Whether you’re stuck with a WiFi-only iPad or can’t afford to pay for the more expensive LTE model, here’s how you can add LTE features to your WiFi-only iPad.
If you’ve been watching LTE iPads, you’ll notice that they cost a little more than the WiFi-only models. For example, if we look at the iPad Air 2, the entry-level 16GB WiFi-only model costs $499, while the model with LTE costs $629 – a full $130.
Not many buyers are willing to pay that much just for the inclusion of LTE, but the benefit of having internet wherever you go with your iPad is still tempting. Fortunately, there are ways to add LTE to a WiFi-only iPad, some of which aren’t terribly expensive, while other methods may not be that cost-effective.
Whichever method you choose, here’s how you can turn a WiFi-only iPad into an LTE-enabled iPad as well.
Use LTE iPad Case
There are iPad cases that add LTE capabilities, but not many. AT&T’s Modio case is the newest case on the market, and AT&T is the best option if you want LTE.
Its called Modio Smartcase can host your iPad and connect it to AT&T’s LTE network and the data used will be from the subscriber’s Mobile Sharing plan, so you don’t need to buy a separate plan if you want to get such a case. It doesn’t add any cost for your iPad other than any overtime charges for the subscriber.
The case also includes a built-in 4,600mAh battery that provides an extra 10 hours of use for your iPad, and even includes a built-in microSD card slot that can support up to 32GB of extra storage for your Apple tablet.
The case works with iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini. Unfortunately, Modio Smartcase doesn’t have a release timeline or price yet, but landing page because it was sued and listed as “coming soon”.
Connect Your iPhone
If you have an iPhone or other smartphone, you can connect it to your iPad to get LTE for your tablet. You can do this by enabling the hotspot feature on your phone and connecting to the phone on your iPad just like you would any other WiFi network.
Most cellular plans support using the iPhone as a hotspot at no extra cost, but you may want to first see if your carrier supports it for free or if there is an additional monthly fee. You can try turning on iOS 8 hotspot to see if it’s included in your plan and if not, you’ll usually see a phone number to call to turn on the feature.
To enable the hotspot feature on your iPhone running iOS 8, open the app and go to . Turn it on and off from there. Just switch to your iPad and then connect to that hotspot as you would any WiFi network.
However, it’s important to remember that if you’re on a limited data plan, you want to make sure you don’t exceed your monthly data allowance as you may be charged with overage fees.
Get a Carrier Port Device
If you don’t want to use your iPhone as an access point for your iPad, you can get a special hotspot device that you can take with you wherever you go.
The Verizon Ellipsis Jetpack is also an affordable, highly capable personal hotspot.
Almost all carriers offer dedicated hotspot devices, and you can purchase many of them on a contract for a low upfront cost, or you can buy them outright and buy them without getting caught on a contract. Also, some carriers even allow you to add an access point device to your shared data plan, that way you don’t have to sign up for a different plan.
Having hotspot devices is extremely convenient and all you have to do is turn it on and have WiFi at your fingertips wherever you are.
The only downside is that you have to carry it with you and an added device can make your bag cramped, but the good thing is you can slip it in your pocket and forget about it most of the time.
Neither of these options will be as affordable as buying an actual LTE model of an iPad, but since the LTE versions of the iPad cost a little more than WiFi-only, it could save you some money up front. models.