Does cellular version come with a sim card

Does the Cellular version of the Ipad come with it's own sim card so that it recognizes GPS without having to sign up for a cellular account to get same?

iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi, Cellular

Posted on Mar 14, 2022 3:51 PM

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Posted on Mar 14, 2022 4:01 PM

No, iPad’s are not suppled with a physical SIM card. If you wish to provision Cellular Service using a DataSIM, you must obtain a SIM from your chosen Cellular Carrier.


While it is true that only WiFi+Cellular models of iPad include GPS positioning, this functionality is independent of Cellular service. You do not need to enable Cellular for GPS to work.

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Mar 14, 2022 4:01 PM in response to knick146

No, iPad’s are not suppled with a physical SIM card. If you wish to provision Cellular Service using a DataSIM, you must obtain a SIM from your chosen Cellular Carrier.


While it is true that only WiFi+Cellular models of iPad include GPS positioning, this functionality is independent of Cellular service. You do not need to enable Cellular for GPS to work.

Mar 15, 2022 2:03 AM in response to knick146

To clarify, in purchasing a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, you are not committing yourself to needing a Cellular Carrier plan - but are preserving the opportunity and flexibility of doing so at a later time.


Only WiFi+Cellular models have GPS location functions. WiFi Only models do not have any built-in GPS capabilities. 


The potential need for GPS is one of the many reasons that some users choose a WiFi+Cellular model - even if having no need or intention of ever using Cellular.


As Michael Black has outlined, in absence of a WiFi network, you only need Cellular data for mapping if you are using an online mapping service - such as Apple Maps. The are many mapping Apps available that include full map data - allowing the iPad to display maps on the device without needing to continuously download mapping over a Cellular (or WiFi) connection.


So, in summary, while GPS functionality of your WiFi+Cellular iPad does not have any requirement for Cellular Service, your mapping App might need a network connection. Choose your App wisely.

Mar 14, 2022 7:15 PM in response to knick146

There is no fee for gps nor does it require cellular service. The GPS system on a cellular iPad with no cellular service set up on it will work just fine.


You only need to setup cellular service if you want to use cellular data with apps like Map apps that need to stream the map data in real time.


There are standalone map apps that store their map data downloaded on your device and they work just fine with GPS in the absence of cellular service.

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Does cellular version come with a sim card

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