What is the APN on a mobile device: Quick guide to understand it
As is normal and logical, already in other technological publications on mobile devices, we have mentioned the term or the acronym APN. Both to refer to solving the network not registered problem on Android how to fix the I can't share internet problem on iPhone.
For this reason, today we see it as ideal to share this small and new quick guide on all the theory behind the acronym APN. Which, come from the phrase in English, Access Point Name, which in turn, translates into Spanish, as Name of the access point. So without further ado, let's start digging deeper into “what is the APN” on a mobile device.
And although, currently, everything related to APN settings on a mobile device It is usually something automatic or automated, the truth is that in some cases, it may be that we need to manipulate said internal configuration of the mobile. Since, this is the one that really allows it to connect to the data network of the contracted operator.
For example, sometimes, when we buy a mobile directly in another country or we buy it unlocked so that it works in our country and its telephone operators, it is usually the case that said configuration is not automatically achieved. For this reason, as we have already stated, it is ideal to know what is behind this technology and configuration option, so that if it ever happens to us, we can solve it more quickly knowing everything related to it beforehand.
Quick guide on what is the APN on a mobile device
What is the APN?
In a brief and simple way, we can answer about “what is the APN” following:
The APN is the technical configuration intended to specify to a mobile device the transmission route to which it must connect to obtain Internet from a certain telephone provider. Therefore, the parameters to insert will be different for each available mobile phone operator.
Although, as we stated before, modern mobile devices and current SIM cards often allow an automatic configuration, without major problems. Therefore, very surely, few users have had the unfortunate occasion of having to deal with manual configuration of it.
An APN is a name that complies with the Domain Name System (DNS) convention and that when resolved by the DNS provides an IP address that provides the access service to an external wireless communication data network. Therefore, each mobile device, it must have defined the APN to use so that it can access a data network based on GPRS or later standards such as 3G and 4G. Access Point Name: Wikipedia
How to locate this option on an Android mobile?
To get to the option to manually configure the parameters of an APN (Access Point Name) on an Android mobile, it will suffice to perform the following steps, which could vary slightly depending on the brand and model of the Android mobile device and the version of the Android Operating System installed:
- We unlock our Android mobile device.
- Press the Configuration icon (Settings).
- Next, we press the Internet and Networks option, and then on the Mobile Network icon.
- Once there, we will select the name corresponding to the SIM of the telephone operator with which we have contracted the Internet service.
- Once the appropriate SIM has been selected, we will see a following screen with all the technical data related to it.
- So, to continue we need to scroll all the way to the bottom, and then click on Advanced Options.
- Once this is done, we will scroll to the end again to finish by clicking on Access Point Names.
- And when doing so, we will see the current and automated APN configuration of said SIM.
At this point, in case of having connection problems to the mobile Internet Network, we can select another of the available ones shown, edit the one currently available or create a new APN configuration.
Parameters available to configure a mobile APN
Whether we edit the current APN settings to adjust the necessary values or parameters, following the instructions of a telephone operator or testing some parameters obtained on the Internet for the telephone operator of our country, the ones that we will visualize within said configuration section are the following:
- Name
- APN
- proxy
- Port
- Username
- Password
- employee
- MMSC
- MMS proxy
- MMS port
- MCC
- MNC
- Type of authentication
- APN type
- APN protocol
- Roaming APN Protocol
- Enable/Disable APN
- Carrier
- OMV type
- OMV value
As can be seen in the following image:
More information
Please note that even though they are many parameters available, not all are necessary to manipulate. All It will depend on the country where you live. and the telephone operator that each one has on their mobile device. For which, it may be useful to explore the following links: link 1 y link 2.
Whereas, if you are a user of a iOS mobile device We recommend you explore the following Apple official link to learn a little more about the APN configuration in them.
In short, if you ever get to need to touch APN setting due to connectivity problems to the Internet Network of your telephone provider, surely now you will do it with more confidence when learn a little more about the subject. However, whether you are going to modify the current APN configuration or create a new one, we recommend that you take screenshots of how the current configuration is currently or make a note of it by hand. So that, in case you have to leave everything as it was, it's really easy for you to validate it.
And don't forget that once you have configured the necessary in this APN section, many times it is not enough to disable and enable mobile data to be able to start browsing the mobile internet network of the respective operator. Therefore, it is always recommended, in case you do not see connectivity after changing something in that section, the restart the mobile device for a correct and efficient activation of internet access.