In this guide, we will show you how to change or reset the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL APN settings. These are the setting you change to use a phone with different carriers.
APN stands for “Access Point Name” and is a gateway to operator networks. It gives your phone the necessary information to communicate with base stations from T-Mobile, Verizon or AT&T. They control everything from 4G LTE to sending text or picture messages.
Usually these settings change automatically when you insert a SIM card, but they don’t always work. As a result, owners will have to find and manually configure or, in some cases, reset the APN settings themselves. When you’re done, you can use the Pixel 3 on any carrier you want.
How to Change Pixel 3 APN Settings
The steps to find the right menu in settings vary for different phones, but you can always find it in settings > networks as we show below.
When you add a SIM card to your phone, this information should be filled in automatically, otherwise you will have to enter it manually. Tap the button in the top corner to get started.
You will see some strange options 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.
As you can see above, I am adding the necessary information for T-Mobile’s APN settings. This way I can use my Pixel 3 XL on T-Mobile. Enter all required lines of text, skip where it says “not set”, then select the three dots at the top and tap . You have to hit save, remember that.
Now your Pixel 3 will communicate with T-Mobile base stations and you will get full 4G LTE, HDVoice and sending picture messages will work. Unlocked devices like the Pixel 3 usually add APN information automatically. If not, this is how you do it. Don’t know where to look? Here are the APN settings for verizon or you can find AT&T is here.
As a reminder, fill out (or leave blank) each section exactly like our instructions or those from a carrier. If a line is blank or says “not determined”, leave it that way. Do not enter any values or rows beyond your need.
