Since the release of iPhone 2.0, you’re allowed to edit APN settings for the cellular data network connection of your iPhone. Normally, you can access this setting by tapping Settings -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data Network. However, as I know, not everyone can edit the APN setting, no matter you’re using EDGE or 3G. Apple provides a configuration tool for carriers and lets them to determine if they want the users to edit the APN settings. Some carriers prefer to preset the APN setting for its users but disallow the editing by disabling the option.
It’s not a problem if you bought your iPhone from the official carrier. But if you’re using an unlocked iPhone with other carriers, you’ll need to edit the APN setting for connecting to the Internet.
So, what if you can’t find this option after jailbreaking & unlocking your iPhone? Here is the solution. [Thanks to altfx2 for sharing the tip!]
Before diving deep into the solution, make sure you know how to use SSH to transfer file between iPhone and your computer. You’ll need to copy a file from iPhone to your PC/Mac for editing and then transfer it back to iPhone. You can refer to this guide if you’re not very familiar with SSH:
Let’s get started
1. First, connect to your iPhone using WinSCP for Windows or Cyberduck for Mac. Navigate to /System/Library/Carrier Bundles/
2. Copy the “carrier.plist” file from iPhone to your computer.
For Mac User
3. You can simply double-click on the “carrier.plist” to open it. Check the “AllowEDGEEditing” checkbox to enable it.
For Windows User
3. Download Property List Editor and use it to open “carrier.plist”. Add the following code:
<key>AllowEDGEEditing</key>
<true/>
4. Save the change and transfer the file back to iPhone. Put the file back to the same folder you use in step 1.
5. Once done, restart your iPhone. You should be able to edit APN setting by tapping Setting -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data Network
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nice post .. helped a lot
wonderful post, considering APN Editing is down in Cydia.
Will click on a few ads for you.
So I’ve found this same information posted on numerous different sites and was hoping that it would help me get Visual Voicemail working on my iPhone again. Unfortunately, having followed this information to a T, I’m unable to get the Cellular Data Network button to appear. Everything else appears to be working properly on my phone.
I have a Jailbroken 3GS running 3.0.1. I’ve tried carrier profiles and numerous other tweaks. And not that I’d really use this feature much, I just hate having features disabled by service providers like AT&T.
Any ideas why this might not be working for me?
Hey, what application are you using for editing the .plist like that on the Mac ? Mine opens it in a strange encoding in textedit, and i got to open it with textwrangler the same way the windows one looks, but i don’t have the code there, i think i need to add it manually.
thanks
@George, you can open the file with Property List Editor.
Thanks, it worked perfectly.
i cant seems to find the EDGE tag?? anyone know why that is??
Is there an Property List Editor for Windows XP?
Thank you.
On 3.1.2 – I was able to get it fixed only after modifying the carrier file on var/mobile/library/Carrier in addition to the file in /System/Library/Carrier Bundles/ mentioned in this post (maybe the first one is even enough).
I want to use the opportunity to thank Simon for this amazing blog. Thanks.
ttllkk – great tip!
my carrier has updated the settings, and I’ve been sweating this out for the past few hours!
ttllkk. Unfortunately I still cannot edit the apn settings. The only thing I am able to change is carrier. I have downloaded the app open SSH in cydia and I have followed all of these steps with SSH Transfer. Reboot the phone and still no apn tab in network settings. This is driving me crazy…..
Great and fantastic! Keep up the great work! Share knowledge!
so there is no Edge option?? so i added it? still nothing??
a screen just pops up and says “could not activate cellular data network”? you are not subscribed to a cellular data service? and i am??.. i did the 3.1.2 upgrade jailbroke with AT&T everything works but the internet? please help!!
Facing the same problem. The carrier.plist doesn’t show any of the stuff shown in the picture above. I am using etisalat SIM card (UAE). I urgently want to solve my problem as I also get the same error messages like : “could not activate cellular data network”; “you are not subscribed to a cellular data service”…… but my credit balance is constantly deducting. Help!!
Con dobleclick no se abre el archivo para editarlo. Cómo debo hacer?
Trabajo en una mac.
I followed the article and could not see the Cellular Data Network options…I had to edit another carrier.plist file located in var/mobile/library/Carrier as user “ttllkk” mentioned. This should help all…trust me.
John February 15, 2010 at 4:37 am
“”I followed the article and could not see the Cellular Data Network options…I had to edit another carrier.plist file located in var/mobile/library/Carrier as user “ttllkk” mentioned. This should help all…trust me.”"
ok, what did you edit there? what did you do? just add the string AllowEDGEEditing
or check box on mac
be specific, wut did u edit and wut those edits were
I did this, sucessfully got the thing to show up with AT&T but i get message failed to send.