iPad Pro Going from LTE to 5G for existing AT&T account - will it change?

[MTShipp]

For years I have always purchased the cellular model iPad because of the added GPS and the rare times I’ve used it in areas without WiFi.

I always bought the latest when released except last year so I am going from 3rd Gen Pro to the new 5th and will be my first 5G device.

In the past all I have done was swap the SIM from my old iPad to the new one each time I bought a new one and had no issues with my AT&T account (no fees or activation needed). It just used my existing data plan like my iPhones. Does anyone know if that will change with the 5G model? Is it probable my grandfathered cell account (I get a 24% discount with accruing 15GB data each month with no cap) is going to get changed resulting in activation fees and a higher monthly rate?

 

[Johnny365]

As long as your plan includes 5G data, then you have nothing to worry about.

 

[MTShipp]

As long as your plan includes 5G data, then you have nothing to worry about.

Then I lost. Any changes I make to my plan will lose by unlimited data accrual. Still keep my monthly discount but will be moved to a use it or lose it data plan.

 

[ZombiePete]

It won’t change your plan, and you should be fine although obviously you’ll only be able to use LTE.

We were on ATT when we got our 5G iPhones and it didn’t impact out grandfathered plan. In fact ATT is opening up 5G to its grandfathered plans so you might even get access to it.

The only issue I could see is that your current SIM may not fit in your new iPad. You may have to trim it down yourself. There are instructions online for doing that.

 

[victry1]

It won’t change your plan, and you should be fine although obviously you’ll only be able to use LTE.

We were on ATT when we got our 5G iPhones and it didn’t impact out grandfathered plan. In fact ATT is opening up 5G to its grandfathered plans so you might even get access to it.

The only issue I could see is that your current SIM may not fit in your new iPad. You may have to trim it down yourself. There are instructions online for doing that.

Did you have to call ATT to enable the 5G on your phone? I have the 12 Pro Max and it does not show an option to use 5G. I am on an older plan with rollover data.

Thanks!

 

[ZombiePete]

Did you have to call ATT to enable the 5G on your phone? I have the 12 Pro Max and it does not show an option to use 5G. I am on an older plan with rollover data.

Thanks!

Yes; I just called and asked them to enable it and they did. Took them about 30 minutes for the three lines I enabled.

I will say that I had a grandfathered unlimited plan; not sure how far back they’re enabling 5G.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I will say that I had a grandfathered unlimited plan; not sure how far back they’re enabling 5G.

The grandfathered unlimited plans are getting 5G as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Coleman2010]

I have the original iPad $30 prepaid AT&T grandfathered unlimited data plan. I called AT&T and asked and they said if I wanted 5G I'd have to change my plan.

Is that true? Or can I just ask them to enable 5G like you guys said?

 

[Coleman2010]

It won’t change your plan, and you should be fine although obviously you’ll only be able to use LTE.

We were on ATT when we got our 5G iPhones and it didn’t impact out grandfathered plan. In fact ATT is opening up 5G to its grandfathered plans so you might even get access to it.

The only issue I could see is that your current SIM may not fit in your new iPad. You may have to trim it down yourself. There are instructions online for doing that.

He shouldn't have to trim the SIM card. He can log into his account and activate a new SIM and the account will be moved to that SIM.

 

[MTShipp]

It won’t change your plan, and you should be fine although obviously you’ll only be able to use LTE.

We were on ATT when we got our 5G iPhones and it didn’t impact out grandfathered plan. In fact ATT is opening up 5G to its grandfathered plans so you might even get access to it.

The only issue I could see is that your current SIM may not fit in your new iPad. You may have to trim it down yourself. There are instructions online for doing that.

Based on your comment, if I do nothing, it should just work like previous models but without 5G. I am OK with that.

I have nano SIMs now so I do not expect I will have to trim anything.

 

[MTShipp]

.

 

[victry1]

Yes; I just called and asked them to enable it and they did. Took them about 30 minutes for the three lines I enabled.

I will say that I had a grandfathered unlimited plan; not sure how far back they’re enabling 5G.

Thanks!

 

[Coleman2010]

I have the original iPad $30 prepaid AT&T grandfathered unlimited data plan. I called AT&T and asked and they said if I wanted 5G I'd have to change my plan.

Is that true? Or can I just ask them to enable 5G like you guys said?

I purchased my iPad from T-Mobile on EIP. I can first confirm the iPad is unlocked. I pulled the sim card out of my old iPad that has the grandfathered AT&T original iPad unlimited data plan and placed it into the new iPad. I booted the iPad and 5G!!I did a few speed test and I am getting 5G speeds.

 

[jazz1]

I purchased my iPad from T-Mobile on EIP. I can first confirm the iPad is unlocked. I pulled the sim card out of my old iPad that has the grandfathered AT&T original iPad unlimited data plan and placed it into the new iPad. I booted the iPad and 5G!!I did a few speed test and I am getting 5G speeds.

So, are you thinking that you are still under the grandfathered in plan? Is there a chance they will just "upgrade" you to a new plan without your permission, since you are getting 5G service. I ask because I'm on the old plan, and I'm getting an iPad Pro w/cellular service.

When I called AT&T a week ago they said I'd have to move to a new plan. Maybe I misunderstood what that meant, or they were just not being forthcoming as they want to kill the old plans.

 

[BeatCrazy]

So, are you thinking that you are still under the grandfathered in plan? Is there a chance they will just "upgrade" you to a new plan without your permission, since you are getting 5G service. I ask because I'm on the old plan, and I'm getting an iPad Pro w/cellular service.

When I called AT&T a week ago they said I'd have to move to a new plan. Maybe I misunderstood what that meant, or they were just not being forthcoming as they want to kill the old plans.

Old Unlimited plans will have 5G added, eventually. There's no way to "force" it, just wait for a text that it's been added.

Regarding @MTShipp the non-Unlimited plans (like you have) won't get 5G.

 

[Coleman2010]

So, are you thinking that you are still under the grandfathered in plan? Is there a chance they will just "upgrade" you to a new plan without your permission, since you are getting 5G service. I ask because I'm on the old plan, and I'm getting an iPad Pro w/cellular service.

When I called AT&T a week ago they said I'd have to move to a new plan. Maybe I misunderstood what that meant, or they were just not being forthcoming as they want to kill the old plans.

I still have the grandfather unlimited data prepaid plan. I logged into the iPad landing pre-paid portal and confirmed it’s still active and that’s what I’m using. I did move my account to a new SIM card last year.

I also called AT&T when I ordered the iPad and they told me I would have to change my plan. Obviously, they’re full of crap. It’s working without changing a thing.

 

[jazz1]

I still have the grandfather unlimited data prepaid plan. I logged into the iPad landing pre-paid portal and confirmed it’s still active and that’s what I’m using. I did move my account to a new SIM card last year.

I also called AT&T when I ordered the iPad and they told me I would have to change my plan. Obviously, they’re full of crap. It’s working without changing a thing.

So, either their staff is not understanding the ability to keep the old plan, or they are incentivized to move people to a less optimal data plan under the guise of 5G compatibility. As I noted, I am a customer, a long time customer at that with 5 devices. So the old SIMM on my 2018 should work in the 2021??? Thanks for the advice!!!

 

[Coleman2010]

So, either their staff is not understanding the ability to keep the old plan, or they are incentivized to move people to a less optimal data plan under the guise of 5G compatibility. As I noted, I am a customer, a long time customer at that with 5 devices. So the old SIMM on my 2018 should work in the 2021??? Thanks for the advice!!!

It should. If you have issues with your SIM card just take it to an AT&T store and ask them to move your account to a new SIM.

 

[Coleman2010]

Another thing T-Mobile told me if I order the iPad using EIP that it would be locked to T-Mobile until it’s paid off and then it can be unlocked. Obviously, the iPads are unlocked.