eSIM Agent

iPad Air (M3) eSIM Setup & Compatibility — 2026

Released Mar 2025 on iPadOS. Current OS: iPadOS 26.

iPad Air (M3) supports eSIM

Regional differences

Worldwide

eSIM only

No physical SIM tray in any market. The cellular variant uses eSIM only.

How many eSIMs can it hold?

Stored
8
Active
1
Dual eSIM
No

How to install an eSIM on iPad Air (M3)

Scan QR Code

  1. 1

    Open Settings

    Go to Settings > Cellular Data > Add eSIM. On UK/EU/AU iPads the menu is labelled 'Mobile Data' instead of 'Cellular Data' — same path.

  2. 2

    Use QR Code

    Tap 'Use QR Code' and scan the code from your eSIM provider

  3. 3

    Add Cellular Plan

    Tap 'Continue' then 'Add Cellular Plan' (or 'Add Mobile Plan'). Enter the confirmation code if your provider supplied one.

  4. 4

    Label the line

    Choose a label such as 'Travel' so you can identify the eSIM later

  5. 5

    Turn on Cellular Data

    Make sure the new line is selected under Cellular Data. iPad only runs one cellular line at a time.

Enter activation code manually

  1. 1

    Open Settings

    Go to Settings > Cellular Data (or 'Mobile Data' in the UK/EU/AU) > Add eSIM

  2. 2

    Use QR Code screen

    Tap 'Use QR Code', then 'Enter Details Manually' at the bottom

  3. 3

    Enter SM-DP+ details

    Paste the SM-DP+ Address and Activation Code from your provider

  4. 4

    Add Cellular Plan

    Tap 'Next' then 'Add Cellular Plan' (or 'Add Mobile Plan')

  5. 5

    Activate

    Label the line and confirm it is selected under Cellular Data

Carrier Activation (auto)

  1. 1

    Wait for the carrier push

    After purchasing service, your iPad shows a banner such as 'Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed'

  2. 2

    Tap the notification

    Or open Settings and tap the same banner at the top

  3. 3

    Continue

    Tap 'Continue' on the activation screen and wait for the line to activate

  4. 4

    Verify service

    Check Settings > Cellular Data — the new plan should appear and be enabled

Quick Transfer from another Apple device

  1. 1

    Open Settings on the new iPad

    Go to Settings > Cellular Data > Add eSIM. Place the old iPad nearby with Bluetooth on, or have a paired iPhone signed into the same Apple Account ready.

  2. 2

    Pick a transfer source

    Tap 'Transfer from nearby iPad' to move a plan from another iPad, or 'Set Up Cellular Plan from iPhone' to share an iPhone's plan over Apple Account (carrier-dependent — not all carriers allow it).

  3. 3

    Confirm on the source device

    Approve the prompt on the iPhone or other iPad. Enter the verification code if asked.

  4. 4

    Activate

    The new iPad activates the line. If transferring from an iPad, the old line is removed automatically. Carrier support is required for iPhone-to-iPad sharing.

Apple eSIM troubleshooting

Why does my iPad menu say 'Cellular Data' instead of 'Cellular'?

iPad has always used 'Cellular Data' as the menu label (or 'Mobile Data' on UK/EU/AU iPads), while iPhone uses 'Cellular' or 'Mobile Service'. The wording is different but the install flow is the same — the menu lives at Settings > Cellular Data (or Mobile Data) > Add eSIM.

Can I run two eSIMs at the same time on my iPad?

No. iPad hardware runs one active cellular line at a time, even on the M4/M5 iPad Pro and M2/M3 iPad Air. You can store eight or more eSIM profiles and switch between them in Cellular Data, but only one is active.

Can I share my iPhone's cellular plan with my iPad?

Sometimes. 'Set Up Cellular Plan from iPhone' on the new iPad uses the same carrier account on both devices — but only when both devices are signed into the same Apple Account and the carrier supports plan sharing. Most US carriers do; many international ones do not.

QR code will not scan

QR codes from eSIM providers are single-use. If it has been scanned already, request a new code. You can also tap 'Enter Details Manually' to paste the SM-DP+ address and activation code instead.

No service after installing the eSIM

Toggle Airplane Mode on and off, then open Settings > Cellular Data and confirm the new line is selected. For travel eSIMs, enable Data Roaming under the line's settings. Restart the iPad if still no service.

How do I delete an eSIM on iPad?

Settings > Cellular Data, tap the plan you want to remove, scroll down and tap 'Remove Cellular Plan'. Deleting on-device does not cancel the carrier plan — contact the provider to stop billing.

Other Apple models

iPhone 17e

2026

iPhone Air

2025

iPhone 17 Pro Max

2025

iPhone 17 Pro

2025

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