Free Internet APN List: Every Carrier Setting You Actually Need (2026 Guide)

Most people never touch their APN settings because the carrier configures them automatically when a SIM card is inserted. Problems appear the moment someone switches carriers, brings an unlocked phone, or buys a prepaid SIM from an MVNO that uses different gateway values than its host network. The result is bars on the signal indicator but no actual internet connection, and a settings menu that looks simple but hides several fields that need to be exactly right.

The phrase “free internet APN list” shows up across forums, Reddit threads, and YouTube comments because users conflate two very different things: official APN settings that carriers provide at no extra charge, and mythical “hack” APNs that supposedly bypass data plans entirely. This guide covers both. It gives you the real, current APN values for every major US carrier and dozens of global networks, explains precisely what each field does, walks through setup on Android and iPhone, and addresses the persistent myth that APN manipulation can generate free data.

The settings here are pulled from official carrier documentation and verified sources current to mid-2026. Sprint and Virgin Mobile USA no longer exist. UScellular migrated to T-Mobile in August 2025. Any guide still listing those networks is outdated.

What an APN Actually Is and Why It Matters

An APN (Access Point Name) is the gateway identifier that tells a cellular device how to connect to a carrier’s packet data network. Without the correct value, the device registers to a cell tower but cannot route data to the public internet.

The technical structure of an APN follows a two-part naming convention defined under 3GPP standard TS 23.003. The first part, the Network Identifier, names the service being accessed, typically something like “internet,” “fast.t-mobile.com,” or “vzwinternet.” The second part, the Operator Identifier, encodes the MCC (Mobile Country Code) and MNC (Mobile Network Code) that identify the carrier’s home country and network. Carriers sometimes omit the Operator Identifier from what users type manually, since the SIM card carries those values automatically.

Beyond the APN name itself, a profile includes multiple configuration fields that control specific behaviors:

Field	What It Does	When You Need It
APN	Names the packet data gateway	Always required
MMSC	Server URL for MMS picture/video messages	Required to send/receive MMS
MMS Proxy / Port	Routes MMS traffic through carrier proxy	AT&T requires it; Verizon and T-Mobile do not
MCC / MNC	Identifies country (MCC) and carrier (MNC)	Auto-pulled from SIM; only enter if mismatched
APN Type	Defines services the profile handles	default,mms,supl covers most needs
APN Protocol	IPv4, IPv6, or dual-stack IPv4/IPv6	Use IPv4/IPv6 in 2026 for modern networks
Authentication	PAP or CHAP handshake protocol	Most US carriers use None

The APN Type field is the one most commonly misconfigured. Setting it to default alone enables internet data but breaks MMS. The correct string for most US carriers is default,mms,supl, which covers internet data, multimedia messaging, and secure user plane location services simultaneously. Some MVNO guides add hipri (high-priority data) or ia (initial attach) to this string for specific use cases.

A wrong APN produces one of three failure modes: no data at all (usually a wrong APN name), data works but MMS fails (wrong MMSC or missing MMS proxy), or data is slow and drops unexpectedly (wrong APN protocol or a throttled carrier proxy path). Each failure mode points to a specific field to fix, not a complete reconfiguration.

The “Free Internet APN” Myth: What the Research Actually Shows

No universal APN value bypasses carrier data charges. The APNs that once appeared to grant free data did so because of expired carrier configurations, not because of any inherent property of the APN string itself.

The belief persists for an understandable reason: early mobile network deployments sometimes left legacy APN pathways open that did not have billing rules attached. A network engineer quoted on Techbeaz explained the mechanism directly: the alternative APN being used may no longer be active on the network, and carriers simply forgot to implement traffic shaping on it, allowing bandwidth to pass without enforcement. These were oversights, not features. Modern carriers tie billing to the SIM’s ICCID and IMSI credentials at the authentication layer, not to the APN string itself. Changing the APN name does not change the billing record associated with the SIM.

Zero-rated data, where specific services do not count against a data cap, works differently. Programs like Facebook Free Basics or carrier-sponsored data plans involve commercial agreements between the carrier and the content provider. The carrier configures its billing system to recognize traffic destined for those services and exempt it from metering. Users benefit from this through their normal APN, not a special one.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has documented how zero-rating creates what it calls “internet gatekeepers,” requiring carriers to perform deep packet inspection (DPI) to identify which traffic qualifies for zero-rating. This practice raises privacy concerns separate from the free-data question: the carrier can see which applications generate traffic even on encrypted connections, because the DPI happens before encryption is applied at the application layer.

For users genuinely looking to reduce mobile data costs, the legitimate paths are MVNOs (covered below), government assistance programs like the Lifeline program through FCC, and eSIM-based travel data plans that offer promotional first-month access or trial periods from carriers like Visible and US Mobile.

US Carrier APN Settings (2026)

The three major US carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) each use different APN values, and AT&T is the only one that distinguishes between 4G LTE and 5G standalone configurations.

AT&T APN Settings

AT&T runs four distinct APN profiles depending on device type. Standard LTE phones use NXTGENPHONE. Phones with 5G sub-6 GHz capability use ENHANCEDPHONE. Devices connecting to 5G Standalone (mmWave) use NRPHONE. Tablets and data-only devices use Broadband. The MMS configuration is identical across all four.

Field	Value
APN (LTE)	NXTGENPHONE
APN (5G Sub-6)	ENHANCEDPHONE
APN (5G SA)	NRPHONE
MMSC	http://mmsc.mobile.att.net
MMS Proxy	proxy.mobile.att.net
MMS Port	80
MCC	310
MNC	410
APN Type	default,mms,supl,hipri
APN Protocol	IPv4/IPv6

Verizon APN Settings

Verizon uses a single APN for both LTE and 5G data. The MMS proxy field is intentionally blank on Verizon, unlike AT&T. Verizon SIMs also carry background APNs (vzwims for IMS messaging, vzwadmin for network management) that are provisioned automatically and should not be touched.

Field	Value
APN	vzwinternet
MMSC	http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms
MMS Proxy	Leave blank
MMS Port	80
MCC	310
MNC	012
APN Type	default,supl,mms
APN Protocol	IPv4/IPv6

T-Mobile APN Settings

T-Mobile uses the same APN for LTE and 5G. Sprint’s network was shut down in June 2022, and all former Sprint lines now run on T-Mobile infrastructure with these values. The built-in mobile hotspot on some T-Mobile plans uses a separate APN (pcweb.tmobile.com), which the device configures automatically for tethering.

Field	Value
APN	fast.t-mobile.com
MMSC	http://mms.msg.eng.t-mobile.com/mms/wapenc
MMS Proxy	Leave blank
MCC	310
MNC	260
APN Type	default,supl,mms
APN Protocol	IPv4/IPv6

MVNO APN Settings: The Complete 2026 Reference

MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) ride on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile towers at wholesale rates but almost always require their own unique APN value rather than the host carrier’s standard string.

This distinction catches most BYOD users off guard. A Mint Mobile SIM will not work correctly with T-Mobile’s fast.t-mobile.com APN even though Mint runs on T-Mobile infrastructure. Mint uses a branded wholesale gateway (APN name: Wholesale) paired with a MVNO identifier (GID 756D) that routes traffic through Mint’s billing environment, not T-Mobile’s retail environment. The same logic applies to Cricket on AT&T, Visible on Verizon, and virtually every other major MVNO.

Carrier	Host Network	APN Name	APN Type
Mint Mobile	T-Mobile	Wholesale	default,supl,mms,ia
Cricket Wireless	AT&T	ndo (newer SIMs: endo)	default,mms,supl
Visible	Verizon	vsblinternet	default,mms,supl
Metro by T-Mobile	T-Mobile	fast.t-mobile.com	default,supl,mms
Boost Mobile	Boost 5G / AT&T / T-Mobile roaming	boost.mvno	default,mms,supl
Google Fi	T-Mobile (primary)	h2g2	default,mms,supl,ia
US Mobile (Warp)	Verizon	vzwinternet	default,mms,supl
US Mobile (Dark Star)	AT&T	NXTGENPHONE	default,mms,supl
US Mobile (Light Speed)	T-Mobile	fast.t-mobile.com	default,supl,mms
Consumer Cellular	AT&T / T-Mobile	wholesale	default,mms,supl
Straight Talk (AT&T SIM)	AT&T	TFDATA	default,mms,supl
Straight Talk (T-Mobile SIM)	T-Mobile	tfdata	default,mms,supl
Total Wireless	Verizon	tfdata	default,mms,supl
Tello	T-Mobile	fast.t-mobile.com	default,supl,mms
H2O Wireless	AT&T	RESELLER	default,mms,supl
TracFone (AT&T SIM)	AT&T	TFDATA	default,mms,supl
Red Pocket (AT&T)	AT&T	ERESELLER	default,mms,supl
Ting (T-Mobile)	T-Mobile	fast.t-mobile.com	default,supl,mms

Straight Talk uses a detection shortcut worth knowing: texting “APN” to 611611 from an active Straight Talk number prompts the carrier to identify the host network automatically and send matching APN values as a text message. US Mobile distributes a downloadable device profile rather than manual APN strings on most phones, which avoids the entry errors that cause the most support tickets.

Global APN List by Country and Carrier

Every country and carrier uses different APN values. The table below covers major networks across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania, verified from carrier documentation and the Teltonika global APN repository.

Country	Carrier	APN	Username	Password
Argentina	Claro	igprs.claro.com.ar	ctigprs	ctigprs999
Argentina	Movistar	internet.gprs.unifon.com.ar	wap	wap
Australia	Telstra	telstra.internet	guest	guest
Australia	Optus	internet	guest	guest
Australia	Vodafone AU	vfinternet.au	guest	guest
Austria	A1	a1.net	[email protected]	ppp
Bangladesh	Grameenphone	gpinternet	(blank)	(blank)
Belgium	Proximus	internet.proximus.be	(blank)	(blank)
Brazil	Claro	claro.com.br	claro	claro
Brazil	TIM	tim.br	tim	tim
Canada	Rogers	internet.com	wapuser1	wap
Canada	Bell	pda.bell.ca	(blank)	(blank)
Canada	Fido	internet.fido.ca	fido	fido
Cameroon	MTN	internet	guest	guest
China	China Mobile	cmnet	guest	guest
China	China Unicom	uninet	guest	guest
Colombia	Movistar	internet.movistar.com.co	movistar	movistar
Denmark	Telenor DK	internet	(blank)	(blank)
Egypt	Vodafone EG	internet.vodafone.net	internet	internet
Finland	Elisa	internet	rlnet	internet
France	Orange FR	orange.fr	orange	orange
France	Free Mobile	free	(blank)	(blank)
France	SFR	websfr	guest	guest
Germany	Vodafone DE	web.vodafone.de	guest	guest
Germany	Deutsche Telekom	internet.t-mobile	t-mobile	tm
India	Jio	jionet	(blank)	(blank)
India	Airtel IN	airtelgprs.com	(blank)	(blank)
India	Vi (Vodafone-Idea)	portalnmms	portalnmms	portalnmms
Italy	TIM IT	ibox.tim.it	tim	tim
Japan	NTT Docomo	spmode.ne.jp	(blank)	(blank)
Japan	SoftBank JP	plus.4g	(blank)	(blank)
Mexico	Telcel	internet.itelcel.com	webgprs	webgprs2002
Netherlands	KPN	internet	(blank)	(blank)
Nigeria	MTN NG	internet	(blank)	(blank)
Nigeria	Airtel NG	internet	(blank)	(blank)
Pakistan	Jazz (Mobilink)	jazz	(blank)	(blank)
Pakistan	Zong	zonginternet	(blank)	(blank)
Pakistan	Telenor PK	internet	(blank)	(blank)
Philippines	Smart	internet	(blank)	(blank)
Philippines	Globe PH	internet.globe.com.ph	(blank)	(blank)
South Africa	Vodacom	internet	(blank)	(blank)
South Korea	SK Telecom	lte.sktelecom.com	(blank)	(blank)
Spain	Movistar ES	movistar.es	movistar	movistar
Spain	Orange ES	internet	(blank)	(blank)
UK	EE	everywhere	eesecure	secure
UK	O2 UK	mobile.o2.co.uk	o2web	password
UK	Vodafone UK	wap.vodafone.co.uk	wap	wap
UK	Three UK	three.co.uk	(blank)	(blank)

How to Configure APN Settings on Android and iPhone

The path to APN settings differs by Android manufacturer and iOS version, but the editing process follows the same logic across devices: navigate to mobile network settings, access the APN list, add or edit a profile, save it, then select it as the active APN.

Android Setup (Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Motorola)

Most Android phones reach the APN menu via Settings, then Network and Internet (or Connections on Samsung), then SIMs or Mobile Network, then Access Point Names. Samsung Galaxy phones use Settings, Connections, Mobile Networks, Access Point Names as the specific path. On older Android versions or heavily skinned interfaces from manufacturers like Xiaomi or Oppo, the path may be labeled differently, but “APN” or “Access Point” appears in the cellular settings area.

To add a new APN profile, tap the plus icon in the top-right corner. Fill in the APN name and the APN value exactly as listed for the carrier, including capitalization, since some carrier gateways are case-sensitive. Leave any field marked as optional or “not set” entirely empty: do not type “none” or “N/A.” Open the three-dot menu in the top corner and tap Save. The profile will not save automatically. After saving, tap the radio button next to the new entry to select it as the active APN, then restart the phone. If the data or MMS issue persists after a restart, return to the menu and tap Reset to Default to restore the carrier’s pre-installed configuration, which is often cleaner than a manually entered one.

iPhone and iPad Setup

Apple keeps APN editing at Settings, then Cellular (or Mobile Data depending on region), then Cellular Data Network or Mobile Data Network. On iPhones where the carrier has locked APN editing, this menu either does not appear or shows greyed-out fields. Major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile manage APN settings through carrier profiles rather than manual entry on locked devices.

When the APN menu is locked and data still fails, the correct fix is a network settings reset rather than a manual APN entry. Navigate to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset, then Reset Network Settings. This clears the stored carrier profile and forces the device to re-download the correct settings when it reconnects. After the reset and reboot, check Settings, General, About: if a carrier settings update is available, a notification appears automatically. Installing it resolves most post-update APN failures on iPhone.

For iPhones using non-carrier SIMs or eSIM data plans, the APN is typically included in the eSIM profile downloaded during activation. The APN field will populate automatically if the eSIM profile includes it, and the Cellular Data Network menu will show the value but may not allow editing.

Windows and Mac (Cellular Modems and eSIM)

Windows 10 and 11 include APN configuration under Settings, Network and Internet, Cellular, Advanced Options, then APN Configuration. Enter the profile name (any label), APN value, and leave username and password blank unless the carrier specifies otherwise. On Mac, cellular APN configuration for USB modems or eSIM-enabled MacBooks follows the Network preferences panel, where the cellular adapter appears as a new interface and APN fields are accessible through Advanced.

Advanced APN Optimization: Speed, VoLTE, and Hotspot

Several APN type configurations beyond the default,mms,supl baseline unlock specific network features including high-priority data routing, Voice over LTE (VoLTE), and mobile hotspot on plans that support tethering.

APN Type Values and What They Enable

The APN Type field accepts a comma-separated list of service identifiers. Understanding what each one does helps diagnose specific failures:

APN Type Value	Function	When to Add It
default	Standard internet data traffic	Always
mms	Multimedia messaging (MMS)	Always
supl	Secure user plane location (assisted GPS)	Most carriers
hipri	High-priority data routing	Congestion or throttling workaround
dun	Dial-up networking / mobile hotspot	Hotspot not activating despite plan support
ims	IP Multimedia Subsystem / VoLTE	VoLTE greyed out or not functioning
ia	Initial attach profile	LTE or 5G attach failures on some phones
xcap	XML Configuration Access Protocol	Advanced carrier features, Wi-Fi calling

IPv4 vs IPv6 Protocol Selection

Setting the APN protocol to IPv4/IPv6 (dual-stack) is the correct choice for virtually all US carrier connections in 2026. A minority of older devices or IoT modules handle IPv6 traffic less efficiently than IPv4, producing higher latency spikes on certain applications. If measurable lag exists on an IPv4/IPv6 APN but the carrier supports IPv4-only as an alternative, switching to IPv4 exclusively can reduce jitter, particularly for real-time applications like VoIP and gaming. The trade-off is slower DNS resolution on some T-Mobile and Verizon paths that have optimized their IPv6 routing more heavily than their IPv4 paths.

Private APNs for Enterprise and IoT

Enterprises and IoT deployments frequently configure private APNs rather than shared public carrier gateways. A private APN routes device traffic directly into a company’s internal network or VPN, bypassing the public internet entirely. This provides tighter control over which devices can connect, what IP ranges they use, and what security policies apply to their traffic. Carriers provision private APNs in cooperation with the enterprise, storing the APN credentials on SIM cards via MDM (Mobile Device Management) or pushing them via OTA (Over-the-Air) configuration.

Security researchers at Pen Test Partners have documented cases where private APN credentials for connected vehicles and IoT devices were accessible through physical hardware access to the device, allowing researchers to extract APN credentials and connect to the private network directly. The takeaway for enterprise users: private APNs reduce the attack surface compared to public internet routing, but they do not eliminate device-level security requirements.

APN Troubleshooting: Fixing Common Failures

Most APN-related connectivity problems fall into four categories: no data at all, data works but MMS fails, hotspot blocked despite plan support, and VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling not activating.

No Mobile Data Despite Active SIM

Confirm that Mobile Data is enabled in Settings. On Android, check that the correct APN is selected with the radio button active next to it. Verify the APN name exactly: a single wrong character breaks the connection silently. Check the MCC and MNC codes match the carrier (US carriers use MCC 310-316). Toggle Airplane Mode on and off to force a fresh network registration. If none of those work, tap Reset to Default in the APN menu to restore the carrier’s pre-loaded configuration.

MMS Not Sending or Receiving

MMS failures with working data almost always trace to three causes: wrong MMSC URL, missing or incorrect MMS Proxy address, or APN Type not including “mms” in the string. AT&T specifically requires its MMS proxy (proxy.mobile.att.net, port 80). Verizon and T-Mobile leave the MMS Proxy field blank. Sending the message from Wi-Fi instead of cellular also blocks MMS on many carriers, since MMS requires a cellular data path to the MMSC server, not a Wi-Fi path.

Hotspot Not Working

Hotspot blockage comes from two different sources: plan restrictions and APN type configuration. If the plan includes hotspot, adding “dun” to the APN type string (making it default,mms,supl,dun) sometimes resolves hotspot activation failures on Android. If the plan does not include tethering, the carrier enforces the restriction at the billing layer, not the APN layer, and no APN change will override it.

APN Settings Reset After OS Update

Major Android OS updates frequently reset APN configurations back to factory defaults, particularly on unlocked or imported phones. After any major OS version upgrade, return to the APN menu and verify the correct entry is still selected. On iPhone, check Settings, General, About for a carrier profile update notification immediately after an iOS update, since the update process sometimes removes the installed carrier profile.

Check These Related Articles

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• 164.68111.161: What This Invalid IP Address Is and What to Do When You Find It
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Understanding mobile network behavior goes deeper than APN settings alone. The way your Android device handles background processes, like what was covered in our MTP Host guide, connects directly to how data sessions are managed when devices communicate with external computers. For users troubleshooting network-related identifiers on their devices, the breakdown of the 164.68111.161 invalid IP address explains how misconfigured gateway values appear in network logs. Security-conscious users switching carriers should also read the Anon Vault privacy review for a practical comparison of how different routing paths affect data exposure.