Ipad mini; which cell plan?

[Let'sgoflying!]

I just got one and would like to start using it for flight planning mainly (ForeFlight), but also possibly texting & websites when away from wifi.
I have never had a plan for previous ipads, and I don’t want to mess with the iphone hotspot.

I presume I need to get a plan that provides ‘data’, ‘texts’ & internet access? (not sure of the terms)

Any recommendations for providers?
(Not strictly US, I may (airline) to other countries, but once a year max.)

 

[Smnjr]

I pay $12.50 a month for the tablet plan add on to my main Verizon plan. Your provider likely has something similar for cellular capable devices like tablets and watches that aren’t phones.

 

[Initial Fix]

Depending on your phone you could just tether it. I don’t know about you, but I never use my iPad without my phone nearby. Then iPad cell package “upgrade “ for the gps becomes free without paying the monthly subscription.

 

[Hang 4]

Start with who is your current provider for your iPhone. As pointed out already, it's just a nominal add on. I would not seek out a separate provider just for the iPad. Also, understand your current plan's data limit for tethering along with your expected use. If you aren't using it much, just using your phone as a hot spot might be the most cost effective. It's trivially easy to do. (Tethering)

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I pay $12.50 a month for the tablet plan add on to my main Verizon plan. Your provider likely has something similar for cellular capable devices like tablets and watches that aren’t phones.

I use a reseller, Straighttalk - I’m check that today thanks.

Depending on your phone you could just tether it.

I don’t want to mess with the iphone hotspot

Also thanks

 

[midlifeflyer]

In my case, none. Never saw the need (and my iPad is not capable anyway).

If I did, i would compare the cost as an addon with my mobile carrier vs the many resellers with a limited plan for those times I felt I might need it. I kind of did that. I have an old iPhone 7 I figured I’d carry in my flight bag as a backup and bought a $60/year plan from Red Pocket. Except for testing it out, never actually used it.

 

[OneCharlieTango]

Two questions: 1) If you've never used a cell plan before, why do you think you'll use it now?
2) You say you don't want to mess with connecting it to the iphone. Have you ever done that? If you have "Personal Hotspot" enabled, the iPad just recognizes it as a network when you turn it on. There's no "messing with" to do.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Two questions: 1) If you've never used a cell plan before, why do you think you'll use it now?

Because when I’m in the plane with the non-connected ipad…. I’m looking for The Data!

2) You say you don't want to mess with connecting it to the iphone. Have you ever done that? If you have "Personal Hotspot" enabled, the iPad just recognizes it as a network when you turn it on. There's no "messing with" to do.

I have done that.
My previous iPad would not auto-connect to the iPhone despite correct settings.
Then, it seemed like the connection was always very slow especially with radar images.
I want to give this (a dedicated cell connection to the new iPad) a try, I’m ready.

Thanks!

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Start with who is your current provider for your iPhone. As pointed out already, it's just a nominal add on. I would not seek out a separate provider just for the iPad.

My provider only supports physical SIM card add-ons for tablets! (Ipad mini A17 has none)

 

[asicer]

I don’t want to mess with the iphone hotspot.

iPad-iPhone tethering is quite tidy these days. I'd give it a try before completely ruling it out.

 

[Whiskey Sierra]

Check out mintmobile.com. Believe it's $45 for 3 months initially. Monitor your monthly usage. It you ensure that you do your database updates via wifi, you could probably get by with the 5G plan after the initial trial. If you need more data, they have 15/20/Unlimited options. Mint uses the T-Mobile 5G network.

 

[midlifeflyer]

iPad-iPhone tethering is quite tidy these days. I'd give it a try before completely ruling it out.

I'm curious how it's done with an iPhone since I see posts that it's problematic. My phone is an Android. The only step initially was tapping an icon on the phone and pairing the iPad. Once paired, the only step is tapping the icon on the phone.

 

[Hang 4]

Pretty easy these days. Personal hotspot is in the main settings menu. Page provides a password. Enter that or change it on the ipad and go. Will prompt if you want to use it if you don't have other wifi network in range. I have a wifi only iPad for the plane that I tether very infrequently. It always asks me if I want to join the personal hotspot every time I start it up in the plane. If I acknowledge the prompt it's connected. easy peasy.

 

[schmookeeg]

Once upon a time, T-Mobile had a "bring your own device" free data thing, where for no extra cost you got a piddling amount of data (200MB?) but... free! I don't know if this is still a thing but if you're a Tmo subscriber, it can't hurt to ask. My mini 7 is still on that free data ride even though I added it back on the original ipad 1.

 

[Smnjr]

Keep in mind that even with a service plan, the iPad isn’t getting an internet data connection for very long after you’re off the ground. The real reason we like the cellular capable iPads is that they have a gps chip that the WiFi only models do not. Those will grab satellite info for real time position and speed along your route in the air. I don’t believe you need any service plan at all for that to work as intended, you would just need WiFi or phone hotspot to do things like pack ForeFlight with current info to then use offline.

 

[M20K]

I presume I need to get a plan that provides ‘data’, ‘texts’ & internet access? (not sure of the terms)

There's no need to get an iPad that has Cellular in it, I just connect to the WiFi HotSpot on my phone for data.

If the cost isn't a concern (iPad and ongoing data plan), then it is a little more convenient. And you do have a basic GPS (not ADS-B) if you really do loose everything else.
NOTE: Never use Cellular Data for Traffic while flying, it can be up to 10 minutes delayed.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I don’t always have my phone close enough for tethering so that’s not going to work for me.
I’ll post the final solution here once done.

 

[obw]

I had exactly the same use case as you with my iPad mini, and went with Roamless for data (https://roamless.com/). You basically buy a data credit (it's about $25 per 10 GB) and install the eSIM. The data credit doesn't expire and it works in the US and abroad. You basically install the eSIM on your ipad, and any data/text usage will be deducted from your balance.

I put 10 GB on my iPad about 6 months ago and still have half of it left. Definitely cheaper than a monthly add-on with my cell phone carrier.

If you want to use my "refer a friend' code, it's "OWENCSVE". You get $5 of credit and I would too!

 

[asicer]

Pretty easy these days. Personal hotspot is in the main settings menu. Page provides a password. Enter that or change it on the ipad and go. Will prompt if you want to use it if you don't have other wifi network in range.

It's been a while, but if both the iPad and iPhone are on the same appleID then I think it's even more automated than that. It just asks you if you want to tether without having to exchange passwords.

 

[AvNavCom]

I use Google Fi. Runs on the T-Mobile network, flawlessly switches over to numerous international services when I travel, and I can get up to 5 sims (IIRC) with unlimited data for no extra money. Both my iPads have e-sims and it's very handy to be able to get updated weather and so forth without screwing around with a cell-phone hotspot like it's 1957.

Edit: I tell a lie, my iPads have a physical sim.

 

[M20K]

It's been a while, but if both the iPad and iPhone are on the same appleID then I think it's even more automated than that.

Yes Apple automates a lot, but there's no need for AppleID, etc., and your phone can even be an Android. Initially on the phone you set up the HotSpot and put in the Password you want. Then on the iPad it is no different than any other WiFi connection, just find the WiFi SSID (name) and enter the Password. It will connect every time you turn on the HotSpot.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

For anyone else that doesn’t want to rely on tethering ie use their device when their phone is not present-
I decided to try keepgo.com

-purchased access (ie gb) never expires
-sold by the gb, not by the month
-uses networks available to most of my destinations (not dependant on TMobile so much)
-esim, not physical sim like my phone carrier insists upon
-good price, many options
-free trial (proved that It’s easy and that it works before buying)

 

[midlifeflyer]

Yes Apple automates a lot, but there's no need for AppleID, etc., and your phone can even be an Android. Initially on the phone you set up the HotSpot and put in the Password you want. Then on the iPad it is no different than any other WiFi connection, just find the WiFi SSID (name) and enter the Password. It will connect every time you turn on the HotSpot.

Yep. Pull phone out. Pull down from top. Tap hotspot icon. Done.

I really don’t understand the posts that suggest tethering for periodic internet use is a big inconvenience Sounds like an old Leno “how lazy are we” joke.

 

[Brad Z]

For anyone else who stumbles across this post in the future…in spite of the OPs insistence that he needs an iPad with cellular service, it is completely unnecessary if you have a reasonably modern iPhone. Tethering is seamless. Furthermore, unless you don’t have an external GPS (I.e. like a stratus ADS-B in which includes position for your iPad), you do not need a cellular enabled iPad at all; the WiFi only version of the iPad is suffiencient (and $130 cheaper).

 

[midlifeflyer]

For anyone else who stumbles across this post in the future…in spite of the OPs insistence that he needs an iPad with cellular service, it is completely unnecessary if you have a reasonably modern iPhone. Tethering is seamless. Furthermore, unless you don’t have an external GPS (I.e. like a stratus ADS-B in which includes position for your iPad), you do not need a cellular enabled iPad at all; the WiFi only version of the iPad is suffiencient (and $130 cheaper).

Although I have been a WiFi-only/phone tethering if needed iPad user for almost 15 years, I disagree with that part of the statement. There are plenty of use cases where an iPad with continuous mobile data access is just as necessary as having mobile data on a phone. I don’t make the assumption that an iPad is only for aviation use or that everyone else’s usage requirements are identical to mine.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

For anyone else who stumbles across this post in the future…in spite of the OPs insistence that he needs an iPad with cellular service, it is completely unnecessary if you have a reasonably modern iPhone. Tethering is seamless. Furthermore, unless you don’t have an external GPS (I.e. like a stratus ADS-B in which includes position for your iPad), you do not need a cellular enabled iPad at all; the WiFi only version of the iPad is suffiencient (and $130 cheaper).

Brad, could it be that each user has different needs? In that your assertion may be correct for some people, but there are others like me who will enjoy better utility with a dedicated cell plan?
My iPhone is 15Pro running 18.7.1 - not the very latest, but certainly in the category of “reasonably modern” …. and it’s tethering capabilities do not provide what I need.

 

[Brad Z]

Brad, could it be that each user has different needs? In that your assertion may be correct for some people, but there are others like me who will enjoy better utility with a dedicated cell plan?
My iPhone is 15Pro running 18.7.1 - not the very latest, but certainly in the category of “reasonably modern” …. and it’s tethering capabilities do not provide what I need.

My message wasn't directed towards you.

 

[Brad Z]

Although I have been a WiFi-only/phone tethering if needed iPad user for almost 15 years, I disagree with that part of the statement. There are plenty of use cases where an iPad with continuous mobile data access is just as necessary as having mobile data on a phone. I don’t make the assumption that an iPad is only for aviation use or that everyone else’s usage requirements are identical to mine.

I thought it was obvious that we were discussing General aviaiton usage. If your individual use case differs, by all means get the 5G version.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I thought it was obvious that we were discussing General aviation usage. If your individual use case differs, by all means get the 5G version.

Aside form the fact that people use them for more that 100% aviation, my "convenient" or "useless," might be someone else's "necessary." If I were a betting man, I'd think the odds are that "most pilots with iPads have the cellular version" would be the winner. Might make an interesting poll. Three choices:
☐ Wi-Fi Only
☐ Cellular with mobile data plan
☐ Cellular without mobile data plan

 

[Hang 4]

Wi-Fi only for me.

 

[Skyrys62]

Wi-Fi only for me too. I use stratux for ipad gps/adsb in. I have hot-spotted and downloaded updates to the EFB while in flight one time.
But I can see the use case for cellular in certain situations. Also might be real handy if your phone croaked or got lost/stolen while out n about.

 

[M20K]

I really don’t understand the posts that suggest tethering for periodic internet use is a big inconvenience Sounds like an old Leno “how lazy are we” joke.

Not sure either. But I will say that I do not leave my HotSpot on primarily for battery life. But I'm a long time techie and network guy, so security is part of it too.

Other advantage of turning off the HotSpot is that my iPad will not stay connected to my phone. So if I go into someplace that has a known network, my iPad will connect to it and I don't have to do that "oh yeah" when it's running slow because the cell coverage is crappy.

 

[M20K]

and it’s tethering capabilities do not provide what I need.

For Aviation and general use? Or some specific encrypted work App?

I'm just curious (as a techie) what would prevent you from being able to use a HotSpot, but would allow you to use any other public WiFi network. I've provided network services to a number of companies that could only connect to a know network with the specific corporate protocols and security in place. But those devices could never be used for things like FF or any other Aviation product, so they would not be part of this discussion. (Unless, of course, you get permission and they White List FF, etc.)

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I'm just curious (as a techie) what would prevent you from being able to use a HotSpot,

Phone in hangar, i’m 100’ away preflighting plane & want radar update.
A dozen such scenarios.

 

[FPK1]

My cell phone is Verizon so I added a different carrier to my iPad (redundancy). I selected T-Mobile using the Select a Carrier option of the iPad...

 

[M20K]

I selected T-Mobile using the Select a Carrier option of the iPad...

And with T-Satellite (thru SpaceX) you will eventually have Texting/Voice/Data at altitudes or in areas where there is no Cell coverage. So in a NORDO situation, you could still reach out to ATC, get Wx, etc.

I need to do a little more research, but I was looking at getting a T-Mobile MiFi just to have internet in the hangar. If their MiFi will work with T-Satellite, then it might be worth taking with me on X-US flights.

 

[Gess]

I, too, use Google Fi with a data only sim and have been very happy with the service.

 

[Atypicalguy]

This seems like a dead horse, but I have Mint on my iPad mini and I like it. Mainly for flight planning when I am away from home, checking weather apps from a hotel, etc. Now that I am paying starlink though, I may put the cell plan money toward that and go without a cell plan on the next iPad.