iPad Setting for "Add a New Plan" not working

Question

iPad Setting for "Add a New Plan" not working

I work on the premise that "once it worked perfectly but now it doesn't" and I would love to be able to correct this as I do use this setting at least three times a year to cover me when I travel. I am working with AT&T but so far no answers.

For years now I have been able to enter Settings>Cellular Data> "Add a New Plan" for my AT&T account and easily add an International Plan before departure or while traveling and needing additional data. This setting no longer works. Instead I get the message ""The connection to the server was lost. Please try again later."

I returned to the US on Sept 30 and I updated my iPad to IOS 12 on I believe Oct. 2nd or 3rd. I do not recall when I noticed the connection failure but I am fairly sure it was before the update to IOS 12. I was able to purchase a plan in August, "Worldwide Data 1GB for 30 days Int'l 271.3 MB used 09/05/2018 to 10/05/2018". So it worked fine then.

This setting no longer works. Is anyone having similar problems or have suggestions?

I have rebooted the iPad, the SIM is active, my account is active and can be seen using myAT&T online. I have tried the connection both on wifi and with the cellular and I get the same message. It is the Setting on the iPad under Cellular Data that no longer connects.

Thank you for any assistance,

Pat

iPad Pro Wi-Fi + Cellular, iOS 12, 256GB, Wifi/LTE

Posted on Oct 5, 2018 10:16 AM

Reply

Answer 1

i_rina

Community Specialist

Oct 7, 2018 8:48 AM in response to Patricia Bunyard

Hello Patricia,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

I understand from your post that you cannot add a data plan to your iPad even after updating to iOS 12. In a situation like this I recommend backing up your iPad and reinstalling the software using the steps below:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

By using the steps as listed from the following article you can reinstall the software on your iPhone:
If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Put your device in recovery mode and set it up again

Make sure that you're using the latest version of iTunes.

If iTunes is already open, close it. Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. If you don't have a computer, borrow one from a friend or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.

While your device is connected, force restart it with these steps, but don't release the buttons when you see the Apple logo, wait until the connect to iTunes screen appears:

On iPhone 8 and later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the connect to iTunes screen.

On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see connect to iTunes screen.

On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad, or iPod touch: Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the connect to iTunes screen.

When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Update. iTunes will try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. Wait while iTunes downloads the software for your device. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the connect to iTunes screen, let the download finish, then repeat step 3.

After the Update or Restore completes, set up your device.

Best Regards.

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 8, 2018 10:44 AM in response to i_rina

"I understand from your post that you cannot add a data plan to your iPad even after updating to iOS 12." Not quite, I can no longer update this AFTER updating the AT&T carrier settings and to IOS 12.

I'm seeing others who are receiving the popup "Carrier Settings Update available" after the recent update to IOS 12 OR a recent update to the Carrier Settings. I looked for carrier settings to possibly update them again. (I am not ready to restore my iPad in order to correct this sole problem as I do not believe it will do any good.) I found I was not able to find separate updates for carrier settings

However, one bit of info out there does seems to make sense to me. A number of Apple users are reporting that Wi-Fi calling was broken with the most recent carrier update. Something between IOS 12 and the carrier settings update seems to be broken. I am going to hold out until IOS 12.1 is out, hopefully new AT&T carrier setting updates will occur at that time and this will correct the problem. If not, I will consider other options.

I believe the most recent carrier settings update (out the end of Sept sometime) is the cause of my current problems. I did the carrier update after it came out toward the end of Sept. I am not certain but I think the problem arose at that time; However, I did the IOS update Oct. 3. and since that time, I know that I am unable to "Add a New Plan" using my Cellular Data settings on my iPad.

And, I do not use the myAT&T app for this service. I use the direct link which is in my settings on the iPad.

Thank you for the suggestion and I will consider this move if all else fails in the future with a new carrier settings update. Perhaps AT&T does not plan to support this setting any longer. If that is the case, I will just use the app on secure networks

Pat

Reply

iPad Setting for "Add a New Plan" not working

Similar questions