Apple claims that the iPad 3G isn’t carrier-locked, but it won’t be able to connect to T-Mobile 3G. Why? The short answer is that the iPad 3G does not support the band (1700 MHz) that T-Mobile 3G uses. However, it does support T-Mobile’s EDGE band, GSM/EDGE (850 and 1900 MHz). And it’s been confirmed to work by several users with some handiwork and a T-Mobile SIM card on EDGE data plan. Would doing this save you money? Not necessarily, it all boils down to how much data you’ll consume monthly, the network coverage in your area, doesn’t mind waiting for slow connection, etc. Or perhaps you’re a long time T-Mobile customer with the $5.99 T-Zones data plan that is no longer offered. In most cases, the iPad AT&T 3G data plans will be the way to go for most of us.
DISCLAIMER: We have not tested this, so this information may be inaccurate or incomplete. iPadInsider.com will not be responsible for individuals following the instructions on this page. And are doing so entirely at their own risk.
Here’s how to get iPad 3G to run on T-Mobile EDGE network:
1) Have your iPad 3G and T-Mobile SIM with EDGE data plan ready
2) With the SIM eject tool that came in the box, take out the AT&T Micro SIM and place it on top of the T-Mobile traditional SIM, trace it and trim it with a scissor or any other tool that can get the job done right (Be sure not to cut the gold contact). Or follow this guide from Techradar.
3) Insert the DIY T-Mobile Micro SIM in the iPad
4) Turn off WiFi
5) On the iPad, go to Settings > Cellular Data > Turn Cellular Data ON
6) Turn ON Airplane Mode and then OFF to refresh
7) You should be on T-Mobile EDGE at this point, if not go to Settings > Cellular Data > APN Settings > And try these on the “APN” field:
- wap.voicestream.com
- epc.tmobile.com
- internet2.voicestream.com
- internet3.voicestream.com
Here’s a video version of the guide from islickster00. And as he mentioned, you won’t be able to use your phone now with the Micro iPad SIM (UK).
I’ve tested the cutting with my AT&T iPhone sim and it works. And I practiced on an old T-Mobile sim oh which I had to cut part of the bottom contacts off, and that worked too. As long as you’re only cutting plastic and not silicon, you should be good.
You should take a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkyMzn5NkaI
this solution makes cutting SIMs much saver.
very cool hack. I had a spare SIM from an old t-mobile@home account I have one contract. I added a $10 data plan to it, and have it running on my T-mobile account. Now I have a really nice IPAD 2G
so if i cut my existing at&t sim down can i use my existing at&t data plan??
if so i just need some sort of adapter to swap the sim back and forth from phone to pad.
Cool hack i will have to try this
Do you guys know if this will work with the new iPhone 4? Cuz i’m running T-Mobile and I wanna get it up and running asap
@moneyZ, this will most-likely be the solution for how the iPhone 4 will be able to run on T-Mobile’s network. If it has worked in the iPad then there shouldn’t be any problem getting the iPhone 4 to do the same. Despite that the iPad is carrier unlocked, it was able to run T-Mobile EDGE by just cutting down a regular SIM card. Since the iPhone 4 WILL be carrier locked, all that needs to be done is a firmware unlock from the jailbreak community. Once that’s done, all you need to do is insert your cut T-Mobile SIM into your iPhone 4 and, WHAM! Like a punch in the boobies, your running on T-Mobile’s network!
I can’t wait until an official unlock is released.
That’s when my iPhone 4 shopping starts.