Universal Unlocked Phones: How to Change Your APN Settings?
The beauty of buying a universal unlock phone is that you can bring it to most wireless carriers. So, if you want to try a different carrier to see if it works better in your area…no problem…if you want to take advantage of a deal at another carrier…no problem. And many of these universal unlocked phones are a fraction of the cost of a comparable iPhone or Samsung device. Just check out the great new device from ZTE, the Blade Max 2S. It is a 6” device for just $149 and can work on Sprint, T-mobile, or ATT (including any other carriers that run on their networks). But there is a catch. To move these devices from carrier to carrier, you need to be able to modify your phone APN settings to the settings required for the new carrier.
For example, Gen Mobile is a new wireless company which runs on the Sprint Nationwide Network. It that was named Best MVNO of 2018. With plans starting at $5 per month, they are a great way to lower your monthly wireless bills. If you wanted to Bring Your Own Phone to Gen Mobile, you first would check if your device is on their plan list. For most Gen Mobile compatible phones, including those from Sprint/Virgin/Boost, you will not need to change the APN settings as they will automatically be updated to Gen Mobile’s settings.
But, for Universal Unlocked Phones like the ZTE Blade Max 2s, you will need to manually change the APN settings to Gen Mobile’s settings. In general, the instructions below will work.
- Androids: On Android phones, you can typically modify APN settings by going to Settings > Wireless & Networks > More > Cellular Networks > Access Point Names or Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Access Point Names. Next, you need to select the “+” symbol and modify the settings as noted below. After saving these edits, you will need to go back to the Cellular Network Settings screen to make sure that “Enable 4G Data” is on. And you will then need to return to the APN screen and select the button next to the APN that you just created.
- iPhones: On iPhones, you can modify APN settings by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Network or Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Mobile Data Network. On the APN screen, edit and save the settings as noted below.
Name: internet APN: n.db.ispsn
Proxy: (leave blank)
Port: (leave blank)
Username: (leave blank)
Password (leave blank)
Server: (leave blank)
MMSC: http://mms.plspictures.com
MMS proxy: oap7.sprntpcs.com
MMS port: 80
MMC: 310
MNC: 120
Authentication type: (leave blank)
APN type: default,mms,dun
APN Protocol: IPv4v6
APN roaming protocol: IPv4v6
APN enable/disable: enabled
Bearer: LTE,eHRDP
MVNO type: Empty
MVNO Value: (leave blank)
Note that these settings are different for each carrier. But once modified, your device should work on the new carrier that you have chosen. To confirm compatibility of your device, just contact the carrier that you are planning on switching to. And, if for any reason, these instructions don’t work on you specific device, just search online for “change APN settings” and your phone model for more detailed instructions.
