SIM & eSIM
The difference between a physical SIM and an eSIM, and the steps to get connected.
Physical SIM vs eSIM
Physical SIM
- A small card is shipped or handed to you
- You insert it into the phone's SIM tray
- Easy to move to another phone
eSIM
- Nothing is shipped — activated digitally
- Scan a code or use the carrier's app
- Moving to a new phone is its own procedure
Getting connected
APN settings by carrier
You only need these if you are setting up a SIM-free phone, or a phone bought for a different carrier. A carrier-sold phone normally configures itself.
The values below were checked against the linked official pages. APNs can differ by contract generation, SIM type and device. A wrong APN can prevent service and, in some cases, cause charges outside a flat-rate allowance. Never install a configuration profile from an unofficial site.
| Plan / brand | APN | Username / password | Network fields | iPhone / iPad | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTT DOCOMO (spmode) DOCOMO / ahamo compatible 5G and LTE plans | spmode.ne.jp | Username: Not required Password: Not required | Authentication: कोई नहीं Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: Use the values supplied by the SIM APN type: Leave the default value | Normally automatic. Update iOS and carrier settings; a manual APN field is usually not shown. Do not enter a username or password. DOCOMO's official Android procedure specifies spmode.ne.jp and IPv4/IPv6. | Official guide |
| au (4G LTE contract) au 4G LTE contracts | uno.au-net.ne.jp | Username: 685840734641020@uno.au-net.ne.jpPassword: KpyrR6BP | Authentication: CHAP Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: Use the values supplied by the SIM APN type: default,mms,supl,hipri,dun | Normally automatic on supported iPhone models. Remove an old MVNO profile only if au's procedure instructs you to. This row is for a 4G LTE contract. Do not substitute the 5G APN. The handset must support au VoLTE. | Official guide |
| au (5G contract) au 5G contracts | uad5gn.au-net.ne.jp | Username: au@uad5gn.au-net.ne.jpPassword: au | Authentication: CHAP Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: Use the values supplied by the SIM APN type: default,mms,supl,hipri,dun | Normally automatic on supported iPhone models. Complete the line switch before testing. This row is for a 5G contract. A matching APN does not by itself make an overseas handset compatible with au 5G or VoLTE. | Official guide |
| povo2.0 povo2.0 | povo.jp | Username: Not required Password: Not required | Authentication: कोई नहीं Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: Use the values supplied by the SIM APN type: default,supl (add dun only when the official device note requires it) | Normally automatic. On iPad or an older configuration, the official profile may be required. Leave username and password blank. Complete SIM/eSIM activation in the povo app first. Some models have a device-specific tethering setting. | Official guide |
| SoftBank SoftBank 4G/5G and Simple Style 4G smartphone SIM | plus.4g | Username: plusPassword: 4g | Authentication: CHAP Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: Use the values supplied by the SIM APN type: default,ia,mms,supl,hipriMMS: MMSC http://mms-s / proxy andmms.plusacs.ne.jp / port 8080 | A supported SoftBank iPhone normally configures automatically. SIM type and iPhone/iPad compatibility must match. Use this only for the compatible smartphone USIM stated by SoftBank. A wrong Access Internet Plus setting can cause charges outside the flat-rate allowance. | Official guide |
| LINEMO LINEMO | plus.acs.jp.v6 | Username: lmPassword: lm | Authentication: CHAP Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: 440 / 20 APN type: default,ia,mms,supl,hipri | iOS 15 or later normally configures automatically. Earlier/specified cases use LINEMO's official profile. Enter lm in lower case. Save the APN, select it, then restart or toggle airplane mode. | Official guide |
| Rakuten Mobile Rakuten Mobile | rakuten.jp | Username: Not required Password: Not required | Authentication: कोई नहीं Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: 440 / 11 APN type: default,supl (add dun if tethering is unavailable) | A supported, up-to-date iPhone normally configures automatically after activation. Delete an old profile if the official procedure requires it. Leave username and password blank. Set both APN protocol and roaming protocol to IPv4/IPv6. Confirm the exact model on Rakuten's compatible-products list. | Official guide |
| UQ mobile UQ mobile | uqmobile.jp | Username: uq@uqmobile.jpPassword: uq | Authentication: CHAP Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: Use the values supplied by the SIM APN type: default,mms,supl,hipri,dun | Supported iPhone models usually configure automatically; specified older cases use UQ mobile's official profile. The handset must be compatible with au VoLTE. Enter the username and password exactly in lower case. | Official guide |
| Y!mobile Y!mobile | plus.acs.jp.v6 | Username: ymPassword: ym | Authentication: CHAP Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: 440 / 20 APN type: default,ia,mms,supl,hipriMMS: MMSC http://mms-s / proxy andmms.plusacs.ne.jp / port 8080 | A supported Y!mobile iPhone normally configures automatically. Use the official profile only when the guide for your iOS version requires it. Enter ym in lower case. Do not reuse an older Y!mobile or SoftBank APN without checking the current guide. | Official guide |
| IIJmio (example MVNO) IIJmio Type D and Type A SIMs | iijmio.jp | Username: mio@iijPassword: iij | Authentication: PAP or CHAP Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: Use the values supplied by the SIM APN type: default,supl | Install the current official IIJmio configuration profile when the selected SIM/service requires it. This is an MVNO example. Every low-cost SIM provider has different credentials; use the provider and service type printed for your contract. | Official guide |
| mineo (example MVNO) mineo D / A / S plans | mineo-d.jp (D) / mineo.jp (A) / mineo-s.jp (S) | Username: mineo@k-opti.comPassword: mineo | Authentication: CHAP Protocol: IPv4/IPv6 MCC / MNC: Use the values supplied by the SIM APN type: default,supl | Install the official profile for the correct D, A or S plan. A profile for another plan will not connect. The APN changes with the network plan: D is DOCOMO, A is au and S is SoftBank. Check the plan letter before setup. | Official guide |
iPhone / iPad
- Finish line activation and update iOS and carrier settings while connected to Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Service), select the new line and choose it for cellular data and the default voice line.
- Major carriers and many current iPhone models configure automatically. If the official guide requires a profile, open only the carrier's official page in Safari and install its current profile.
- When changing from an MVNO, Settings > General > VPN & Device Management may contain the old profile. Remove it only when instructed, and only while Wi-Fi is available.
- Turn Wi-Fi off and test data, calls, SMS and Personal Hotspot. If any item fails, check the carrier's supported-device list as well as the APN.
Android
- Finish the carrier's line switch, SIM/eSIM activation and software update. Keep Wi-Fi available.
- Open Settings > Network & internet (or Connections) > SIMs / Mobile network, select the correct SIM, then open Access Point Names.
- Tap + or New APN. Enter only the fields shown in the table, preserving lower/upper case, punctuation and hyphens.
- Open the menu, save the APN, and select its radio button. Toggle airplane mode or restart the phone.
- Turn Wi-Fi off and test mobile data, a voice call, SMS and tethering. If the APN will not save, reset APNs and do not overwrite MCC/MNC unless the official guide instructs you to.
Common questions
What is the difference between a physical SIM and an eSIM?
A physical SIM is a card you insert; an eSIM is a profile downloaded onto a compatible phone, usually activated faster with no shipping wait. Both still need the carrier's activation step to complete before there is service, and eSIM support depends on the exact phone model.
Do I need to set an APN?
Only if you are setting up a SIM-free phone, or a phone bought for a different carrier. A carrier-sold phone normally configures itself. Use the row for your exact plan and SIM, keep every character exact, and never install a configuration profile from an unofficial site.
Why does my new SIM have no signal?
Until the carrier's activation (line switch) completes, the new SIM has no service. Keep a Wi-Fi connection available, finish any software and carrier-settings update, then turn Wi-Fi off and test mobile data, a voice call, SMS and tethering.
Will my overseas phone work on a Japanese SIM?
Not always. The phone must be unlocked and accept the carrier's SIM or eSIM, and working data does not prove that calls, SMS or emergency calls work. Check the carrier's tested-device list and VoLTE support, and confirm the exact regional model number — the Japanese, US, European and Asian versions of the same phone can differ.
On a dual-SIM phone, which SIM does the APN apply to?
Only the SIM currently selected for mobile data. An APN saved under the other SIM is not used. Confirm which SIM is set for data before editing an APN, and for eSIM, do not delete the eSIM profile just to reset an APN.
Terms
Related guides
Sources
- Carrier SIM / eSIM and APN setup guides
- Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省)