Only if you use an external AT&T sim. Then you can use the embedded sim to use for other carrier while traveling. But once you use the embedded sim with AT&T you can only use the embedded sim with them.
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iPad Pro 9.7: Embedded sim carrier lock?
- Thread starter mcgroarty
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I thought once you used the embedded sim for AT&T it is locked. At least that's what I thought I read in the 6th post on page one and a couple other posts in this thread.
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I read that as well. I just wanted confirmation from someone to that has actually tried it and succeeded.
Yes and no. They want carriers to buy into the Apple SIM concept to any degree possible. Ideally, they would have a single model of iPhone and iPad with an embedded Apple SIM and let buyers choose their carriers. T-Mo and Sprint are weaker players and abide by Apple's rules. AT&T and Verizon are the dominant players in the US, and can resist Apple to some extent. Apple makes a concession to AT&T and gets them on board with the concept on the iPad. Maybe they can then convince them to do the same with the iPhone (and note that people change carriers on phones less often). Verizon doesn't care what Sprint or T-Mobile do, but they do care what AT&T does. So Apple's best leverage against Verizon is AT&T.
If this is indeed how it works now, then it sounds like AT&T doesn't lock the embedded SIM. If so, this is good! It would be nice to hear from someone who has AT&T selected on their iPad to confirm this.
I put a T Mobile plan on my embedded SIM
I like the idea of N America coverage as I frequent Canada
I bought the $10.00 US,5 gb for 150 days
By getting this plan you automatically get 200mb for life
Works great so far
I like the idea of N America coverage as I frequent Canada
I bought the $10.00 US,5 gb for 150 days
By getting this plan you automatically get 200mb for life
Works great so far
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My embedded SIM worked for two days on AT&T. After a factory reset, it no longer worked. I tried to get it working again for a few hours with both ATT and Apple with no success.
Apple Store had none on stock to replace so they ordered one for me.
Afterwards, I went to the ATT Store and they inserted a new SIM and it worked. They claimed the embedded SIM 'never' works. I find that hard to believe, but it's working now.
Apple Store had none on stock to replace so they ordered one for me.
Afterwards, I went to the ATT Store and they inserted a new SIM and it worked. They claimed the embedded SIM 'never' works. I find that hard to believe, but it's working now.
For something that can break so easily and that is currently so easily swapped to be made permanent into an iPad does seem like a bad idea. Like a solution looking for a problem.
I can confirm: ATT does NOT lock the embedded SIM on the iPad Pro (not bought through ATT).
I purchased my 9.7" iPad Pro from Apple on 3/25/16. It arrived a few days later and was activated on my ATT data share plan at a local ATT store. No SIM was inserted; this was activated on the internal SIM.
Today (4/6/16) I checked on the ATT website and was able to obtain confirmation that my iPad Pro is unlocked. Furthermore, the following statement was made: "Apple iPads are not locked to AT&T".
Looking back through the several pages of this thread, it appears that several posts provide incorrect information. Take any statement from individuals with skepticism. In my case, the automated AT&T website tool confirmed that my iPad, activated on ATT, is unlocked.
I don't think there was ever any dispute over non-ATT purchased iPPs - this is how the discussion started -
"If you buy the iPad Pro from AT&T stores, the embedded Apple SIM is used and is then locked for both domestic and international use. However, you can buy an iPad Pro from other channels and select AT&T from the embedded SIM and it will be unlocked for both domestic and international use. So, buy from an AT&T store and the SIM is locked and you’ll have to roam on AT&T’s plans internationally. If you buy from another source and manually choose AT&T, it’s not locked and you can switch carriers."
Locking the iPad isn't the same thing thing as tying the embedded SIM to AT&T. A locked iPad doesn't work if you insert another carrier's SIM into the external SIM slot. As the website says, AT&T never locked any iPads.
What we are trying to find out is if, now that you've activated the embedded SIM with AT&T, you still have the option to switch that SIM to another carrier. Do you see any options in the Settings app for switching carriers?
Thank you, NightSpring, for drilling down to the essence of this issue ...
... and < drum roll > ... the answer is: YES! There are OPTIONS!
In [Settings] [Cellular Data], under [Choose a Data Plan] there are now two lines:
√ AT&T - AT&T - PostPaid - Active
Add a New Plan
Add a New Plan
Selecting Add a New Plan results in a pop-up screen:
Cellular Data Account
Select Carrier
AT&T
Sprint
T-Mobile
GigSky
AT&T
Sprint
T-Mobile
GigSky
My interpretation is that I am now free to select another data plan, even though my imbedded SIM is activated with AT&T.
Does this help?
Because it is embedded, can be locked, and cannot be changed. Yes, I know there is a supplemental SIM slot. That doesn't make the idea of an embedded SIM a good idea.
edit: to remove personally identifying information no longer relevant to the thread.
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Then I have a very simple solution for you.
Don't buy your iPad from AT&T. Buy it from Apple.
/endthread
Difference is that his iPad was bought from Apple. The other poster, who had lock issues, bought his from ATT. As stated already...just buy from Apple. Not sure why people buy from Att anyway....no Apple Store near by? Don't want to buy from Apple.com? Att incentives?
edit: to remove personally identifying information no longer relevant to the thread.
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You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want the discounts, the service, the perks, then accept the lock. If not, then don't.
Yes, you want it all. I know. But life isn't fair.
Yes, you want it all. I know. But life isn't fair.
edit: to remove personally identifying information no longer relevant to the thread.
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Well, technically, since you are buying the iPad from AT&T, AT&T owns it. They bought it from Apple. Then they sold it to you. So.....
Problem solved.
Not really. I'm sure they don't own the rights to the internal components, nor the right to modify them as they are in turn selling them as new products.
So, problem not solved.