Mobile Internet Not Working on a New Vodafone SIM — the Fix (APN internet)

After 4G launched in Kharkiv (in Russian), I replaced my Kyivstar SIM with a new 4G one. But Kyivstar’s internet tested 1.5–2 times slower than Vodafone’s, and Kyivstar’s 4G didn’t reach my flat. So I decided to buy a Vodafone SIM.

I chose the Vodafone RED XS plan: 50 UAH, 2 GB a month, unlimited calls within the network and 60 minutes to other Ukrainian operators. I inserted the SIM — calls worked, but mobile internet didn’t.

What I tried that didn’t help

• Selected mobile data from the Vodafone SIM and restarted the phone.
• Called 111 to activate the SIM (afterwards an SMS with the plan details arrived).
• Registered in the Vodafone account on the website — nothing useful there.
• Disabled the second (Kyivstar) SIM and restarted the phone.
• Requested automatic settings on Vodafone’s website — it replied that my phone doesn’t accept their settings.

Strange: with Kyivstar I didn’t have to configure anything, it just worked.

The fix: create an access point (APN) manually

Vodafone’s website also has manual settings:

1. Open Settings → SIM cards → Access Point Names (APN) for the Vodafone SIM.
2. Tap New APN.
3. Name — anything, e.g. Vodafone.
4. In the APN field, enter internet — this is the key part.
5. Save and select this access point.

After saving, the internet started working immediately!

If it still doesn’t work

• A reader suggested: in the APN type field enter default,supl (no spaces).
• Make sure the new access point is selected and mobile data is on for the Vodafone SIM.
• If the signal is weak (1–2 bars), settings won’t help — check the connection in another spot.

Judging by the comments, this helped many people, but it’s not universal: if you solved it differently, share in the comments.