Thinking more about my attempt to get data coverage on vacation, one thing I hadn’t considered was getting an AT&T SIM card for my 2018 12.9 inch iPad Pro (3rd generation), and temporarily replacing my Verizon sim. This predates the esim days.
Has anyone tried swapping sims back and forth in a single device? Have you run into any issues?
I want to keep my Verizon sim as my main sim (work pays for that one), but use an AT&T sim on vacation, in a spot that only has AT&T coverage. I don’t want to find out that I lock myself into using the AT&T sim once I switch, and can’t switch back.
Pre e-SIM (iPhone X), I had a travel SIM with GigSky that I’d swap back and forth with my Telus (Canada) regular SIM whenever I would travel to the USA; it works fine provided that your device is unlocked and permits it. I now do the same thing with e-SIMs on my iPhone and iPad.
So I swung by the AT&T store, and picked up a SIM, and am able to swap between them with no issues. I still can’t get the hotspot feature working, the guy at the store had no clue, and AT&T’s phone support system is a steaming pile of you-know-what, but at least I’m headed in the right direction.
I think the hotspot device plans are more expensive, and they try to lock you into a long-term contract. I’ve got it working, but without tethering, so I’ll just use my iPad Pro on vacation, and swap the cards back after my trip.
In my (limited) experience, AT&T charges to be able to use a device as a hotspot; I believe Verizon doesn’t. In both cases, you pay for the data use if it goes beyond your monthly allotment, of course.
