The latest generation iPad Air with M2 chip and the iPad Pro with M4 chip only support eSIM. Does this mean the end of the physical SIM card? If it is up to Apple, yes.
Just like previous years, you can purchase the iPad with or without support for mobile internet. As a customer, you have to pay extra for this and take out an additional subscription to be able to use your iPad on the mobile network. From now on, this is only possible in combination with eSIM.
eSIM is the new standard
More and more providers are switching to eSIM. Almost all Dutch network providers have the option to use eSIM instead of a physical SIM card. Odidio, Vodafone, KPN and Simyo support this, in Belgium also offers Orange, Proximus, Mobile Vikings and Telenet eSIM on.
Unfortunately, other Dutch or Belgian providers do not yet support this technology. It is not known when other telecom providers will start supporting the virtual SIM card, but it will not take long. Apple has indicated for some time that it wants to switch completely to eSIM. In the US, for example, this is already the case. In the EU, the first steps have now been taken by only offering the latest generation iPad with eSIM.
iPad and eSIM
Do you want to use the iPad Air with M2 chip, iPad Pro with M4 chip or later on the mobile internet? Then you have to choose a provider that offers eSIM. Only then can the iPad connect to the mobile network. You can no longer put a physical SIM card in the iPad.
Swap physical SIM card to eSIM
Since the iPhone 13 (Pro), you as a user can choose to exchange your physical SIM card for eSIM. This way you can immediately benefit from all kinds of advantages. This is a digital SIM card. This does the same as a normal physical SIM card, but is already built into the phone.
Why switch to eSIM
eSIM has several advantages, such as being able to get started right away when setting up a new phone or iPad. When transferring your data, in most cases the digital SIM card is also transferred. This means you no longer have to remove the physical SIM card from your old device and insert it into your new one. If this doesn’t work, you can activate the digital SIM card via your provider’s mobile application or a QR code.
A physical SIM card can be placed and used in any device, especially if there is no active PIN code. eSIM is more secure and is linked to the device. It cannot simply be transferred and is therefore extra secure. You also no longer have to remember a PIN code with an eSIM, because it is no longer present.
In addition, the digital SIM card always connects to the network, which is useful if your device is stolen. When you turn off an iPhone or iPad with a physical SIM card and then restart it, you must enter the PIN code of the SIM card. With eSIM, this is not necessary and is activated immediately, which connects the iPhone to the network and allows you to track it with the Find My app.
Want to swap your physical SIM card to eSIM? Follow the steps in the highlighted article below.