You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Activating Cellular service in new iPad

Took laptop to Comcast and they couldn’t activate cellular service because the error they kept getting was that the iPad was locked because it was associated with a Verizon prepaid account

Brand new not refurbished (as far as I was aware)

Posted on Nov 17, 2024 1:47 AM

Reply
1 reply

Nov 17, 2024 2:32 AM in response to d1vine

Did you purchase the iPad directly from Apple, a third-party Apple retailer, or from a Cellular Carrier such as Verizon?


WiFi+Cellular model iPad's that are purchased directly from Apple are not locked to a Cellular Carrier. By contrast, when purchased from a Cellular Carrier, the iPad may have a subsidy-lock to the specific carrier. Subsidy locks are used where the purchase cost of the iPad is heavily subsidised to reduce its initial cost - and is effectively tied to a rolling Cellular Plan for at least a minimum period. Subsidy locks can only be removed by the Carrier to whom the device is locked.


If purchased from a third-party retailer, you may be purchasing a device that may be fully unlocked, or potentially subsidy locked.


Where subsidy locks have been applied, Apple cannot remove the lock. You will need to contact the relevant carrier for the lock to be removed. There is often a charge levied for unlocking unless the minimum Cellular-contract period has been fully paid.



Activating Cellular service in new iPad

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.