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APNs (or Access Points) are the connections between your mobile device and the cellular network. They allow your phone to connect to the Internet and send data over the airwaves.
The APN is a connection point for all of your devices, including computers, tablets, and phones. It’s where you configure them to use with your carrier.
You can also manage multiple accounts from one place for added convenience.
The APN settings can also be adjusted as and when needed – and we have all of the information and steps that you need to adjust your APN settings in no time.
What Are APN Settings?
APN stands for “Access Point Name”. This is the name of the wireless access point or router on which your device connects to the internet – in short, this is essentially the password that your device will use to connect to the internet.
Your APN settings determine how your device will communicate with the wireless network; when you enter the APN, your carrier, such as ATT, will understand the type of connection that it needs to make, the IP address to be assigned, and which, if any security measures need to be put in place.
Why Might I Need To Change APN Settings?
Your APN settings may vary depending on what type of device you’re using.
For example, if you’re connecting to a WiFi hotspot, then you’ll need to set up an APN for it. If you’re connecting to a 3G/4G network, then you’ll need an APN for that too.
Key Terms
If you’re connected to AT&T’s network, then you should already know what these are: they’re the same as the ones used by other carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile.
However, if you’re not sure, here’s a quick rundown of what each setting means:
- Default Gateway – This is the gateway through which all traffic passes. In most cases, this is the same as the IP address of your modem.
- Subnet Mask – This determines how large the portion of the IP address space available to your device is.
- DNS Servers 1 & 2 – These servers provide domain names to devices via their IP addresses.
- Proxy Settings – This allows you to specify a proxy server that your device uses to contact the internet.
- Security Mode – This controls whether your device uses WEP, WPA2, or none at all.
- Authentication Type – This determines how secure your connection is.
- Network Key – This is used to encrypt your data so that only people who have the correct key can read it.
How Do I Find My APN Settings?
Here are some ways to get started:
On Your iPhone
- You’ll see a list of networks that are currently connected to your device. Tap the one you want to edit.
- On the next screen, tap Edit Network Settings.
- On the next page, scroll down to the bottom and tap Advanced.
- Scroll down to the bottom again and tap “Manage” under Connection Information.
- Scroll back up to the top and tap Save.
On Android
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Select Wi-Fi Networks and scroll down to the bottom.
- Tap the network you want to edit. A new window will open.
- In the details screen, scroll down to the section called Connection Information.
- Tap Manage.Scroll back up and tap Save.
Final Thoughts
Locating and acessing the APN settings are an important element of making sure that you can enjoy fast internet, a strong connection, and the best results.
While locating these varies between devices, there are simple steps to follow to help you find the information you need in no time.
