Metro by T-Mobile is the prepaid arm of T-Mobile itself, not a third-party MVNO. That means Metro users get T-Mobile's full network, full 5G access, and direct carrier-managed APN settings rather than a wholesale-style configuration.
Most modern phones auto-configure Metro's APN the moment a Metro SIM is activated. Manual entry is rarely needed, but when it is, the values below match what T-Mobile publishes for the Metro brand.
Metro by T-Mobile APN Quick Facts
- Metro by T-Mobile uses T-Mobile's full network. 5G access is included on most current Metro plans, with the same coverage as T-Mobile postpaid.
- The Android APN is fast.metropcs.com, a holdover from before MetroPCS rebranded to Metro by T-Mobile. The value works on both 4G LTE and 5G.
- iPhones running iOS 15 or later auto-configure Metro settings through Apple's carrier-bundles system. Manual APN entry on iPhone is almost never required.
- If MMS fails but data works, the MMSC value (
http://metropcs.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc) is the most likely culprit. Double-check the spelling.
Where to Enter the APN
Most Metro phones (especially those bought from Metro directly) come with the APN preconfigured. If your phone is a bring-your-own-device, manual entry may be required. The steps below cover both cases.
Android
- 1.Open Settings
- 2.Tap Network & Internet (or Connections on Samsung)
- 3.Tap Mobile Networks, then your Metro SIM
- 4.Tap Access Point Names
- 5.Check if a Metro APN already exists. If yes, tap it to verify the values. If no, tap the three-dot menu and select New APN
- 6.Enter the values from the Android list below
- 7.Tap Save, then select the new APN to make it active
- 8.Restart the phone or toggle Airplane Mode for 20 seconds
iPhone and iPad
- 1.Open Settings
- 2.Tap Cellular or Mobile Data
- 3.Tap Cellular Data Network
- 4.Enter values from the iPhone list below if needed (most iPhones auto-configure)
- 5.If the Cellular Data Network option is missing, run Reset Network Settings and check for a Carrier Settings update
Metro Android APN Values
Use these for Android phones, tablets, and hotspots connected through a Metro SIM:
- Name: Metro by T-Mobile
- APN:
fast.metropcs.com - Proxy: <Not set>
- Port: <Not set>
- Username: <Not set>
- Password: <Not set>
- Server: <Not set>
- MMSC:
http://metropcs.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc - MMS proxy: <Not set>
- MMS port: 8080
- MCC: 310
- MNC: 260
- Authentication Type: None
- APN Type:
default,supl,mms - APN Protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- APN Roaming Protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- Bearer: Unspecified
Metro iPhone APN Values
iPhones running iOS 15 or later usually auto-configure these. If manual entry is required:
- Cellular Data / Mobile Data (APN):
fast.metropcs.com - Username: <Not set>
- Password: <Not set>
- MMS:
- APN:
fast.metropcs.com - MMSC:
http://metropcs.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc - MMS Proxy: <Not set>
- MMS Max Message Size: 1048576
- MMS UA Prof URL:
http://www.apple.com/mms/uaprof.rdf
- APN:
- Personal Hotspot: APN =
fast.metropcs.com, Username and Password = <Not set>
5G on Metro Plans
Metro by T-Mobile includes 5G on most current plans at no extra cost. Coverage matches T-Mobile postpaid in nearly all markets, including the mid-band 5G that drives T-Mobile's faster speeds.
To use 5G specifically, your phone needs to be 5G-capable and have 5G enabled in network mode settings. The APN does not change for 5G; the same fast.metropcs.com value handles both 4G LTE and 5G traffic.
Some older Metro plans are 4G LTE only and exclude 5G access. Check your plan details in the Metro app or by logging into your Metro account. If your plan does not include 5G, the phone will show 4G LTE even in 5G coverage areas.
Metro Connection Fixes
- After saving an Android APN, reboot the phone. Metro sometimes does not switch to the new entry until the device re-registers with the network.
- Confirm the APN value is
fast.metropcs.comexactly, all lowercase, with dots. Spaces or capitalization break the entry. - If MMS fails but data works, double-check the MMS Port. Metro uses 8080, not the more common 80. This is a frequent error source.
- If data works but speeds feel slow, your plan may have a high-speed cap that you have hit. Metro plans typically have a soft cap after which speeds drop significantly until the next billing cycle.
- For iPhones, install any pending Carrier Settings update at Settings > General > About. The prompt appears for about 15 seconds.
- If your phone moved from another carrier to Metro, run Reset Network Settings to clear old APN entries that may be blocking Metro's settings.
- If you bought a phone from Metro directly and the APN already exists but data does not work, the SIM may not be fully activated. Call Metro support to confirm activation status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Metro by T-Mobile the same as MetroPCS?
Metro by T-Mobile is the current name of what used to be MetroPCS. T-Mobile acquired MetroPCS in 2013 and rebranded it. The APN value still references the old MetroPCS name (fast.metropcs.com), which is a legacy from the original brand. Functionally, Metro by T-Mobile is a direct continuation.
Do I need separate APN values for 5G on Metro?
No. The same APN handles 4G LTE and 5G traffic. To get 5G, your plan needs to include it and your phone needs to be 5G-capable with 5G enabled in network mode settings.
Why is the MMS port 8080 and not 80?
T-Mobile's MVNO infrastructure (which Metro uses for MMS routing) defaults to port 8080 rather than the more common 80 used by Verizon and AT&T networks. Both are valid HTTP ports, but Metro specifically expects 8080. Setting it to 80 breaks MMS.
My APN settings are grayed out on my iPhone. Why?
The iPhone may be carrier-locked to another carrier. Request an unlock from the carrier you bought the iPhone from. Locked iPhones can still receive Metro's auto-profile, but manual APN editing stays disabled.
Can I use a Metro SIM in a hotspot or tablet?
Often yes, but you may need to enter the Android APN values manually since hotspots and tablets do not always receive Metro's auto-configuration. Use the values above. The Personal Hotspot field on dedicated hotspot devices may not exist; the default APN should still work for data.
Why does my MMSC URL include mmsmvno even though Metro is owned by T-Mobile?
The mmsmvno hostname is shared infrastructure across several T-Mobile-network MVNOs and prepaid brands. Metro inherits it from the MetroPCS era. T-Mobile has not consolidated the MMS infrastructure under a single hostname, so Metro continues to use the metropcs.mmsmvno.com path.
What does MMS Max Message Size 1048576 mean?
It is the MMS attachment size cap in bytes, which works out to exactly 1 MB. It is the standard limit across most US carriers, Metro included. Larger files should go through iMessage, RCS, or messaging apps that send over data.
