dabrad_26

Q: iPhone missing APN Settings

I recently had my iPhone (4, 16GB, GSM from AT&T) unlocked (by AT&T, and saw confirmation in iTunes).  I am now using a prepaid carrier, and needed to change my APN settings for there system, however the APN settings are not available in the phone (Settings >> General >> Network), the only option I have is Cellular Data (on/off).  I wound up using unlockit to load an APN profile for my carrier, home come if the phone is unlocked we cannot change the APN settings (something we need to do in order to use data on ohter carriers)?  AT&T unlocked the iPhone for me but all the settings still point to AT&T unless I use alternative means.

 

I did not know if I was mising something or if this feature is not enabling properly on unlocked devices, or what was happening, I was hoping maybe some other people have figured out how to make this option show, or if they have not maybe Apple or AT&T need to see that the Ulocked devices are not able to change data settigns from AT&T settings, I am not sure what is happening, but I would like to fix it (hopefully, or at least make it noted that it is a problem).

 

I have tried Reloading iOS from iTunes (recovery) and that pops up the Message "Congratulations, your iPhone has been unlocked" in iTunes, but I do not see the APN settings, I do not want to Jailbreak the iPone and I should not have to since I have it unlocked, I just want to be able to change the settings to allow other carrier data plans.

 

Thank you all,

 

David

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.3), 2.2 GHz i7 Quad Core, 8 GB of RAM

Posted on May 17, 2012 6:23 AM

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Q: iPhone missing APN Settings

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  • by wjosten,Solvedanswer

    wjosten wjosten May 17, 2012 6:27 AM in response to dabrad_26
    Level 10 (94,615 points)
    iPhone
    May 17, 2012 6:27 AM in response to dabrad_26
  • by dabrad_26,

    dabrad_26 dabrad_26 May 17, 2012 11:29 AM in response to wjosten
    Level 1 (10 points)
    May 17, 2012 11:29 AM in response to wjosten

    The settings were not in the iPhone Network section, but using the iPhone Configuration Utility worked perfectly!  Thank you!!!

  • by wjosten,

    wjosten wjosten May 17, 2012 11:30 AM in response to dabrad_26
    Level 10 (94,615 points)
    iPhone
    May 17, 2012 11:30 AM in response to dabrad_26

    You're welcome.

  • by monzzzzzzzzz,

    monzzzzzzzzz monzzzzzzzzz May 17, 2012 1:09 PM in response to wjosten
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 17, 2012 1:09 PM in response to wjosten

    i have the same problem. but in my case the iphone config utility did not install the APN profile.

    help please.

  • by dabrad_26,

    dabrad_26 dabrad_26 May 17, 2012 1:14 PM in response to monzzzzzzzzz
    Level 1 (10 points)
    May 17, 2012 1:14 PM in response to monzzzzzzzzz

    Once I got my APN settings from my carrier, I just typed it into the configuration utility, and then saved it.  Once I plugged in my iPhone I went to Profile and chose install, then it asked me to unlock the iPhone (passcode lock) and then on the iPhone screen I chose Install.  That was it.  What problem exactly did you have?

  • by James Anderson7,

    James Anderson7 James Anderson7 Jun 30, 2012 7:40 AM in response to dabrad_26
    Level 3 (575 points)
    Jun 30, 2012 7:40 AM in response to dabrad_26

    So how do you change the MMS settings. I see where you can adjust the basic APN settings in the Configuration Utility, but with Straight Talk I need to put in MMS settings as well. Right now everything works fine except for MMS.

  • by dabrad_26,

    dabrad_26 dabrad_26 Jun 30, 2012 7:47 AM in response to James Anderson7
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 30, 2012 7:47 AM in response to James Anderson7

    I have not seen many ways to get mms working without Jailbreaking the iPhone. However, if it is 4S then this website shows a way to trick the phone to accept new apn settings using a SIM swap (you will have to acquire a T-Mobile SIM card to get to the setting.

     

    http://www.unlockit.co.nz/unlockit/?p=631

     

    Hope this helps,

     

    David

  • by sreeraghu,

    sreeraghu sreeraghu Jul 1, 2012 6:47 AM in response to dabrad_26
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 1, 2012 6:47 AM in response to dabrad_26

    dabrad_26

     

    I installed APN for airtel (India) and now I'm able to browse the internet. However I'm still unable to see the PERSONAL HOTSPOT nor CELLULAR DATA options.

     

    Please advice

  • by dabrad_26,

    dabrad_26 dabrad_26 Jul 1, 2012 7:09 AM in response to sreeraghu
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jul 1, 2012 7:09 AM in response to sreeraghu

    To my knowledge some SIM cards block certain features, for example my AT&T Straight Talk SIM blocks the APN settings, while I hear that the T-mobile SIMs allow it to show. So I believ that as long as I use a SIM that blocks the APN settings I will not see the settings, even if I install the profile, which sets the APN settings.  I believe the same is true for Tethering (mobile hotspot), from most sites I see that this feature may only show up if a proper network (that supports it, like att are being used). For example my AT&T SIM shows the feature in Network settings with a link to sign up for it, my Straight Talk SIM does not. From what I read if you want to use this feature on networks not supported you can install third party apps (Cydia) that will allow this. However, take care when Jailbreaking an iPhone, and be wary of updates.

     

    Hope this helps,

     

    David Bradshaw

  • by Lord Of The Weirdos,

    Lord Of The Weirdos Lord Of The Weirdos Jul 30, 2012 9:07 AM in response to dabrad_26
    Level 1 (75 points)
    Jul 30, 2012 9:07 AM in response to dabrad_26

    This is the lamest thing, the phone is yours, let me configure it.  Dont lock to a SIM.  I switched from ATT to Straight Talk, but lost data after 2 days, getting the run around from them because I cannot go into those settings.  Once unlocked, everything should be available.  Here goes the control freaks again.  God, starting to get tired of Apple trying to please no one

  • by dabrad_26,

    dabrad_26 dabrad_26 Jul 30, 2012 10:28 AM in response to Lord Of The Weirdos
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jul 30, 2012 10:28 AM in response to Lord Of The Weirdos

    I agree!  I think it is crazy that we buy hardware, AT&T finally unlocks it so we can use other networks, but if we use a network that is AT&T based, we cannot get to the Cellular Network Tab.  From what I learned, the carriers can choose whether to hide this option (I event tried creating a new carrier bundle for AT&T on my phone and adding the section as false for hiding this on the PLIST file, but that did not work either (the phone would not load the carrier info).


    Without accessign this tab you cannot aedit APN or MMS settings.  You can get around the APN part by using the iPhone Configuration Utility (I made a video about how to do this here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOlAmneoLHw&feature=plcp


    You can also from the phone go to http://www.unlockit.co.nz and he has a collection of profiles for many carriers, however, the video I added will show you how to create your own profile from your computer (not use someone elses).


    I hope that Apple reads these and makes an update that allows us to edit our APN/MMS settings (at least for those of us who have Unlocked iPhones).  I do not think it is fair that a phone that I purchased cannot be used on other carriers (without having to always install a profile)!


    I hope this helps,


    David

  • by Lord Of The Weirdos,

    Lord Of The Weirdos Lord Of The Weirdos Aug 2, 2012 6:31 PM in response to dabrad_26
    Level 1 (75 points)
    Aug 2, 2012 6:31 PM in response to dabrad_26

    I actually used iBackup and edited the two plist files manually to make mine work.  Extra steps but the only way to get MMS to work.  Even the website and Apple Configurator will not make the MMS work.  Neither have support to edit those settings.

     

    I am not enjoying my ex AT&T iPhone 4 on Straight Talk perfectly fine.

  • by codichulo,

    codichulo codichulo Aug 21, 2012 6:54 PM in response to Lord Of The Weirdos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 21, 2012 6:54 PM in response to Lord Of The Weirdos

    Lord - how did you edit the plist files ?

    i'm having same problem and am desparate.

    i don't see anyway of selecting sys files through ibackup ??

     

     

    Thanks.

  • by Lord Of The Weirdos,

    Lord Of The Weirdos Lord Of The Weirdos Aug 22, 2012 12:49 AM in response to codichulo
    Level 1 (75 points)
    Aug 22, 2012 12:49 AM in response to codichulo

         Here is the link to the site that has the full instructions.  It is setup for Straightt Talk but will show what to edit for others as well.

     

    http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1760217-How-To-AT-amp-T-locked-iPhone -4-MMS-working-on-Straight-Talk-no-jailbreak

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