Access Point Names (APNs)

Android's APN configurations contain information vital for using internet data while you are on a cellular (mobile) network, as opposed to Wi-Fi.

In most cases, you should not have to change these as your phone will automatically choose settings appropriate for your carrier. In some cases, you will need to input some information provided to you by your carrier. See the guide How to find the right APN settings for your carrier for more information.

The most important fields for your APN configurations are APN and APN type. APN must match the value your carrier requires for this type of connection. APN type must describe which type of communication should use this APN configuration, such as "*" if all communications can use the same configuration, "default" to specify general internet data (but not MMS), and "mms" for MMS messaging. For MMS messaging to work, you'll also need information in other fields.

In this section:

Name (APN)

A user-chosen name to apply to this APN configuration. This name has no effect at all on the connection, and is only used as a label.

APN

Specifies the Access Point Name (APN) your device should quote when communicating with your carrier. The APN is a short string of text.

Proxy / Port

Optional fields for specifying an HTTP proxy to use for all web traffic over this connection. No longer usually required for most carriers.

Username / Password

In rare cases your carrier may require a username and password in order to access data. Usually left blank.

Server

WAP Gateway Server, a feature not usually used in modern smartphones and devices. This field should usually be left blank.

MMSC

Details of the Multimedia Messaging Service Center to use for sending and receiving of MMS messages.

MMS proxy / MMS port

HTTP proxy details to be used only for communicating with the MMSC to send and receive MMS messages.

MMS Protocol

Specifies the protocol that your device should use for sending and receiving MMS messages. Usually does not need to be modified.

MCC / MNC

Specifies the carrier network that the APN configuration should be used for. Stands for Mobile Country Code and Mobile Network Code.

Authentication type

Method used to supply your name and password to the server for your data connection. Usually not used.

APN type

Specifies which types of data communication should use this APN configuration. Different types of communication may use different configurations.

APN protocol / APN roaming protocol

For devices that support IPv6 networking, this specifies whether to enable IPv4, IPv6 or both. This can be set independently for home and roaming networks.

APN enable/disable

When having multiple general purpose APN configurations, allows you to choose which one is currently enabled.

Bearer

An optional field allowing you to exclude this APN configuration based on the communication technology (eg LTE, eHRPD) currently being used.

Mobile virtual network operator type / value

Restrict use of this APN to certain MVNOs (mobile network resellers) or subscriber accounts.

What to do if APN settings appear disabled

If your APN settings appear to be disabled and you cannot modify them, it is sometimes possible to work around this. This article lists some things you can try.