The three ways to get your iPad online

An iPad connects to the internet through Wi-Fi, cellular data, or both. Most people use Wi-Fi at home and on the go. If your iPad has cellular capability (marked as Wi-Fi + Cellular on the box), you can also pay a carrier for mobile data, the same way you would for a phone. You do not need cellular to use an iPad — Wi-Fi alone works fine for email, video, browsing, and most apps.

Before you start, make sure your home Wi-Fi network is set up and working. If you arrived here from the home network guide, your router should already be running. If not, plug in your router, wait two minutes for it to fully start, and look for its Wi-Fi name (called the SSID) on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.

Key Takeaways

  • Connect to Wi-Fi by opening Settings, tapping Wi-Fi, selecting your network name, and entering your password — the same password printed on your router.
  • If you see a lock icon next to your network name, it is password-protected; if you see an open lock or no lock, it has no password set.
  • Forget a network in Settings > Wi-Fi > Edit if you need to reconnect with a different password or remove a saved network from your device.
  • Cellular iPads need a separate plan from a carrier like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, and you set it up through Settings > Cellular Data or by visiting a store.
  • If your iPad will not connect, restart both the iPad and your router, then check that you are using the correct password.

Connecting to Wi-Fi on your home network

Open the Settings app on your iPad — it looks like a gray gear icon. Tap Wi-Fi in the left sidebar. You will see a list of available networks. Find your network name (the SSID from your router) and tap it.

A password field will appear. Type the password exactly as it appears on your router — passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. If your router has a default password you have not changed, it is usually printed on a sticker on the device itself. Tap Join. Your iPad will connect and remember this network for future use.

Once connected, you will see a Wi-Fi icon in the top-left corner of your screen. If the icon shows full bars, your signal is strong. If it shows one or two bars, you are farther from the router or there is interference — moving closer usually helps.

Understanding Wi-Fi security symbols

Next to each network name in the Wi-Fi list, you may see a lock icon. A closed lock means the network is password-protected — you will need the password to join. An open lock or no lock at all means the network has no password, so anyone nearby can connect.

Your home network should show a closed lock. If it does not, your router is broadcasting without a password, which means neighbors or visitors can connect without permission and see your traffic. Go back to your router's settings (usually through a web browser or the router's app) and set a strong password. The router manual or the manufacturer's website will show you how.

If you see a network name you do not recognize with a closed lock, it belongs to someone else. Do not try to guess the password — it is not yours to use.

Removing or changing a saved Wi-Fi network

Your iPad remembers every network you have ever joined. If you need to reconnect to a network with a different password, or if you want to stop automatically connecting to a network, you can forget it. Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then tap Edit in the top-right corner.

Find the network you want to remove and tap the red minus sign next to it, then tap Forget. The network will no longer appear in your saved list. The next time you want to connect to it, you will enter the password again from scratch.

This is useful if you move, change your router password, or want to stop your iPad from automatically connecting to a public network you no longer use.

Setting up cellular data on Wi-Fi + Cellular models

If your iPad is a Wi-Fi + Cellular model, you can add mobile data through a carrier. Open Settings and tap Cellular Data. You will see options to set up a plan with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or other carriers available in your area.

You can also visit a carrier store in person. Bring your iPad and a form of payment. The store will set up a plan on your device — this usually takes a few minutes. Plans vary by carrier and region; some offer month-to-month data, others offer annual plans, and some let you add iPad data to an existing phone plan.

Cellular data costs extra and is separate from your home Wi-Fi. You do not need it if you only use your iPad at home or in places with free Wi-Fi. Many people use Wi-Fi only and never set up cellular.

What to do if your iPad will not connect

If your iPad shows the network name but will not join, or if it keeps disconnecting, try these steps in order. First, restart your iPad: press and hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 10 seconds, then press the top button again to turn it back on.

Next, restart your router. Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart. Then try connecting your iPad again. If the password is still not working, double-check it against the sticker on your router — copy and paste it if possible to avoid typos.

If you still cannot connect, forget the network (Settings > Wi-Fi > Edit > red minus sign > Forget) and rejoin it by entering the password again. If the problem continues, your router may need a firmware update or there may be a hardware issue — check the router manufacturer's website or contact your internet provider.

Switching between Wi-Fi and cellular

If your iPad has both Wi-Fi and cellular, it will automatically prefer Wi-Fi when available. When you leave home and Wi-Fi is no longer in range, your iPad will switch to cellular data if you have a plan active. You do not need to do anything — the switch happens in the background.

You can see which connection you are using by looking at the icons in the top-left corner. A Wi-Fi icon means you are on Wi-Fi. Bars (like a phone signal) mean you are on cellular. If you want to turn off cellular to save data or battery, open Settings, tap Cellular Data, and toggle it off. You will stay connected to Wi-Fi.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Wi-Fi and cellular on an iPad?

Wi-Fi is free once your home network is set up and works anywhere there is a Wi-Fi signal — at home, coffee shops, libraries. Cellular costs money through a carrier and works like phone data, using a SIM card or eSIM inside your iPad. You need cellular only if you want internet away from Wi-Fi networks.

Can I use my phone's Wi-Fi hotspot to connect my iPad?

Yes. Turn on your phone's hotspot (usually in Settings > Personal Hotspot or Tethering), then connect your iPad to it like any other Wi-Fi network. Your iPad will use your phone's cellular data, so make sure your phone plan allows it and has enough data. This drains your phone battery quickly.

Why does my iPad keep forgetting my Wi-Fi password?

This usually means the password you entered was wrong — passwords are case-sensitive. Forget the network and rejoin, typing very carefully or copying the password from your router. If it keeps happening, your router password may have been changed by someone else, or there may be a problem with your router's Wi-Fi chip.

Is it safe to connect to public Wi-Fi on my iPad?

Public Wi-Fi is not encrypted, so anyone on the same network can see unencrypted traffic. Avoid logging into bank accounts or entering passwords on public Wi-Fi. If you must, use a VPN app from a trusted provider. At home on your own network, you are much safer as long as your router has a password set.

Do I need a password for my home Wi-Fi?

Yes. Without a password, anyone nearby can connect to your network and use your internet. Set a strong password through your router's settings or app. Change the default password that came with the router — default passwords are often weak and widely known.