HT201699: iOS: About cellular data network settings (viewing or editing the APN)

Learn about iOS: About cellular data network settings (viewing or editing the APN)
mkb789
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Can't see Cellular Data Network menu

Hello,

 

I recently bought a brand new unlocked iPhone 5 (iOS 6.1.4 10B350) in person at a Mac store.  I have set up the phone & data service with AirVoice Wireless (an MVNO that uses the AT&T network).  AV does not guarantee that MMS will work for iPhones on their service.  That is fine -- I knew that going into this.  However, when I tried to set up MMS anyway following AV's instructions, I couldn't do it because I cannot see the "Cellular Data Network" menu option under Settings-->General-->Cellular.  The person at AV I spoke with said that I couldn't see the CDN option because my phone wasn't unlocked, which is difficult to believe seeing as I specifically bought an unlocked phone.  So, why can't I see the CDN option if my phone is unlocked?  And how can I gain access to it?

 

Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

Mike (an iPhone newbie)

iPhone 5, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Jun 13, 2013 6:37 PM

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mkb789

Q: Can't see Cellular Data Network menu

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  • by amy_lou,

    amy_lou amy_lou Jun 13, 2013 6:40 PM in response to mkb789
    Level 4 (1,564 points)
    Jun 13, 2013 6:40 PM in response to mkb789

    if you just bought this phone, then you're still within your free 90 days of phone support and can call applecare. i would definitely give them a try because they can see more information about your phone than we can and can help you verify that your phone is unlocked and help find the menu you're looking for quite quickly

  • by mkb789,

    mkb789 mkb789 Jun 13, 2013 8:06 PM in response to amy_lou
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 13, 2013 8:06 PM in response to amy_lou

    Thanks for the quick reply.  That is a good idea.  I have called Apple Support and they suggested Erasing and Restoring As New.  That didn't help, but I will keep trying with them.

     

    In the meantime, any other suggestions are most welcome...

     

    Thanks,

    Mike

  • by amy_lou,

    amy_lou amy_lou Jun 13, 2013 8:36 PM in response to mkb789
    Level 4 (1,564 points)
    Jun 13, 2013 8:36 PM in response to mkb789

    just to be clear, did you erase all content and settings on the phone itself or restore as new while plugged into a computer with itunes?

  • by mkb789,

    mkb789 mkb789 Jun 14, 2013 5:08 AM in response to amy_lou
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 14, 2013 5:08 AM in response to amy_lou

    I did two different methods:

     

    (1) Sync and backup to iTunes, then Restore From iTunes Backup while plugged into my MacBook.

     

    I called Apple Support back and they said to do a full Erase and Restore As New instead, so then I did,

     

    (2) Erase and Restore as New

     

    I was plugged into my MacBook Pro for both (1) and (2).  Neither worked.

     

    Thanks,

    Mike

  • by mkb789,

    mkb789 mkb789 Jun 15, 2013 9:43 AM in response to mkb789
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2013 9:43 AM in response to mkb789

    FYI -- I did some reading and I think my problem is a common one encountered by people on AT&T MVNO plans.  It seems that the iPhone simply thinks you are on the AT&T network, and it uses the AT&T carrier settings file, which doesn't allow the user to see/modify the Cellular Data Network menu.  One way around this is the "SIM-swap" method where you insert a T-Mobile SIM (doesn't have to be activated) and the CDN menu becomes visible, then you enter the appropriate info for MMS, and re-insert your original SIM.

  • by at906,

    at906 at906 Oct 26, 2013 7:33 AM in response to mkb789
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2013 7:33 AM in response to mkb789

    Hey Mike,

     

    I am having the same problem with the same carriers and I am wondering, if you ever got to set that APN settings. Unfortunately, i can not even browse right now.

     

    I do have a T-Mobile sim, that i can use. But, was wondering, once you replace the SIM, the new settings would come into effect?

  • by mkb789,

    mkb789 mkb789 Oct 29, 2013 7:34 PM in response to at906
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 29, 2013 7:34 PM in response to at906

    Hi,

     

    Yes, I was able to use the "SIM swap" method.  You can find instructions by Googling terms like "iphone 5 sim swap mms straight talk".  When you put back your original AT&T SIM after the swap, the settings stay on what you entered.  The settings don't change unless AT&T pushes them out to customers (which does happen very occasionally).  When that happens, you have to re-do the SIM swap.

     

    HTH,

    Mike

  • by marianthe,

    marianthe marianthe Dec 23, 2014 11:26 AM in response to mkb789
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 23, 2014 11:26 AM in response to mkb789

    this website is a really easy fix to this problem, you just visit it on yr phone and download the settings

     

    http://www.unlockit.co.nz/unlockit/