Apple SIM No Longer Available for Activating New Cellular Data Plans on iPads

As of October 1, Apple SIM is no longer available for activating new cellular data plans on supported iPad models, according to an Apple support document.

Apple SIM Card
Introduced in 2014, the Apple SIM was designed to allow iPad users to activate cellular data plans from multiple carriers around the world. Initially, the Apple SIM was a physical nano-SIM card, but it was embedded inside later iPad Pro models. Apple SIM was similar to modern eSIM technology, but with more limited carrier support.

A physical Apple SIM card was included with the following cellular iPad models:

  • iPad Air 2
  • iPad mini 3
  • iPad mini 4
  • First-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro
  • iPad 5
  • iPad 6

An embedded Apple SIM was included with the following cellular iPad models:

  • 9.7-inch iPad Pro
  • 10.5-inch iPad Pro
  • Second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro

All of the iPad models listed above still have a physical SIM card tray. Apple's support document advises customers to contact their carrier for details on how to activate a cellular data plan on these iPad models going forward.

All models of the iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad released since October 2018 support standard eSIM technology without the need for an Apple SIM.

Image Credit: Le journal du lapin

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Top Rated Comments

AppleTO Avatar
33 months ago
Apple SIM? I've never even heard of this.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
33 months ago

Apple replaced lightning with USB-C in iPads.

The same thing will probably happen to iPhones in 2024.
I think USB-C will make its appearance in an iPhone lineup next year, (2023). This is the last year with the lightning port.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
33 months ago
I really don’t see this as an issue at all. If anything, it is a nonissue. I think that some here will SIMply complain regardless.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
33 months ago

Apple SIM? I've never even heard of this.
Was introduced in 2014 as a physical nano-SIM card that worked with multiple carriers. It was later embedded inside some 2016-2017 iPad Pro models.

It was basically eSIM before the actual eSIM standard emerged (which is supported by all cellular iPad models released since October 2018, which has made the Apple SIM redundant.)
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarAnalogy Avatar
33 months ago

I really don’t see this as an issue at all. If anything, it is a nonissue. I think that some here will SIMply complain regardless.
My only complaint is I never knew this existed, and now I want a SIM card with an Apple logo on it just for the hell of it.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrsebsin Avatar
33 months ago
So SIMs are a thing of the past, but lightning over USB C makes sense Apple?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)