How do I set up my Apple phone to work on Cogeco Mobile?

Important Tips prior for Your iPhone Setup:

We want to make sure your Cogeco Mobile experience is seamless. Here are a few extra tips for setting up your iPhone:

• Always Update to the Latest iOS: For the best performance, security, and network compatibility, we recommend always keeping your iPhone updated to the latest available iOS version. Software updates often include important carrier settings and bug fixes that can improve your mobile data, calling, and messaging services.
• Don't Worry if APN is Blank at First: Even if the "Data APN" section looks empty when you first check, your iPhone might still connect to our LTE network for basic Browse. But to get full service, including picture messages and personal hotspot, we'll guide you through filling in all the details.
• Dual SIM Users – A Quick Step: If your iPhone uses two SIM cards, just make sure you select your Cogeco SIM profile when you go into your "Cellular" settings. This ensures you're applying the settings to the correct line.
• Data Roaming – Your Choice: While it's not required to get started, we recommend to turn on Data Roaming. You can find this setting by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.
• Heads Up on MMS: Sometimes, it can take up to an hour for picture messages (MMS) to start working perfectly after you've set everything up. Please test it after a little while, and if you're still having trouble, give us a call!

Heads up: Network reset risk for older iPhones

If your iPhone is running on a version older than iOS 26, please be aware that travelling internationally (outside the US or Mexico) will cause all network settings (APN, VoLTE, 5G) to reset upon your return. You would then need to manually set them up to avoid service disruptions, such as failed calls or falling back to 3G speeds. We highly recommend updating to iOS 26 before any international travel to ensure seamless return and optimal service.

Setup steps for iPhones on iOS 18 to iOS26:

Automatic Network Configuration: With iOS 26, your iPhone will automatically configure the correct network settings (APNs) for data, picture messaging (MMS), and Personal Hotspot when you install your Cogeco Mobile SIM card.

A Note for iOS 26.4 Users: If you review your Cellular Data Network screen, you may notice that the automatic MMS data fields look different compared to our standard manual settings. This is completely normal and expected on iOS 26.4. The recent change with GSMA, introduced a mismatch with the port number field, the port 8080 is now appended to the MMSC URL instead of the MMS Proxy. This will likely be this way until next October.

1. Optimize Voice & Data Preferences (if current iOS or device supports this).
   • Settings > Cellular > Voice & Data
   • Select 5G auto (this allows your iPhone to switch between 5G, LTE, and 3G depending on network conditions, optimizing battery life at best possible speeds).
   • Ensure VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is switched on (this allows you to make and receive calls over the LTE and 5G network).
     
2. Restart Your Phone: Apply the new settings.
   • Turn off your iPhone and then turn it back on.
     

Setup steps for iPhones on an older version of iOS (e.g. iOS 18 or earlier):

1. Access Cellular Data Network Settings: Go to your phone's Settings.
   • Settings > Cellular > Select "COGECO SIM profile" > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Network
   • Important: If you have only one SIM, you should see: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network
   • If you have two SIMs, you should see: Settings > Cellular > Select "SIM Cogeco profile" > Cellular Data Network
     
2. Enter Data & MMS APN Settings: Input the specific values for each field.
   • Data APN: data.cogeco
   • MMS APN: mms.cogeco
   • MMS MMSC: http://mms.cogeco.ca
   • MMS Proxy: 10.232.12.49:8080 
   • Username: (Leave Blank)
   • Password: (Leave Blank)
   • MMS Max Message Size: (Leave Blank)
     
3. Configure Personal Hotspot APN: Enter the APN for Personal Hotspot.
   • Scroll down and under Personal Hotspot enter:
     • APN: data.cogeco
     • Username: (Blank)
     • Password: (Blank)
       
4. Optimize Voice & Data Preferences (If current iOS or device supports this).
   • Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data
   • Select 5G auto (this allows your iPhone to switch between 5G, LTE, and 3G depending on network conditions, optimizing battery life at best possible speeds).
   • Ensure VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is switched on (this allows you to make and receive calls over the LTE and 5G network).
     
5. Restart Your Phone: Apply the new settings.
   • Turn off your iPhone and then turn it back on.
     
6. Enable MMS (Picture Messaging): After you've restarted your device, you'll need to make sure picture and video messaging (MMS) is turned on in your iPhone's Messages app.
   • Simply go to Settings > Apps > Messages and ensure MMS Messaging is switched on.
     
     

Post-Setup Verification Steps:

Once all settings are entered and your phone is restarted, please help us verify your service by performing a few quick tests:

• Send an SMS (text message).
• Make a call to test your phone number and calling services.
• Disable Wi-Fi and then try browsing the Internet to confirm mobile data is working.
• Send an MMS (picture message). As mentioned, this might take up to an hour to work fully.

Basic Troubleshooting Tips (if issues arise):

• If 3G data isn’t functional , please confirm your Data APN is "data.cogeco", then try toggling Airplane Mode on and off, and restart your phone again.
• If MMS fails, double-check your MMSC and MMS Proxy values in the settings.
• If you don't see an APN screen at all, please confirm your device is unlocked and compatible with the Cogeco SIM (usually a device bought outside of Canada).