Pogdaddle
Level 1 (9 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Share a single SIM card between two iPads.

Share a single SIM card between two iPads.

I want to get an iPad pro and already have an iPad Air 2. I want to be able to use my ATTdata plan on both devices, if possible.

Can I switch the activated SIM card back and forth, on the fly, between the two devices?

iPad, iOS 5

Posted on Feb 18, 2016 1:09 PM

by Phil0124,Solvedanswer
Phil0124 Phil0124
Level 7 (27,404 points)
iPhone
A:

I disagree.  Sim cards are perfectly hot swappable.  In the past when you had to remove the battery to get to them, you needed to turn of the device off or it would turn off any way when the battery was removed

 

Today, you can remove a sim card without turning the iPhone or iPad off. nothing will happen to either of them.

 

There's no issue doing this in my experience, and no mention of turning off in Apple's own support document about it.  Nor have I heard any suggest this before at all.

 

Remove or switch the SIM card in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

 

Even at carrier stores they simply insert the cards. Never have I seen them need to be turned off. 

 

Other than that, yes, caution when swapping and care when inserting or removing the sim trays is entirely recommended.

Posted on Feb 18, 2016 3:12 PM

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Pogdaddle

Q: Share a single SIM card between two iPads.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Feb 18, 2016 1:12 PM in response to Pogdaddle
    Level 7 (27,404 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 18, 2016 1:12 PM in response to Pogdaddle

    Yes you can. Its perfectly possible to switch. 

  • by Courcoul,Helpful

    Courcoul Feb 18, 2016 2:58 PM in response to Pogdaddle
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Feb 18, 2016 2:58 PM in response to Pogdaddle

    It was the intent when SIM cards were invented. However, the socket does not strike me as being constructed to last large number of insertions and extractions, so be careful when doing the switch. An important notice: SIM CARDS ARE NOT HOT SWAPPABLE! Be sure BOTH devices are powered off when switching. You will fry the card and/or the iGadget if you don't.

     

    If both gadgets are in close proximity AND your carrier allows the feature, you might avoid a switch by using the Personal Hotspot.

  • by Pogdaddle,

    Pogdaddle Pogdaddle Feb 18, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 18, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Phil0124

    Thanks for the quick response. These forums are a great help.

     

    POG

  • by Phil0124,Solvedanswer

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Feb 18, 2016 3:12 PM in response to Courcoul
    Level 7 (27,404 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 18, 2016 3:12 PM in response to Courcoul

    I disagree.  Sim cards are perfectly hot swappable.  In the past when you had to remove the battery to get to them, you needed to turn of the device off or it would turn off any way when the battery was removed

     

    Today, you can remove a sim card without turning the iPhone or iPad off. nothing will happen to either of them.

     

    There's no issue doing this in my experience, and no mention of turning off in Apple's own support document about it.  Nor have I heard anybody suggest this before at all.

     

    Remove or switch the SIM card in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

     

    Even at carrier stores they simply insert the cards. Never have I seen them need to be turned off. 

     

    Other than that, yes, caution when swapping and care when inserting or removing the sim trays is entirely recommended.

  • by Pogdaddle,

    Pogdaddle Pogdaddle Mar 18, 2016 8:57 AM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 18, 2016 8:57 AM in response to Phil0124

    I have never had a problem hot-swapping the SIM cards.

    I switched the sim cards between the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Pro, but find the Sim tray on the iPad Pro to be difficult to pop-out.

    I have discovered that I can just log onto my AT&T account, in the data setting, and can switch the active account from one device to the other.

     

    Of note: the Data Plan description for the currently active sim card that came with the newer iPad Pro, but is currently in the iPad Air 2 reads "AT&T - PrePaid" The older, currently unactivated,SIM card, that came with the iPad Air 2, that is now in the iPad Pro, is designated "PostPaid"