How to Setup Net10 Web, Data, and MMS for your iPhone running iOS 6

UPDATE: 10/8/2013
I have a new guide for iOS 7.
How to Set up Net10 Web, Data, and MMS for Your iPhone Running iOS 7

UPDATE: NOV 19 2013

Many readers are reporting problems that they are having trouble sending or receiving MMS over the last few days. If you are having a problem please leave a comment here: I Can’t Receive MMS Picture Messages Using Straight Talk or Net10 on My iPhone Using iOS 7.0.4

I wrote this guide to share with you how I setup Net10 Wireless Access Point Name or APN for Data and MMS Picture Messaging to work on my iPhone 5. The guide should work for any iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, or iPhone 5 that is running iOS 6.

If you have an iPhone running iOS 6 and your Data, your MMS, or neither are working, read on. If your  Net10 Data or MMS is not working for some other phone, you can leave a comment on this page.

If you are looking for the  Net10 network settings  or Net10 internet settings or Net10 APN this is the guide for you. If your voice and / or SMS isn’t working, this guide won’t help.  You can leave a comment on this page other readers may be able to help.

Configuring the Data and MMS APN for iPhone and Net10 Wireless

You can use two different methods to configure your iPhone’s APN. Method 1 only configures your data APN, but not MMS. Use Method 1, if you don’t care about picture messaging (MMS). Use  Method 2 if you want MMS or Picture Messaging to work. If you have trouble following either method, leave a comment at the bottom and I will try to help you.

Read the entire guide and make an give it a try before leaving a comment to ask for help.  Follow the Next Page link to begin reading the guide.

695 Comments

  1. joe | |

    I had a lot of trouble with this, but FINALLY found these settings work:
    Cellular data tfdata
    MMS
    APN wap.tracfone
    MMSC http://mms.tracfone.com:80
    Personal hotspot tfdata
    MOST IMPORTANTLY:
    in the messages section
    iMessage turn this OFF

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hey Joe.
      I am glad yo hear you got it to work. Thanks for sharing your solution.
      Regards
      Bob

  2. Donald | |

    I have iphone 5s
    I can’t set up to use internet data i did the process but is not working

  3. Rebecca Niemerg | |

    Where can I purchase a t-mobile sim card that will work? I have never used T-Mobile.

  4. Samindu Chandika | |

    Samindu

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi
      Did you mean to leave a comment here?
      Regards
      Bob

  5. Ali Ali | |

    Good

  6. Sean | |

    Also, if I purchase a Tmobile SIM card and follow the steps outlined, do you think it will work in getting the mms messages to send and receive on my ATT iPhone?

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi, Sean
      You will not see the cellular data network option until you insert the tmobile sim. Most readers are able to get mms working I think some have problems. If your 3GS contract is up, AT&T should unlock your phone for free.

      Regards
      Bob

  7. Sean | |

    I have a unlocked iPhone 3GS formally on the ATT network. I am attempting to use the phone on the Straight Talk Network. I have followed all the steps in restoring the phone and I am still not getting the Cellular Data Network. What am I doing wrong?

  8. Carlos | |

    Mi phone don’t send pic.

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Carlos,
      Did you try to follow the guide it shows you how to fix this.
      Regards
      Bob

  9. Lexay | |

    Is there anyother way then using a tmobile simcard?

  10. Carina | |

    I’ve been using the sim swap method for a while with success. Thanks for the tips on iOS 7. I noticed that even after upgrading to iOS 7.0.2 that the settings still stick which is great compared to before. I usually had to sim swap after each update.

    If you’re having the iMessage issue, apparently its a known iOS 7 bug and they’re working on it. I had that issue but fixed it by restarting the phone. Something so simple works!

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hola!
      I am glad the iOS 7 tips helped out!
      Regards
      Bob

  11. Joy | |

    I have a 3GS with iOS 6. Everything worked until step 4. I turned the phone off twice, but “Cellular Data Network” never shows up. Any thoughts as to why? Am I out of luck using this method?

    Thanks for your help.

  12. john | |

    when I go to install it it says first remove profile net10 before installing so if I delete the profile will I loose my internet? bc its currently working just not my pic messaging????? I have iphone 4 7.0

    • Bob Thompson | |

      John,
      When you install the profile, It will only configure your internet, not your mms. If you want mms, you need to remove the profile, and yes you will lose internet temporarily. This is because in the second part. You are going to configure data and mms together at the same time.

      I tell people to do it this way because it will help you know which APN you need to use so you won’t have to try so many settings to get mms working. Also, try the ios 7 guide. How to Set up Net10 Web, Data, and MMS for Your iPhone Running iOS 7

      Let me know how it goes.

      Regards
      Bob

  13. Arun | |

    Thanks its working fine. net10(iphone).

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Arun,
      Great news. Thanks for sharing your experience.

      Regards
      Bob

  14. Ron Capriotti | |

    Hi Bob,
    I plan on buying a iPhone 5s from Apples website, and then using this article to set it up for Net10’s service. Would this method work since I would not be buying the phone through Net10? Would I activate the phone through Net10 after this or before?

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Ron,
      If you buy your iPhone 5s from Net10 or Straight Talk you will be getting an iPhone that runs on the Verizon network. If the ATT and TMobile network have poor coverage in your area, this might be a viable option but i general I wouldn’t recommend it. You will be paying full price for a Verizon CMDA model iPhone, rather than an ATT GSM model. If you want to resell it at a later time, I think the GSM model sell faster and for more money.
      Also, your Verizon model iPhone 5 will only get Verizon 3G service on Net10, not 4G or 4G LTE. Both Net10 and Straight Talk have recently started supporting 4G LTE. I am in the process of upgrading my SIM so I can get the super fast 4G service. You’ll need to order a SIM from the web site. You might also want to consider Straight Talk, which could be a little cheaper, you need to factor in taxes, fees, and whether you enroll in auto pay.

      See Net10 & Straight Talk Wireless Taxes and Feesfor an example of some of the cost calculations I did in the a previous article. Please let me know of you need more help. The goal of this web site is to help readers, but I really like it when people come here for information before they make a choice of phone and carrier.
      Regards
      Bob

  15. Maureen McQuilkin | |

    Could you please please please email me at the email address I left when you have something for the method for iOS 7 I’m going nuts without iMessage.

  16. Sonya | |

    I can’t send or receive mms… Please help

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Sonya,
      Did you read the guide and try the SIM swap?
      Regards
      Bob

  17. sara | |

    how long will i have to wait for the ios7? I have no data, not really concerned for the mms. 🙁

  18. Jasmyn Hart | |

    I think I cut the tmoblie sim card wrong. If I downgrade to the lower version of ioS, will I be able to change the APN the with the NET 10 sim inside?

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hey Jasmyn,
      when you put the T-Mobile SIM in the phone. Does the status bar go from No SIM to Searching to No Service? Are you running iOS 6 or iOS 7.
      Regards
      Bob

  19. B | |

    My picture is not workin I need help

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi B,
      Did you read and follow the instructions in the guide, that is, the page you left this comment on?
      Regards
      Bob

      • Krista | |

        Hello does my phone have to be jail broken in able to use net10?

        • Bob Thompson | |

          Hi Krista,
          No it doesn’t. The page you left the comment on is a guide that shows hoe to set up an iPhone on Net10. It’s easy to get data to work, a little bit harder to get MMS picture messaging. Some other features don’t work. Take a little time and look through some of the content on smartphonematters.com. I have written a lot about making an informed choice.

          I am a little pre-occupied with updating the site with iOS 7 information. Check back though I am working on a guide about moving your iPhone to prepaid. Let me know if you have more questions.
          Regards
          Bob

  20. Corrin Hallock | |

    Although your instructions were very useful. I do not have a tmobile SIM card to make it work per mms. The one offered in the net 10 package is unfortunately a standard size. So I cannot swab. Any suggestions?

  21. Rob | |

    How I get my mms to on on iPhone 4 net10 ios7

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Rob,
      Try following the the guide for iOS 6. The page you left the comment on.
      Regards
      Bob

  22. Christy | |

    I have a iPhone 4S and I have used method 2 to set up web, data and MMS before and it worked great. But I just upgraded to ios7. Will method 2 still work? I have not tried it yet and am wondering if will work. I just now ran method 1 and now have web and data. Please let me know if method 2 will work, thanks.

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Christy,
      I tried Method 1 for Net10 with iPhone 5 running iOS 7 and it worked. I will be trying the SIM swap today. Keep an eye on the smartphonematters.com home page. I will be posting an update there after i try it.
      Regards
      Bob

      • Christy | |

        I just ran method 2. I had to do it a couple of times because at first it would not work(entering the values) but I ended up using the carrier APN Settings (tfdata) when I would enter the values under the APN it would erase what I typed (tfdata) and replaced it with the word ‘phone.’ It would change it automatically. So I made sure I while scrolling up I had both APN “boxes” in my view. Make sure they both say what you have entered and not ‘phone’ kinda stressful until I figured it out. One may change to phone while the other may stay what you have entered. But what’s important is: IT WORKS!! 🙂

  23. MSSLVZ | |

    Thank you. I was on the phone with Net10 for several hours the past few days. Hoped I would not have to talk to them again for a while. I did not !!
    Your explanation and photo guide was excellent. Once again THANK YOU.

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi MSSLVZ,
      I am glad the guide helped. Yes most calls to Net10 support can last that long.

      Regards
      Bob

  24. Dee | |

    I don’t have a tmobile sims card to use method 2 & I would like to have picture messages.

  25. Lisa | |

    Hello. I’ve tried both methods you posted for Option #2. I still can’t get the picture message working. I’ve tried many things and am totally frustrated. I appreciate your help.

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Lisa,
      Is your data working? Which APN are you using for data?
      Regards
      Bob

      • Lisa | |

        Hi Bob. Yes, data is working. Everything on the phone BUT picture messaging via text is working. I can email photos and send via WhatsApp, just not through MMS. I tried the APN settings you had for each option. The one that works with other data services is tfdata. I spent hours on the phone with Net 10 Wireless tech support and also Apple. We could not get this part working. So frustrating!

        • Lisa | |

          I also tried the sim swap as well. It did not seem to hold the settings and just would not work. I tried it over and over again.

          • Lisa | |

            BTW. . .I have an iPhone 4 with an AT&T compatible sim card. The phone is an unlocked AT&T iPhone. I have not yet upgraded to iOS7.

          • Lisa | |

            Hi Bob. I got a new T-mobile SIM card to swap out (99 cents on eBay) and had upgraded to iOS 7. This time it held the APN settings from the SIM swap and now the MMS is working. Thank you so much for your great advice! Net 10 Wireless ought to pay you something for your efforts and use your posts on their website. It would make things much easier for customers and potential customers.

            Now if I could only get my voicemail notifications working on the iPhone! That’s the other thing not working properly since switching to a new Net 10 SIM card after porting my phone number.

          • Bob Thompson | |

            Hey Lisa,
            I am glad to hear that you followed through with getting the T-Mobile SIM and where able to get MMS working. Make sure to write down the values that worked for you and put that SIM in a safe place in case you need to do this again.

            Regards
            Bob

          • Bob Thompson | |

            Hey Lisa,
            Would you mind answering a few questions about your experience porting your phone number?
            Did you port your number when you signed up or afterwards? Di you have any issues with the port? Did you do it from the web site or over the phone?

            Regards
            Bob

          • Lisa | |

            Actually I just discovered that the voicemail notifications are back working! Somehow or other, the SIM swap seemed to have fixed that. Cool!

          • Bob Thompson | |

            Hey Lisa,
            I wonder if it is related or just took a while to start working. I’ll keep this in mind if anyone reports a similar problem.
            Regards
            Bob

  26. Rick | |

    Does an 3GS running 4.3.3 work with NET10?

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Rick,
      It should be able to. My guide is for iOS6. you can update your 3GS to iOS 6 or see if you can just access the Cellular Data Network settings. If you phone is jailbroken, it think you can find a new jailbreak to
      Regards
      Bob

  27. Douglas Rogers | |

    I don’t have E-mail or Internet servive

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Douglas,
      Do you have an iPhone? Did you just switch to Net10 and you are trying to set up your phone? Finally, did you read the entire guide and try to follow the steps? The page you left your comment on is a multipage guide that shows step by step how to get data and MMS picture messaging working.

      Check out the guide and let me know if you have any more questions.
      Regards
      Bob

  28. Mark Jackson | |

    Thank U Very Much. Using method 2 and the required settings it all seems 2 b working fine.

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hey Mark,
      Glad to hear you got it working. Thanks for sharing with us.
      Regards
      Bob

  29. Jason | |

    I am unable to get the cellular data network button. I am using an iPhone 3GS with ios6. I deleted my profile and turned my phone off and back on with the t- mobile SIM card. Help

  30. Felisha | |

    I have an iPhone 3GS, I tried method one and it seemed like it worked, but I still can’t send picture messages. I don’t know what to do. Is this old iPhone just not able to send and recieve pictures?

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Felisha,
      Method #1 will only get your data working, go back to the guide and follow method #2 if you want both data and MMS.
      Let me know how it goes.
      Regards
      Bob

  31. tshay | |

    i tried method 1 and it works !! i have an iphone 4s ..

    Thanks a bunch for this tutorial!!

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hey Tshay,
      Great news.
      Regards
      Bob

  32. Marcus Edens | |

    Thank you so much!!!!! I tried so many other settings and none of them would work.

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Marcus,
      You are welcome. I am glad the guide helped.
      Regards,
      Bob

  33. Juan | |

    I can confirm that this works on iOS7 on an iPhone 4S. Many (many, many, many, many) thanks for the tutorial.

    FYI, I couldn’t get to the APN settings after putting in my Net10 sim card – the only way it would work would be:
    1. Put in T-mobile sim
    2. Go to Cellular Data Network
    3. Tap the first input box to edit it (don’t need to type anything, just make sure the keyboard is brought up)
    4. Remove T-mobile sim and put in Net10 sim – throughout the switch, the phone should stay in the Data Network page with the keyboard up

    The first set of settings is what worked with mine 😀

    • Juan | |

      having trouble after another restore on iOS7 🙁 the few times i get to Cellular Data, the APN name automatically reverts to “phone” after i put in the proxy (66.##…). sometimes i can beat it and restart the phone, but still no data 🙁

      • Bob Thompson | |

        Hi Juan,
        Keep in mind this is all a timing issue. You put in the tmobile sim, Cellular Data Network (CDN) appears. When you remove it and put the ST Att back in your phone’s status will go from No SIM to Searching.. During this time it’s possible to get back into CDN. At some point in this process, your phone is going to populate the att values into CDN. You need to wait until after the att values have populated before you put in your values. If you see the APN change when you are typing in the proxy just change it again try it a couple more times you should be able to get it.

        Let me know how it goes.
        Regards
        Bob

        • Juan | |

          Finally got it to work again! But this time I was sick of trying to beat the clock, and just downgraded to iOS 6.1.3, then restored my backup, set the APN settings per your guide, and updated to iOS7. Everything’s working like a charm now 🙂

          • Bob Thompson | |

            Hey Juan,
            Glad to hear it. I hope to have an iOS 7 guide posted as soon as the official upgrades are available.

            Rehards
            Bob

  34. Neisha | |

    Yes your the final one I can say it really worked*!!

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Neisha
      Great news!
      Regards
      Bob

    • Sam | |

      It does work! I have a factory unlocked Iphone 4 iOS6 and I tried so many ways to change my APN but nothing would work, Until I found this great help. My phone worked with APN wap.tracfone. Thank you so much!

      • Bob Thompson | |

        Hi Sam,
        I love to hear from people, especially when they say the guide worked for them.
        Regards
        Bob

        • Sam | |

          Thanks for helping us to solve our problems step by step. thank you again Bob.

  35. Rj | |

    Used unlock it apn and now mms doesn’t work

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi RJ,
      Yes that is correct. Unlockit will only configure your data, not MMS. You need to follow method #2 in the guide to setup MMS.

      LEt me know if you need more help.

      Regards,
      Bob

  36. Christian Fernandez | |

    Hey thanks for your work and helping people!
    I currently don’t have a factory unlocked iPhone 5 (nor is it jailbroken). I was wondering if the SIM swap method you describe using the T-Mobile SIM requires a jailbroken phone or factory unlocked phone. I am currently with a Net10 SIM on my iPhone and I can make calls but no data (method one didn’t work for me, none of the Safari Net10 APN’s worked). Can I buy a T-Mobile card from eBay (about 3 bucks) and simply use that to get the Cellular Data Network option? It doesn’t have to be an activated T-Mobile SIM? Thanks in advance!

    • Bob Thompson | |

      I responded to Christian by email
      Regards
      Bob

    • carlton | |

      Hi I read his comment about you having an iPhone 5 that is not factory unlocked or jail broken and working on net10. Is that possible?And if so how. Thanks:)

      • Bob Thompson | |

        Carlton
        Straight Talk and Net10 are both what are known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators. They buy network service from ATT, T-Mobile, and Verizon. If you have an locked AT&T iPhone you can use a Straight Talk or Net10 ATT SIM. You will be able to make calls and send texts. You will need to download and APN profile to get your data to work. If you want both Data and MMS you need follow the steps in my guide. Getting MMS working on your locked iPhone isn’t 100% guaranteed.

        If you have a Verizon iPhone 5 you can put an ATT SIM in the phone and it will work the same as described above. This is only for the 5 however, not the 4s or the 4.
        Regards
        Bob

  37. onterrio | |

    Talk text and web works I even factory unlocked the phone and still can’t get MMS.I used unlock it.co.nz

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Onterrio,
      You won’t ever get MMS to work by using unlockit. It only works for data. Go back and read through my guide. It explains how to get MMS up and running.
      Regards
      Bob

  38. Blaine | |

    The first code you have works But I can always send one or two picture messages And then the next day it won’t let me send pictures again

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Blaine,
      Do you mean you downloaded and installed an APN profile using Safari? (method 1 in the guide)
      or did you do the SIM Swap and go into Cellular Data Network and enter the values directly?

      Regards
      Bob

  39. droMac74 | |

    Worked on 2 iphone 4S’ and one 5. Latest iOS version. Had Net10 for a while and not being able to MMS was frustrating. SO GLAD YOU POSTED THIS! THANKS!!!

    • Bob Thompson | |

      droMac74,
      You are welcome. Thanks for you other comment too!
      Regards
      Bob

  40. Jerffrey Hoyle | |

    Hi bob, i am having trouble with getting the Cellular data network to show up on my iphone after i put the t-moble sim in and after i restart the phone it still does not show up. Any help would be great.

  41. Stef | |

    Hi Bob,
    When tring to change APN carrier settings (you suggest trying various “net-xxx” version until one works….I get reply Profile Install failed, an apn payload is already installed. As it it won’t let me install…is there a way to uninstall before trying other net-xxx id? I have Iphone 4 v 6.1.3

    Incidentally it now says invalid SIM. Thank you for your willingness to help those of us less capable!

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Stef,
      You need to remove the old profile before you can instal the new one. Look at step 12 and 13 again.
      I don’t know why your phone says invalid SIM, try removing it, reinserting it, and restarting your iPhone and see if that helps.
      Let me know how it goes.
      Regards
      Bob

      • Stef | |

        My apologies, I didn’t see 12 & 13. I was able to uninstall, but after trying all the netxxx options, I’m still without service. The invalid sim card moniker disappeared after I turned the phone off/on again.

        I bought the micro ATT SIM from ST…viewing several of the older posts looks like there was a problem but recently looks to have resolved. Card arrived yesterday. Any other suggestions? Again, thank you!

  42. Tristen Johnson | |

    Need my mms!! Can’t handle it

  43. Jesus | |

    No me funciona la data teléfono iPhone

  44. izzie | |

    I’m having some issues with my iPhone 4s on Net10.
    I have an AT&T SIM and I have used the Tmobile SIM switch/swap to set up the data and MMS.

    Now every time that I do the SIM Swap method, it works perfectly fine for a day, but the next morning it stop working completely until I have to do it again, and the same thing happens over again.

    Is anyone else experience the same problem and how can it be fix?
    Currently I am using the APN setting downloaded from the unlockit.co.nz but cannot use MMS with that.

    Any Suggestions? PLEASE HELP!!!

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hey Izzle,
      I myself have never had the problem, but I have heard from other people with the same problem. This issue is that your Network settings are getting updated. You might try an iTunes restore.
      check out
      http://smartphonematters.com/help-with-straight-talk-on-the-iphone/

      also you might want to search for and read the comments from David on this page. We recently had a similar issue.

      Regards
      Bob

  45. Sintoine Jean Baptiste | |

    The picture on iPhone not working, I can not send picture

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hello Sintoine,
      Did you try following the instructions in the guide? You will need to SIM swap to setup MMS..
      If you have a foreign SIM card that might work too.
      Let me know if you have questions.
      Regards
      Bob

  46. Johnn | |

    I couldn’t get this to work. I tried all of method 1 but it didn’t connect no matter which choice I made…

    Any reason why it wasn’t working? I would try method 2 but I don’t have a mini sim and I’m not about to pay for something that should already be enabled on my iphone

  47. Surge | |

    This guide worked perfectly. I used the first set of numbers provided and it worked.

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Surge,
      Yeah!.. glad you got it working.
      Regards
      Bob

  48. Lynn | |

    As a very non technical person I just wanted to say I followed your instructions for method 1 and it worked first time. Thank you for taking the time to put together such great instructions.

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Lynn,
      I am very happy to hear the guide worked for you. And thank you for leaving a comment. Your story will give other readers the confidence that they can succeed too!
      Regards
      Bob

  49. Alberto | |

    Configure my data APN

    • Bob Thompson | |

      Hi Alberto,
      I can try to help you. Did you read the guide and try to follow it?
      Regards
      Bob

  50. Manoucheka | |

    Please help can no get on Internet or send mms

Comments are closed.

Copyright © 2023 smartphonematters.com All rights reserved.