Level 1

11 points

Rumor or Fact: iPad Air comes with all GSM & CDMA bands UNLOCKED ?

After reviewing the details of the cellular networks for iPad Air, I noticed that Apple no longer gives two different stats for the Verizon (CDMA) and AT&T (GSM) networks.

I called Applecare and they spoke with their tech services regarding whether ALL bands were unlocked no matter which version (Verizon or AT&T) was purchased. (I was thinking of getting a Verizon iPad and using it with my AT&T sim card because in the past, Verizon allowed their GSM bands unlocked, while AT&T seemed to have the CDMA bands locked up with possible firmware and not able to be unlocked...)

Applecare stated the following: The AT&T iPad Air had the CDMA bands unlocked and the Verizon iPad Air had the GSM bands unlocked.

Has anyone (ie: some of the press who got iPad Airs to play with,) read or seen this in person?

In a perfect world, I would LIKE Apple to just release a cellular version of the iPad and then let the user pop in any sim card they wanted. Could this possibly be it? And maybe the network designations (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) simply refer to the sim card that is with the device? And not the device's limitations for network access?

I have read all the iPad Air review articles (about 12,) and don't see this addressed - has anyone?

Thank you!

iPad (3rd gen) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Oct 30, 2013 1:24 PM

64 replies

patfr3ak

Level 1

0 points

Nov 16, 2013 12:38 AM in response to deggie

deggie wrote:

And if you ** a Sprint iPad Air, you could use it on AT&T or T-Mobile (but not Verizon).

Good afternoon, Meg.

This goes for the Sprint iPad Mini with Retina too? It's hard to find an AT&T or T-Mo unit hence opted for a Sprint. Based from the feedback here, safe to say I am good with a Sprint unit and just plug in a T-Mo sim card?

deggie

Level 10

167,525 points

Nov 16, 2013 5:20 AM in response to patfr3ak

Yes.

dcbri

Level 1

0 points

Nov 27, 2013 1:36 PM in response to dcbri

As a follow up to my previous posts and the responses I received re iPad miniRetina or Ipad air and switching data carriers I would like to relate my experience.

I purchased a mini retina ipad with a Verizon sim from Apple store online. I also bought a T-mobile nano sim card from T-mobile online. I made an appointment at my local Apple store for help setting it up and transfering apps, musuc, etc. from my iTouch to the Mini. Everything went fine until I asked the genius about replacing the Verizon sim with the T-mobile sim. His response, believe it or not was, "I'm sorry I not only cannot do that but the iPad mini version you purchased will only work with Verizon. It has cdma hardware in it and T-molile or ATT require gsm. Sorry, but if you need T-mobile you will have to return your ipad and purchase the correct one". I related to him my findings online through forums such as this but he continued to insist my unit would only work with Verizon. I then walked out of the store and stopped at a T-mobile Kiosh in the mall. After telling the T-mobile rep what I wished to do, he immediately replaced the sim with the T-Mobile sim, activated the account, and bingo the 4G LTE icon lit up and I had data. I did not go back to the Apple store to gloat, but do wonder why Apple is not training or making their employees aware of what I feel is an important and valuable new feature of the new iPads.

One more thing - I love my new iPad mini.

Nov 30, 2013 6:13 PM in response to dcbri

I purchased a Verizon iPad Air less than a month ago and activated and selected Verizon plan. Today I visited the Apple store shopping for other stuff and tried my luck. I asked the sales lady if she would give me a T-Mobile SIM for my iPad Air. She said it would not work but ask me to wait while she checked. She came back with the SIM and gave it me stating have a nice day. When I got home I replaced the Verizon SIM and the Air is working flawlessly. I just had to sign up with T-Mobile right on the iPad. No calling to talk to anyone. I'm getting T-Mobile LTE and received email saying I first get to use the 200 free MB. Thanks everyone for the information!!

jber19

Level 1

5 points

Jan 22, 2014 2:16 PM in response to Spryfly

Hey all,

I travel and work in Russia, but am and American. I have purchased "unlocked" iphones that were previously AT&T here, and taken them over there, put my Russian sim or micro sim in, and have had no problems. So, now I would like to purcahse a Ipad Air wifi+Cell that I will take with me (much less weight then taking my computer). Anyhow, I've read through these reponses, at least most of them, and am still concerned. if I purchase an Ipad Air configured for AT&T, and take it over there and simply replace the sim, will it work, or do I have to have it unlocked like the Iphones? I have been looking on auction sites selling "factory unlocked" Ipad Airs, but they are more expensive than the ones at Apple's site.....so, if it will work, then I will just purchase straight from Apple...Any helps is much appreciated! Thanks!!

Jan 22, 2014 5:49 PM in response to jber19

A PC Mag article answers your question fairly straight forward. Search "How to Use Your Unlocked IPAD Air on Any Carrier". In short, the Air is unlocked. They address using different carriers, big and small.

deggie

Level 10

167,525 points

Jan 22, 2014 5:51 PM in response to jber19

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2426795,00.asp

jber19

Level 1

5 points

Jan 22, 2014 8:06 PM in response to deggie

Thanks Deggie, this is incredibly helpful, and finally a clear, very clear answer!!

Thanks!

lizdance40

Level 4

2,424 points

Jan 22, 2014 8:38 PM in response to George Johnson

I have my iPad with Verizon ( purchased and paid full price without immediate activation or SIM card)

Verizon will allow me to suspend my number for 90 days, after which it will automatically reconnect. Verizon allows this twice a year, per device.

Feb 5, 2014 8:09 PM in response to Spryfly

Just bought a new ipad air with cellular capability with Verizon from Best Buy. After reading these posts, I took out my AT&T sim card from my locked (under contract) iphone 5 and inserted it into the new iPad. Turned off Wi-Fi. And it worked!! Able to use the net on the iPad Air with the AT&T sim card. Of course, my phone is useless without its sim card, so I had to switch things back.

Apr 12, 2014 7:43 PM in response to Byerspc

I have a T-Mobile data plan on my phone but don't want to get an extra data plan.

If I put my phone's SIM card in a LTE iPad air will it use the data from my phone plan?

Is that what you did?

Apr 13, 2014 1:45 AM in response to Atlantic44

Essentially, yes. T-mobile will likely allow you to share your current data plan among different devices and you will likely not have to purchase yet another data plan. Let me know if that works for you.

Apr 13, 2014 6:49 AM in response to folieadeaux

My friend is able to use his phone's unlimited data plan from Verizon with his iPad.

I tried to put my T-Mobile phone SIM card in a T-Mobile hotspot a while back and it did I not work, but maybe an iPad air is not like that.

Anyway, all I have now is the wifi model and I like to jailbreak my devices so I won't be getting another iPad for a while :)

Has anyone tried to use a T-Mobile phone SIM card in an iPad air?

Sep 12, 2014 7:12 PM in response to dcbri

Apple should clear up this issue and answer the question.

deggie

Level 10

167,525 points

Sep 12, 2014 7:51 PM in response to hanszylstra

Clear up what? As long as you don't buy a subsidized iPad the GSM side is unlocked.

The term "unlocked" doesn't mean anything on the CDMA side. CDMA carriers will not accept walk in devices, if you buy a Verizon iPad Air you will not be able to use it with Sprint. Or vice versa.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Rumor or Fact: iPad Air comes with all GSM & CDMA bands UNLOCKED ?