iPad 3G : Activating / Purchasing AT&T Cellular Data for the iPad 3G+Wifi

   Posted April 30, 2010 by Jimmy Selix in Apple Mac

This recipe will explain how to activate the Cellular Data service on your new iPad 3G.

Data plans start at:
$14.99 for 250MBs of data for a month
or
$29.99 for unlimited data for a month.

Data service can be purchased directly from your iPad without a wireless internet connection. All you need is AT&T data service coverage and your VISA/MC/AMEX credit card.

1. Go to Settings > Cellular Data

2. Tap on View Account

3. Enter in your full information (if your a first time user) or login using the email address and password you had setup previously.

4. At the bottom, you are given the choices of the two data plans. Tap on the one you want and then enter in your credit card information and tap on Submit.

5. Agree to the Terms of Service and your account/purchase will be processed.

6. It will take a few minutes for the data service to activate, you will receive a Pop-up Notification once it is.

7. Enjoy your internet anywhere iPad experience!

TIP:

-Add a calendar reminder for when your months worth of data expires
-Unlimited data plans may be cheaper in the long term vs the 250mb. 250mbs of data can easily be consumed in a few days of streaming netflix or air video or any other video streaming app.

 

About Jimmy Selix

Jimmy Selix is an early adopter that loves to be one of the first on the block to have the latest and greatest in technology and gadgets. Another love of his is being able to share his knowledge to others seeking it. Feel free to drop any comments or questions that you may have.
View more articles by Jimmy Selix

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  • Katrina

    can someone please help me? my ipad doesnt have that cellular data tab in the settings, i tried getting it updated but it says its already as much updated as it can be. how do i get the cellular data tab?

    • http://blogs.tech-recipes.com/jimmyselix jimmyselix

      are you sure you have the 3G+WIFi version. the WiFi only version lacks the physical hardware to do cellular data.

      also, are you jailbroken or just stock?

      let us know 🙂

  • Mernie

    Need help with the cellular data tab – It opened when I first received my 3g ipad and I set up a one month service for some traveling. When I returned I canceled the service, but found I need it again and now the setup info under “view account” won’t come up on the screen

  • Roncrowell

    I am trying to renew my ATT 3 G. When asked for password, it rejects my attempts. When I hit “Get Password” I get an error message. So I am unable to renew my 3G subscription. Most websites allow retrieval of ID and password. Any help would be appreciated.
    RC

    • Bertram Lindo

      > I put in my Email and password, it asks for “forgot password. I click it and get a temp password…twice
      the temp does not work either???

  • Gregg Dotoli

    I am having the same problem. ATT should do a better job of
    data verification during subscription. I called ATT and after 20 minutes they gave me
    Apple.s number, which when dialed at 8 EST, advised me to call back (PST).
    ATT and Apple are not efficient with this new support service .
    I amy just bolw away the Ipad through Itunes and redo the the 3G service.
    Gregg Dotoli

  • dina1234

    Someone help!!! When I tap ‘View Account’ it says ‘connection failed to server’… what do i do?!?!?!

  • Kdlloyd487

    after loading all information it say AT&T is unable to process my request at this time! It has said this for 2 days, has anyone else received this message?

  • Debbie Lentine

    I am having a problem login into my account. I can’t remember my password and message says an email will be sent to me, how ever not email has been sent. What to do??

    • ARS

      I had the same problem, I finally had to change my password and start again………extremely frustrating!!

  • Boo

    What do if I have just a wifi iPad and the tab isn’t there?

  • Drjeanne

    too bad nobody is answering the questions posted!

  • Lvp1992

    You answered it yourself. You have a WIFI iPad not 3G 😉

  • Abwaters1

    my ipad was stolen. how do i disconnect the 3g service?

    • Anonymous

      The best bet will be to call your cellular provider.

  • kgrant

    If I have the AT&T icon showing bars and 3g..does this mean that I have an active account on my ipad?

  • Jimmy Selix

    re: kgrant

    not necessarily. you can test it by just turning off wifi and leaving cellular on. 🙂

  • WP

    Hey Jimmy,
    I am setting up my cellular service for the first time on my ipad on the AT&T network and it keeps saying my email address is invalid, which is through AOL. I tried a different AOL email and received the same results..HELP!!!