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iPad mini Q&A
Update Published October 22, 2024
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Which iPad mini models support cellular networking? What are the differences between the cellular networking on each model? Which iPad mini models use which type of SIM? Nano? eSIM?
Each generation of iPad mini devices -- from the original iPad mini to the current iPad mini -- have at least one model that supports cellular networking. However, models from different generations, and even within generations, have different capabilities.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Cellular iPad mini 2 - Left; iPad mini 5 - Right)
Physically, it is possible to tell that an iPad mini model supports some kind of cellular networking if it has a plastic panel or an antenna line on the back toward the top of the case, but this is not sufficient to determine the generation or the specific wireless capabilities.
Cellular Capable iPad mini Models
The Model Number located toward the bottom on the back of each device is the quickest way to establish the precise model:
iPad mini |
Model No |
If an iPad mini is not listed above, it does not support cellular networking, but rather is a model only capable of using Wi-Fi.
To pinpoint a specific iPad mini by a variety of other identifiers, see the Ultimate iLookup feature.
iPad mini Cellular Differences
All applicable iPad mini models support a version of cellular networking but the capabilities vary significantly by series.
Supported 4G LTE and 5G cellular bands are as follows:
iPad mini |
Model No |
4G/5G Bands |
| 4, 17 | ||
| 1, 3, 5, 13, 25 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 | ||
| 38, 39 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 | ||
| 38, 39, 40 | ||
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41 | ||
| 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, 46, 66, 71 | ||
| 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, 46, 66 | ||
| 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, 42, 46, 66 | ||
| n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
||
| n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
||
| n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 |
||
| n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 |
iPad mini SIM Types
All cellular-capable iPad mini models released prior to the iPad mini A17 Pro in 2024 have a Nano SIM card slot. There is some variation regarding eSIM support for later models, as well:
iPad mini |
Model No |
SIM Type |
| Nano SIM | ||
| Nano SIM | ||
| Nano SIM | ||
| Nano SIM | ||
| Nano SIM | ||
| Nano SIM | ||
| Nano SIM | ||
| Nano SIM & eSIM | ||
| Nano SIM & eSIM | ||
| Nano SIM | ||
| Nano SIM & eSIM | ||
| Nano SIM | ||
| eSIM | ||
| eSIM |
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