Tools

APN settings generator

Enter your APN and, if needed, username, password and authentication type, and get the exact configuration for three targets: AT commands (AT+CGDCONT / AT+CGAUTH per 3GPP TS 27.007), ModemManager with nmcli on Linux, and the fields to fill in on Android. Everything is generated in your browser.

Enter an APN — we're using "internet" as a placeholder.

Generated configuration

AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet"

Why the APN matters (and why it's usually the only thing that breaks)

The APN (Access Point Name) is the name of the access point that tells the network which data gateway to connect your device to. Without the right APN the modem registers on the network — it even shows good signal — but never gets an IP address or carries data. In AT commands it's defined with AT+CGDCONT, giving the context identifier, the PDP type and the APN itself; if the operator requires a username and password you add AT+CGAUTH with the PAP or CHAP protocol. On Linux, ModemManager does the same with a single nmcli line, and on Android it's a few fields in the APN menu. Many IoT SIMs need no username or password and use "None" authentication; adding them when they aren't needed is as common a cause of connection failures as forgetting them when they are.

Frequently asked questions

What is an IoT SIM's APN?
The APN (Access Point Name) identifies the mobile-network gateway a device connects to in order to carry data. Each operator or connectivity provider publishes its own; with a multi-carrier IoT SIM the APN is set by the connectivity provider, not the visited network. It's the first thing to configure correctly: without the right APN there's no IP address and no traffic, even when network registration is fine.
Do I need a username and password on the APN?
It depends on the provider. Many IoT SIMs use open APNs with no username or password ("None" authentication). Others require credentials with PAP or CHAP. Enter exactly what your provider specifies: adding credentials to an APN that doesn't ask for them, or picking the wrong authentication protocol, causes connection failures that are hard to diagnose.
What's the difference between PAP and CHAP?
They are two link authentication protocols. PAP sends the credentials as-is; CHAP uses a challenge-response that never transmits the password in the clear, so it's a little more secure. In AT commands they're selected with AT+CGAUTH (1 = PAP, 2 = CHAP). Use whichever your operator specifies; if none is specified, leaving authentication off is the usual default.
Which PDP type should I pick: IP, IPv6 or IPv4v6?
The PDP type sets the address family of the data context. "IP" is IPv4 only and is still the most compatible in IoT; "IPV6" is IPv6 only; "IPV4V6" requests both and is preferable when your network and backend support IPv6. "Non-IP" (NIDD) is used in NB-IoT to send data with no IP stack straight to the platform. When in doubt, start with IP.

Need a private or dedicated APN?

We offer a private APN with site-to-site VPN and static IP for projects that require it. Test kit for €15 with shipping included in Spain.