How to add eSIM to iPad without cellular data

How to add eSIM to iPad even though you bought the iPad without cellular data

iPad, iPadOS 26

Posted on Dec 15, 2025 3:09 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 15, 2025 3:20 AM

Presumably you have a WiFi Only iPad. These models lack any Cellular hardware and therefore cannot directly access Cellular networks. For WiFi Only models, you might instead use your iPhone (or other mobile phone) hotspot function to share your phone's Cellular connection with your iPad:

Connect iPad to the internet - Apple Support


If you don't have a suitable mobile phone, you might instead purchase a Cellular Router (a.k.a. MiFi Router) along with a suitable Cellular plan from your preferred Cellular Provider.


If instead you have a WiFi+Cellular model, adding a Cellular plan is straightforward; simply install a physical DataSIM, or add a suitable plan to the iPad's built-in eSIM (where applicable):

Set up cellular data service on your iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular model - Apple Support

Set up cellular service on iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular models) - Apple Support

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 15, 2025 3:20 AM in response to Mohammed—

Presumably you have a WiFi Only iPad. These models lack any Cellular hardware and therefore cannot directly access Cellular networks. For WiFi Only models, you might instead use your iPhone (or other mobile phone) hotspot function to share your phone's Cellular connection with your iPad:

Connect iPad to the internet - Apple Support


If you don't have a suitable mobile phone, you might instead purchase a Cellular Router (a.k.a. MiFi Router) along with a suitable Cellular plan from your preferred Cellular Provider.


If instead you have a WiFi+Cellular model, adding a Cellular plan is straightforward; simply install a physical DataSIM, or add a suitable plan to the iPad's built-in eSIM (where applicable):

Set up cellular data service on your iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular model - Apple Support

Set up cellular service on iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular models) - Apple Support

How to add eSIM to iPad without cellular data

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