Cellular not initializing on iPadOS 26.4 (resolved by network reset)

We are seeing an issue after updating iPads to iPadOS 26.4 where cellular service is lost until network settings are reset.

Environment:

  • Devices managed via Apple Business Manager and Microsoft Intune

  • Carrier: Verizon

  • Confirmed affected devices:

    • iPad (9th generation)
    • eSIM

Behavior:

  • After update, device shows no cellular service
  • No prompt to re-activate or re-add the cellular plan
  • The plan appears to still be present on the device

Workaround observed:

  • Resetting Network Settings restores service

Notes:

  • This does not appear to be a provisioning issue (no need to re-add eSIM)
  • Behavior suggests the cellular/eSIM state may not be initializing correctly after update
  • Toggling Cellular or Airplane mode has not yet been tested for service restoration.
  • We have not yet confirmed whether devices using a physical SIM are affected
  • Still gathering data on scope across additional iPad models

Additional observation:

  • We have not observed this behavior on iPhones (e.g., iPhone 16 on iOS 26.4 with LTE remains unaffected)

Has anyone else observed similar behavior on iPadOS 26.4, particularly on managed devices or eSIM configurations?

Answered by DTS Engineer in 881976022

You might have more luck asking this in over in the Apple Support Community, run by Apple Support, and specifically in the Business and Education topic area, where you’re more likely to find folks with relevant experience.

DevForums is primarily focused on helping developers with APIs in Apple’s various platform SDKs, and that’s not a factor here.

Share and Enjoy

Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

You might have more luck asking this in over in the Apple Support Community, run by Apple Support, and specifically in the Business and Education topic area, where you’re more likely to find folks with relevant experience.

DevForums is primarily focused on helping developers with APIs in Apple’s various platform SDKs, and that’s not a factor here.

Share and Enjoy

Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

I am having the exact same issues with the same parameters.

  • Ipad Air 9, eSIM
  • 26.4 Update
  • Managed by Apple Business manager and Intune

Fix I found yesterday was wiping them using Intune, including wiping cellular service. They would then reactivate eSIM and Verizon service, then reload their profile. Finally wiped and confirmed this particular fleet working again yesterday afternoon, but this morning they have all but most lost service again. Fix was temporary.

Edit: Network reset will get them working for about 10 minutes, but then the full bars drop to one bar, and the cellular is completely non-functional again.

Cellular not initializing on iPadOS 26.4 (resolved by network reset)
 
 
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