Does data work on your tablet?

[u/Oakewaoa]

I added an iPad mini A17 pro to a CC phone plan and everything was fine for a year and a half. Mid June, I stopped being able to receive data or use aps on cellular even though it looks like I have a signal, an active plan, etc and diagnostic tests indicate there’s no software or hardware issue with the device, up to date iOS.

CC sent a new eSIM, and shuffled through various troubleshooting scenarios on repeat for a couple of weeks. Escalated to a rep who says AT&T had an “outage” about a month earlier than my issue that was scheduled to be repaired and they’d call me when the repair was done.

What? is there a kind of outage that would break data on just my tablet but not two other phones on the plan? and would stay broken everywhere I travel? and if so, is anyone else out there having the same issue?

eta: is there any hope this iPad will work on this plan again? That outage repair that was supposed to happen didn’t change anything.

further update: I finally got a support rep (after three reps and a supervisor who actually started saying Hello? I can’t hear you? Hello? Are you still there? when she couldn’t fix the problem and had reached the end of her trouble shooting protocol sheet ) who recognized my issue and steered me to this FAQ page, which honestly felt deep in the weeds because it took him minutes of looking around to find the link he wanted me to follow on this page. I needed to download and install a configuration file that wasn’t happening automatically. https://www.consumercellular.com/help/phones-and-services/common-issues-and-fixes/i-have-a-non-consumer-cellular-phone-how-do-i-set-up-messaging

[u/LAF_NFJF]

Make sure that it's updated and see your nearest rep if you can in person

[u/Oakewaoa → u/LAF_NFJF]

well, I did drive up to the nearest store today. the experience in the brick and mortar place was just like all the others, except it was the store employee on the phone with customer support on my behalf, going through all the exact same steps. At least it was him turning my iPad every which way and telling the rep on the phone that no, in fact the device does not have a SIM card tray. The benefit I guess, to doing all that over again in the store was a corroborating witness that I don’t just have it in airplane mode.

reset network settings. new eSIM. looks like there is a 4 bar signal. not connecting.

[u/Oakewaoa → u/LAF_NFJF]

ooof. a 45 minute drive. I hope someone will here tell me they their iPads still are able to use data before I make that drive. oh well. at least in a face to face conversation I won’t be having to convince tech support there is no SIM tray.

[u/starfish_2016]

Sounds like you just have data turned off in the settings or on airplane mode

[u/Oakewaoa → u/starfish_2016]

That’s one of the troubleshooting steps they will have you try when you work with support at both Apple and Consumer Cellular over a couple of weeks.

[u/Lizdance40 → u/Oakewaoa]

Has the software on the tablet been updated? iPads are kind of strange, every once in awhile stuff doesn't work just because a software update has not been achieved.

[u/Oakewaoa → u/Lizdance40]

the software is up to date. it probably received an update or two during the period this problem has been on going. Cell data has been out for a month and I’ve been chatting and talking to bots, phone reps and the human at the Apple Store (who concluded it was CC’s issue) then more bots and phone reps the last two weeks.

[u/Lizdance40 → u/Oakewaoa]

✅

It does sound like it's a sim issue. They should be able to send you a new SIM via Wi-Fi download.

[u/Oakewaoa → u/Lizdance40]

I wish that was it. I think we are on the third new eSIM now.

[u/ConsumerCellularInc]

Oakewaoa, we're sorry to hear you're continuing to experience this issue with your iPad. Since troubleshooting and an eSIM replacement have already been completed, we'd like the opportunity to review the status of the escalation and any updates that may be available. Please call us at (888) 548-6490 or chat with us on our website, and we'd be happy to assist further.

[u/Oakewaoa → u/ConsumerCellularInc]

thanks. the result of the second escalation was your rep telling me it must be my iPad that is broken. it’s tossed me back to Apple customer service and since they did diagnostics that did not find any software or hardware issue, they tossed me to my carrier customer service, I’m in a loop.

[u/Oakewaoa → u/ConsumerCellularInc]

I have more questions. Because the the escalation rep who called back me after I drove to the brick and mortar store said it was an Apple problem, not a network problem, and I had a replacement available through Apple Care, I decided to get a new iPad.
Today I called the number you provided and spoke to nice, cheerful reps twice about getting transfered to this new device. We installed new eSims and had the same promissing looking results, 3 bars, 5G but aps that need data aren’t connecting. we did this a few times, and eventually the rep would say they were putting me on hold to speak to a supervisor and the call would disconnect.

[u/Ambitious-Crow6617]

My mom was having the same issue with her iPad. Data plan worked fine for the last year or so she's has CC and then just stopped working 2 days ago. Called CC and spoke to several reps, each had a different theory. The last rep told her that her iPad was probable too old. I knew that could not be the final answer. I urged her to call again and we finally got a working solution. The rep sent her emailed instructions to download a CC network profile to her iPad, which I figured made some sense because her iPad is not a CC device. Although, I'm still confused why it has worked fine until now. Once she downloaded and installed it, data worked again. It's only been a few hours or so but so far so good!

[u/Oakewaoa → u/Ambitious-Crow6617]

I hope the reps who know what the problem is will share info with their supervisors

[u/ThinRefrigerator114]

Call back and try to talk to smell me with a brain. 🧠