An APN (Access Point Name) creates a pathway between your phone’s mobile network and the internet. It provides the details your device needs to connect to a wireless service. Usually, APN settings are configured automatically. However, you might have trouble connecting to the internet even if you use one of thebest AT&T phones. Consider updating your APN settings if you exhausted all the troubleshooting methods to restore network connectivity. This guide explains AT&T’s APN settings and how to modify them.

What is an APN?

An APN is a gateway that connects mobile devices like phones and tablets to the internet. It does so by establishing a link with the carrier’s cellular network. APN settings contain information such as IP addresses, protocols, and authentication methods. They set up a secure connection for data transmission.

Each carrier has its own APN settings. It reads them, generates an IP address, and establishes a connection to a secure gateway. The APN settings are automatically configured when you insert your SIM card into your phone or activate eSIM.

The AT&T logo with an image of a cell tower in the background.

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When should you change your AT&T APN settings?

You won’t need to modify your APN settings in most instances. However, there are a few reasons why you might need to change it.

Explaining APN terminologies

Here’s what some of the fields in the APN settings stand for:

Be careful when changing your APN settings. Typing the wrong values might cause you to lose cellular data connectivity and incur extra charges. Double-check your changes to make sure they don’t have typos or extraneous spaces. Make a backup of your data before updating your APN settings.

Screenshot highlighting Mobile network in Settings

How to change AT&T’s APN settings

You can modify AT&T’s APN settings from your Android phone or iPhone. We list the methods for both.

Changing APN settings on Android

Here’s how to update APN settings on Android:

1. Open theSettingsapp.

2. SelectWireless & Networks,More Networks, orConnections,depending on your phone.

3. ChooseMobile Networks.

4. TapAccess Point Names.

5. Tap themenu buttonor+ iconto add a new APN.

  1. Enter the correct values in each field. Refer to the table in the next section.

7. Save your changes.

  1. Go back to the APN menu to select the new APN.

If you don’t have the option to change the settings, your carrier might not let you edit them. Contact your carrier to make the changes.

Screenshot highlighting Access point names in Settings

You can reset your APN settings to revert to the default values. Here’s how:

1. Follow steps 1 to 4 listed above.

2. Tap thethree-dot menuin the upper-right corner.

3. SelectReset access points.

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Changing APN settings on Apple devices

Here’s how to edit your APN settings:

  1. Launch theSettingsapp and selectCellular.

  2. TapCellular Data Network. For older iPhones, go toSettings>Mobile Data>Mobile Data Options>Mobile Data Network.

Screenshot highlighting the plus icon in Settings

  1. Tap each field and type the values from the table in the next section.

4. Your phone saves the details automatically.

If you update iOS after modifying your APN settings, your iPhone resets all the changes. You might have to reenter the APN settings after every iOS update.

Here’s how to reset APN settings:

2. ClickCellular.

3. SelectCellular Data Network.

4. TapReset Settings.

Contact yourcarrierif you can’t edit or view your APN settings on your iPhone or iPad.

AT&T’s APN settings

Here are the APN settings for AT&T:

Data settings

Smartphones

Smartphones (5G-capable)

Smartphones (5G Standalone)

NXTGENPHONE

ENHANCEDPHONE

http://mmsc.mobile.att.net

proxy.mobile.att.net

Screenshot showing the APN fields in Settings

Authentication type

default,mms,supl,hipri

default,mms,supl,hipri,fota

APN protocol

Unspecified

Enjoy high-speed internet on your phone

You’ll need the correct APN settings to connect your phone to your carrier’s network. In most cases, you don’t have to configure them since it happens automatically. Changing your APN settings is usually the last step in troubleshooting network issues. The instructions in this guide help you enter the correct details.

It’s easy to consume a lot of data on your phone after you get your internet up and running. You’ll rack up a hefty bill if you exceed your usage threshold. Keep tabs on yourdata consumptionand turn on thedata saver modeto conserve data.