Mobile network and SIM settings

Mobile network + SIM settings let you control the mobile network settings for your phone – including your mobile data connection. You shouldn't need to change anything if your connection is working the way you like. But if you're having network connection problems, changing one or more settings may help.

To open Mobile network + SIM settings, in the App list, tap Settings  > Mobile network + SIM.

Note

The settings that appear vary by mobile operator and phone model.

Setting	Does this
Active network	Displays the name of the mobile network your phone is using. To get to this setting on a dual SIM phone, in Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM 1 settings or SIM 2 settings.
Data connection	Turns your mobile data connection off and on. You might turn off your connection for different reasons – for example, to reduce your data usage if you're not on an unlimited data plan, or to make your battery last a little longer. If your connection is turned off, you can still make and receive phone calls and send and receive text messages. But you can't do things like browse the web, search online, receive or send emails, or get updated info for apps unless you're connected to a WiFi network. When your mobile data connection is turned off, you won't be able to send or receive MMS messages, which are text messages that have pictures or other files attached.
For limited WiFi connectivity	Determines if your phone will use mobile data instead of WiFi when it's connected to a WiFi network with limited connectivity – for example, when your phone is connected to a WiFi network but can't connect to the Internet with that connection. Use mobile data. If WiFi connectivity is limited, your phone will use mobile data, and you can continue to do things on your phone that require an Internet connection. This will use your data plan and may incur charges. Don't use mobile data. Your mobile data won't be used if WiFi connectivity is limited. When this happens, you won't be able to do things on your phone that use the Internet. To have this setting, your phone must be running Windows Phone software version 8.0.10211.204 or later. See How do I update my phone software? for more information about how to update your phone.
Voice roaming options	Determines if you can make calls and send text messages when your phone is outside your mobile operator's network. Leaving it set to Don't roam can help prevent some voice roaming charges. When it's set to this, you can't make calls or send text messages when your phone is in a roaming area, but you can still get calls and receive text messages. Check your phone plan for details about how and when additional charges might be incurred. If you do allow roaming, you can make calls and send text messages outside your mobile operator's network. Depending on your phone plan, you might pay more for these calls and text messages. You can choose which kind of roaming you want to allow – Domestic orDomestic+international roaming.
SIM for data connection	Determines which SIM is used for your mobile data connection. You can choose the SIM you want to use for mobile data to help control your data costs. For example, you might choose one SIM instead of the other because it costs less for data. This setting only appears on dual-SIM Windows Phones, which run on Windows Phone 8.1.
Data roaming options	Determines if your data connection stays on when the phone is outside your mobile operator's network. Leaving it set to Don't roam can help prevent data roaming charges. If you do allow roaming, you can use mobile data when your phone is in a roaming area. Depending on your contract, you might pay more for data you use when roaming. Some mobile operators let you specify what kind of data roaming you want to allow – Domestic orDomestic+international roaming.
3G connection	Determines if your phone will use a 3G or 2G mobile data connection. If you set it to On , your phone will use a 3G connection when it's available. When this is set to Off , your phone will use a 2G connection which is a slower mobile data connection, but can also help you to save a little battery power. This setting only appears on dual-SIM Windows Phones, which run on Windows Phone 8.1.
Restrict background data	Reduces the amount of background data used under certain conditions, such as when you're roaming. Many apps and features update at regular intervals without requiring you to take action – for example, a mail app may check a mail server every few minutes to see if you have new messages in your inbox. Any data used in this way is called background data and can be an issue if you're trying to avoid going over your data limit. Always restrict background data. Your phone will restrict the use of background data. Restrict background data when roaming. Your phone will restrict the use of background data when your phone is in a roaming area. If you turn on either of these settings, your phone will wait for a WiFi connection to perform background tasks. Notes Restricting background data may prevent some things from happening automatically, including voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) incoming call notifications, email synchronisation, background uploads and downloads, and Live Tile updates. If you choose to restrict background data, you'll need to do these things manually. To restrict background data, your phone needs to have Windows Phone software version 8.0.10501.127 or later. SeeHow do I update my phone software? for more information on updating your phone.
SIM name	Type a name for your SIM to give it a friendly name that you'll recognise. For dual-SIM phones, this helps you tell your SIMs apart, so you know which SIM you're using for your mobile data connection and when calling or texting. The SIM names will appear in different places on your phone, such as on your Phone Tiles, Messaging Tiles, for your SIM contacts and in Mobile network + SIM settings. To get to this setting, in Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM settings. On a dual-SIM phone, tap SIM 1 settings and SIM 2 settings to name each SIM.
SIM status	Turns the SIM on or off. When it's turned On , you can use the SIM on your phone for calling, texting and mobile data if you choose. If you set it to Off , you won't be able to call, text or get mobile data using that SIM. However, turning it off can help you avoid unexpected charges and control costs on your phone. If there's a WiFi network that you can connect to, you can use that for your data connection. To get to this setting, in Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM 1 settings or SIM 2 settings. This setting only appears on dual-SIM Windows Phones, which run on Windows Phone 8.1.
Mode selection	Determines which kind of mobile network your phone uses. The kinds of networks your phone can connect to depend on your phone model and mobile operator. To get to this setting, in Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM settings.
Highest connection speed	Determines the highest connection speed your phone can use. If you choose the highest one, your phone will use that mobile data connection when it's available. But if there's a lower signal strength for that faster network in your area, searching for or trying to stay connected to it can take extra battery power. When you choose a lower connection speed, your phone can connect to a slower mobile network that may have a stronger signal. This can also save battery power. To get to this setting, in Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM settings.
Network type	Determines how your phone tries to connect if your home network isn't available. Automatic. Default setting. Your phone tries to connect to the best mobile network. If your home network isn't available, your phone tries to connect to another available network. Home network only. Your phone connects to your home mobile network only. This prevents your phone from roaming when your home network isn't available. To get to this setting, in Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM settings.
Network selection	Lets you view a list of available networks in your current area, and then try to connect to one. The default setting is Automatic. If you turn on your phone and see a message that the selected network isn't available, you can select another network here. To get to this setting, in Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM settings.
Add Internet APN	The Internet access point name (APN) is the address your phone uses to connect to the Internet. By default, the Internet APN is set automatically when your phone is first set up. If your mobile data connection isn't working, try entering a new Internet APN based on your location and mobile operator. If you can connect to a WiFi network on your phone or you're near your computer, try searching online to find the Internet APN settings for your mobile operator. To add an Internet APN You must enter an address in the APN box. The other settings are optional and depend on your mobile operator. In Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM settings > Add Internet APN. If you have a dual-SIM phone, in Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM 1 settings or SIM 2 settings, depending on which SIM you're using for your mobile data connection. Do one or more of the following: Tap APN, then type the address for the APN to use. Tap Username, then type the username for your mobile account. Tap Password, then type the password for your mobile account. Tap Authentication type, then tap the authentication method that's used for your mobile account. Tap Proxy server (URL), then type the address of the proxy server for your mobile account. Tap Proxy port, then type the port number. Tap IP type, then choose the type of IP address to use. Tap Save.
Add MMS APN	The MMS access point name (APN) is the address your phone uses to send and receive MMS messages. The MMS APN is also set automatically when your phone is first set up. If you can't send or receive MMS messages, try entering a new MMS APN based on your location and mobile operator. On your phone or computer, try searching online to find the MMS APN settings for your mobile operator. To add an MMS APN You must enter an address in the APN and MMSC (URL) boxes. The other settings are optional and depend on your mobile operator. In Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM settings > Add MMS APN. If you have a dual-SIM phone, in Mobile network + SIM settings, tap SIM 1 settings or SIM 2 settings, depending on which SIM you're using for your mobile data connection. Do one or more of the following: Tap APN, then type the address for the MMS APN to use. Tap Username, then type the username for your mobile account. Tap Password, then type the password for your mobile account. Tap Authentication type, then tap the authentication method that's used for your mobile account. Tap WAP gateway (URL), then type the address of the WAP gateway to use. Tap WAP gateway port, then type the WAP gateway port number. Tap MMSC (URL), then type the address – beginning withhttp:// – of the MMS Centre (MMSC) for your mobile operator. Tap MMSC port, then type the MMSC port number. Tap Maximum MMS size, then type the maximum size (in MB) of an MMS message you can send. Tap IP type, then choose the type of IP address to use. Tap Save. Note Some mobile operators might list the MMSC port number as part of the address. For example, http://SiteAddress:portNumber. If they do, enter the http://SiteAddress part in the MMSC (URL) box, then enter the portNumber in the MMSC port box.