Can you purchase the iPad "unlocked" or is it tied to a wireless carrier?

iPad models equipped with wireless mobile data connectivity (3G or 4G+LTE), regardless of generation, are "unlocked" and not tied to a carrier in the United States.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Cellular Capable iPad Models)

However, just because the iPad is sold unlocked does not mean that any specific version of the device will work on all carriers. Paying attention to supported frequency details is important to avoid disappointment, and perhaps even more so on the used market.

EveryiPad.com covers LTE frequency details for the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro lines in separate Q&As, but details on the regular, full-size iPad models follows.

Original iPad & iPad 2

It is worth noting that even though the GSM-based original iPad and GSM-based iPad 2 models are not locked, the devices do not support the Verizon CDMA 3G network nor does either support the 1700 MHz UMTS/HSDPA frequency used by T-Mobile for 3G in the US. Likewise, the CDMA-based iPad 2 does not support GSM networks like AT&T's and is not intended for use on networks other than Verizon's in the US.

Even though the original iPad and GSM-based iPad 2 models are not locked to AT&T Wireless, the devices are not hardware compatible for 3G with other US wireless carriers. However, either should operate via the slower 2G standard over T-Mobile (assuming that one is willing to prepare a "trimmed" Micro SIM card).

CDMA authentication is more complicated than just switching SIM cards on a GSM network, and as a result, using a CDMA-based iPad 2 on a network other than Verizon's in the US -- like Sprint or Cricket -- was a challenging task. However, following the hack of the CDMA-based iPhone 4 to run on Cricket, it's not surprising that clever individuals hacked the CDMA-based iPad 2 to run on Cricket as well.

iPad 3rd Gen

Like its predecessors, the iPad 3rd Gen line is not locked to a carrier.

However, the 4G+LTE version for AT&T specifically supports the 700 MHz and 2100 MHz 4G LTE frequencies as well as UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). This model was sold around the world for a variety of carriers, but it only supports 4G LTE frequencies in the US (on AT&T) and Canada (on Bell, Rogers and Telus). By contrast, it only will work with 3G networks in other locations, which led to legal troubles for Apple in some countries.

In the US, the Verizon version specifically supports just the 700 MHz 4G LTE frequency. It also supports CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz), UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz), and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

The iPad 3rd Gen version for AT&T also can use T-Mobile, but only on the company's slower 2G network.

iPad 4th Gen

Like earlier iPad models, the iPad 4th Gen still is not locked to a carrier. However, LTE capabilities are different and each configuration is limited to carriers that support a particular LTE band.

Specifically, the A1459 iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS) mostly intended for use in the US on AT&T and in Canada on Bell, Rogers and Telus -- support LTE bands 4 and 17 as well as GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz).

In the US, the A1460 iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi/Verizon & Sprint/GPS) is intended to work only on Verizon and Sprint. However, these models also were sold by a large number of other carriers around the world. Specifically, both support 4G LTE bands 1, 3, 5, 13, and 25, as well as CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz).

In general, the A1460 iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi/Verizon & Sprint/GPS) is compatible with more carriers worldwide.

iPad 5th Gen

As always, the cellular capable iPad 5th Gen model shipped unlocked. It supports 21 LTE bands. In the US, the single device supports AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Specifically, the iPad 5th Gen 9.7" (Wi-Fi/Cellular) supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41. It also supports UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/​DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), and CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz).

In many countries, if it originally was purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller, the cellular capable iPad 5th Gen also shipped with an "Apple SIM" that is intended to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card.

iPad 6th Gen

Just like earlier models, the cellular capable iPad 6th Gen model shipped unlocked. It supports 23 LTE bands. In the US, the single device supports AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Specifically, the iPad 6th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular) supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, and 41. It also supports UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/​DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), and CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz).

In many countries, if the iPad 6th Gen was purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller, the cellular capable iPad 6th Gen also included an "Apple SIM" that is intended to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card.

iPad 7th Gen

The iPad 7th Gen models shipped unlocked. These models support up to 27 LTE bands as well as UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). In the US, the single device is intended to support all carriers. There is a "Global" model and a mainland China-only model, too.

Specifically, the iPad 10.2" 7th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, US/CA) supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, and 71. It does not support band 28 (700 APT MHz).

The "Global" model, which EveryiPad.com refers to as the iPad 10.2" 7th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, Global), supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66. It does not support band 71 (600 MHz).

Finally, the mainland China-only model, the iPad 10.2" 7th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China), supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 66. It does not support band 71 (600 MHz).

In many countries, if the iPad 7th Gen was purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller, the cellular capable iPad 7th Gen models include an "Apple SIM" that is intended to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card. With the exception of the China-only model, it has an "embedded" SIM (eSIM), as well.

iPad 8th Gen

Like their predecessors, the iPad 8th Gen models shipped unlocked. These models support up to 27 LTE bands as well as UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). In the US, the single device is intended to support all carriers. There is a "Global" model and a mainland China-only model, too.

Specifically, the iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, US/CA) supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, and 71. It does not support band 28 (700 APT MHz).

The "Global" model, which EveryiPad.com refers to as the iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, Global), supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66. It does not support band 71 (600 MHz).

Finally, the mainland China-only model, the iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China), supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 66. It does not support band 71 (600 MHz).

In many countries, if the iPad 8th Gen was purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller, the cellular capable devices include an "Apple SIM" that is intended to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card. With the exception of the China-only model, it has an "embedded" SIM (eSIM), as well.

iPad 9th Gen (Current)

Like all earlier iPad models, the current iPad 9th Gen models ship unlocked. They support the same 27 4G/LTE bands as their predecessors and the same UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) standards, too. In the US, the single device is intended to support all carriers. There is a "Global" model and a mainland China-only model, also.

Specifically, the iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, US/CA) supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, and 71. It does not support band 28 (700 APT MHz).

The "Global" model, which EveryiPad.com refers to as the iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, Global), supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66. It does not support band 71 (600 MHz).

Finally, the mainland China-only model, the iPad 10.2" 9th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China), supports LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 66. It does not support band 71 (600 MHz).

In most countries, if the iPad 9th Gen is purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller, the cellular capable devices include an "Apple SIM" that is intended to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card. With the exception of the China-only model, it has an "embedded" SIM (eSIM), as well.

Where is the iPad available for purchase? Can it be purchased from Apple Authorized Resellers?

Originally, the iPad only was available for purchase direct from Apple and "select resellers" in the United States. However, Apple now allows all Apple Authorized Resellers to sell the iPad.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

Who designed the iPad?

The original iPad was designed entirely in-house, and like the iPhone before it, the design team no doubt included the late Steve Jobs, Apple CEO; Jonathan Ive, the director of Apple's Industrial Design Group; and Scott Forstall, the former Apple vice president of Platform Experience.

However, it is important to recognize that the iPad was created by a team of dozens, even hundreds, of designers, engineers, and programmers.

What font does the iPad interface use?

Like the pre-iPhone 4 iPhone models, the original iPad and iPad 2 models use the Helvetica font for the interface. Like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, the iPad 3rd Gen, iPad 4th Gen, and iPad mini models all used Helvetica Neue at the time of their release.

When running iOS 7 or iOS 8, all iPad devices use Helvetica Ultra Light or Helvetica Light. When running iOS 9, all iPad models use a font that is fairly similar to Helvetica, but that Apple calls "San Francisco" and that is shared by the Apple Watch. In iOS 10, iOS 11, and iOS 12, Apple made additional tweaks to the system font, and in iOS 11 and later it commonly is called "SF Pro" in Developer's Guidelines. Starting with iPadOS (13), it also became possible to install custom fonts. Finally, starting with iOS 14, the iPadOS "provides the San Francisco and New York fonts in the variable font format" for default use.