Wi-fi and cellular on new iPad Pro with both
Can an iPad Pro 12.9” 6’th gen. Have the cellular portion switched off and just run on wi-fi, and does it switch from wi-fi to cellular automatically like the phones?
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From a network connectivity perspective, WiFi+Cellular models of iPad will function exactly the same as WiFi Only models if Cellular service has not been enabled through adding a Cellular plan. If required, the iPad Cellular radio can be easily disabled from iPad settings or the Control Centre - in exactly the same manner as can be achieved with an iPhone.
With a cellular plan enabled, the iPad network connection will also behave in exactly the same way as an iPhone. When WiFi is available, the iPad will connect and communicate via WiFi; if WiFi is not available, the iPad will instead use its Cellular connection.
The only significant difference between iPad and iPhone Cellular capabilities are cellular voice (i.e., cellular phone calls) and SMS/MMS text messaging…
An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or SMS/MMS Messaging features. An iPad with either WiFi or Cellular connectivity alone can only access IP-data services. If you have added a DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the SIM card is only used to identify your account for billing purposes. This number is not used for making calls or sending messages.
However, when paired with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad significantly broaden to include access to Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features.
More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:
Continuity
Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple Watch – Apple Support
SMS/MMS Messaging
WiFi Calling
Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support
If you have an iPhone - and both iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID - to send SMS/MMS messages (green bubbles) from your iPad you must explicitly enable Text Message Forwarding for your iPad on your iPhone...
On your iPhone:
Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding - set to ON - and explicitly enable your iPad from the list of devices.
Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:
Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages - set to ON