Activating new iPad/AT&T

I’d like to purchase my next iPad with Apple+ at an Apple Store and then take to AT&T for activation. Would it be better to just buy at AT&T? I already have iPhone account with them.

Posted on Mar 6, 2022 9:46 PM

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Posted on Mar 7, 2022 1:23 AM

Whilst you will obviously need to contact the Cellular Carrier of your choice to enable cellular service, you will see no direct benefit from visiting AT&T to “activate” your iPad. Having obtained either a physical DataSIM card or eSIM for for your iPad, service activation is straightforward.

Set up cellular data service on your Wi-Fi + Cellular model iPad - Apple Support


Be aware that if you purchase your iPad from a Cellular Carrier, such as AT&T, your iPad may be locked to the carrier - and in some cases, the built-in eSIM may be permanently disabled. iPads purchased directly from Apple, or from a non-carrier Apple Authorised Retailer, are not locked to a specific carrier - making movement between cellular carriers trival.



2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 7, 2022 1:23 AM in response to extracopy

Whilst you will obviously need to contact the Cellular Carrier of your choice to enable cellular service, you will see no direct benefit from visiting AT&T to “activate” your iPad. Having obtained either a physical DataSIM card or eSIM for for your iPad, service activation is straightforward.

Set up cellular data service on your Wi-Fi + Cellular model iPad - Apple Support


Be aware that if you purchase your iPad from a Cellular Carrier, such as AT&T, your iPad may be locked to the carrier - and in some cases, the built-in eSIM may be permanently disabled. iPads purchased directly from Apple, or from a non-carrier Apple Authorised Retailer, are not locked to a specific carrier - making movement between cellular carriers trival.



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Activating new iPad/AT&T

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