Upgrading iPad from Wi-Fi only to cellular with Wi-Fi

You cannot change the internal hardware of an iPad. Cellular capabilities (if fitted), CPU and RAM are determined during manufacture and are fixed for the entire life of the device.

In most countries/regions, if the iPad was purchased directly from an Apple Store or website, you have 14-days to unconditionally return an undamaged iPad for exchange or refund. If instead you have purchased from another retailer, you will need to explore the retailer's own return policy.

If return or exchange are not possible, you have two potential options:

1) Consider selling the unwanted item privately - although you will need to accept that you are unlikely to recover the full purchase cost.

2) Whilst a WiFi Only iPad cannot be transformed into a WiFi+Cellular model, you can use the hotspot feature of a mobile phone - or a Cellular Broadband Router (often known as a MiFi Router) - to access Cellular networks:

How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad – Apple Support

Be aware that an iPad's cellular capabilities are limited to IP Data; an iPad alone cannot be used as a standalone alternative to an iPhone. When used with an iPhone, the iPhone's SMS/MMS/RCS messaging and Cellular Calling capabilities can extend to the associated iPad using Apple's Continuity features. Additional information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:

Continuity

Work across all of your devices seamlessly – Apple Support

SMS/MMS/RCS Messaging

Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support

Turn on RCS messaging on your iPhone - Apple Support

WiFi Calling

Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support

Making and receiving calls on iPad

Make and receive phone calls on iPad - Apple Support

You cannot upgrade a Wi-Fi-only iPad to a Wi-Fi + Cellphone model later.

If you bought this iPad directly from Apple, you would typically have 14 days to return it.

MrHoffman wrote:

A MiFi or similar mobile hotspot device available from most cellular carrier will work, as well.

I used to do that, but the monthly cost of one was almost as high as my iPhone, so it didn’t make sense. Admittedly, my T-Mobile hotspot is limited to 40 GB a month, but that hasn’t been a problem😀

A MiFi or similar mobile hotspot device available from most cellular carrier will work, as well.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

MrHoffman wrote:

A MiFi or similar mobile hotspot device available from most cellular carrier will work, as well.

I used to do that, but the monthly cost of one was almost as high as my iPhone, so it didn’t make sense. Admittedly, my T-Mobile hotspot is limited to 40 GB a month, but that hasn’t been a problem😀

Yeah; I too use the iPhone hotspot for that, but various other folks don’t.

One of the cable / cellular carriers of my acquaintance was installing MiFi-like hotspot devices for residential connections, with small- or microcell-sized 5G boxes mounted outside on nearby communications wires or on power poles, and using those outside boxes for backhaul from the local residences.

According to one of the residents, the costs were competitive, and the interior gear was trivial to install and service. 🤷

The residential buildings have (or arguably used to have) Wi-Fi, but their system was aging out, and was incrementally and inexorably failing. It was probably becoming a better source of Wi-Fi interference than of Wi-Fi connectivity.

Assuming you have a smartphone from any manufacturer, you can use its Personal Hotspot feature to get cellular communications on your iPad.

I have a T-Mobile 5G Home Internet device. It sits in a window, connects to 5Guc and broadcasts WiFi. I get 200-300 kbps from it. It’s backup to my 1G FiOS service. $30 a month when added to my cell service. ($50 if your mobile carrier isn’t T-Mobile). FiOS isn’t out often, but it’s vulnerable to the whims of weather and vehicles hitting utility poles.