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 is a multi-carrier capable SIM card issued by Apple. In Apple's own marketing copy, the company boasts:

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, the Apple SIM now is compatible with these iPad models:

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 are available in China.

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 have become less severe, but the remaining significant limitation is that not all carriers support it.

Also, note that applicable iPad models commonly ship (or shipped) with a usable Apple SIM only if the device is 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 do not include a physical Apple SIM.

If you buy a compatible iPad that does not include an Apple SIM, Apple sells an Apple SIM kit at retail stores in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the EU, and in many other countries.

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a compatible iPad is purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller rather than a phone company, the Apple SIM originally made it possible to conveniently switch between T-Mobile and Sprint in the US and EE in the UK as well as other select markets without the need to swap out the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

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, and this does indeed seem to be the case with more recent models with "embedded" Apple SIMs built into the iPad.

For now, even the iPad models with embedded Apple SIMs still have a tray for a nano SIM card, but it is a safe bet that should Apple get its way, the hardware SIM card is doomed to extinction.