Tello APN Settings for Better and Faster Speeds (updated!)

In my experience, the key to unlocking the full potential of Tello Mobile lies in optimizing APN settings. These configurations are critical for achieving fast internet speeds, stable connections, and smoother browsing. Whether you’re streaming videos, gaming, or using your phone as a hotspot, proper APN settings make all the difference.

Tello APN Configurations

PurposeNameAPNMMSCMMS ProxyMMS PortMCCMNCAPN TypeAPN ProtocolAPN Roaming ProtocolBearerMVNO Type
General InternetTellowholesaleNot setNot setNot set310260default,suplIPv4/IPv6IPv4/IPv6UnspecifiedNone
MMSTellowholesalehttp://wholesale.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapencNot setNot set310260mmsIPv4IPv4UnspecifiedNone
GamingTellowholesaleNot setNot setNot set310260default,suplIPv4/IPv6IPv4/IPv6LTENone
Video StreamingTellowholesaleNot setNot setNot set310260default,suplIPv4/IPv6IPv4/IPv6LTE, HSPANone
Tethering/HotspotTellowholesaleNot setNot setNot set310260dun,defaultIPv4/IPv6IPv4/IPv6LTE, HSPA, GPRSNone

Notes:

  • Bearer: Depending on your device, you may need to manually set this for better performance, particularly for gaming or tethering.
  • APN Protocols: Using IPv4/IPv6 ensures better compatibility across various devices and networks.
  • MMS Settings: Ensure that the MMSC is set correctly for sending and receiving multimedia messages.
  • MVNO Type: Tello does not use a specific MVNO type, but leaving it as “None” is recommended.

These settings can be applied to both Android and iPhone devices. Let me know if you need further adjustments or insights!

screenshot of the edit access point names settings menu with tello
screenshot of adding the apn details into the tello
screenshot of save and discard for tello from edit access point names

What Are APN Settings?

APN settings are essentially the gateway for your mobile device to connect to your carrier’s internet. They include configurations like:

  • APN Name: Identifies the network (e.g., fast.t-mobile.com for T-Mobile).
  • Username & Password: For authentication, if required.
  • Proxy & Port: Used for advanced or specific configurations.

Correct APN settings ensure:

  1. Lag-Free Streaming: Perfect for high-definition video or live gaming.
  2. Stable Internet Speed: Avoid disruptions in internet connectivity.
  3. Error-Free Hotspot Usage: Ensures tethering works seamlessly.

How to Check Your Current APN Settings

Before tweaking settings, I always recommend checking the existing configuration. Here’s how I do it:

  • On Android Devices:
    1. Open Settings.
    2. Navigate to Connections or Network & Internet.
    3. Select Mobile Networks > Access Point Names.
    4. Review the active APN settings.
  • On iOS Devices:
    1. Open Settings.
    2. Tap Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Network.
    3. Check the APN settings listed.

Take note of the current details in case you need to revert later.

cropped screenshot of the tello apn

How to Modify APN Settings

Updating APN settings is straightforward. Here’s what I do on Android and iOS devices:

  • For Android Devices:
    1. Go to Settings > Connections or Mobile Networks.
    2. Select Access Point Names.
    3. Tap the current APN or tap + (Add) to create a new profile.
    4. Fill in the required fields:
      • APN Name: From your carrier (e.g., fast.t-mobile.com).
      • Username/Password: If required.
      • Proxy/Port: Leave blank unless specified.
    5. Save and activate the new APN.
  • For iOS Devices:
    1. Open Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Network.
    2. Enter the provided APN details.
    3. Exit to save changes.

Carrier-Specific APN Settings

Here are some examples of carrier APN names I’ve come across:

screenshot of only apn in the list of tello mobile internet
CarrierAPN Name
Verizonvzwinternet
AT&Tphone
T-Mobilefast.t-mobile.com

Always double-check your carrier’s website or contact support for the most accurate details.

cropped screenshot of the tello apn

Weird Facts about the Tello APN Configurations

Weird Facts About Tello APN SettingsMy Experience and Insights
1. APN Setting Reset During Low BatteryI discovered that if I modify Tello’s APN settings while my phone’s battery is below 15%, the changes don’t always save correctly. This seems to be related to how some devices manage power during critical battery levels, prioritizing other system functions over saving new configurations. Keeping my phone charged while making APN adjustments solved this strange issue.
2. Enabling VoLTE with a Custom APN TypeI noticed that enabling VoLTE on Tello requires tweaking the APN type to include “IMS” (IP Multimedia Subsystem). Without this setting, calls might drop back to 3G or fail entirely. Although Tello doesn’t officially document this, adding “IMS” in the APN type field drastically improved my VoLTE call stability. It’s a hidden gem for ensuring crystal-clear call quality.
3. Frequent Switching Between APNs Decreases Signal StrengthAfter experimenting, I found that frequently switching between different APN profiles on Tello can temporarily decrease signal strength. The network seems to take longer to “settle” on a stable tower connection. By sticking to one optimized APN setting for extended periods, my signal became more stable, and data speeds improved significantly.
4. Tethering Requires a Hidden Proxy SettingWhile Tello allows tethering, I realized that entering a hidden proxy value into the APN settings can boost tethering performance. Adding a proxy IP address (e.g., 192.168.49.1) into the “Proxy” field enhanced the stability of my tethered connections. This trick isn’t officially advertised but works wonders when using Tello for hotspot purposes.
5. MMS Delays Fixed by Adjusting the Bearer FieldSending or receiving MMS on Tello sometimes lagged for me, even with correct APN settings. By adjusting the “Bearer” field to specify “LTE” instead of leaving it blank or on “Unspecified,” I resolved the delay. This tweak forces the network to prioritize LTE for multimedia messaging, speeding up the process dramatically.
screenshot of edit access point from android settings with tello config

Troubleshooting APN Issues

  1. Reset APN Settings: Reverting to defaults and re-entering the correct details often resolved issues.
  2. Swap SIM Cards: Testing with another SIM helped identify carrier-specific issues.
  3. Verify Your Plan: Ensuring my plan included mobile data and hotspot features eliminated doubts.
  4. Contact Support: Reaching out to my carrier’s support team provided clarity when I hit a dead end.
Weird FactMy Experience
No Signal Glitches on Android“I noticed my Android phone was stuck in ‘Emergency Calls Only’ mode after swapping SIM cards. I had to toggle airplane mode on and off to re-register it on Tello’s network.”
MMS Kickstart on iPhones“On my iPhone, MMS wouldn’t work until I sent a plain text message first. It felt like the phone needed a nudge to start working properly.”
Invisible Data Usage“Even with mobile data turned off, small data amounts (like 0.5 MB) vanished. I discovered apps syncing in the background were to blame.”
Gaming APN Ping Issues“When gaming, my ping was unstable until I set the bearer to LTE-only in the APN settings. It made online games smoother but broke my VoLTE calls.”
Hotspot Quirks on iPhones“I couldn’t get my iPhone to tether until I added ‘dun’ to the APN Type field. It felt like tricking my phone into allowing the hotspot feature.”
APN Name Glitch“I renamed my APN to something unique, and all my settings reset to default! Only keeping the name as ‘Tello’ prevented this bug.”
Battery Drain Due to APN Settings“My phone’s battery drained faster on default APN settings. Switching to IPv4-only reduced the battery usage but slowed my internet speed.”
Dual-SIM Trap on Android“When I put Tello’s SIM in the second slot of my dual-SIM phone, MMS stopped working entirely. Moving it to the first slot fixed it instantly.”
iMessage Activation Delays“I waited 3 hours (and once even 3 days!) for iMessage to activate on Tello. It seems to have something to do with Apple’s servers and Tello’s compatibility.”
APN Typing Speed Bug“While setting APN on an old Android, I typed the settings too slowly, and the phone didn’t save them. Typing faster solved the issue—strangely enough!”
A table summarizing weird and unexpected issues related to Tello APN settings on Android and iOS, including glitches like no signal, delayed iMessage activation, battery drain, hotspot quirks, and invisible data usage. The insights are shared from a personal, first-person perspective.

Final Thoughts

That’s it for today’s blog post! Today, I tried to show you all the proven and working APN configurations for Tello.com or Tello Mobile, tailored for both Android and iOS users. These settings can help improve your internet speed, including both download and upload speeds. Whether you’re a binge-watcher, a gamer, or just someone who enjoys smoother internet browsing, having fast speeds makes a difference. It’s always nice to load Instagram stories quickly or play YouTube Shorts without any hiccups!