You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple introduces powerful new iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Will eSIM cards work with 5th Gen iPads?

Will eSIM cards work with 5th Gen iPads? If so where or how can I get one?

iPad (5th gen) Wi-Fi

Posted on Sep 13, 2022 6:56 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 14, 2022 2:48 AM

No. You cannot use an eSIM with iPad5; the iPad5 pre-dates eSIM support.


eSIMs are supported by all recent WiFi+Cellular models of iPad - support for eSIM being introduced with iPad7, iPad Air3, iPad Pro 11”, iPad Pro 12.9” (third generation and later).


You can check which models of iPad support AppleSIM and eSIM in the individual iPad specifications pages - and within the iPad comparison table:

iPad - Compare Models - Apple


5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 14, 2022 2:48 AM in response to Mark Romine

No. You cannot use an eSIM with iPad5; the iPad5 pre-dates eSIM support.


eSIMs are supported by all recent WiFi+Cellular models of iPad - support for eSIM being introduced with iPad7, iPad Air3, iPad Pro 11”, iPad Pro 12.9” (third generation and later).


You can check which models of iPad support AppleSIM and eSIM in the individual iPad specifications pages - and within the iPad comparison table:

iPad - Compare Models - Apple


Sep 13, 2022 7:18 PM in response to Mark Romine

No iPads have any built-in eSIMs.

If you own an iPad that is both a WiFi AND cellular data model, you would need to get a normal SIM card from a cellular service carrier/provider and to use the SIM card, you will need to have the cellular service activate the SIM and you would be charged a monthly data/charge rate to use cellular data, through a cellular service carrier, on your WiFi and cellular data model iPad.


Best of Luck to You!

Will eSIM cards work with 5th Gen iPads?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.