APN Settings for Every Major MVNO (iPhone & Android)

By / September 7, 2025 / Tips and Tricks

An APN (Access Point Name) is the small set of settings your phone uses to talk to your carrier’s data and picture-messaging systems. Think of it like the “Wi-Fi name and password” for your mobile data: the right APN lets your phone use 4G/5G data, send and receive MMS, share a hotspot, and keep features like visual voicemail working. If any of those break after a switch, the APN is often the fix.

You usually only touch APN settings when something changed: you swapped a SIM, installed an eSIM, moved to a new MVNO, or your data/MMS didn’t start working right after activation. Other common flags are “Could not activate cellular data network,” picture messages that won’t send, or hotspot errors. iPhones often configure themselves, but Android phones—especially on MVNOs—sometimes need a quick manual setup.

Good news: you won’t “brick” your phone by editing the APN. If a value is wrong, you can delete the APN, pick a different one, or reset network settings to go back to defaults. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what to enter and how to undo changes if needed.

Key Takeaways

  • APN is the switch that turns data/MMS on. Most lines (especially eSIM on iPhone) auto-provision, but if data or picture messages fail, add or edit the APN using your MVNO’s official instructions—don’t guess.
  • Know where to change it. On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → your line → Cellular Data Network. On Android: Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections) → Mobile network → Access Point Names. Create, save, and select the new APN; keep only one active.
  • Use the right template for your network. Many T-Mobile MVNOs use wholesale (some use fast.t-mobile.com), AT&T MVNOs often use RESELLER/ERESELLER (Cricket uses Endo), and Verizon-based lines usually auto-install (fallback can be VZWINTERNET). Always confirm with your brand’s page/tool.
  • Fix common issues fast. Toggle Airplane Mode, reboot, ensure APN Protocol is IPv4/IPv6, include mms in APN type for group texts, remove duplicate APNs, and—only as a last resort—reset network settings. For dual-SIM/eSIM, make sure the correct line is set as the data line.

TL;DR

If data, MMS, or hotspot isn’t working after you switch carriers or join an MVNO, updating the APN usually fixes it. iPhone often auto-configures; Android more often needs a manual APN. Below you’ll get step-by-step iPhone and Android instructions, MVNO-by-network templates you can copy and paste, and a quick printable checklist to confirm everything works.

📖 Also Read: Wi-Fi Calling & Texting Without Cell Service: Apps, Carriers, and Limits

What is an APN (and why it matters)

Your APN is the small set of values your phone uses to reach your carrier’s data gateway. Think of it as a mailing label for your internet traffic and MMS photos. If the APN is wrong—or missing—mobile data, group texts, and picture messages break. Many phones configure this automatically, especially with eSIM. When that doesn’t happen, a quick manual edit fixes things fast.

Before you change anything

Give yourself the best chance of a one-and-done setup.

  • Make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with your new carrier.
  • Insert the correct SIM or install the eSIM; wait a minute for any automatic carrier prompts.
  • Keep Wi-Fi on during setup so pages load quickly.
  • Update iOS/Android and accept any Carrier Settings Update pop-ups (on iPhone).
  • If your phone already has an APN from your new carrier, don’t add duplicates—edit the existing APN instead of making several copies.

Step-by-step: Change APN on iPhone (iOS 17/18)

Where to tap

Open Settings → Cellular → [your line] → Cellular Data Network.

You’ll see fields for three sections: Cellular Data, MMS, and Personal Hotspot. Enter values exactly as shown by your carrier—capitalization matters. When done, simply back out; iPhone saves as you go.

If the Cellular Data Network screen is missing, your phone likely installed the APN automatically via eSIM/carrier profile or your carrier locks APN editing for that line. In that case, focus on general troubleshooting (below) or ask your carrier to push new settings.

Carrier Settings updates

Apple and carriers ship small network files called Carrier Settings. Accepting an Update prompt refreshes network features like VoLTE, 5G icons, and APN behavior. If you’re stuck, you can try Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings (this erases saved Wi-Fi passwords/Bluetooth pairings, so use it last).

Step-by-step: Change APN on Android (Android 14/15; Pixel & Samsung)

Where to tap

Open Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections on Samsung) → Mobile network → Access Point Names.
Tap Add (or the +) to create a new APN, fill in the fields, Save, then select the new APN so it’s active.

Pixel vs. Samsung quirks

Some Samsung models show duplicate APNs after a reset. Keep one APN active to avoid conflicts. Leave Private DNS, IMS, and VoLTE engineering menus alone unless your carrier specifically instructs you.

Dual-SIM & eSIM

Assign the APN to the correct line. After downloading an eSIM, double-check that your phone didn’t switch back to an old APN profile. If you swap physical/eSIM lines, re-verify which line is active for data.

APN fields explained (what each one does)

  • Name: A label for you. It can be anything (“Mint” or “Ultra”), but matching the carrier’s suggestion helps keep things tidy.
  • APN: The key. This is the actual gateway (e.g., wholesale, ERESELLER, endomobile, fast.t-mobile.com, RESELLER, or Verizon’s defaults).
  • Username/Password: Almost always blank on MVNOs.
  • MMSC / MMS Proxy / MMS Port: Power MMS and group messages. If group texts fail, these values are usually why.
  • MCC / MNC: Country and network codes. Most of the time, do not change them.
  • APN Type: Common values are default,supl,mms (sometimes ia or fota are included by the carrier).
  • APN Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 is safest on modern networks.
  • MVNO type/value: Some T-Mobile-based MVNOs use GID values behind the scenes; if your carrier lists one, enter it.
  • Bearer / Roaming protocol: Leave as default unless your carrier says otherwise.

📖 Also Read: Best International Roaming Options for US Travelers in 2025

Quick APN reference (2025)

Use this section to copy values exactly. If your carrier offers an automatic tool or texts settings to your phone, try that first—it’s faster and less error-prone.

Tip: If you’re not sure which network your MVNO uses (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon), check the SIM packaging, your carrier’s activation page, or your plan details.

T-Mobile-based MVNOs

Mint Mobile (Android manual setup)

  • APN: wholesale
  • MMSC: http://wholesale.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc
  • APN Type: default,supl,mms,ia
  • (MVNO type may show GID; leave their suggested GID value)

Ultra Mobile (Android manual setup)

  • APN: wholesale
  • MMSC: http://wholesale.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc
  • APN Type: default,supl,mms,ia
  • (May show GID; leave defaults if the page says so)

Tello

  • Android/iPhone data APN: wholesale
  • iPhone MMS often uses APN service with the same MMSC as above (carrier doc lists both). Follow Tello’s per-device instructions.

General T-Mobile BYOD (including Metro-style APN on many devices)

  • APN: fast.t-mobile.com
  • MMSC: http://mms.msg.eng.t-mobile.com/mms/wapenc
    (Some MVNOs still require wholesale instead; use the MVNO’s page first.)

AT&T-based MVNOs

H2O Wireless

  • APN: RESELLER (ALL CAPS)
  • (H2O’s setup page walks you through the rest.)

Red Pocket (GSMA / AT&T variant)

  • APN: ERESELLER
  • MMSC: http://mmsc.mobile.att.net
  • MMS Proxy: proxy.mobile.att.net (Port 80)
  • APN Type: default,supl,mms,fota

Cricket Wireless (Android manual configuration)

  • APN: Endo
  • MMSC: http://mmsc.aiowireless.net
  • MMS Proxy: proxy.aiowireless.net (Port 80)
  • APN Type often includes default,mms,fota,hipri,supl (use Cricket’s page as listed)

Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular’s help center provides device-specific setup steps. Check their current instructions if APN auto-provision fails.

📖 Also Read: MVNO Coverage Explained: Verizon vs AT&T vs T-Mobile Networks (Maps Inside)

Verizon-based MVNOs

US Mobile (GSM vs. Warp 5G)
US Mobile runs on multiple networks. For Android on the GSM/T-Mobile side, US Mobile’s own guide lists APN endomobile (with its MMS details). If you’re on their Verizon-based “Warp” network, use their APN Download tool or support for the correct profile.

Red Pocket (GSMT vs. GSMA vs. CDMA-style lines)

  • On GSMT (T-Mobile), Red Pocket lists APN WHOLESALE with the wholesale MMSC.
  • On GSMA (AT&T), use ERESELLER (see above).
    Follow Red Pocket’s configurator to pick the right set.

Straight Talk / Total by Verizon / TracFone brands
These brands now provide per-line APN programming links and codes—text APN to 611611 or use their APN page tied to your SIM/number for the exact values. This is the cleanest method and adjusts as they change networks behind the scenes.

Visible / Xfinity Mobile / Spectrum Mobile / Page Plus (Verizon core)
In most cases APNs are auto-provisioned and not editable on iPhone. On Android, if you must enter one, Verizon’s default VZWINTERNET is widely used on Verizon hardware and hotspots, while some TracFone-family and cable MVNO lines use brand-specific forms like TRACFONE.VZWENTP, COMCAST.RSLR.VZWENTP, or CHARTER.RSLR.VZWENTP. When in doubt, don’t guess—use your carrier’s official tool/chat. (Verizon’s own docs note VZWINTERNET as the fallback APN on certain devices.)

If your MVNO offers a self-service APN installer or text-to-configure option, use it first. It’s faster than manual typing and updates as carriers change back-end routes.

iPhone vs. Android: what’s different in 2025

  • iPhone (especially with eSIM) usually loads the APN automatically. For Google Fi on iPhone, for example, you no longer need to enter APN and MMS settings by hand during activation. If your iPhone has no APN menu, that’s normal on many lines.
  • Android exposes APN fields on most models, and MVNOs often publish Android-specific values on their help pages (Mint, Ultra, Tello, US Mobile, Red Pocket, Cricket). If you see several APNs, keep only the one your carrier recommends and select it.

Personal Hotspot and APN “types”

Hotspot sharing on many MVNOs works with the same APN used for data. If your carrier requires special hotspot terms, they may set a different APN type (such as adding dun). Most MVNOs simply include default,supl,mms and let hotspot ride on your plan’s policy. If hotspot fails while data works, toggle it off/on, reboot, then re-check the APN type—don’t add extra types unless your provider lists them.

Troubleshooting (fast fixes that actually work)

If data or MMS is still acting up after you enter the correct APN:

  1. Reset the APN page to default, then re-enter the values carefully. Tiny typos in the MMSC URL or a stray space break MMS.
  2. Select the APN you created. Saving alone doesn’t activate it.
  3. Switch Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds, then off to refresh the radio.
  4. Reboot the phone.
  5. On Android, set APN Protocol to IPv4/IPv6. On older phones, try IPv4 only.
  6. Remove other APNs so only one remains active for that line.
  7. For MMS/group texts, confirm your Photos app has permission to use mobile data, and that MMS is enabled in Messages.
  8. If you recently ported your number, MMS might lag behind voice/data for a few hours.
  9. On iPhone, go to Settings → Messages and toggle MMS Messaging and Group Messaging, then power cycle.
  10. Still stuck? Use the carrier’s official APN tool (e.g., Red Pocket’s configurator, Straight Talk’s 611611 “APN,” US Mobile’s APN Download) or ask them to push a carrier settings update to your line.

Dual-SIM & eSIM tips

  • Assign Cellular Data to the right line. If you switch the data line, your APN may appear to “stop working” until you select it for that line.
  • For international eSIMs, leave your domestic MVNO APN alone. Only the active data line’s APN matters.
  • After downloading a new eSIM, open the APN screen just to verify the values stuck. If the APN list is empty, contact your MVNO to push a profile.

When the APN menu is locked or missing

Some carriers hide APN editing on iPhone and even on certain Android models. That’s not an error—if the right APN is installed automatically, you don’t need to touch it. If the values are wrong and the menu is locked, your carrier must re-provision the line or send a configuration profile. Don’t try random third-party APNs; it won’t bypass plan limits and can make things worse.

MVNO-by-MVNO: what to expect (and how to get help)

  • Mint Mobile & Ultra Mobile publish full Android APN checklists with the wholesale APN and the wholesale MMSC. These instructions also include small but important items like MVNO type: GID—follow them exactly.
  • Red Pocket maintains per-network APN pages (GSMA = ERESELLER, GSMT = WHOLESALE) and a guided configurator so you pick the right set for your SIM.
  • H2O Wireless uses RESELLER (caps). Their SIM setup page is clear and often solves things quickly.
  • Tello lists wholesale (and service for MMS on iOS). If you’re moving from another T-Mobile-based MVNO, double-check that the APN actually changed.
  • US Mobile provides an APN download tool and a published Android manual path showing endomobile for its GSM/T-Mobile side. If you’re on US Mobile’s Verizon-based plan, use their tool or chat to confirm the correct profile for your SIM.
  • Cricket posts a full Android manual config with Endo APN and mmsc.aiowireless.net MMS settings. Enter them exactly; case and ports matter.
  • Straight Talk / Total by Verizon tie APN details to your SIM. Text APN to 611611 or use their APN pages—this adapts if your line uses different back-end partners.
  • Verizon-family MVNOs (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, Page Plus) typically auto-install APNs; manual changes are rarely needed. If your APN field is blank or shows SOS on a Verizon device, Verizon’s own support notes VZWINTERNET as the default to enter. For TracFone-family or cable MVNOs, use their brand’s official page/tool rather than guessing a VZWENTP variant.

FAQs

Do I need different APNs for 5G vs. 4G LTE?
No. APNs are about routing and MMS; your phone and SIM negotiate 5G/LTE bands separately. If 5G is flaky, you can temporarily set your Network Mode to LTE/4G while keeping the same APN.

Why does my phone show multiple APNs?
Some carrier profiles add more than one APN—for data, carrier updates, or internal services. Keep the one your MVNO recommends selected and remove extras you added manually.

MMS still won’t send on Android—what now?
Re-enter the MMSC and MMS Proxy/Port and make sure APN Type includes mms. A single typo in that URL breaks group texts.

Hotspot won’t start on my MVNO.
If your plan includes hotspot but it won’t start, toggle it off/on, then reboot. Don’t add dun unless your MVNO lists it. Some lines block hotspot at the account level—APN edits won’t bypass that policy.

Can I copy APNs from a friend’s phone?
Only if they’re on the same MVNO and network. Even within a brand, two lines may need different APN templates if they ride different partners.

The bottom line

APN edits are simple, but precision matters. Start with your MVNO’s official page or text-tool, then add the APN exactly as they show it. On iPhone, accept carrier updates and expect fewer manual steps—especially with eSIM. On Android, create one clean APN, select it, reboot, and you’re done. If things still misbehave, reset, re-enter the values, and let your MVNO push a fresh profile.