Cellular settings in

Windows
Windows 11 Windows 10
Windows 11Windows 10

Some Windows 11 devices have a SIM card or eSIM in them that

lets you connect to a cellular data network, so you can get online in
more places by using a cellular signal.
If your Windows 11 device doesn’t have a SIM card or eSIM, you
can still connect to a cellular network by plugging in an external
cellular device (also called a cellular modem or mobile broadband
device). Either way, you must have a data plan from a mobile
operator to connect.
Connect to a cellular data network
for the first time
1. Insert your SIM card into your PC or make sure you already
have an eSIM profile installed. For more info, see Use an eSIM
to get a cellular data connection on your Windows PC.
2. Select the Network icon on the lower right corner of the
taskbar, and then select Manage Cellular connections (>)
for the Cellular quick setting. Often, you’ll see the name of
your mobile operator under the Cellular quick setting.
3. If Let Windows keep me connected is turned on, you'll
get connected to cellular data automatically when you're not
connected to another type of network, such as Wi-Fi or
Ethernet. If it’s turned off, select Connect.
4. If prompted, type your user name, password, and the
access point name (APN).
If necessary, check the info that might have come with
your Windows device, SIM card, or cellular device for more info
about what settings to use.
Notes:
 If you select the Network icon in the taskbar and the
Cellular quick setting is turned off, select it to turn it on.
When it's off, the cellular radio is turned off, and you can't
connect to a cellular network.
 To learn more about using an eSIM, see Use an eSIM to get a
cellular data connection on your Windows PC.

Use Cellular settings for connection

issues
If your cellular data connection is working correctly, you shouldn't
need to change the cellular settings. However, if you're having
cellular connection problems, changing one or more settings may
help.
The following is a list of key Cellular settings that you can use to try
and fix cellular connection problems. Settings vary by Windows 11
device model and mobile operator.

Setting Does this

Use this SIM Determines which SIM slot to use for your
for cellular cellular connection—physical SIM card slot
data or your eSIM. You can choose the cellular
network connection to use for cellular data.
For example, you might use one profile for
work and a different one for personal use.
Or you might choose a different profile if
you’re traveling to a new country.
This setting only appears on Windows 11
devices that have both a SIM and an eSIM.
For more about using an eSIM, see Use an
eSIM to get a cellular data connection on
your Windows PC.
To find this setting, select
 the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Use this SIM for
cellular data.
Let Windows Determines if your Windows 11 device will
keep me automatically connect to the cellular data
connected network when it’s available. Turn it off if
you want to manually connect each time
you want to use your cellular data
connection. Turn it on if you want Windows
to manage the connection for you. When
it’s on, you’ll connect to cellular data
automatically when you’re not connected
to another kind of network.
To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Let Windows
keep me connected.
Metered A metered connection is an internet
connection connection that has a data limit associated
with it. By default, cellular data
connections are set as metered. Some
apps might work differently on a metered
connection to help reduce your data
usage. Also, some updates for Windows
won't be installed automatically.
If you set a data limit in Data usage
settings for your cellular data connection,
Windows can help you stay under your
data limit and set the metered connection
setting for you. For more info about how to
set a data limit, see Set your data limit.
If you can’t change the metered
connection setting and want to,
see Metered connections in Windows.
To find this setting, select
 the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Metered
connection.
Data roaming Determines if your cellular data connection
options stays on when your Windows 11 device is
outside your mobile operator's network. To
help prevent data roaming charges, you
can selecting Don't roam.
If you do allow roaming, you can use
cellular data when your Windows device is
in a roaming area. Depending on your data
plan, you might pay more for data you use
when roaming.
To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Data roaming
 options.
Use cellular Sometimes you might be connected to a
instead of slower Wi-Fi network, or you might be in an
Wi-Fi area where using cellular data would be
faster than Wi-Fi. In cases like this,
Windows can connect you to the best
network based on your current location if
you select When Wi-Fi is poor or Always.
When cellular data is used, it will use data
from your data plan and you may incur
charges.
To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Use cellular
instead of Wi-Fi.
Choose apps To help control your data usage, you can
that can use choose which apps can or can’t use cellular
your cellular data. For example, if you have an app that
data uses a lot of data, but you don’t use it
often when you’re on the go, you might
not want that app to use cellular data.
To find this setting, select the Start button,
then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Cellular data and
apps > Choose apps that can use your
cellular data. On the Cellular data screen,
do one or more of the following:
 If you don’t want any apps to be
allowed to use cellular data, turn
off Let apps use my cellular
data. Apps won’t be allowed to use
cellular data. They’ll only send and
receive data when you’re connected
to another kind of network.
 If you don’t want a specific app to
use cellular data, find the app
 under Choose apps that can use
your cellular data, and then turn
off cellular data for that app.

Note: The Windows Subsystem for

Android™, the Amazon Appstore,
and any installed apps might still use
cellular data even if they aren’t
listed on the above Settings page for
Cellular data and apps.

Cellular Appears when roaming and determines

network which cellular network connection is used.
selection The default setting is Automatic.
If you try to connect to a cellular network
and see a message that the selected
network isn't available, you can
choose Search, and then select another
cellular network.
 To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Mobile operator
settings.
Active Displays the name of the cellular network
network that you’re using.
To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Mobile operator
settings > Active network.
APN settings The internet access point name (APN) is
the address your Windows 11 device uses
to connect to the internet when using your
cellular data connection. Usually, the
internet APN is set automatically.
If your cellular data connection isn't
working and you can't connect to the
Internet, type a new internet APN based on
your location and mobile operator. If you
can connect to a Wi Fi network on your
Windows 11 device or have a phone
handy, try searching online to find the
internet APN settings for your mobile
operator.
1. To find this setting, select
the Start button, then
enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Mobile
operator settings > Add APN.
2. Next, do one or more of the
following:
 In the Profile name box, type

a name for the APN profile.

 In the APN box, type the
 address for the APN to use.
 In the User name box, type

the user name for your mobile

account.
 In the Password box, type the

password for your mobile

account.
 Select Type of sign-in info,

and then select the

authentication method that's
used.
 Select IP type, and then select

the type of IP address to use.

 Select APN type, and then

select Internet.
3. Select the Apply this profile check
box if you want the APN profile to be
used right after you save it.
4. Select Save > OK.
Properties This displays information about your SIM
and cellular data connection. For example,
you can find your IMEI number here.
Select Copy to copy the information to
paste into an email or elsewhere. This can
be helpful if you’re having connection
problems and need to send information to
your mobile operator or support person.
To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Mobile operator
settings.
Use SIM PIN Determines if you want to use a PIN for the
SIM in your Windows 11 device to help
prevent other people from using the
cellular data connection when they’re not
authorized. After you've set up your SIM
PIN, you'll be prompted to type the SIM PIN
 when you try to connect.
When prompted, type your SIM PIN. If this
is the first time using it, type the default
SIM PIN. If you don't know the default SIM
PIN, visit your mobile operator's website to
see if they list it there. You must restart
your Windows 11 device for your cellular
data connection to be locked with a SIM
PIN.
If you’ve already set up a PIN for the SIM,
type your SIM PIN when prompted, and
then select OK.
To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Mobile operator
settings > Use SIM PIN under Security.
Remove SIM This appears when you're using a SIM PIN.
PIN If you’re using a SIM PIN and decide you
don’t want to use a PIN anymore,
select Remove SIM PIN, type your current
SIM PIN, and then select OK.
To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Mobile operator
settings > Remove SIM PIN under
Security.
Change SIM This appears if you're using a SIM PIN. To
PIN change your SIM PIN if you’re using one,
select Change SIM PIN, type your current
SIM PIN in the Current SIM PIN box, type
a new SIM PIN in the New SIM PIN box,
type the same new SIM PIN in the Confirm
new SIM PIN box, and then select OK.
To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
 Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Mobile operator
settings > Change SIM PIN under
Security.
Unblock SIM This appears if you're using a SIM PIN and
PIN the incorrect PIN was entered three times.
When this happens, the SIM will be blocked
and can't be used until you unblock it. To
unblock it, you’ll need to contact your
mobile operator for the PIN Unblocking Key
(PUK) code.

Next, select Unblock SIM PIN, and then

type the PUK code. If an incorrect PUK
code is entered too many times, your SIM
card will be permanently blocked, and
you'll need to get a new SIM card from
your mobile operator.
To find this setting, select
the Start button, then enter settings.
Select Settings > Network &
internet > Cellular > Mobile operator
settings > Unblock SIM PIN under
Security.