APN Settings for GPS Watches and Trackers

Worldwide GPS Watch & Tracker Setup Guide

APN Settings for GPS Watches, Pendants and Trackers Worldwide

This guide explains how APN settings work on Lil Tracker devices and other standalone cellular GPS watches, pendants and trackers used in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries. A device can display signal bars and may even make calls while remaining offline in its app because the APN is missing or incorrect.

Lil Tracker devices normally require only three carrier values: the APN, the MCC and the MNC. Other brands may use a different menu, password or SMS command format.

Check this first

Was the SIM issued directly by a major mobile carrier?

You usually do not need to enter an APN manually. Lil Tracker devices normally recognize many SIM cards issued directly by the main cellular carriers in each country and load the appropriate APN automatically.

In the United States, this commonly applies to direct AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards. In the United Kingdom, it commonly applies to direct EE, O2, Vodafone and Three SIM cards. The same general rule applies in other countries.

Insert the activated SIM, restart the device and allow approximately 5 to 15 minutes for it to connect. Test the device in the app. If it comes online, stop here and do not send an APN command.

Manual APN setup is most often needed for MVNO, reseller, prepaid specialist, travel and IoT SIM cards. These providers may use another carrier’s towers while requiring their own APN.

What Is an APN?

APN stands for Access Point Name. It is the network profile a cellular device uses when requesting an internet connection from the SIM card provider.

Cellular reception and mobile data are related, but they are not the same thing. A watch can show signal bars because it has registered with a cellular tower, yet still be unable to exchange location information with the Lil Tracker app because it does not have the correct APN.

APN

The data gateway assigned to the SIM. Examples include stkmobi, mobilenet, wholesale and h2g2.

MCC

The Mobile Country Code. The MCC used by most U.S. SIM cards in this guide is 310.

MNC

The Mobile Network Code associated with the SIM and its underlying network. Examples include 240, 260, 280 and 410.

The profile Name field is not required. On a smartphone, the Name field is only a label that helps the user identify an APN profile. Lil Tracker devices do not require a separate profile name in the SMS command. MMS addresses, proxies, ports and APN types are also not normally required for Lil Tracker app data.

Why an MVNO May Be Detected as T-Mobile or AT&T

Many lower-cost wireless providers are mobile virtual network operators, commonly called MVNOs. An MVNO sells and manages the cellular service, but uses another company’s cellular towers and network infrastructure.

Lil Tracker devices read network and SIM identifiers, then compare those identifiers with APN profiles stored in the device firmware. When an MVNO shares infrastructure or identifiers with a larger carrier, the device may recognize the host network instead of the company that sold and activated the SIM.

Google Fi example: A Google Fi SIM may register on T-Mobile’s network and the device may display or detect T-Mobile. This does not mean that the regular T-Mobile APN is correct. Google Fi normally requires a Google Fi APN such as h2g2.

The same issue can occur with Mint Mobile, Tello, Ultra Mobile, SpeedTalk, Red Pocket and other MVNOs. The watch may identify the underlying carrier even though the SIM requires an APN assigned by the MVNO.

The carrier name shown by the device should therefore not be used as the only source for selecting an APN. The correct settings must come from the company that supplied and activated the SIM.

Manual APN Setup by SMS

Only continue with this section if the device remains offline after normal activation and restart. If a SIM issued directly by a major carrier has already connected successfully, no APN command is necessary.

Some Lil Tracker devices with screens provide an APN or mobile network menu. Manual entry can be useful when a SIM cannot receive SMS messages, but entering an APN and network codes on a small watch screen is difficult and can easily introduce a typing error.

Whenever possible, we recommend programming a Lil Tracker device by sending one standard SMS text message to the phone number assigned to the SIM inside the device. The command shown below applies to Lil Tracker devices and compatible GPS trackers that use the same command format. Owners of other brands should confirm the required password and syntax with their device manufacturer.

APN SMS Command Format

pw,123456,apn,APNNAME,,,MCCMNC#

pw
Identifies the text as a password-protected device command.

123456
The standard Lil Tracker device command password.

apn
Tells the device to create or replace its APN profile.

APNNAME
Replace this with the exact APN assigned by the SIM provider.

,,,
The commas preserve the blank username and password fields. Do not remove any of them.

MCCMNC#
Join the MCC and MNC without spaces or punctuation, then finish the command with the number sign.

Example

Suppose the SIM provider gives you these settings:

APN: example.apn
MCC: 310
MNC: 240

Completed Command

pw,123456,apn,example.apn,,,310240#

How to Send the Command

Activate the SIM and confirm that the plan includes standard SMS text messaging.
Insert the SIM correctly and turn on the Lil Tracker device in an area with cellular reception.
From another mobile phone, create a standard SMS addressed to the phone number assigned to the SIM inside the device.
Enter the complete command as one uninterrupted line. Do not add spaces, quotation marks or extra punctuation.
Send the message. Most models return a brief confirmation response, although the wording can vary.
Restart the device and allow approximately 5 to 15 minutes for it to reconnect to mobile data.

SMS capability is required. A data-only SIM that cannot receive standard SMS messages cannot receive the APN command. On a compatible device with a screen, the APN may instead be entered through the device menu.

SpeedTalk APN Settings

If the SpeedTalk SIM was supplied directly by Lil Tracker:
Use APN stkmobi, MCC 310 and MNC 240.

Lil Tracker-Supplied SpeedTalk SIM

pw,123456,apn,stkmobi,,,310240#

If the SpeedTalk SIM Was Purchased Somewhere Else

Do not automatically use stkmobi. SpeedTalk distributes different SIM types and each SIM is assigned a specific APN. Depending on the SIM and plan, the assigned APN may be:

stkmobi
mobilenet
mnet
wholesale

The customer normally receives the APN information in the activation confirmation email. It may also be available after signing into the SpeedTalk account. SpeedTalk can additionally identify the correct settings using the SpeedTalk phone number or SIM card number.

Do not guess the SpeedTalk APN. Each SpeedTalk SIM supports the APN assigned to that SIM. The activation email or account information should be treated as the final authority.

Examples of Building a SpeedTalk Command

Use these only when the activation email or SpeedTalk account shows the same APN, MCC and MNC.

mobilenet with MCC 310 and MNC 240 pw,123456,apn,mobilenet,,,310240#

mobilenet with MCC 310 and MNC 260 pw,123456,apn,mobilenet,,,310260#

mnet with MCC 310 and MNC 240 pw,123456,apn,mnet,,,310240#

mnet with MCC 310 and MNC 260 pw,123456,apn,mnet,,,310260#

wholesale with MCC 310 and MNC 240 pw,123456,apn,wholesale,,,310240#

wholesale with MCC 310 and MNC 260 pw,123456,apn,wholesale,,,310260#

International SIM Cards and UK Examples

The same rule applies outside the United States. A SIM issued directly by one of the main cellular carriers in a country will often be recognized automatically. Activate the SIM, insert it, restart the device and test the app before entering anything manually.

Direct carrier SIM: Try automatic setup first. If the device comes online, no APN command is required.

MVNO, reseller, travel or IoT SIM: Manual APN setup is more likely to be required because the SIM may use another company’s towers while requiring its own APN.

Obtain the exact APN, MCC and MNC from the company that issued and activated the SIM. These values are often shown in the activation email, customer account or setup instructions supplied by the provider.

International MCC and MNC values differ by country and network. Do not reuse a U.S. MCC and MNC for a SIM issued in another country.

Common United Kingdom Examples

Direct EE, O2, Vodafone and Three SIM cards will often configure automatically. The commands below are fallback examples for a device that remains offline. MVNO and reseller SIM cards are more likely to require manual setup.

SIM Provider or Network	APN	MCC	MNC	Example SMS Command	Important Notes
EE direct	`everywhere`	234	30	`pw,123456,apn,everywhere,,,23430#`	Usually detected automatically. Use manual setup only if the activated device remains offline.
O2 direct	`mobile.o2.co.uk`	234	10	`pw,123456,apn,mobile.o2.co.uk,,,23410#`	Usually detected automatically. Use manual setup only if the activated device remains offline.
Vodafone direct	`wap.vodafone.co.uk`	234	15	`pw,123456,apn,wap.vodafone.co.uk,,,23415#`	Usually detected automatically. Use manual setup only if the activated device remains offline.
Three direct	`three.co.uk`	234	20	`pw,123456,apn,three.co.uk,,,23420#`	Usually detected automatically. Use manual setup only if the activated device remains offline.
giffgaff, O2 network	`giffgaff.com`	234	10	`pw,123456,apn,giffgaff.com,,,23410#`	MVNO example. The device may detect O2 while the giffgaff APN is required.
Lebara, Vodafone network	`uk.lebara.mobi`	234	15	`pw,123456,apn,uk.lebara.mobi,,,23415#`	MVNO example. The device may detect Vodafone while the Lebara APN is required.
Lyca Mobile UK	`data.lycamobile.co.uk`	234	26	`pw,123456,apn,data.lycamobile.co.uk,,,23426#`	Confirm the settings supplied with the activated SIM before sending the command.
Tesco Mobile, O2 network	`prepay.tesco-mobile.com`	234	10	`pw,123456,apn,prepay.tesco-mobile.com,,,23410#`	Tesco publishes this APN for applicable plans. Confirm the APN assigned to the customer’s plan.

UK carrier settings can change and some providers issue more than one SIM profile. The activation email, customer account or provider support team should be treated as the final authority.

Example From Another Country

If a provider supplies APN internet.provider, MCC 302 and MNC 720, the completed command would be:

Example Only

pw,123456,apn,internet.provider,,,302720#

Replace all three values with the exact APN, MCC and MNC assigned to the actual SIM.

Common U.S. APN Settings and SMS Examples

These settings are a reference for physical SIM cards commonly used in the United States. Providers can change their settings or issue more than one SIM profile. The activation email, customer account or provider support team should be treated as the final authority for the specific SIM.

SIM Provider or Network	APN	MCC	MNC	Example SMS Command	Important Notes
SpeedTalk supplied by Lil Tracker	`stkmobi`	310	240	`pw,123456,apn,stkmobi,,,310240#`	Use this when the SpeedTalk SIM card was supplied directly by Lil Tracker.
SpeedTalk purchased elsewhere	`Assigned to the SIM`	See email	See email	`pw,123456,apn,ASSIGNEDAPN,,,MCCMNC#`	The APN may be stkmobi, mobilenet, mnet or wholesale. Check the activation email or SpeedTalk account.
T-Mobile Direct	`fast.t-mobile.com`	310	260	`pw,123456,apn,fast.t-mobile.com,,,310260#`	Usually not necessary for direct T-Mobile SIMs.
Google Fi	`h2g2`	310	260	`pw,123456,apn,h2g2,,,310260#`	A Google Fi SIM may be detected as T-Mobile. Confirm the APN assigned to the line.
Tello	`wholesale`	310	240	`pw,123456,apn,wholesale,,,310240#`	A Tello SIM may appear as T-Mobile even though it uses the Tello APN.
Mint Mobile	`Wholesale`	310	240 or 260	`pw,123456,apn,Wholesale,,,310240#` `pw,123456,apn,Wholesale,,,310260#`	Use the MNC assigned to the SIM. Many newer SIMs use 240, while some older SIMs use 260.
Ultra Mobile	`Wholesale`	310	SIM-specific	`Confirm the MNC before sending`	Use the MCC and MNC assigned to the SIM.
Red Pocket GSMA, AT&T network	`ERESELLER`	310	410	`pw,123456,apn,ERESELLER,,,310410#`	Use only for a Red Pocket GSMA SIM operating on the AT&T network.
Red Pocket GSMT, T-Mobile network	`WHOLESALE`	310	280	`pw,123456,apn,WHOLESALE,,,310280#`	Use only for a Red Pocket GSMT SIM operating on the T-Mobile network.
FreedomPop GSMA, AT&T network	`ERESELLER`	310	410	`pw,123456,apn,ERESELLER,,,310410#`	Use only when the FreedomPop line is assigned to its AT&T-based GSMA network.
FreedomPop GSMT, T-Mobile network	`WHOLESALE`	310	280	`pw,123456,apn,WHOLESALE,,,310280#`	Use only when the FreedomPop line is assigned to its T-Mobile-based GSMT network.
US Mobile Light Speed	`wholesale`	310	SIM-specific	`Confirm the MNC before sending`	Light Speed uses T-Mobile coverage. Confirm the MCC and MNC assigned to the SIM.
US Mobile Legacy GSM	`pwg`	310	240 or 260	`pw,123456,apn,pwg,,,310240#` `pw,123456,apn,pwg,,,310260#`	For legacy US Mobile GSM SIMs only. Confirm the SIM’s assigned MNC.
Lyca Mobile USA	`data.lycamobile.com`	310	260	`pw,123456,apn,data.lycamobile.com,,,310260#`	Confirm with Lyca.
Metro by T-Mobile	`fast.metropcs.com`	310	260	`pw,123456,apn,fast.metropcs.com,,,310260#`	Use only if automatic setup fails.
AT&T Direct	`NXTGENPHONE`	310	410	`pw,123456,apn,NXTGENPHONE,,,310410#`	Usually not necessary for direct AT&T SIMs.
Cricket Wireless	`Endo`	310	150	`pw,123456,apn,Endo,,,310150#`	Use only if automatic setup fails.
H2O Wireless	`RESELLER`	310	410 or 280	`pw,123456,apn,RESELLER,,,310410#` `pw,123456,apn,RESELLER,,,310280#`	Use the MNC assigned to the SIM.
PureTalk	`RESELLER`	310	410 or 280	`pw,123456,apn,RESELLER,,,310410#` `pw,123456,apn,RESELLER,,,310280#`	Use the MNC assigned to the SIM.
US Mobile Dark Star	`ereseller`	310	410 or 280	`pw,123456,apn,ereseller,,,310410#` `pw,123456,apn,ereseller,,,310280#`	Confirm the MNC assigned to the SIM.

Settings last reviewed June 2026. Wireless providers may change APNs or issue different SIM profiles without notice.

How to Create the Correct APN Command for Any SIM Provider

A provider does not have to appear in the U.S. or UK tables above. The same command can be created for nearly any compatible physical SIM worldwide after obtaining the three required values.

Identify the company that supplied and activated the SIM, not only the carrier name or tower network displayed by the watch.
Check the activation email and the customer’s online account for the assigned APN, MCC and MNC.
When the settings are not shown, ask the provider for the current data APN, MCC and MNC for that specific physical SIM.
Confirm whether the settings depend on the SIM number, ICCID or underlying network.
Confirm that the plan includes mobile data and the ability to receive standard SMS text messages.
Insert the settings into pw,123456,apn,APNNAME,,,MCCMNC#.
Send the completed command, restart the device and test its connection to the Lil Tracker app.

When contacting a provider, ask specifically for the APN, MCC and MNC assigned to the physical SIM. A general smartphone setup page may include many additional fields that a Lil Tracker device does not use.

Providers With More Than One Underlying Network

Red Pocket

GSMA uses AT&T and requires different settings from GSMT, which uses T-Mobile. Identify the network assigned to the SIM before creating the command.

US Mobile

Light Speed, Dark Star and Warp use different underlying networks and different APN settings. Confirm the network shown in the US Mobile account.

Straight Talk and Tracfone Brands

The required APN can depend on the SIM, activation date and underlying network. Obtain the settings using the provider’s SIM or phone-number lookup.

Boost Mobile

Boost has used more than one network configuration. Confirm the exact network and APN associated with the line rather than using a generic Boost setting.

APN Troubleshooting Checklist

Confirm the SIM Is Active

The plan must be activated and paid. An APN cannot restore a suspended or unactivated cellular line.

Confirm Mobile Data Is Included

Voice and SMS service alone are not enough. The Lil Tracker app requires cellular data.

Confirm SMS Reception

The device must be able to receive the setup text. A data-only plan may require manual on-screen entry instead.

Check Every Comma

The command must include all three commas after the APN and must finish with the number sign.

Join MCC and MNC

Enter 310240, not 310 240 or 310-240.

Restart the Device

Power the device off and on after programming, then allow several minutes for the mobile data session to begin.

What an APN Cannot Fix

An inactive, expired or suspended SIM plan
A plan with no mobile data
A SIM PIN that has not been disabled
Poor or unavailable cellular coverage
An incompatible LTE frequency band
A carrier refusing to activate or provision the device IMEI
An incorrect app server, registration code or device binding
A damaged SIM card, SIM reader or cellular antenna

Carrier compatibility matters. An APN only controls the mobile data connection. It cannot force a carrier to accept an unsupported device. Verizon-based services often require carrier certification and IMEI provisioning, so changing the APN alone may not establish service.

Frequently Asked APN Questions

Do I need to set the APN for a SIM issued directly by a major carrier?

Usually not. Lil Tracker devices normally recognize many SIM cards issued directly by major carriers and load the appropriate APN automatically. Activate and insert the SIM, restart the device and wait 5 to 15 minutes. Only configure the APN manually if the device remains offline.

Does the same rule apply outside the United States?

Yes. A direct SIM from a major national carrier will often configure automatically. An MVNO, reseller, travel or IoT SIM is more likely to require manual APN setup. Always use the APN, MCC and MNC assigned by the company that activated the SIM.

The watch shows signal bars. Can the APN still be wrong?

Yes. Signal bars indicate that the device can see or register with a cellular network. The correct APN is still required to establish the mobile data connection used by the Lil Tracker app.

Why does my MVNO SIM show T-Mobile?

The MVNO may use T-Mobile’s cellular towers or network identifiers. The displayed network name does not replace the APN assigned by the MVNO.

Which APN should I use for a SpeedTalk SIM?

If the SpeedTalk SIM was supplied directly by Lil Tracker, use stkmobi with MCC 310 and MNC 240. If the SIM was obtained elsewhere, check the SpeedTalk activation email or account because the assigned APN may be stkmobi, mobilenet, mnet or wholesale.

Which Red Pocket APN should I use?

First identify the Red Pocket network. GSMA uses the AT&T network and normally uses ERESELLER with MCC 310 and MNC 410. GSMT uses the T-Mobile network and normally uses WHOLESALE with MCC 310 and MNC 280.

Can I use the host carrier’s APN instead?

It should not be assumed. A SIM may connect to T-Mobile or AT&T towers while still requiring the APN assigned by the MVNO that activated the SIM.

Will the watch respond to the SMS command?

Most Lil Tracker models send a brief confirmation when the command is accepted. No response may indicate poor reception, an incorrect phone number, an SMS restriction or an inactive SIM.

Can I program the APN through the watch screen?

Some models include an APN or mobile network menu. This is useful when the SIM cannot receive SMS, but the SMS method is usually faster and reduces typing errors.

Need Help Identifying the Correct APN?

Lil Tracker customers in any country can contact our support team for help reviewing their settings. Please include your order number, country, SIM provider, the APN information shown in the activation email or account, and a clear photo of the device’s APN or network status screen when available.

Contact Lil Tracker Support View Setup Videos View Recommended U.S. SIM