Enable cellular networking

The Librem 5 is designed to work on a wide range of mobile networks. A cellular modem should already be installed in the phone, and it should be appropriate for your region. A SIM card must be properly installed and enabled to use the phone for calls, SMS messaging, MMS messaging and other cellular data services.

The sections below cover each step in the process.

Power on the modem

The phone cannot configure the mobile network without access to the modem. If the modem is disabled, slide the switch into the enabled position, away from the SIM slot.

The modem should now be enabled.

Unlock the phone screen

If the screen is locked, unlock it by sliding the arrow up to reveal the keypad. Unlock the phone by entering your passcode as usual.

Open Settings

Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the settings panel, then long press the Cellular icon.

The Settings application will open.

Enable mobile networks

If the modem is disabled with either the hardware kill switch or with the software toggle switch, you will see the following page. Notice that the cellular signal icon that has a diagonal line through it:

Ensure that the hardware switch is in the enabled position then tap the software switch in the upper-right corner of the page.

Unlock the SIM card

If the SIM card was not unlocked when the phone was powered on, this page will show that the SIM card is locked.

Press the Unlock button to start the process of unlocking the SIM card. You will be prompted to enter the PIN code for the SIM card – this will have been supplied by your mobile network service provider.

Enter your PIN code using the on-screen keyboard and press the Unlock button. You only have a limited number of attempts to enter your PIN code, so take care to enter it correctly. Once the PIN code has been entered, the settings will be shown.

This page allows the modem’s usage of the mobile network to be configured.

Add a cellular access point

1. Open the Settings application

2. Tap Mobile

3. Under the Advanced section, tap Access point Names

4. Is the access point name for your mobile carrier visible?

   • YES

     1. Tap the radio button to the left of your cellular network’s access point name

     2. Proceed to the next step

   • NO

     1. Tap the + button at the upper-right portion of the screen

     2. Enter a Name and APN for your carrier

     3. Enter a Username and Password if required by your carrier

     4. Tap Save at the upper-riht section of the screen

     5. Tap the radio button to the left of your cellular network’s access point name

     6. Proceed to the next step

5. Under the Network section, toggle the slider switch so that it is enabled

6. Cellular network data should now be enabled

See also

For Librem AweSIM users, see Librem AweSIM carrier settings for access point name details.

Enable VoLTE

Enable VoLTE and check modem firmware

VoLTE is needed for all carriers in the United States and many international carriers. Librem 5 and Liberty phones currently ship with VoLTE enabled by default, but VoLTE may need to be enabled:

• on older devices

• if VoLTE had been disabled

• if the modem firmware had been reflashed

This procedure checks your modem firmware version and whether VoLTE is enabled:

1. Open the Terminal application

2. Run the following command to install the BM818 modem tools: sudo apt install bm818-tools

   • Enter your password when asked (it will not show anything on the screen when typing, for security purposes)

   • If asked to confirm, type Y and press Enter

3. Open the “BM818 tool” app that was just installed

4. Note the modem firmware version (“FW version”)

5. If the “VoLTE enable” box is not checked, check it

6. Press Exit

If you enabled VoLTE above, you can test it out by attempting to place a phone call. Refer to this guide if a firmware update is required.