What Is APN Settings And How To Use It?

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What Is APN Settings And How To Use It?

What exactly is an APN? A device’s network can connect to the internet via an Access Point Name (APN). Your device establishes a connection to a carrier’s gateway after the APN settings are in place. The carrier uses a configured APN network to select the allocated IP address(s) and security settings, as part of this procedure.

These options enable your phone to communicate with your wireless carrier. They are often employed when your wireless service provider is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator). When you want to utilize data, your MVNO reads your APN settings to determine security measures, which network you need to connect to, and other factors. You may also connect to the internet and use MMS image messaging with these settings.

By entering network information, you may manually assign an access point name to IoT devices. Without the necessary information, your device may lose some of its functions, including some of the most crucial for IoT devices. For example, the gadget may be unable to communicate data to its central hub. Because this functionality is at the heart of IoT solutions, including an APN is critical.

As linked devices grow more common, OEMs, VARs, and Distributors can use any carrier they want. It also makes it easier for them to transfer from one carrier to another. You must correctly enter the parameters to have access to SpeedTalk Mobile’s internet capabilities. Changing phone service providers is a straightforward and painless process, but you may need to know how to configure the APN on your device.

What does APN stand for?

APN stands for Access Point Name, which is simply a setting that allows you access the Internet on your device. A device’s network can connect to the internet via an Access Point Name (APN). Your device establishes a connection to a carrier’s gateway after the APN settings are in place. The carrier uses a configured APN network to select the allocated IP address(s) and security settings, as part of this procedure.

Why would you change your APN?

Unlocked phones and alternative carriers are becoming more popular than ever. Most manufactures provide an unlocked model or two that you can purchase straight from their website or from a store like as Amazon with all of the essential parts and software to use on any GSM network worldwide. And if you don’t have a phone bound to a carrier through financing, you’re free to experiment with other carriers to find who offers the best deal for you.

Different settings are required depending on how your carrier’s network is structured. The rest can be tweaked somewhat to adjust some of the characteristics, but for the most part, we’ll need to stick with the settings supplied by our carrier.

The good news is that, in most cases, your phone already has numerous APN settings programmed in, one of which will function for phone calls automatically. Very useful if you need to contact support because one of the built-in settings does not work properly and you need to create an APN manually.

The bad news is that carriers may tweak the software on each phone they sell, which includes preventing users from changing their APN. Even if you have an unlocked phone. You might be able to locate a fix online, but there’s also a risk you won’t be able to utilize any other network. We recommend that you purchase your next phone from someone else.

How does an APN work?

Your phone reads your settings in order to connect you to your carrier’s cellular network and the internet. Your carrier will then use these parameters to produce an IP address, which will link you to a secure gateway. In essence, an APN serves as a bridge between a GSM network and the internet.

Access point names have two components:

A network identifier
An operator identifier

The first identifies the gateway (a piece of hardware or software that permits data to flow from one network to another) to which your phone connects, while the second identifies which mobile network provider is affiliated with that gateway.

Types of APNs?

We’ve already discussed what an APN is in general, but what is a private APN? APNs are classified into two types: Those that link to the public internet, and those that connect to the private internet. You’ll also note that public and private APNs use both static and dynamic IP addresses. Dynamic IP addresses fluctuate with each data session, whereas static IP addresses are reserved for a single device.

Public APN

This is what most people refer to when discussing APNs.

Public APN with Static IP

This uses a static IP address instead of dynamic.

Private APN

With a private APN, the device can be connected to an internal APN network through a gateway/VPN.

Private APN with Static IP

In this case, the gateway/VPN assigns the device a private static IP address.

What’s the Difference Between VPN And APN?

Private APNs are sometimes confused with Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). A VPN, on the other hand, has different security precautions than a private APN. Private APNs enable you to rely on certain private IP addresses to secure your data (through NAT – Network Address Translation). A VPN, on the other hand, can safeguard data that is being transported across a public network.View your 4G LTE and 5G coverage here.

The Advantages of a Private APN for IoT Security

A private APN allows you to control which devices have access to your data. Only SIMs or devices having the programmed and configured APN can use this private APN to solicit service from the defined servers/endpoints through the internet. A private APN cannot exist without a VPN connection to manage traffic. Otherwise, your provider would just recreate a private network for any client who requested one.

There are also specialized access point names for IoT devices that differ from the APN used by a consumer device. The APN of an IoT device divides the traffic. Nonetheless, it would be shared with all IoT users for the given carrier.

For further protection, APNs can be established with defined authentication settings such as NULL, ANY, or Defined. If “Defined,” provide the User Name and Password.

How Do I Change the APN on My IoT Device?

Most IoT devices, including smartphones, require you to manually enter the APN and other configuration information. Depending on the device type and carrier, and if the APN field is left blank, Dynamic APN may be an option that will auto-populate the correct access point name based on how the SIM is specified in the carrier account settings.

This will vary depending on who produced your phone, but it will always be in the Wireless & networks section of the settings. You’re seeking for an Access Point Names setting, which might be nested in another option like Cellular Networks. That’s where it’ll be on the Pixel or Moto Z, and it should be the same on your phone. Don’t worry, touching the settings and peering inside won’t screw anything up. Just don’t alter anything while you’re viewing.

APN Instructions:

*Please Note: “Arrow” indicators on devices shows connection to the cellular tower and doesn’t mean there is an internet connection.
1) After turning on the device there is a test period before it can connect to internet. Be patient and wait approximately 20 minutes.

2) When updating the APN setting of your device, it may take up to 2 hours for the device to apply the new internet and APN settings of the SIM card.

3) If your device doesn’t work or if it is offline, check to see if your device is registered correctly on the app (for example in the US you might register your device to use the North America setting).

How to set up your device’s APN to work with SpeedTalk Mobile services: *Please Note: SpeedTalk SIM cards have 2 different APNs: “wholesale” or “mobilenet.” Each SIM card will only support one APN. The APN will be printed on your SIM card or can be obtained from your account online.*You many need to consult your device’s manual/documentation to configure your device’s APN settings.

1) To set up your device’s APN, please follow these steps in order:
a. Remove the SIM card. b. Turn off the device. c. Keep the device turned off and then insert your activated SpeedTalk Mobile sim card. d. Turn the device back on. e. Wait for approximately 3 minutes. f. For smartwatch, use your personal cell phone to send a text message to your watch phone# (SpeedTalk#) with the following (make sure to send the message directly from your personal cellular phone not from your watch app):
If the APN is wholesale, send: pw,123456,apn,wholesale,,,310260#
If the APN is mobilenet, send:pw,123456,apn,mobilnet,,,310260#

2) Wait for 10-20 minutes and then repeat instructions A-E above.

3) For smartwatch, open your app and set your watch phone number and ADMIN number. If you are able to set these numbers, your device already works!

4) If your device will not connect to internet, please check your device IP, APN, and GPRS.

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