HT203099: Use Apple SIM with Wi-Fi + Cellular models of iPad

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Erekless

Q: Can i activate an Apple Sim Card with T-Mobile in the US and take the iPad to Mexico and be able to use the sim card there?

I am planning a trip to mexico and i want to activate the data service on my iPad Air 2 with an Apple Sim Card. I wanted to know since it is an Apple Sim Card will it still work in Mexico with the T-Mobile service?

iPad Air, iOS 8.4

Posted on Jul 29, 2015 7:37 AM

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Q: Can i activate an Apple Sim Card with T-Mobile in the US and take the iPad to Mexico and be able to use the sim card there?

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  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Jul 29, 2015 7:55 AM in response to Erekless
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Jul 29, 2015 7:55 AM in response to Erekless

    Alas at first blush it would appear that Mexico does not have a carrier supporting Apple SIM Card yet: http://www.apple.com/mx/ipad/apple-sim/

  • by Erekless,

    Erekless Erekless Jul 29, 2015 7:59 AM in response to Courcoul
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 29, 2015 7:59 AM in response to Courcoul

    But if i activate the Apple Sim Card in the US and take it to mexico with T-Mobile service already on it shoudlnt it work? Since i am not looking for a different carrier?

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Jul 29, 2015 9:18 AM in response to Erekless
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Jul 29, 2015 9:18 AM in response to Erekless

    If I understand the technology correctly, it is really a chip-less SIM alternative where the connection and carrier data originally burnt into the chip gets stored in a non removable but rewriteable component in the phone. Given that its usage is slowly spreading on a country-by-country and carrier-by-carrier basis, it would appear that participating carriers have to add extra hardware or software in order for the activation to occur. That has not happened over here yet, further evidenced by the fact that we cannot purchase the Wi-Fi+Carrier version of the Air 2 in the Mexico Store.

     

    If an Air 2 that has successfully activated its Apple SIM registering to a US carrier, I don't know if it can then function in a manner identical to a regular chip-based SIM device. If it does, pretty sure T-Mobile has an agreement with at least one of our main carriers (Telcel, IUSAcell, Movistar, Nextel) and let you connect, you can call them to confirm. If it does work, beware that scary international roaming rates may apply.

  • by rosquillas,

    rosquillas rosquillas Jul 29, 2015 8:29 PM in response to Erekless
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 29, 2015 8:29 PM in response to Erekless

    You might prefer to buy a pre-paid chip in Mexico and insert it to the iPad, I've recently bought a Movistar cellphone prepaid chip at a street corner, cut it, and inserted it into an iPad mini and had data for two-three days with 150 pesos (like 9 USD).

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Jul 30, 2015 12:59 AM in response to rosquillas
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Jul 30, 2015 12:59 AM in response to rosquillas

    His iPad Air 2 does not have a SIM slot. It uses the new Apple Sim Card technology. So it either manages to link up with whatever Mexican carrier has an arrangement with T-Mobile, after having been activated on that carrier's US network, else he will have no cell service while visiting.

  • by Erekless,

    Erekless Erekless Jul 30, 2015 8:20 AM in response to Courcoul
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 30, 2015 8:20 AM in response to Courcoul

    AActually the iPad Air 2 does have a SIM card slot.

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Jul 30, 2015 9:00 AM in response to Erekless
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Jul 30, 2015 9:00 AM in response to Erekless

    Since I have a much older iPad 4, I was basing my conjectures on what the Apple Store has on display ( http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-air-2 ),where it doesn't appear to have the slot. If it does, the matter is totally simplified. Activate the Apple Sim and test when you get here. If it works, you're in luck (except if they start trying to bleed you dry with  international roaming charges, check with T-Mobile before leaving). If it does not, buy a pay-as-you-go SIM at the nearest customer service center of your preference, specifying you want it for Data Only and use that instead; at over 16 pesos to the dollar, it will seem dirt cheap.

     

    Of our carriers, Telcel has the most thorough coverage nationwide, both 3G and 4G/LTE.

  • by ShagCA,

    ShagCA ShagCA Jul 30, 2015 10:18 AM in response to Erekless
    Level 4 (2,056 points)
    iPad
    Jul 30, 2015 10:18 AM in response to Erekless

    Erekless wrote:

     

    But if i activate the Apple Sim Card in the US and take it to mexico with T-Mobile service already on it shoudlnt it work? Since i am not looking for a different carrier?

    Ask t-mobile support. They may offer free data roaming in Mexico and Canada. Don't forget to mention you're using Apple SIM card.

  • by ShagCA,

    ShagCA ShagCA Jul 30, 2015 10:19 AM in response to Courcoul
    Level 4 (2,056 points)
    iPad
    Jul 30, 2015 10:19 AM in response to Courcoul

    Courcoul wrote:

     

    Since I have a much older iPad 4, I was basing my conjectures on what the Apple Store has on display ( http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-air-2 ),where it doesn't appear to have the slot.

    You were looking at the WiFi versions on that site.