How do I change the Mobile Country Code (MCC) in the Android Emulator?

Changing Mobile Country Code (MCC) in the Android Emulator

The Mobile Country Code (MCC) is a three-digit number that identifies the country where a mobile network operator is located. When using the Android emulator, you may need to change the MCC to simulate different network environments or test location-based features. This article guides you through the steps to modify the MCC within your Android emulator.

Methods to Change MCC

There are two primary methods to change the MCC in the Android Emulator:

1. Using the Android Virtual Device (AVD) Manager

This method involves editing the configuration of your AVD before launching the emulator.

1. Open Android Studio and navigate to Tools > AVD Manager.
2. Select the AVD you want to modify and click the Edit button.
3. In the AVD configuration window, locate the Hardware tab.
4. Under Network, select the Advanced Settings option.
5. In the Network Configuration dialog, find the Mobile Country Code (MCC) field.
6. Enter the desired MCC value and click OK.
7. Save your AVD configuration changes.
8. Launch the emulator using the modified AVD.

2. Using the Emulator’s Command Line Interface

This method involves issuing commands to the emulator directly.

1. Open a terminal or command prompt.
2. Navigate to the directory where the emulator executable is located (usually in android-sdk/emulator).
3. Use the following command to launch the emulator with the specified MCC:

emulator -avd <avd_name> -mcc <mcc_value>

Replace <avd_name> with the name of your AVD and <mcc_value> with the desired MCC.

Finding the MCC Value

You can find the MCC value for specific countries by using resources like the following:

• Wikipedia’s Mobile Country Code List
• MCC-MNC Database

Example: Changing to US Network

To simulate a US network, the MCC value is 310.

Using AVD Manager

1. Open the AVD Manager and edit the desired AVD.
2. In the Network Configuration dialog, set the MCC to 310.

Using Command Line

emulator -avd my_avd -mcc 310

This will launch the emulator with the MCC set to 310, simulating a US network environment.

Conclusion

By using the methods described above, you can easily change the MCC in the Android emulator to test different network configurations and simulate various geographical locations. Remember to consult MCC databases or resources to find the appropriate values for your desired network environments.