How to Delete Locked APNs on your Android Device
There are times when you switch a carrier and you put the new SIM card in, and guess what, your 3G ain’t working and neither are your MMS settings! The problem can continue even if you use the relevant settings, just because the old access point refuses to get deleted. People have had this problem mainly with handsets previously using the AT&T network, but if we ask our readers, we are sure many of them would say this isn’t limited to just AT&T but to Android in general. The guide below should help you get that “locked” access point name (or APN for short) and help you get your device working without a fault on your new network.
I. Before You Begin
1. Note down all the details from the APNs already available on your device. To do this, go to Settings > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names and write down or save everything from each and every APN you already have on your device. This is vital because the below process will delete both your locked and your preferred APNs.
2. You will need to be rooted before you can use this procedure. Chances are that you will find a rooting guide for your device on our site, so use the search feature, get the guide you want and come back here to continue.
II. Necessary Downloads
III. Converting APN Backup & Restore to a System App
Skip this section if you are running Android version below Android 4.0.4 ICS firmware version
1. Once you are done installing APN Backup & Restore and /system/app mover, open up /system/app mover app from your app drawer and grant root access when prompted
3. Look for APN Backup & Restore in the apps listed and tap on it.
4. Tap on Yes to convert the app to a system app.
5. Once done, reboot your device.
IV. Deleting Locked APNs
1. Go to your app drawer and open up the APN Backup & Restore app.
2. Make sure you have noted down all the APNs you need and tap on Delete APNs.
3. Tap Yes on the next warning screen.
That’s it! All those pesky locked APNs should be gone now and if not, reboot your device and you should see them gone.
Thanks go to our ardent reader, John, for giving us this tip!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I am so very grateful you had this information posted. I have spent the last two days on the phone with both consumer cellular and At&t also chatted with motorola online several times they all said that the locked APN of At&t that was on phone had nothing to do with it then I came across your info, tried it and it worked great! I have very happy kids now and I am happy since I could send and receive picture messages on my flip phone I was disappointed when I couldn’t do it on my new motorola backflip! Thanks thanks thanks!
Okay shoot I got excited it seemed to fix it for a bit on our backflips now doesn’t seem to be able to send or receive picture mail again 🙁 Didn’t work on the flipsides 🙁
Dont work on Android 4,0 >
Android 4.0 does not allow 3rd party apps to write APN Settings .. so the APN Backup & Restore app is useless
Does not work with android 4.o+ because android will not allow 3rd party apps
Press menu button then disable ICS check
DID NOT WORK KEEP GETTING PERMISSION DENIED 126
Works perfectly on my galaxy tab 2 att thank you so muchhhh running jelly bean took a while to understand but got it now
Those of you who are having issues with the Android 4.0+ not being able to write APN Settings, follow these steps
1) Disable ICS Check in APN Backup & Restore.
2) Make sure you have installed /system/app mover and made APN Backup & Restore as a system app and restarted the phone.
Then try deleting the settings. It worked for me. I have android 4.1.2 on LG Optimus F3 originally from T-mobile. Just follow the steps religiously and it will delete the settings, then make new APN! Good Luck!!
Good Luck!!
disabling ICS did the trick, thank you so much!
hey! i did the exact same thing and when i press “delete” it says deleted as well. but the locked APN doesnt seem to get deleted, even after i reboot. Any ideas what’s going on?
I downloaded both APN Backup & Restore and /system/app mover.
When APN Backup to system apps and rebooting, it just deletes the app. It’s not in the app drawer and I can’t find on the application manager or /system app.
I tried to download your apn backup and restore app but removed on playstore why
I need my apn unlocked
I want my apn unlocked