What is the Apple SIM? How is it different from a regular SIM? Which iPad and iPhone models support the Apple SIM?

The Apple SIM was a multi-carrier capable SIM card issued by Apple. In Apple's original marketing copy, the company boasted:

The Apple SIM gives you the flexibility to choose from a variety of short-term plans from select carriers in the US and UK [and now other countries] right on your iPad. So whenever you need it, you can choose the plan that works best for you -- with no long-term commitments. And when you travel, you may also be able to choose a data plan from a local carrier for the duration of your trip.

The Apple SIM is the same physical size as a Nano SIM -- 12.3 mm by 8.8 mm by 0.67 mm -- but it is compatible only with select cellular capable iPad models.

Specific Device Compatibility

First introduced with the iPad Air 2 -- and quietly discontinued in October 2022 -- the physical Apple SIM was compatible with these iPad models for activation of new service:

With the exception of China-only configurations, all iPad Pro models as well as the iPad mini 5, iPad Air 3 and later, and iPad 7th Gen and later models also have an "Embedded" Apple SIM (eSIM). Neither the physical Apple SIM nor the embedded Apple SIM were available in China until the iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4 models were introduced on May 7, 2024, which like their "Western" counterparts, only have eSIM support.

Apple SIM Limitations

Although Apple's above marketing copy is accurate, it perhaps overstates the importance of being able to switch between carriers on the device itself in software compared to switching Nano SIM cards by hand. With a "traditional" Nano SIM, you still have the option to "choose the plan that works best for you" because all iPad models are unlocked.

Thankfully, over time, the carrier-imposed limitations on the Apple SIM became less severe (and it now is discontinued).

Also, note that applicable iPad models commonly shipped with a usable Apple SIM only if the device was purchased directly from Apple or from an Apple Authorized Reseller like site sponsor Adorama (which sells new iPad models with free shipping across the US). By contrast, iPad models sold by a mobile carrier commonly did not include a physical Apple SIM.

Apple SIM Summary & Future Direction

Ultimately, when a compatible iPad is purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller rather than a phone company, the Apple SIM originally made it possible to conveniently switch between T-Mobile and Sprint in the US and EE in the UK as well as other select markets without the need to swap out the Nano SIM card.

Since that time Apple added cellular data plans in many other countries that can be purchased by an Apple customer while traveling away from home and some iPad models made it possible to use multiple carriers simultaneously with a combination of physical and eSIMs.

At the time it was introduced initially, the Apple SIM effectively was a demonstration of Apple's future direction, although it subsequently became far more useful before being discontinued entirely.

EveryiPad.com originally speculated that the Apple SIM perhaps indicated a desire to later eliminate SIM card support altogether in favor of all software control to give Apple more leverage over phone companies. Even the iPad models with embedded Apple SIMs still had a tray for a nano SIM card, but it was a safe bet that should Apple get its way, the hardware SIM card was doomed to extinction.

With the introduction of the iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4 on May 7, 2024, which no longer have any hardware SIM support, only eSIM, this prediction has come true and it is now obvious that iPad models will not have any physical SIM support at all going forward.