If you use your LTE iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 3 with AT&T, you'd better be prepared to stay with the network. AT&T will lock the Apple SIM card in the device, even though the card is intended to allow users to switch networks at will.
[seealso slug="ipad-air-2-bendgate"]
Users began reporting the SIM lockdown as the iPads went on sale Friday, MacRumors first reported. When a user first activates the iPad on AT&T, a message will appear warning them that once they connect to the network they won't be able to switch to another. To switch networks -- even while traveling -- a user will need to purchase a new Apple SIM.
Apple confirmed the limitation on its support page for Apple SIM, which reads:
Using Apple SIM, you can choose from different cellular carriers and their various programs. The data plans vary by carrier. For instance, in the United States, you can choose a domestic plan from either Sprint or T-Mobile and also pick an alternate plan from the other carrier as needed. When you choose AT&T on iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, AT&T dedicates Apple SIM to their network only. [Emphasis added.]
Both T-Mobile and Sprint have opted not to lock the Apple SIM, although the same Apple support page notes that Sprint retail stores carry only iPads with "legacy" Sprint SIM cards, not Apple SIM cards.
John Legere, the outspoken CEO of T-Mobile, tweeted about AT&T's iPad SIM policy, as did many others.
On Ipad with@apple sim here is what u see..no @Verizon ,@ATT trying to lock u, @sprint with error page! @TMobile wins pic.twitter.com/z0jDZ9sRt5— John Legere (@JohnLegere) October 23, 2014
So the Apple SIM in new iPad locks to AT&T if activated once? Classic Death Star move...AT&T can ruin anything good. pic.twitter.com/GXfhI0t0UH— Michael Whaley (@pilotmike) October 24, 2014
Further limiting the disruptiveness of the Apple SIM: https://t.co/VQALnVWTPG only as disruptive as carriers are willing to let it be— Jan Dawson (@jandawson) October 24, 2014
Verizon iPads don't use Apple SIM cards, instead carrying a card specific for that network. In order to use a Verizon iPad with another carrier, users will need to buy a different SIM. Apple SIM is also available in the UK, but with only one carrier, EE.
An AT&T spokesperson pointed out that users can use a different SIM card with the new iPads, since the devices aren't locked.
On its product page for the new iPad, Apple says the Apple SIM lets users choose the plan they want, "without long-term commitments."