iPad Pro iPad Pro M4 using e-Sim and not physical Sim

[leebroath]

Hi folks,

Thinking about upgrading to an M4 iPad Pro but I’m reading it only has an E-Sim, and no physical slot

When we go on holiday in our caravan, I sometimes swap the physical card out and install into the WiFi Router (so all family can use my data)

Now if I purchase the M4, does this mean my UK EE physical card is made redundant, and my plan transferred over to the E-Sim?

So in theory upgrading to the M4 is pointless in my scenario? Or if I tell provider, they can mirror the card so I can still use the physical?

Thanks

 

[Apple_Robert]

I see no reason why you can’t use the eSIM. When you are in the caravan, turn on the share hotspot option on the iPad and those in the car should be able to connect and have signal.

 

[leebroath]

I see now reason why you can’t use the eSIM. When you are in the caravan, turn on the share hotspot option on the iPad and those in the car should be able to connect and have signal.

We had Maxview fitted to the caravan for a specific reason, to be able to install a Sim card and allow everyone to use the data.

If I use my Hotspot option, the battery drains a lot quicker and the iPad gets hotter.

If there is no workaround, as in being able to swap the plans back and forth, or mirror like dual sim, then I may just stick with the older iPad

 

[Apple_Robert]

We had Maxview fitted to the caravan for a specific reason, to be able to install a Sim card and allow everyone to use the data.

If I use my Hotspot option, the battery drains a lot quicker and the iPad gets hotter.

If there is no workaround, as in being able to swap the plans back and forth, or mirror like dual sim, then I may just stick with the older iPad

Keep the iPad plugged in while it is being used as a hotspot. In an air-conditioned vehicle, the iPad should be fine heat wise.

 

[Reverend Benny]

We had Maxview fitted to the caravan for a specific reason, to be able to install a Sim card and allow everyone to use the data.

If I use my Hotspot option, the battery drains a lot quicker and the iPad gets hotter.

If there is no workaround, as in being able to swap the plans back and forth, or mirror like dual sim, then I may just stick with the older iPad

Give EE UK a buzz and see what they have to say about it.

 

[leebroath]

I was gonna tomorrow, just wondered if anyone had a similar issue

 

[Digitalguy]

when you move to esim your sim is deactivated unfortunately (deal breaker for me)

 

[leebroath]

This is not good

I would like to upgrade to the new iPad, but now can't as we use that physical Sim card in our Router while on holiday..

Arghhhhh

 

[*~Kim~*]

Upgrade to the WiFi only model and keep the older iPad for using away from home? It’s what I’ll be doing next time around, unfortunately.

Longer term I may have to get a MiFi router instead.

 

[leebroath]

May just not upgrade the iPad then, that's crap though getting pushed into a corner...

We should have a choice

 

[ACDeag]

...Or if I tell provider, they can mirror the card so I can still use the physical?

Thanks

Mirroring is not possible. Why not stick a SMARTY unlimited sim in for £20, no commitment, can pause it after your holiday and reactivate later (can't be paused more than 6 months). If you need EE coverage then try a 1pmobile SIM card again no commitment.

 

[1BadManVan]

Sad reason why the new iPads are a no go for me in Canada. With Telus i have a grandfathered data only plan. 5 sim cards to use in data only devices shared with my data plan for free. Normally its $15 a month each!

 

[leebroath]

Mirroring is not possible. Why not stick a SMARTY unlimited sim in for £20, no commitment, can pause it after your holiday and reactivate later (can't be paused more than 6 months). If you need EE coverage then try a 1pmobile SIM card again no commitment.

Called EE and there is nothing they can do when it’s transferred over to eSIM, apart from taking a new plan.

Just on the 1pMobile network which piggybacks on EE, I’ve been looking at their unlimited Data plan for £25 for 30Days.

So for example if we went down this route, and plugged in the 1pMobile Sim to the router, how does this work?

Do I just skip the top up the next month of £25 and the Sim is then placed on hold, until I top up again when off on holiday a second time? I’m a bit puzzled whether they will allow me to keep the same number when the account hasn’t been topped up for example after it’s been in storage from Oct to March 2025.

 

[ACDeag]

Called EE and there is nothing they can do when it’s transferred over to eSIM, apart from taking a new plan.

Just on the 1pMobile network which piggybacks on EE, I’ve been looking at their unlimited Data plan for £25 for 30Days.

So for example if we went down this route, and plugged in the 1pMobile Sim to the router, how does this work?

Do I just skip the top up the next month of £25 and the Sim is then placed on hold, until I top up again when off on holiday a second time? I’m a bit puzzled whether they will allow me to keep the same number when the account hasn’t been topped up for example after it’s been in storage from Oct to March 2025.

You can turn off auto-top up and that stops the plan next month. Be aware though that they require a minimum spend of £10 every 90 days to keep the number otherwise they will deduct £10 from your cash balance. If they still can’t collect the £10 after a while they will close the account. You could just sign up to it each time you go away, I assume as it is in a router the number it uses is unimportant.