You can turn on cellular data service, turn cellular service on or off, and set which apps and services use cellular data. With some carriers, you can also change your data plan.
For help with cellular network services and billing, contact your wireless service provider.
Note: Wi-Fi + Cellular models don’t support cellular phone service—they support cellular data transmission only. To make phone calls on iPad, Use 5G with your iPad.
If Cellular Data is off, all data services—including email, web browsing, and push notifications—use Wi-Fi only. If Cellular Data is on, carrier charges may apply. For example, using certain features and services that transfer data, such as Messages, could result in charges to your data plan.
If you previously set up a cellular plan, go to Settings > Cellular.
To set options when Cellular Data is on, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options, then do any of the following:
Reduce cellular usage: Turn on Low Data Mode, or tap Data Mode, then choose Low Data Mode (depending on your iPad model). This mode pauses automatic updates and background tasks when iPad isn’t connected to Wi-Fi.
Turn Data Roaming on or off: Data Roaming permits internet access over a cellular data network when you’re in a region not covered by your carrier’s network. When you’re traveling, you can turn off Data Roaming to avoid roaming charges.
Depending on your iPad model, carrier, and region, the following option may be available:
Turn LTE on or off: Turning on LTE loads data faster.
On > Cellular Data, then turn Cellular Data on or off for any app (such as Maps) or service (such as Wi-Fi Assist) that can use cellular data.
If a setting is off, iPad uses only Wi-Fi for that service.
Note: Wi-Fi Assist is on by default. If Wi-Fi connectivity is poor, Wi-Fi Assist automatically switches to cellular data to boost the signal. Because you stay connected to the internet over cellular when you have a poor Wi-Fi connection, you might use more cellular data, which may incur additional charges depending on your data plan. See the Apple Support article Share your internet connection from iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) with Personal Hotspot