In this article, I shall be providing an all-encompassing tutorial on Manual internet profile settings. Internet profile management is useful for unlocked mobile phones, USB internet modems, Wi-Fi routers and Mi-Fi routers.  noteworthy is the fact that internet profile settings are called by different names. Here are some of the names given to an Internet profile; APN settings, APN configurations, Internet profile configurations, LTE/3G APN settings, Network settings, connection settings and lots more.

For this tutorial to be useful for you, you must have either a carrier unlocked smartphone, an unlocked USB modem or an Unlocked Wi-Fi/Mi-Fi router. Sadly, if you have a company/carrier locked device, this tutorial will be useless for you. Carrier/ISP locked phones or routers can’t be customized. If you have one that is locked, search through this site to see or learn about how to unlock it then come back to this article.

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What is an Access Point Name(APN)?

By definition, an APN or Access Point Name is the combination of values that indicates to your phone how to connect to the mobile internet servers of your network provider.  Generally, an APN setting(also known as internet profiles) usually include a list of values such as Name, APN, username, password, server, etc.  They are unique combinations that are only applicable to a single provider.

Do you need the knowledge of your  ISPs APN settings?

Who needs an APN setting?. The answers to this question are as follows:

• If you have a game console that supports cellular networks profiles, then you need to know the values of your ISPs manual internet profile. A good example here is PSVita with 3G
• Similarly, if you own any factory unlocked phone, there is a high chance that you will change your sim card someday. Moreover, not all phones support automatic configuration.
• In the event that you format or reset your mobile phone, you will most likely need to re-enter your APN settings.
• In recent times, many are swayed towards mobile broadbands, Mi-Fi routers and Wi-Fi routers. If you are one of such people, the knowledge of the manual Internet profile of your ISP is a necessity. Once you have an unlocked router, things can only get better when you know these values.
• Furthermore, if you are one of such people who still stick with an LTE/3G USB modem, this will be valuable. Just make sure your modem is unlocked.
• Finally, if you are in the possession of any internet modem that requires you to use a sim card in it and it unlocked, or any unlocked device even if it doesn’t use a sim. For example, some internet service providers only provide internet connection without a cellular connection. In Nigeria, ISPs like spectranet, CobraNet and IPNX fall into this category.

Importance of Manual Internet Profile Settings

As an internet resource person in locations where you have an unstable internet connection, you need sufficient knowledge of all manual APN settings of all carriers in your location. For convenience, let me highlight the reasons why you the knowledge of ISPs manual internet profile is significant.

• Manual Internet profile is useful for all unlocked USB modems. The knowledge of your APN setting is the only way you can use a sim card from another carrier in your unlocked USB modem.
• Secondly, without knowing the APN of a particular carrier, your phone will not connect to the internet. This also applies to your Wi-Fi routers or Data cards.
• Just as the saying, freedom say is priceless, for the fact that you can use any sim of your choice to browse gives you a sense of freedom. The essence of you unlocking your device is to give you that freedom.
• In addition, network promotions can make you to port. For example, the other network is running a promo that you are interested in, you will need to buy the sim and enter the APN values for you to be able to surf the internet with that ISPs.
•  Furthermore, it is more convenient to have one phone/router/USB modem and several sim cards compared to having multiple sim cards and multiple devices.
• Also, it is more economical to buy one universal modem/Wi-Fi router and use it for all your sim cards as opposed to buying one for every carrier. Note: some routers and modems sold by some ISPs can be unlocked. If you unlock such, they are as good as a universal/ factory unlocked modems. Ultimately, you save money if you have a universal modem.
• More specifically, the APN identifies the packet data network (PDN) that a mobile data user wants to communicate with. In addition to identifying a PDN, an APN may also be used to define the type of service, (e.g. connection to Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) server, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)) that is provided by the PDN. APN is used in 3GPP data access networks, e.g. General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).
• If you are into internet and tunnelling activities, your knowledge of manual APN settings will help you a lot.
• Finally, due to the instability of networks when you travel to certain countries, you will do well to have a universal modem and also to know the Manual Internet profile of the ISPs you wish to use it with.

How can I get the Manual Internet profile settings/APN settings for my carrier?

To get your carrier’s or internet service provider’s Manual Internet profile, you need to communicate with your ISPs and request for it. Alternatively, call their helpline or send an email. Luckily for mobile phone users, 90% of all mid-range to high-end phones can receive internet profiles manually.

A mobile device making a data connection must be configured with an APN to present to the carrier. The carrier will then examine this identifier to determine what type of network connection should be created, for example: which IP addresses should be assigned to the wireless device, which security methods should be used, and how or if, it should be connected to some private customer network.

Location of the Manual Internet profile on a 4G/3G USB modem

Most important settings/entries for an internet profile

Before you can successfully create a working internet profile for your phone or routers, you need to know at least the values for the three settings below.

1. Profile/ APN name: If you don’t name your internet profile, you won’t be able to save it. Hence, this is mandatory
2. Access point name(APN): s the name of a gateway between a GSM, GPRS, 3G or 4G mobile network and another computer network, frequently the public Internet. The access point is the singular most important setting that is required to create an internet profile manually. APN is so important that it can work independently of other settings.
3. Username: It is required by some network carriers
4. Password: it is always the same as the username.
5. Access number/dial number/telephone number: This consist of symbols and numbers and it is a requirement when you are creating an APN on most routers, mobile broadbands and Internet USB modems.  you don’t need an access number for mobile phones APN.
6. Multimedia messages server(MMS server): Without knowing these values, you won’t be able to send an MMS on your phone

Other entries that may be needed when creating an internet profile for your phone, data sticks or routers

• Ip address: for router and mobile, this is not as important as it used to be. However, it may be a requirement in some instances.
• Authentication type

List of Manual internet profile settings /APN settings for major ISPs in Nigeria

MTN Nigeria call and data network(4G/LTE/3G/GPRS)

Profile Name: MTN
APN: web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net
Access Number: *99#
Username: web
Password: web

Airtel Nigeria call and data network(4G/LTE/3G/GPRS)

Profile Name: Airtel NG
APN: internet.ng.airtel.com
Access Number: *99#
Username: internet
Password: internet

9mobile Nigeria call and data network(4G/LTE/3G/GPRS)

Profile Name: 9mobile
APN: etisalat
Access Number: *99#
Username: etisalat
Password: etisalat

Globacom Nigeria call and data network(4G/LTE/3G/GPRS)

Profile Name: Gloflat or glosecure
APN: gloflat or glosecure
Access Number: *99#
Username: flat or gprs
Password: flat or gprs

Ntel(4G/LTE)

Profile/APN Name: ntel internet(Write whatever you like)
APN: ntel
Access Number: *99#
Username :   –     (leave blank)
Password :    –     (leave blank)

Swift Network Nigeria(4G/LTE)

Profile Name: swift internet(this can be anything)
APN: lte.swiftng.com
Access Number: *99#
Username :   –   (leave blank)
Password :    –    (leave blank)

Spectranet(4G LTE)

Profile Name: spectranet internet
APN: spectranet
Access Number: *99#
Username: [email protected]
Password: test1

Smile Nigeria  APN Settings for 4G LTE MiFi Router / USB

Go to Tools->Options->new

Add new profile and enter the following

APN: internet

Access Number : *99#

Username: Blank

Password: Blank

For Multilinks blue broadband modem
-Username: [email protected]
(note you can get the username from the instruction manual given to you or, from the back of the modem pack)
-Password: 1234
-Dial Number: *777#

APN settings of popular ISPs in the USA and Britain

at&t USA APN settings 4G details

If you have a 4G phone (e.g. iPhone 5, Galaxy S4, HTC one, etc)  you should try using these at&t APN settings 4G.  T

Name: ATT HSPA+
APN: phone
Proxy: <Leave in Blank>
Port: <Leave in Blank>
Username:  <Leave in Blank>
Password:  <Leave in Blank>
Server: <Leave in Blank>

MMSC: http://mmsc.mobile.att.net
MMS proxy: proxy.mobile.att.net
MMS port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 410
Authentication type: <Leave in Blank>
APN type: default,supl,mms,hipri
APN Protocol: Leave it to the Default one
Bearer: leave it to the Default one

Manual internet profile/APN settings for Mobile phones

Unless your phone is carrier locked, it must have provision for manual internet profile settings creation. On Android phones, you can get this under connections>>mobile networks. For iPhone or iPad, these settings is under cellular or cellular data network. Unlike your modems and routers, you have more options for APN creation on a mobile phone. However, you don’t actually need to tamperer with all options. A mobile phone’s APN settings have the following formats:

Android Phones APN settings configuration at a glance

An Android phone’s manual internet profile/ APN settings are often known as “MOBILE NETWORKS”. On a typical Android phone, you will find some or all of the following parameters:

Smile APN Settings for Android

Name: Smile Telecom

APN: web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net

Proxy: Not Set

Port: Not Set

Username: Not Set( you can also put web)

Password: web

Server: Not Set

MMSC: Not Set( you can put your MMS server if you want to send MMS) for example, Airtel MMS server is: http://172.23.1.12/..s/wapenc

MMS Proxy: 172.018.254.005

MMS Port : Not Set(8080)

MCC: 621

MNC: 20

Authentication Type: Not Set OR PUT(PAP or chap

APN type: default

APN protocol: Ipv4

APN roaming protocol: IPv4

Bearer:

Mobile virtual network operation type: None

Manual APN/Cellular data and personal hotspot settings on iPhone

To begin with, before you can get to the access point names(APN) settings on your iPhone or iPad, you need to go through your phone’s settings. Unlike Android, in most cases, your iPhone will not automatically push your internet configuration settings to your phone. You need to manually get your configuration settings and input the values manually into your cellular data menu and hotspots. If you skip the hotspot aspect of things, then your wifi hotspot will not be activated. I give a diagram below that explains how you can navigate to your iPhone’s cellular data menu.

Manual Internet profile settings on Windows phones and blackberry 10 phones

Actually, if you know what an APN setting looks like on an Android phone or an iPhone, you will be able to set up any phone for internet. Blackberry 10 phones is a modified android phone. Just look out for Network, browser, internet or Apn settings from within the phone’s setting.

How to Setup Internet Profile/APN Manually on Windows 6, 7 or 8 Phones

You may need to activate manual internet APN on windows 6,7 or 8 phones. This is true if you have relocated to a country with network providers that don’t support automatic internet connections. In this guide, I shall be using A Nokia lumnia x640 dual sim card as my case-in-point.

• First off, open Settings on your phone. Now select “network + wireless”
• Next, select the “Mobile + SIM” option and select the sim you want to use. You must select a particular sim if you are using two sim cards in your phone.
• Now, under “Mobile + Sim”, you need to change your “connection speed” as well as changing from Wi-Fi connection to the “use mobile data ” option. The image below explains this further.

• Next, you need to toggle the “Manual Internet APN” button on. This will enable you to input your ISP’s manual intern APN.
• Finally, you can now enter your APN manually. Make sure you only enter the APN, Username and password. Every other thing is insignificant here. Save your entries and exit the settings. Don’t forget to switch on your mobile data at this point. All other things being equal, you should have internet access by now. For clarification, view the image below.

Location of Internet profile settings of any 3G/4G USB modems/ data cards

Now that we are through with mobile phones APN settings. We are now on to the next one which is USB internet modem(dongles). The question is how do I navigate to the profile management or connection settings of my USB dongle/modem?

I would like to that the APN setting menu is the same on every data card. However, the name of the location of these settings varies with the device. Some modems have it under WAN>>3G/4G. others have it under tools, some have it under settings>>profile management. In the section below, I will be representing the location of the most popular USB internet modems with diagrams. Henceforth, you would know where to click and what to enter in your modem. The only requirement here is that your modem must not be locked to a particular network.

Location of Manual configuration settings on Huawei 3G/4G modems

Be it a factory unlocked Huawei modem or one that you just unlocked recently, the following steps will guide you through how you can get to your manual internet profile settings.

Step 1: Ensure you have unlocked your USB modem/dongle. If you want to know how to do this, read this.

Step 2: Install your Modem’s dashboard. On a Mac computer, click on the image file. If you are using a Windows, the autorun should start up immediately. If it doesn’t, start the installation manually from “my computers” / “this PC”.

Step 3: open your Huawei modem dashboard and locate settings option(this depends on the model)

Step 4: Now, go to options

Step 5: On the left-hand side click on Profile Management. to creating your APN settings for the preferred network.

Step 6:  click on “New” then edit the Profile name to anyone you prefer.

Step 7: Next, enter your Dial/telephone/access number

Step 8: Furthermore, change obtain APN address automatically to Use the following APN name.

Step 9: At this point, enter your username and password.

Step 10: Finally, save your configuration and start the connection. Optionally, you may need to enter an IP address or a DNS server. Please don’t enter these values if you are not asked to do so.

Final tips on setting up manual internet profiles on Huawei modem. From your settings(tools) always locate the “Profile management”. In any Huawei USB modem or router, your APN settings will always be located in the “profile management” under settings.

Manual Internet profile location on ZTE USB modems

For most ZTE modems and Wi-Fi router, the location of the APN configuration would always step be under the “connection settings”. From this menu, you will see the “add or Edit configuration. I will take you through the steps with the aid of diagrams.

I used ZTE MF667 Modem and ZTE MF631 Modem in this tutorial

STEP 1: Launch the Application after installation. Next, Click ”Settings” alternatively, click on the active connection and choose Edit configuration or NEW.

STEP 2: Now, Select ”Connection settings”

Step 3. Select ”Add” >>> A new window will come up like in the screenshot below.

Step 4: Input all the necessary values and save

How to locate your Manual Internet profile setting on Wi-Fi or Mobile routers

In the past, I have used a handful of routers and modems. I mean the ones that use a sim directly and those that work only with a USB modem. All in all, I have come to the realisation of the followings which can help you in setting up your Wi-Fi router irrespective of the brand.

Routers internet configuration tips

1. Every router has a unique URL through which you can have access to its dashboard on your PC or phone
2. Routers or mobile hotspots have a default administrator password which is in most cases “admin”. You can change this later.
3. Also, all mobile broadband comes with a unique WAPSK wifi password.
4. Some routers now have a mobile app that makes accessibility easier on mobile phones. For example, Huawei has one for Android.
5. Finally, you can see all the details above on either the router or in the documentation that comes with the router. For example, Huawei dashboard login for most of its router is 192.168.8.1

How to locate internet profile settings on Wi-Fi routers & mobile broadbands

Step 1: log in to your router’s dashboard via the link provided by the device manufacturer

Step 2: login with your default username and password. In most cases, this is “admin”

Step 3: Now, go to settings>>connection settings/Wan settings/network/Dial-up. The names vary with the device. At times, it might even be 4G/LTE setup or 3G set up

Step 4: Now, locate your internet profile.

Step 5: Lastly create a new profile enter the APN values according to the provisions of your internet service provider.

To help you further, I have some well-detailed set up for at least 2 different routers/ mobile broadbands. Have a look at that of Huawei here. Secondly, learn how to setup hame router here.

Picture gallery on how to locate the Manual internet profile on any Wi-Fi router or Mi-Fi

Conclusion

No matter how hard we try, there is no way we can cover every phone, USB modem and routers. However, and without bragging,I am saying this is the most comprehensive article you can get on this subject. Furthermore, I am using this medium to appeal to you to send your contribution via the comment box. I mean, I need the images of phones like windows and blackberry 10 at least. Also, if you have other types of routers, you can send us the screenshot of the internet profile via email. Together we can improve this already loaded article. See you around soon. Lest I forget, don’t forget to share this