This guide will go over everything you need to know about changing Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL APN settings. These are the things you need to change to use the Pixel 2 on different carriers.
APN stands for “Access Point Name” and is essentially a gateway to carrier networks. It gives your phone the necessary information to communicate with AT&T, T-Mobile, and more. Everything from 4G LTE to sending text or picture messages.
Sometimes this is done automatically when you insert a SIM card, but it doesn’t always work. As a result, owners will have to find and manually configure the APN settings themselves. Then start using the Pixel 2 on a different carrier (like Verizon) than the one you bought it from.
How to Change Pixel 2 APN Settings
The steps to find the right menu in settings vary for different phones, but with stock Android 8.0 Oreo on the Pixel 2, it’s very simple. Below is a complete set of instructions with pictures as a guide.
If no APN information is filled in on its own, you must enter them manually. Tap the button in the top corner to get started. You will see lots of weird stuff like name, proxy, mmsc, port and protocol. It sounds confusing, but you don’t need to know what they mean. All you need to know is what values or words to put in each category. You can get this information from your carrier or a quick Google search.
I went ahead and hit “add” and started adding the necessary information for T-Mobile’s APN settings. Enter all required lines of text, skip where it says “not set”, then select the three dots at the top and tap . You can edit what’s already there or enter your own.
Now your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL can communicate with T-Mobile base stations and you get full 4G LTE, HDVoice and sending picture messages works. Unlocked devices like the Pixel 2 usually add APN information automatically. If not, this is it. You can find the APN settings for: verizon here and there.
As a reminder, fill in (or leave blank) sections exactly as you see them where you get the APN details. If a line is blank or says “not determined”, leave it that way. Do not enter anything other than what you need.
T-Mobile APN Settings (Log in using the instructions above)
Since most people are bringing the Pixel 2 to T-Mobile, here are the latest APN settings for T-Mobile in 2017.
Just start a new APN list on Pixel. Then enter all of the above information in each line under the APN settings menu. Go down one by one. After hitting Save, go back and tap the circle on the right next to the newly entered APN configuration and reboot the phone.
Send a quick text message, make a phone call, or try browsing the web to make sure everything is working. If not, double check for any errors and try again. Users can also call their preferred carriers to confirm their APN settings are correct. Before you go, learn about the upcoming Android 8.1 Oreo update here or fix Pixel 2 problems with our guide.
