iPad pro embedded sim disabled

Question

Level 1

11 points

iPad pro embedded sim disabled

I have a 10.5" iPad Pro wifi+cellular that has both the external sim tray and the internal embedded sim. I have a Verizon sim card in the sim tray, and always had the option to also use the embedded sim for an additional data plan. I could switch back and forth between the sims when traveling in Settings > Cellular Data. After upgrading to iOS 12.1, the option to switch to the embedded sim has disappeared. Is there a way to get this functionality back? It was really handy while traveling.

iPad Pro Wi-Fi + Cellular, iOS 12.1

Posted on Nov 1, 2018 1:49 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

rayhart72

Level 1

13 points

Nov 2, 2018 2:03 PM in response to Rainman110

Had the same issue. My solution was to remove the verizon sim temporarily, you should now have all the embedded SIM options as before including any carriers you had set up. Reinsert the Verizon SIM and you now should have all the options you previously had. This may be a temporary workaround as I again “lost” all the embedded SIM carriers overnight. Removed and reinstalled Verizon external SIM again, so far so good.

iOS 12.1 must have bug in this area. I bet it’s related to introduction of iPhone eSIM capability in iPhone. We need a permanent software fix.

Reply

Answer 2

Rainman110 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 2, 2018 2:03 PM in response to rayhart72

Just tried your suggestion and it worked, thanks. Will see how long it lasts, sounds like it must be iOS 12.1 bug since I've never had this happen before. Yesterday I went through some troubleshooting with Apple support, they had no ideas so set me up with a genius bar appointment next week. I may still keep the appointment if the problem comes back so Apple can see for themselves what the issue is and hopefully get the bug on their radar screen to fix.

Reply

Answer 3

Rainman110 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 18, 2018 9:16 PM in response to rayhart72

I did show the issue to the Genius at the Genius Bar. He took a brand new iPad out of store inventory and replicated the problem on the new iPad using the steps you articulated. So the Genius agreed it is likely an iOS 12.1 bug. He searched the Apple internal bug database and could not find any references to this issue, so he wrote it up and submitted it. He said the issue will likely be escalated since it can be replicated on an entire class of devices. I hope this will speed up a bug fix.

I am currently traveling and using a pay in advance data plan on the internal embedded SIM. The problem kept recurring so I finally just removed my Verizon external SIM for the duration of the trip which has temporarily solved the problem of having to constantly eject and reinsert the external SIM.

I did see a release note recently on the 12.1.1 beta that it includes a way to switch off the external SIM. That would really help my current situation until they fix the actual bug causing the issue.

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 19, 2018 12:02 PM in response to Rainman110

Not sure my reply went through so this may be a duplicate. So first thanks for the reply. It is curious that the tech was able to duplicate the issue so fast. My experience has been that the issue doesn’t raise its head so quickly. Regardless, let’s hope Apple rectified the issue quickly. A real pain in the backside. Rega

Reply

Answer 5

Rainman110 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 20, 2018 8:38 AM in response to rayhart72

You can quickly replicate the issue by rebooting the iPad. This causes the “add a new plan” and any existing data plan using the embedded SIM to dissapear from the cellular data settings. Eject the external SIM and they reappear. The Apple Genius repeated this process several times on my iPad and on a new iPad to document how to replicate the issue so that their bug fix people can duplicate the issue themselves which should help speed up the fix.

Reply

Answer 6

Rainman110 Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 7, 2018 11:05 PM in response to rayhart72

Well it appears that 12.1.1 has fixed this issue. All appears normal after booting and so far remains normal after several days on my iPad Pro.

Reply

Answer 7

Nov 18, 2018 8:34 PM in response to Rainman110

Problem resurfaced today after over 15 days of no issues. Did you keep your AppleCare appointment? Hate to keep removing and inserting SIM. Curious if you’re still experiencing the same issue.

Reply

Answer 8

Nov 20, 2018 11:14 AM in response to Rainman110

Thanks, hope the tech can articulate the problem as clearly as you have on his problem report.

Reply

Answer 9

Dec 9, 2018 6:00 PM in response to Rainman110

That's great, updated to 12.1.1 myself and fingers crossed.

Reply

iPad pro embedded sim disabled

Similar questions