS, if that's your thing.

 

[Apple_Robert]

This is carrier dependent.

Afaik, the only US carrier that gives your free add-on data-only SIMs is Google Fi but they require physical SIM slot at the moment.

On most other carriers, a separate paid line for the iPad is required regardless of SIM or eSIM. On Verizon, I pay $10/mo add-on for iPad with unlimited data which isn't bad considering I use a lot of data.

I wish T-Mobile offered unlimited data for $10/ month. It cost me $20. I would like to find unlimited for $10 without switching carriers.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

Thanks everyone for the reply.
I just want to make it clear, that I was aware and ready to pay for the plan, I just thought the extra cost would link it to my existing plan I use through my iPhone, not a second one. I guess I'm gonna have to go with wifi again this time. bummer....

It requires its own data plan unless you are on a shared plan. EX: US Mobile has shared data plans where you can have a 2nd # for an additional $8 and use the same bucket of data. If you current carrier has similar shared plans, you can share the data bucket but it will always have it's own # despite not being able to actually use it for phone calls or it's own texts. You can, however connect it via Messages to forward any texts & iMessages from your iPhone to your iPad as well as reply from it.

You should still be able to have them both on the same account though. Is that what you wanted? It's a little unclear. But unless you are going to use a ton of data on it, Tmobile has a $10/5gb day plan that can be used over 150 days so that you have data if you need it.

But FWIW, US mobile has excellent prices for unlimited data if that's what you are looking for. Their annual plans are really good deal and you can choose which MVNO you want to use - Verizon, TMO or AT&T.

 

[Misheemee]

I’m not sure where you’re located but I’m in Australia, bought an ipad outright. I contact my cell phone provider and was able to added my ipad to a data share pool with my cellphone for $10 per month and I get 10gb of data with that per month to add to the pool

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I use cellular on my iPad devices so I can grab and go, not worry about "Does this area or place have public wifi" or not having to tether from my phone. Plus all cellular ipads have integrated GPS, if that's your thing.

Integrated GPS is the main reason I ordered a cellular model this time around. Having direct cellular data would be handy but not required; I could just hotspot off my phone.

Like the OP I’m on T-Mobile USA, except I am using eSIM on the three phones & the watch currently on the plan. Will see what sort of cost they come up with to add the iPad; if it’s reasonable - I’ll pay it. If it’s not - I won’t. It would make SENSE to me for them to offer something as good as or better than their own stand-alone $10/5GB/150 day plan… but businesses don’t always make sense 😬

 

[Johnny365]

Yeah, I fork over the $20 or so a month with AT&T for the data plans. I feel like the convenience is worth the costs.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Yeah, I fork over the $20 or so a month with AT&T for the data plans. I feel like the convenience is worth the costs.

At $20 with access to my unlimited data plan 🤔 that'd be a tough call.

$10 I'd do. For $20/month I'd probably go with a stand-alone data plan.

 

[Apple_Robert]

At $20 with access to my unlimited data plan 🤔 that'd be a tough call.

$10 I'd do. For $20/month I'd probably go with a stand-alone data plan.

I am with T-Mobile as well and use the $20 unlimited data plan with my 11” M4, as that is the one I use outside the house the most. I quickly used the 5GB / 150 plan in less than a month. On my other 2 M4’s, I use the 5GB / 150 day plan (mainly for emergency use).

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I am with T-Mobile as well and use the $20 unlimited data plan with my 11” M4, as that is the one I use outside the house the most. I quickly used the 5GB / 150 plan in less than a month. On my other 2 M2’s, I use the 5GB / 150 day plan (mainly for emergency use).

It'd have to be in less than 2 weeks to make the 5/150 plan a worse deal 😬

 

[Apple_Robert]

It'd have to be in less than 2 weeks to make the 5/150 plan a worse deal 😬

I wish the 5GB/150 day plan had the ability to auto-renew.

 

[muzzy996]

Thanks everyone for the reply.
I just want to make it clear, that I was aware and ready to pay for the plan, I just thought the extra cost would link it to my existing plan I use through my iPhone, not a second one. I guess I'm gonna have to go with wifi again this time. bummer....

With the complete lack of cost details in your posts, the way your statement reads it sounds like you are basing your decision on principle rather than the cost of obtaining data for your tablet. Is that truly the case or were you willing to pay more but just not as much per month as your carrier is asking for?

 

[TinaBelcher]

With the complete lack of cost details in your posts, the way your statement reads it sounds like you are basing your decision on principle rather than the cost of obtaining data for your tablet. Is that truly the case or were you willing to pay more but just not as much per month as your carrier is asking for?

No and I did make that clear.
I’d pay whatever I had to for that cellular plan, I just assumed I’d pay monthly to unlock and use it on my iPad as well. Like paying monthly for an extra key that unlocks the same door, and not paying for a separate data plan with 20go data more or less, when I already have 70gb on current plan. and I bought the WiFi so this thread serves no purpose

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I am with T-Mobile as well and use the $20 unlimited data plan with my 11” M4, as that is the one I use outside the house the most. I quickly used the 5GB / 150 plan in less than a month. On my other 2 M4’s, I use the 5GB / 150 day plan (mainly for emergency use).

In a stunning example of “theory” vs “practice” - I did choose the $10/mo option from T Mobile… at $10 you get up to 2GB of data; there’s a cheaper $5 option with a minimal amount of data plus a $20 option with more (can’t see the details right now as I’m out of the country for a few days).

I blew through my 2GB data plan in under 2 days 😵

Part of is was I hadn’t disabled iCloud backup over mobile data… mea culpa. But even so… installing one app and updating a few others in the background was 372MB alone, and that’s not a feature I want to disable. I may end up on that $20 plan when I get home. 😬

 

[Apple_Robert]

In a stunning example of “theory” vs “practice” - I did choose the $10/mo option from T Mobile… at $10 you get up to 2GB of data; there’s a cheaper $5 option with a minimal amount of data plus a $20 option with more (can’t see the details right now as I’m out of the country for a few days).

I blew through my 2GB data plan in under 2 days 😵

Part of is was I hadn’t disabled iCloud backup over mobile data… mea culpa. But even so… installing one app and updating a few others in the background was 372MB alone, and that’s not a feature I want to disable. I may end up on that $20 plan when I get home. 😬

And if one peruses MR regularly, along with Apple News and other media based sites on top of what you noted, it doesn’t take much at all to go through the data. That $20 plan is looking real good right now I am sure. Said plan also comes with unlimited hotspot albeit not at 5G speed.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

And if one peruses MR regularly, along with Apple News and other media based sites on top of what you noted, it doesn’t take much at all to go through the data. That $20 plan is looking real good right now I am sure. Said plan also comes with unlimited hotspot albeit not at 5G speed.

Safari was 161MB too, which on its own could top out 2TB in a month - but likely wouldn’t as I would only need cellular when out of the house and I “just happened” to leave on a trip the morning after getting the iPad. Right now I’m tethered to my iPhone which is… fine, no different than using the old iPad.

I saw the hotspot option but not sure I see that as a particular benefit. I have my phone, and a MagSafe battery pack for it, so I’m much more likely to tether a Mac to that than to my iPad.

 

[Johnny365]

At $20 with access to my unlimited data plan 🤔 that'd be a tough call.

$10 I'd do. For $20/month I'd probably go with a stand-alone data plan.

I do the $20 separate data plan with unlimited and 40GB tethering for all devices. I like having the peace of mind of using data and not worrying about any hard limits.