New ipad, help needed

[Green Giant]

Hello
I’m after a bit of help with our new iPad, a 2025 M3 version.
We are abroad and have spent about 2 hours trying to get a Saily eSIM installed on our iPad.
We are wondering if the iPad we have, is not the cellular version? We paid for the iPad Air 12.9 WiFi and cellular 256, we don’t have the box with us.
I can’t find anything in settings that mention cellular, ( note, new iPads don’t have physical sim slots now,) I can only find mobile data icon? But not cellular,?
Saily have said our iPad is not compatible with esims, so my only conclusion is we have been sent the wrong iPad? Ie WiFi only.
Anything I can check, I’m not techy and in middle of Iceland at the moment
Thanks for any advice

 

[soldas]

Should had a model number on the back of the iPad Identify your iPad model – Apple Support (UK)

 

[Green Giant]

Absolutely nothing on the iPad,, I’ve checked the model number in Settings>about> it matches the iPad for a cellular version.
On Apple web sites they mention and show Cellular green icon, but I’ve only got a green mobile data icon? Think I’ll give up with this today as stress level has peaked, I’ll wait till I find a tech shop in a few days or so

 

[Salty Spuds]

Absolutely nothing on the iPad,, I’ve checked the model number in Settings>about> it matches the iPad for a cellular version.
On Apple sites the mention and show Cellular green icon, but I’ve only got a green mobile data icon? Think I’ll give up with this today as stress level has peaked, I’ll wait till I find a tech shop in a few days or so

Afaik Mobile Data & Cellular are one & the same

 

[Salty Spuds]

Thanks, I thought this too, but Saily eSIM live chat said it isn’t, also apple site also mention cellular all the time, but maybe Apple haven’t updated their info for the newer iPads?
Very frustrating getting different info.

I think (and I could be wrong..again) that “Cellular” is an Americanism, and “Mobile Data” is the the proper term

PS, we used Airolo ESIM in Mexico and it was faultless. Our first time using an eSIM.

 

[CAB]

It sounds like you have the correct ipad.

It also sounds like it doesn't work with your esim.

Can you install the esim on your phone? Most new phones can run 2 sims.

 

[doncarlyon]

Can you access the QR code on a phone, then scan it with the iPad camera?

It should then say "add data plan" or something similar.

If that doesn't work, i'd assume there is an issue with the iPad. i.e. it's made by Apple and you should have bought a Samsung.

Worst case, can you add the eSIM to another phone or tablet and then use it as a hotspot?

 

[Ayjay]

FWIW, my older iPad 9 running IOS 18.5 is Cellular enabled and if I go into settings, Mobile Data is the fourth item down. I couldn’t swear to it but I think that only appears in settings for cellular models. Also, unless Apple have changed their policy, GPS is also a feature of cellular but not others so there’s another test. Mine takes either physical or esims with no problem.

 

[Green Giant]

Thanks guys, we managed to get the iPad and eSIM working, it was a combination of the QR code not working, then Saily live chat telling us our iPad must have a cellular icon not mobile data, which was wrong info, and, as suggested above, they are actually the same thing, confusing to someone like me..