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Use the APN as a controlled test, not a guess
This guide focuses on the VI (Vodafone Idea) profile for India. It keeps the setup short so you can test whether the APN is the real cause before changing sensitive fields.
If your phone already has a carrier profile, compare it first. A duplicate APN can make Android select the wrong profile, while iPhone may hide the APN menu completely when carrier settings control it.
APN fields
VI APN starting point
| Field | Value | Use this note |
|---|---|---|
| Name (Internet) | VI Internet | This is only a label inside your phone. |
| APN | www | Main value to test first: www. On iPhone, some versions may require 'iphone' instead. |
| APN type | default,supl | Use only if the field exists and the phone accepts it. |
| Protocol | IPv4/IPv6 or device default | Keep the device default when unsure. |
| Username and password | Blank unless supplied | Leave blank unless your plan requires values. |
| MCC | 404 | Verify with your SIM card info. |
| MMSC | http://mms1.live.vodafone.in/mms/ | For MMS configuration. |
| MMS proxy | 10.10.1.100:9401 | Required for MMS on some devices. |
Carrier plans can differ. VI uses APN www for internet. For MMS use portalnmms with the MMS proxy shown above.
Setup
Setup steps
- Open the mobile network settings and find Access Point Names or Cellular Data Network.
- Create or edit the VI profile and enter the APN value exactly as shown.
- Save the profile, select it if your phone asks, then disable WiFi for the test.
- Toggle airplane mode for ten seconds and open a browser before testing apps or hotspot.
Guide
Full setup and troubleshooting notes
Before changing the APN
Use this page when a VI SIM is active but mobile data does not browse, apps stay offline, hotspot sharing fails, or the phone lost its profile after a network reset. The first rule is to make the smallest useful change. An APN profile controls how the phone reaches the packet data gateway, but many fields are filled by the SIM, the operating system, or the carrier profile already stored on the device. Editing every field at once can make a simple problem harder to diagnose.
For VI India, start with a readable profile name and the APN value shown below: `www`. If your SIM pack, account screen, device configuration SMS, or carrier support channel gives a different value for your exact plan, use that plan-specific value. Prepaid, postpaid, reseller, roaming and data-only SIMs can behave differently even when the carrier name looks the same.
VI was formed by the merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular in 2020. The APN www is standard for internet, inherited from the Vodafone network. Idea customers may recall using `internet` as their APN before the merger; www works across both legacy networks.
Alternative APN values
If www does not work on your device, some plans also accept `internet` as the APN value. This is more common on SIMs that originated from the Idea network side. On iPhone, Vi officially recommends using `iphone` as the APN for iOS devices. If you have an iPhone and www does not work, try `iphone` instead.
What to enter first
The practical setup for VI is intentionally short. Set the profile name to something you will recognize later, enter `www` in the APN field, save the profile and select it. Leave username, password, proxy, port, server, MMSC, MMS proxy and MMS port empty unless your device already contains a value or your carrier has provided one for your plan. If MCC and MNC are visible, do not rewrite them by hand unless the phone refuses to save the APN without them.
On Android, the menu is usually Settings, Network and Internet, SIMs, Access Point Names. Samsung and other vendors may call the same area Connections, Mobile networks, Access Point Names. On iPhone, open Settings, Cellular or Mobile Data, Cellular Data Network. Some iPhones hide APN editing when the carrier profile controls the settings automatically.
Testing your connection
After saving the profile, disable WiFi and toggle airplane mode for about ten seconds. Open a browser and load a simple page. Do not test with a streaming app or speed test first: a browser confirms basic connectivity faster. If the page loads, data is working. If it does not, check that the SIM is selected as the data line, that the plan has active data balance, and that you are in an area with usable VI signal.
Common mistakes
A frequent error is creating duplicate APN profiles. Each phone needs exactly one active profile per SIM. If you see two APN entries for VI, keep the one that works and delete or disable the other.
Changing MCC or MNC manually is another common mistake. MCC 404 and the circle-specific MNC are stored on your VI SIM and read automatically. Only edit them if the phone explicitly requires it.
Before calling support
Final checks if the APN does not work
- Confirm that the SIM is the selected data line on dual-SIM phones.
- Check that the data plan is active and not blocked by a spending cap.
- Remove duplicate APNs only after recording the original values.
- Test outside or near a window to separate APN problems from weak signal.
- Pause VPN, private DNS or device management for one controlled test.
Questions
VI APN questions
Should I change every VI APN field?
No. Change the APN value first and keep hidden network fields on their current defaults unless your carrier gives exact values for your plan.
Does VI have a different APN for 5G?
No. VI uses the same APN www for 4G and 5G. The 5G connection is handled automatically when the device and plan support it.
What APN should I use on iPhone with VI?
Vi recommends using iphone as the APN on iOS devices. If that does not work, try www instead.
Can I use the same VI APN for hotspot?
Often yes, but test regular mobile data first. On iPhone, hotspot may have a separate APN field only when the carrier allows manual editing.
How is VI different from Vodafone India for APN?
VI is the merged brand of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular. The APN www works for internet on both legacy networks. For MMS, use portalnmms with proxy 10.10.1.100:9401.
Editorial notes
Review notes
We focus on safe device paths, carrier-specific caution and practical troubleshooting.
Next
Related guides
Continue with the closest setup path.
