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IPAe vs IPAd: which should I use?

The IPA (IoT Profile Assistant) is the software that talks to the eIM on the chip's behalf. The Onomondo eIM supports both versions, and both communicate with it the same way.

Written by Jakub Kubinski

🎯 Short answer:

  • Choose the IPAe if you do not want to change your device firmware.

  • Choose the IPAd if you own the firmware and want more control.


IoT Profile Assistants come in two different forms. One of them "lives" inside the eUICC chip (on the SIM), while the other can be directly embedded within your device firmware.

Here is an overview and comparison:

IPAe = inside the chip

  • Built into the eUICC and fixed at manufacture.

  • The easiest path: no firmware work needed.

  • Needs a modem that supports it. Not every IoT module does this well, especially lower-cost ones.

  • We expect most customers to start here.

IPAd = in your device firmware

  • Runs in your firmware, so you control its behaviour.

  • You decide when to check in, for example whenever the device is already awake, which helps battery-powered devices.

  • You decide how to detect lost connectivity, which feeds into fallback.

  • Easier to debug, because the logic is in your own code.

  • Doesn't depend on the modem supporting an IPAe.

IPAe

IPAd

Where it runs

Inside the eUICC

In your device firmware

Firmware work

None

Required

Control over check-ins

Fixed interval

Fully customisable

Modem dependency

Modem must support it

None

Best for

Teams that want the simplest setup

Teams that own firmware and need control

⚠️ Important

  • An IPAd doesn't turn an older chip into an SGP.32 chip.

  • The eUICC itself stores and verifies the eIM's credentials, so you need SGP.32 hardware either way.

💡 Learn more:

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