HELP…..iPadOS 26.1 update destroys ipad ability to locate and use physical SIM card in tray

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HELP…..iPadOS 26.1 update destroys ipad ability to locate and use physical SIM card in tray

Have tried a mountain of options, problem is the iPad does not even have Australian Carriers listed so can convert to eSIM. Stupid software suggests mobile carrier is “ipad 67.0” with an “unknown” mobile number

Things I’ve tried….

resarted deviced
removed Sim & restarted device & then reinsert Sim
Tested sim in another device….it works fine
Checked for “sim driver updates”….only new software doesn't even recognise there is a physical Sim tray to identify carrier to enable updates….dead end
Reset carrier options, and restarted, then ran through above steps 1 & 2 again….no luck
Try to change to eSim….NO AUSTRALIAN CARRIERS LISTED! ….dead end again

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

iPad Air (5th generation)

Posted on Dec 24, 2025 12:24 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 24, 2025 3:02 AM in response to Annabelleqld

Have you previously been able to use the SIM that you have with this iPad? The presence of the default carrier settings file iPad 67.0 - and an "unknown" mobile number - indicates that the iPad is not being (and likely never has been) used with a Cellular Provider's physical SIM or eSIM.

You indicate that the SIM can be successfully used with another device. Would this other device a mobile phone, an Android tablet, or something else?

The majority of mobile phone SIMs are not useable with iPad - as iPad lacks Cellular calling and messaging capabilities. If using a WiFi+Cellular model iPad to access Cellular Data, you will require a physical DataSIM or an eSIM from your preferred Cellular Provider.

DataSIMs are provisioned explicitly for use with tablet computers or Cellular Routers (the latter sometimes referred to a mobile broadband - or MiFi) and cannot be used with mobile phones. Similarly, most physical mobile phone SIMs are not suitable for (and may not even be recognised by) iPad.

The majority of mobile phone SIMs are not useable with tablet computers - as iPad lacks Cellular calling and messaging capabilities. If using a WiFi+Cellular model iPad to access Cellular Data, you will require either a physical DataSIM (sometimes known as Mobile Broadband - or MiFi) or equivalent eSIM plan for iPad.

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