Solving Opera Mini and UC Browser Connection Problems

Connection Error Message

Configuring GSM phones so that data aware Java applications like gMail, UC Browser and Opera Mini can connect to the Internet is a total disaster. Opera Mini is an amazing mobile browser that gives almost any phone iPhone like Internet capabilities. But many people have trouble getting it to work. They download it from mini.opera.com, it installs without error but when they try to run it they get the error “Failed to connect to the internet“. The same thing often happens with the UC browser, gMail, Picomail, Google Maps, eBuddy Nimbuzz and other mobile Java applications. Because the user can surf the web with the phone’s built in browser, they clearly have a connection to the web. So why doesn’t the app work? Although it’s natural to blame the app, in almost all cases, it’s a setup issue caused by brain dead GPRS data configuration model.

Many mobile operators who are more than happy to sell you an “unlimited” data plan deliberately put roadblocks in the way of using 3rd party data aware applications to reduce data traffic on their networks. Even setting up unbranded, unlocked phones is a hassle. Phone manufacturers do a terrible job of documenting how to configure handsets so that Java applications can connect to the network. The terminology and menu options vary from one phone to the next even from the same manufacturer.

This post is an attempt to demystify the process by explaining the concepts and providing links to sources of operator and phone specific setup information.  You won’t find instructions on how to set up your phone here but I’ll try to point out the best resources for finding the right settings for your phone and operator.

First of all you need a phone that can run Java, meaning that it has a Java runtime (JVM) installed in firmware. Most recent GSM phones have Java, but many CDMA carriers including Verizon, MetroPCS, Cricket and US Cellular in the US use Qualcomm’s BREW application platform rather than Java. There’s nothing technically wrong with BREW but its security model is completely hopeless when it comes to installing 3rd party applications. The only way to get BREW applications is to buy them from your carrier, there are no free BREW applications. My advice, if you want to be able to run free, state of the mobile applications like gMail and Opera Mini, is to avoid the BREW carriers. GSM phones from most operators, CDMA phones from Sprint and iDEN phones from Sprint/Nextel and Boost Mobile all support Java.

Unlike GSM phones Sprint and Boost Mobile CDMA and iDEN handsets don’t require or allow any sort of user data configuration. Java applications usually just work on these phones. When Opera Mini or another Java app installs but won’t connect on a CDMA or iDEN phone, it means that packet data is not provisioned on the carrier side. There’s nothing the user can do except call and try to convince customer support to escalate the issue to a data specialist who can actually fix the problem.

GSM phones, in addition to requiring provisioning by the carrier to turn on data, have many data configuration settings that all have to be correct for data aware applications to work. Having a working browser is not an indication that data is set up correctly. Many built in mobile browsers connect to a WAP/GPRS access point or gateway that doesn’t provide the direct socket or http connectivity that applications need.

Just about all GSM phones support multiple data profiles, each of which is a collection of settings which can be assigned to the built in browser, MMS or applications. Different phone manufacturers call these profiles by different names. Common ones are:
Nokia: Access Points
Samsung: Browser Profiles
Motorola: Data Sessions
LG and Sony Ericsson: Internet Profiles
Blackberry: TCP Settings

A data profile contains dozens of settings, most of them optional. The ones we need to be concerned with are:
Profile Name: A user selected unique name for the access point.
APN or Access Point Name: the hostname or IP address of a switch or server within the carrier’s network which routes data between the mobile network and the Internet.
Bearer: The type of connection like CSD or GPRS.
Username: often but not always blank.
Password: blank if the username is blank.

WAP Gateway IP address and port: Required with some low end and older phones.

Some carriers also require data traffic to pass though a proxy server which has an address and a port.
Proxy Address: The IP address of a proxy server.
Proxy Port: The HTTP port used by the proxy server.

There must be a data profile assigned to your applications. How this is configured varies from phone to phone. There might be a menu option within the data profile setup called Packet Data Access Point or Default Access Point or the profile might need to be set in an Application Manager’s context menu or in an Options menu at the individual application level. Motorola’s are unusual, Java applications will look for and use a data session named Java Session.

Your carrier or phone manufacturer may be able to push all the required settings to your phone. This is the easiest and usually the best way to configure your phone, if it’s available. I recommend trying the carrier first as they should always have the most up to data settings. Check the support section of the carrier’s web site, looking for “send settings to your phone” or something similar.  The carrier may offer a choice of several different types of settings like WAP, MMS, Internet or GPRS Data. For applications you generally want Internet or GPRS Data if they are available and WAP as a last resort. When in doubt have all the settings sent.

A few phone manufacturers including Sony Ericsson and Motorola can also send settings for many different carriers.

Recent Nokia phones have a built in Settings Wizard containing settings for most operators. Instructions on using the settings wizard are at here.

Many times having the settings sent to your phone is all you need to get Opera Mini working. If it doesn’t work with your carrier’s settings try the manufacturer settings and vice versa. If Opera still can’t connect don’t give up. It’s possible to enter the settings manually. here’s how:

1) First you will need to find the right settings for your carrier and data plan. Usually they can be found on the carrier web site or by calling customer support. Many third party application vendors sites provide lists of settings for operators around the world.  Some good ones include:  Opera, eBuddy and Nav4All. It doesn’t matter whether you are using the vendor’s app or not, the settings are the same for any Java or native application. If you can’t find your operator’s settings anywhere else, try doing a Google search for “<Operator Country> GPRS Settings“, i.e. MTN South Africa GPRS Settings.

For US users here are the current settings for the national GSM operators AT&T and T-Mobile:

AT&T:

APN or Access Point Name: wap.cingular
Bearer: GPRS.
Username: <leave blank>
Password: <leave blank>

WAP Gateway IP address: 66.209.11.61

Proxy Address: <not required>
Proxy Port: <not required>

T-Mobile USA:

APN or Access Point Name: wap.voicestream.com or epc.tmobile.com
Bearer: GPRS.
Username: <leave blank>
Password: <leave blank>

WAP Gateway IP address: 216.155.165.050

Proxy Address: <not required>
Proxy Port: <not required>

2) Once you have the settings, enter them on your phone manually.  The process varies from phone model to phone model.  The phone manual should have this information, but often it doesn’t.  eBuddy has step by step guides for setting up popular phone models.

Some mobile operator’s sites including, AT&T, O2 and Sun Cellular also have good instructions for setting up many phones. These operator guides are helpful for figuring out the often arcane setup menus. Of course, if you are using instructions from an operator other than your own you need to substitute the actual setting values specific to your operator that you found in step 1 for the ones provided.

If you can’t find setup instructions for your specific model try looking through the instructions for similar models from the same manufacturer to find one that has the same menu structure. For example all Nokia s40 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th edition phones have the same setup menus and are set up the same way. For obscure phone models you might have to resort to a Google search for “<phone make phone model> GPRS setup”.

Note: If you have a Nokia S40 phone and your operator’s settings specify a proxy IP and/or proxy port, manual set up may not work because Nokia stupidly does not provide any way to enter the proxy settings.  If this applies to you try doing the setup without the proxy settings, as in some cases including AT&T and T-Mobile USA, the proxy isn’t actually necessary.

If  the proxy really is required, you must use the Nokia setup wizard, if it exists on your phone. or have the settings sent to the phone by your operator or phone manufacturer.

It is also possible to send the proxy settings to your phone yourself using Bluetooth.  It’s a somewhat complicated process and requires that your phone support Bluetooth and that you have a  Bluetooth equipped computer or computer plus a second Bluetooth phone.  The procedure is documented on the web at:  Howard Forums, NXG and Mobilomania. I’ve never actually had to do this myself so you are on your own if you try this.

If you have tried everything and you still can’t get it to work I recommend asking for  help on one of the many mobile users forums like The Opera Mini Forum, Howard Forums, Mobiledia, Esato or country specific forums like Nairaland for Nigeria or Talk.ph in the Philippines.  When using forums it’s important to follow forum etiquette to avoid being “flamed”. Before posting a help request, use the forum’s search function to be sure your question hasn’t already been answered. If you do post asking for help on a forum be sure to give as much information as possible including, make and model of phone, carrier, country, the name and price of your data plan and the exact text of any error messages.

You can also leave a comments on this post if you get stuck.  I try to answer as many questions as possible. I’m not able to answer questions about settings for specific operators or phones as I do not have them. Comments asking for operator or phone settings will be ignored. You need to do your own research using the resources in this post.

Please don’t ask me for “cheat” codes or other ways to enable free browsing. Comments asking how to browse for free will be deleted.

Last Updated: 15-Mar-2012 – fixed some link rot.

1,271 thoughts on “Solving Opera Mini and UC Browser Connection Problems

  1. Mahantesh I don’t have this phone and I have no experience with Airtel. The best I can do is to tell you what Opera recommends for Nokia S40 phones (3110c is an S40) and for Airtel.

    Here are the Airtel settings:

    AirTel: Manual Setup
    APN: airtelgprs.com
    DNS: 202.56.240.5
    DNS: 202.56.230.5

    Here is how to enter the settings on most S40 phones:

    Go into Settings.
    Go into Configuration.
    Go into Personal Configuration Settings.
    Now, press Add New (visible if you don’t have a previous Personal Setting created) or press the Options button. When you have pressed the Options button, choose Add new.
    When you have pressed Add New, you will get a new menu, which will give several options to choose from.
    Now, scroll down and choose the Access Point and press Select. (Please note that this option is not available on the Nokia 3220 model and maybe on some more models, you can instead use the Services option instead of the Access Point option on the Nokia 3220.) Do not choose the Web option, since this will not work with Opera mini.
    Now go into Access Point Settings.
    Go into Bearer Settings.
    Go into Packet Data Access Point.
    Now, enter you APN address corresponding to your provider. Then press OK.
    Go back to the Personal Configurations Settings menu, where you now should be able to see an Access Point selected.
    Now press the Options button, and then choose to activate this Access Point.
    Now you should be able to start Opera Mini, and try to load a link on your phone.

  2. Hey im using 3110c and airtel sim card {india}. I got settings but it works with inbuilt software only, whenever im using opera mini it gives “subscribe to packet data first” or “contact ur service provider”. I ve read all instructions given above but still i cant understanding…so plz help me…

  3. @rahul,

    I don’t have this phone and I don’t know anything about BPL India. However Googling for “BPL India GPRS settings” I found:

    BPL India GPRS settings are:

    GPRS APN: – bplgprs.com
    Username: – bplmobile
    Password: – {blank}

    Their is conflicting information on the DNS. It is either: – 202.169.145.34, 202.169.129.40
    Or: 203.124.230.12, 203.124.230.100
    You can also try leaving the DNS blank which works with most operators.

    I then Googled “nokia 6233 java gprs configuration” and found:

    To set up your 6233 so that Java apps can use the correct access point:
    1. Go to Menu > Settings > Configuration
    2. Choose Personal configuration settings
    3. Press Options
    4. Select Add new and Access point
    5. Fill in a Account name
    6. Select Access point settings
    7. Set Data bearer to GPRS
    8. Select Bearer settings
    9. Enter GPRS access point (APN)
    10. Set Authentication type to Normal
    11. Enter User name
    12. Back * 3
    13. Choose Options and Activate
    14. Go Back
    15. Set Preferred access point to the access point you just made.
    16. Set Default configuration settings to Personal config.
    17. Select Activate default in all applications and Yes

  4. To everyone asking for help with GPRS settings. Please re-read the blog post at the top of this page. It tells you how to get the settings from your mobile operator, the Nokia, Motorola or SE website. I don’t have the settings.

    If you have the settings from your operator and/or Nokia, etc. and Opera Mini still can’t connect go ahead and leave a comment asking for help. Be sure to include the following information:

    Phone Make and Model, i.e, “Nokia N95”
    Operator Name and Country like “AT&T, USA”
    What your operator calls the data plan that you are using, like “MEdiaNet”

    Without the above information no one can help you.

  5. please i use Nokia 2626 . i just dowloaded the opera mini4.2 but unable to connect please . someone should help me on how to go about it. and i promise a recharge card for any one who can help me. my e-mail is [email protected] or call on 08067637244 thanks

  6. I have use nokia 2626 but i opened opera mini application int fails to connect to internet . Plz help me.

  7. I have nokia 6233 and GPRs is activated.i have downloaded operramini 4.1 but it is not working when i opened an application int fails to connect to internet.i have BPL sim cart.Plz kindly give me some trick to activate opera mini 4.1 on nokia 6233.im from india plz give me settings.

    i have gone through nokia’s site but settings are not available for india users.

  8. thnx man,,, i just figured a way out,,, and it works!!!BTW,,, access point etisalat in UAE is etisalat.ae
    hav fun!

  9. @Jay, rahul, Ashish

    I don’t have these phones so I can’t give you specific instructions.

    As these are Nokia’s you should be able to get use the push settings service at Nokia.com to create the access point.

    After that you will need to make sure that the phone is using the new access point for all Java apps or for Opera Mini. As I don’t have these phones I can’t tell you how to do this. Try the phone manual, Google or asking on the Opera Mini forum.

  10. can u help me setting up opera mini for nokia3110c… i didnt quite understand how to change the access point…

  11. I have nokia 6233 and GPRs is activated.i have downloaded operramini 4.1 but it is not working when i opened an application int fails to connect to internet.i have BPL sim cart.Plz kindly give me some trick to activate opera mini 4.1 on nokia 6233.

  12. I have 6500 slide using BPL Wap service. I am unable to access Opera mini.. Can anyone help??

  13. I also use nokia 2626 opera 206 works on my phone . In Nigeria 4 mtn just create access point… If need more information u can all me+2347035150498


    Sent on a phone using T9space.com

  14. I’v th same problm lyk everyone else.my 6233 does’nt want to operate any of the applications i’v downloaded..opera mini,mig33,nothing works..but all the gprs settings fine.help.i use mtc namibia by the way.

  15. Danke! I just found a Motorola phone and didn’t know how to get Opera Mini worked on it. The “Java Session” thing is really tricky….Thanks again!

  16. My phone keeps poping this up saying, subscribe to packet data. Link unavaible. I’m trying to get on t-zones

  17. Plz
    help me how to instal opera mini browser softwer.already i installed but it shows browsing failed contact your service provider. My set is nokia 6070

  18. I have nokia 3110c handset. i have parchased spice’s 99/month unlimited gprs plan.when i want to connect to net it works properly on default browser but in opera mini it gives the error messege “Subscribe to packet data first” on connection test. What should I do?

  19. Hi my name is henry from Nigeria, i use nokia 2626 i av downloaded opera mini on my fone bt it doesn’t seem 2 be workin it will be testing bt wen it reaches 94 it just stops wat shud i do i really need it pls reply

  20. i am amol ,actually i want to connect gprs on my Ngage qd mobile phone, so i want to downlode opera software to phone directly,

  21. I m having nokia 6233 and opera mini is not working on it.

    When i start it shows failed to connect to the internet.

    please guide and also inform that how to format the nokia 6233 phone.

    Thanks in advance.

  22. settings to make your java aplications work on nokia:

    Menu->Settings->Connectivity->Packet Data->Packet data settings->Edit active access pt.->Alias for access point-> “Orange Internet”.
    Menu->Settings->Connectivity->Packet Data->Packet data settings->Edit active access pt.->Packet data acc. pt.-> “internet”.

    you have to write the settings exactly as bellow

    Menu->Settings->Configuration->Default config. sett.-> leave Orange
    Menu->Settings->Configuration->Personal config. sett.->options->add new->Access point
    Menu->Settings->Configuration->Preferred access pt.-> My access point(or the name you gave”)
    Then you have to open your browser (I use MiniOpera. When you open your browser the browser will ask for your accept and will inform you that use YOUR ACCESS POINT …and that’s all.. your java aplications work! (including yahoo go 3.0). I have a Nokia 6500 classic. Also keep in mind that my networg is ORANGE and it could be different in your country !

  23. im using N6070…after it asks to connect to internet…it will say subscribe to packet first….then cannot connect to the internet…i already have the ryt connections…w/c i got from nokia….pls help…tynx

  24. Hi, got a samsung u700. Nice phone, suberb browsing with the inbuilt browser but cant get it to install opera mini as each time it tells me, “failed to connect to the internet……”. Kindly help as i have tried too many ways

  25. i cant access operamini on my nokia6300 ie s40 phone……..kindly tell me what i hav to do for accessing the internet through this application?

  26. hey frnds ..can anyone tell me hw to configure nokia 6500 for internet application? (opera)….fuck off nokia 6500s …its dba phone..not working any single application..

  27. I am using SPICE D-88 handset , I have tried so many times to access internet through PC with D-88 but showing error ‘ hardware failure’

    kindly tell me WAP settings for SPICE D-88 (reliance CDMA) for accessing internet through PC

  28. I’m with Piyush. Been struggling with no help from Opera OR TMobile for the settings. Although it took a week to find your site, damn glad I did. Almost gave up. Thanks.

  29. Hi…Please tell me how do configure opera mini on nokia 6500 slide…..i have tried everthing but nothing seems to work…. :(……… i am using Airtel delhi postpaid connection….. both gprs / wap services are active on my no….. thank you

  30. pls help me connect my nokia 6120 classic to opera mini settings or pls send the manual settintg completely for me

  31. Hello,
    i`m lucky by the name and i`m from Nigeria and i had about opera mini that it reduce the charging rate of my local operator and i`m will to download the software on my phone but i have some little problem ,and i don`t know how to slove it alone and i really need help to configure it well..when i downloaded the software on my phone with my local operation,it save to my Phone Application and when i open the software they told me FAILD TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET AND I SHOULD CONTACT MY SERIVE PROVIDER FOR INTERNET SETTINGS…I have already configure my phone yet i`m having problem connecting to Opera mini…I`m using Nokia 6070..

    Pls i want you guy to help me us and here is my number if you wish to call on me,it will be my pleasure. +2348084957040…

    Thanks

  32. Thanks a lot for the information. I tried the settings for razr v3r but it keeps saying network not available. please assist

  33. Hi, I have a Nokia 3230, with GPRS the problem is that I am never able to use any JAVA operations/Applications and the error comes as ‘Connection error”. Please help me in this regard.

  34. Hello,I have 6500s.I got Opera mini to work yesterday,here’s the settings for o2 postpay.menu>settings>configuration>personal config.sett.>add new=access point. Account name=your own choice. Select access point settings. Data bearer= Packet data. Select Bearer settings.Packet acc.pt.=mobile.o2.co.uk network type=IPv4 Authentication type=normal user name=o2web password=password.Hope this makes sense, if you follow these instructions it should work,it did for me 8-).

  35. Hi,

    Thanks for detailed writeup. I have Nokia 6500 slide and facing same problem.

    could you please provide the setting for this mobile?

    Thanks in advance.

    Regards,

    John

  36. Thnx a ton dude… i’ve been tryin frm like eternity to load opera…. but the crucial “java session” was missin.. thnx again.. u rawk!

  37. Sam,

    Opera Mini should work with the 2626. Opera lists it as supported but with “memory issues” which probably just means that pictures won’t all load on big pages. Just download it from mini.opera.com and try it out.

    Not sure what you mean by “free”. Opera Mini is free to download. But your mobile operator WILL charge you for the data used, no way around that.

  38. Sumit,

    The Nokia 5610 is an S40 5th edition phone, since the 3rd edition the proxy settings can’t be set by the user. They can be set with a provisioning message from your carrier or from Nokia. Start at nokia.com, select your country and then Support.

    If neither the carrier or Nokia’s provisioning sets up the proxy, it’s also possible to send a provisioning message yourself from another phone using bluetooth. It is rather complicated, see this post for help: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1160526&page=1&pp=15

  39. Hi,
    Could you please tell me where will i find proxy settings in nokia 5610,there’s no option avble for enabling proxies in this handset.Therefore oprera doesn’t connect with the internet.I’ve not been able to browse ever since i got this handset,please help…

    Thanks in advance,
    sumit.

  40. Thanks for the correction, Peter. I’ve updated the post to use the proper terminology.

  41. “APN or Access Point Name: this is the __URL__ of a switch or server within the carrier’s network which routes data between the mobile network and the internet.”

    (Emphasis mine.)

    I think you mean hostname/IP. URL it ain’t. Otherwise very helpful article, thanks!

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