In short
For e& (Etisalat), set the APN to etisalat.ae and leave the username and password blank. Below are the mobile data settings for all 3 carriers in the United Arab Emirates: e& (Etisalat), du and Virgin Mobile UAE. Tap a value to copy it, and open the MMS settings if picture messages fail.
Updated 1 October 2026 · SimVala editorial
3 carriers in the United Arab Emirates
Virgin Mobile UAEe& (Etisalat) APN
etisalat.ae
Username and password: leave blank
Checked 2026-10-01
APN for mobile data
The APN still uses the Etisalat name after the e& rebrand.
You cannot edit the APN by hand on iPhone, so reset network settings to restore it.
APN for mobile data
You cannot edit the APN by hand on iPhone, so reset network settings to restore it.
We found no separate MMS settings for du. Picture messages usually work with the APN above, or your phone sets them itself.
APN for mobile data
Virgin Mobile UAE runs on the du network. Proxy and port are set to Ignore.
We found no separate MMS settings for Virgin Mobile UAE. Picture messages usually work with the APN above, or your phone sets them itself.
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 the United Arab Emirates
1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e& (Etisalat) | etisalat.ae | blank | Listed | Own network |
| du | du | blank | Not listed | Own network |
| Virgin Mobile UAE Virgin Mobile UAE | internet1 | blank | Not listed | Runs on du |
2 of the 3 carriers here run their own network, and 1 rents space on one. Virgin Mobile UAE runs on du. A carrier that rents a network often has its own APN, so copy the one on its card, not the host's.
None of the carriers in the United Arab Emirates need a username or password. Leave both fields empty: typing one where none is needed can stop data from working. Where an authentication type is given: e& (Etisalat) uses PAP and du uses PAP.
e& (Etisalat) lists separate settings for picture messages (MMS). If texts work but photos in messages do not, those are the values to check.
The carriers here use the mobile country code 424, the first three digits of every network code in the United Arab Emirates. Android usually fills in the MCC and MNC from the SIM, so you rarely need to type them.
Visiting the United Arab Emirates 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 the United Arab Emirates. Or skip the SIM shop with a United Arab Emirates 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 e& (Etisalat) that is etisalat.ae. 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 e& (Etisalat) internet APN is etisalat.ae, with the username and password left blank.
The du internet APN is du, with the username and password left blank.
The Virgin Mobile UAE internet APN is internet1, 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 the United Arab Emirates.
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.