SOLVED! Access Point Names Settings Are Not Available For This User

If you come across the error “Access Point Names settings are not available for this user”, the configuration of Access Point Names settings must be unfinished. The best solution is to take matters into your hands and set up the APN manually. Besides that, you could also wipe cache partition, perform a factory reset, get the SIM card out and put it back in, etc. Continue reading to learn what must be done to take care of the error on your own. 

Actions To Take 

Set Up The APN Manually

• Step 1: Open Settings, select Wireless and Networks then choose Mobile Networks.
• Step 2: Hit New APN.
• Step 3: Proceed to set up the APN based on your network provider. You should be able to find the configuration for the settings on the provider website. After you finish, save the VPN then set it as the desired APN. Last but not least, restart your phone and see how things turn out

Alternatively, 

• Step 1: Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network then open Settings and make your way to Mobile Networks.
• Step 2: Hit Network Operators to get the device to search for available networks in the vicinity. Once the search completes, locate the network from your network provider and hit it. 
• Step 3: Head to Access Point Names, set up the VPN manually and determine whether the issue persists. 

Wipe Cache Partition 

• Step 1: Press and hold the Power button then tap Power Off to shut down your phone. 
• Step 2: Press and hold Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time then let go of them as soon as the device vibrates. 
• Step 3: If you have yet to reach Recovery mode, use the Volume buttons to navigate to the Recovery Mode and press the Power button. Next, press and hold the Power button then hit the Volume Up button if you see the No command screen. Regardless, the moment you reach Recovery Mode, use Volume Up/Down buttons to navigate to wipe cache partition then press the Power button. Confirm your decision if prompted. 
• Step 4: Navigate to the Reboot system now using Volume Up/Down button and press the Power button.
• Step 5: Witness the result 

Perform A Factory Reset 

• Step 1: Press and hold the Power button then tap Power Off to shut down your phone. 
• Step 2: Press and hold Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time then let go of them as soon as the device vibrates. 
• Step 3: If you have yet to reach Recovery mode, use Volume Up/Down buttons to navigate to the Recovery Mode and press the Power button. Next, press and hold the Power button then hit the Volume Up button if you see the No command screen. Regardless, the moment you reach Recovery Mode, use Volume Up/Down buttons to navigate to wipe data/factory reset then press the Power button. Confirm your decision if prompted. 

Get The SIM Card Out And Put It Back In 

If none of the above works, there is a good chance that your SIM card is the root of the problem and you should check it out. The way to access SIM cards varies from device to device so refer to the owner’s manual of your phone if you need information. Needless to say, you should be gentle throughout the process to avoid causing unintentional damage. Furthermore, following the removal of the SIM card, make sure to look for signs of scratches, cracks, … before returning it to where it belongs.

What Exactly Is An APN?

All in all, you could think of APN as a gateway between a network carrier and the public Internet. If VPN  on your phone is well configured, your network provider would need little time and effort to connect the device to Internet. Usually, an APN consists of two parts: the Network Identifier and the operator Identifier. In most of the cases, APNs end with .either gprs or .3gppnetwork.org but they can have custom names as well to make them easy to remember. 

Examples of APNs include internet.mnc012.mcc345.gprs, Rcomnet.mnc015.mcc405.gprs, VZWINTERNET, and mobitel.

Should I Manually Add/ Edit APN Settings?

It’s not necessary to add or edit APN settings unless you have a reason to do so. 

APN settings come pre-configured by the mobile phone maker or the network provider so there is no need to bother. After the introduction of Android 8, network providers even sent APN configuration files to their customers to save them the trouble of manually configuring the APN settings. People only need to tap the message from the notification bar that contains the APN configurations after inserting a new SIM card into the phone. By doing so, Android users could automate the configuration of APN settings and that saves a lot of work. 

When Do I Have To Change My Phone’s APN?

If you struggle to connect to the Internet and like to know what might have gone wrong, you should change the APN settings. You also need to change the APN settings as you switch between network carriers. On occasions, you could change the APN settings to escape data roaming charges but the practice is not recommended. 

How Come I Am Unable to Access APN Settings?

If you cannot access the APN settings on your phone, it’s possible that your network provider is barring you from accessing them. The network providers know that some individuals could change APN settings for the wrong reasons. As a result, it’s not uncommon for network providers nowadays to prevent customers from making changes to the APN Settings. You should notice that you cannot edit existing APNs as well as add new APNs.