In short
For Vodacom, set the APN to internet and leave the username and password blank. Below are the mobile data settings for all 3 carriers in South Africa: Vodacom, MTN South Africa and Cell C. Tap a value to copy it, and open the MMS settings if picture messages fail.
Updated 1 October 2026 · SimVala editorial
3 carriers in South Africa
Vodacom APN
internet
Username and password: leave blank
Checked 2026-10-01
APN for mobile data
Leave username and password blank.
Other APNs
Home LTE router
lte.vodacom.zaUsername guest or blank, password blank
Routers can also use internet, with PAP and a blank or guest login.
We found no separate MMS settings for Vodacom. Picture messages usually work with the APN above, or your phone sets them itself.
APN for mobile data
iOS 15 and later detect MTN APN settings automatically.
We found no separate MMS settings for MTN South Africa. Picture messages usually work with the APN above, or your phone sets them itself.
APN for mobile data
Dial *147# to get the settings sent. Leave usernames and passwords blank.
On iPhone, type internet in the Cellular Data APN, and use MMS as the MMS APN.
SimVala is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any carrier on this page. Logos belong to their owners and are shown only to help you find your carrier.
3
Carriers in South Africa
2
From the carrier's own pages
1
With MMS settings
0
Need a username
The main internet APN for every carrier in one table. The cards above have the full settings, other APNs and the MMS values.
| Carrier | APN | Username / password | MMS | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom Vodacom | internet | blank | Not listed | Own network |
| MTN South Africa | internet | blank | Not listed | Own network |
| Cell C | internet | blank | Listed | Own network |
All 3 carriers on this page run their own network. Each one has its own APN, so make sure you copy the settings for the carrier named on your SIM, not the one with the best coverage.
None of the carriers in South Africa need a username or password. Leave both fields empty: typing one where none is needed can stop data from working.
Cell C lists separate settings for picture messages (MMS). If texts work but photos in messages do not, those are the values to check. Vodacom also has a second APN for some plans or devices, shown on its card.
The carriers here use the mobile country code 655, the first three digits of every network code in South Africa. Android usually fills in the MCC and MNC from the SIM, so you rarely need to type them.
Visiting South Africa with your own SIM? Keep your home APN: roaming data still goes through your home carrier. You only need these settings with a local SIM bought in South Africa. Or skip the SIM shop with a South Africa eSIM, which sets its own APN.
iPhone
No Mobile Data Network option? Your carrier locks it, and the iPhone sets the APN for you.
Android
Made a mess of it? Reset to default in the same menu brings the original settings back.
Data and roaming on
Mobile data must be on, and airplane mode off. On a local SIM, data roaming can stay off.
The APN, letter for letter
For Vodacom that is internet. One wrong dot or capital is enough to block data.
Username only if listed
No carrier here needs one. Clear the fields if an old value is still there.
Select it and restart
On Android, tap the entry so its dot is filled. Then restart the phone and open a website.
Calls and texts work, only data does not? That points to the APN, because calls and normal texts do not depend on it. If nothing works at all, the SIM itself may not be active yet: ask the shop or the carrier.
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Each carrier card names its own sources. Checked 2026-10-01.
The Vodacom internet APN is internet, with the username and password left blank. Some plans use a different APN, listed on this page.
The MTN South Africa internet APN is internet, with the username and password left blank.
The Cell C internet APN is internet, with the username and password left blank.
None of the 3 carriers on this page need one. Leave the username and password fields blank.
Usually not. Your phone reads the APN from the SIM and sets it for you. You only need to add it by hand if mobile data does not work, often after moving a phone between networks or on an unlocked import.
Not if you use your own SIM: roaming uses your home carrier's APN. You only need the settings on this page if you buy a local SIM from a carrier in South Africa.
No. At worst, mobile data or picture messages stop working until you fix it. On Android, Reset to default in the APN menu puts the carrier's own settings back.
A travel eSIM installs before you fly and usually sets its own APN. Pay in crypto, no ID, no email.