iPad How to fix iPad 3 with no cellular service?

[macdogpro]

Hi,

I have an iPad 3 with Cellular laying around. It’s been over 6 years I had not been using the cellular connectivity.
Just now I tried to put a new working SIM (tested on my iPhone) and it shows no service.
I tried restarting, turning on and off airplane mode, reset network settings, going to general>about; to find any carrier updates (no updates), and finally connecting the iPad to iTunes on my Mac and found there’s an update for the carrier, downloaded it and installed it. Still no service.

Is the iOS (9.3.6) it self too obsolete to receive current cellular service? I use a 4G carrier.
On the general>about>Carrier, it says Carrier 24. While on my iPhone 6 says Carrier 36 and on my iPhone 12 mini says Carrier 45. Dunno if it‘s making any differences.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hi,

I have an iPad 3 with Cellular laying around. It’s been over 6 years I had not been using the cellular connectivity.
Just now I tried to put a new working SIM (tested on my iPhone) and it shows no service.
I tried restarting, turning on and off airplane mode, reset network settings, going to general>about; to find any carrier updates (no updates), and finally connecting the iPad to iTunes on my Mac and found there’s an update for the carrier, downloaded it and installed it. Still no service.

Is the iOS (9.3.6) it self too obsolete to receive current cellular service? I use a 4G carrier.
On the general>about>Carrier, it says Carrier 24. While on my iPhone 6 says Carrier 36 and on my iPhone 12 mini says Carrier 45. Dunno if it‘s making any differences.

Do you not have access to a newer iPad?

 

[MBAir2010]

did you speak with the carrier?

 

[chscag]

When I had my iPad 3 cellular capable iPad, the only way cellular could be used is with a carrier plan. At the time T-Mobile was giving a free monthly small data usage credit to their customers who owned a cellular iPad. They have long since stopped that.

Bottom line, you need a carrier cellular plan in order to use your iPad 3 for cellular access.

 

[macdogpro]

Do you not have access to a newer iPad?

Yes I’m using iPad Pro 2020 currently. The iPad 3 will be sold to someone who’s asking about the cellular service.

 

[macdogpro]

did you speak with the carrier?

I haven’t. This will be my last resort, not keen to go outside yet just to go to a carrier counter.

When I had my iPad 3 cellular capable iPad, the only way cellular could be used is with a carrier plan. At the time T-Mobile was giving a free monthly small data usage credit to their customers who owned a cellular iPad. They have long since stopped that.

Bottom line, you need a carrier cellular plan in order to use your iPad 3 for cellular access.

Hmm, back when it was new, I can simply use an on-demand pre-paid plan with any carrier here in my country.
Even when the pre-paid plan is no longer active, the cellular reception would still be available on the iPad.

 

[chscag]

Hmm, back when it was new, I can simply use an on-demand pre-paid plan with any carrier here in my country.
Even when the pre-paid plan is no longer active, the cellular reception would still be available on the iPad.

Not here in the US. Apple sold the cellular iPad 3 with a choice of either Verizon or AT&T as those were the only two available at the time. Later on T-Mobile and Sprint came on line.

Simply put, no plan, no cellular usage. (Here in the US)

 

[JPack]

iPad 3 was known to have poor 4G frequency support when it launched. Outside the U.S./Canada, it doesn't connect via 4G LTE. Does your carrier support 3G?

 

[macdogpro]

iPad 3 was known to have poor 4G frequency support when it launched. Outside the U.S./Canada, it doesn't connect via 4G LTE. Does your carrier support 3G?

Yes it does supports 3G, I presume it should revert to 3G as the iPad 3 doesn’t support 4G frequency. But not even the carrier’s name shows up on the top left corner.