What is an APN, and How Do I change it on my Android Phone?

WHAT IS AN ACCESS POINT NAME (APN)? 

APN (Access Point Name) is a setting in your phone that used to connect to gateway which lie between public internet and carriers network. APN provide all the information to your phone to connect to wireless service. It can be change manually by adding new APN profile in your phone setting with all information from carrier network. It includes ports used for MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), provide IP address, type of APN data and other information needed for smooth functioning of your phone. All the heavy task in performed on the carrier side but we should make sure our phone has correct setting to get on the network.

Depending on the composition of your carrier networks, some settings are mandatory and rest can be slightly modified. For most of us exact setting provided by carrier should be used. Nowadays mostly every phone comes with several pre-configured APN setting to choose from. And we as a user just need to insert sim and wait for phone to automate the process. Also, very handy to add new APN profile. APN is necessary for security and privacy.

STRUCTURE OF APN

APN structure consist of two parts:

Network Identifier: This part is mandatory. It explains external device, which is connected to GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node). Optionally, it may include different type of services seek by the users.

Operator Identifier: This part is optional. It explains operators packet domain where GGSN is located. For uniquely identification of mobile network operator we required MCC (Mobile Country Code) and MNC (Mobile Network Code).

WHY WOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR APN

Most of you might be wondering why should any one want to change APN?

Since phone come with pre-configured APN settings to choose from. As long as your phone is working flawlessly and connected to correct cellular network, there is no need. And reasons to change your APN are:

1   1.    When your pre-configured APN is not working, you need to add new APN profile.
2.    You are facing problem with your cellular connectivity.
3.    Showing Error message with cellular network.
4.    Use different carrier service (for unlocked phone).

You should change your APN setting carefully. Since you can lose connectivity with incorrect APN setting. Additional charges may apply.

 HOW TO CHANGE YOUR APN

First of all, you need to find right APN setting for the network you wish to utilize. APN setting for different carrier are available at their websites (support pages). For example, for Mint Mobile:

• Name - Ultra
• APN - Wholesale
• Proxy - (leave blank)
• Port - 8080
• Username & Password - (leave blank)
• Server - (leave blank)
• MMSC - http://wholesale.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc
• MMS Proxy - (leave blank)
• MMS Port - (leave blank)
• MCC - 310
• MNC - 260
• Authentication Type - (leave blank)
• APN Type - default,supl,mms

By applying these setting, you can use data and MMS of Mint Mobile.

For applying the setting on your phone:

1   1.    Open Setting on your phone.
2.    Select Network & Internet, then tap Mobile network.
3.    Tap Advanced. Scroll down, then tap Access Point Names.
4.    In upper right corner, tap three-dot menu. Select New APN.
5.    Enter the correct details and then save it.