Here are the only proven methods to change your NAT type from Strict to Moderate or Open on an EE mobile hotspot.
EE, like most mobile carriers (Three, Vodafone, O2), uses CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) . This means your hotspot does not have its own unique public IP address. Instead, you share one public IP with hundreds of other EE users in your area. Because of this, EE has very strict firewall rules to prevent abuse, which results in a Strict (Type 3) NAT.
Here’s what I’ve tried so far:
For the vast majority of users on phone contracts, this is the most common troubleshooting step. By altering the Access Point Name (APN), you can sometimes force the network to treat your data traffic differently, potentially loosening NAT restrictions.
If you are an EE mobile subscriber trying to game on the go, connect to a work VPN, or host a P2P session, you have likely encountered the dreaded "NAT Type Strict" or "NAT Type 3" error. This single setting is responsible for failed connection tests, inability to join party chats, and laggy gameplay.
You can work around it using advanced techniques that change how your device connects to the EE network. EE does not allow UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) or port forwarding on mobile hotspots. Therefore, you must bypass CGNAT entirely.
Sometimes, switching from a standard data APN to one that allows better peer-to-peer connectivity can change your NAT type from Strict (Type 3) to Moderate (Type 2).
Requires a paid VPN (approx £3-£5/month), adds slight latency (10-20ms), and drains battery faster.
When you connect to the internet via EE, your phone does not receive a unique "Public IP address" that is visible to the rest of the world. Instead, EE uses . This means thousands of users share a single public IP address.
Save the new APN and select it. Restart your phone and test your connection on your console. 2. The "4G/LTE Toggle" Trick
Sometimes, creating a new Access Point Name (APN) profile on your phone can bypass the default restrictions. This has been reported to move users from NAT Type 3 (Strict) to Type 2 (Moderate).
Thanks!
Here are the only proven methods to change your NAT type from Strict to Moderate or Open on an EE mobile hotspot.
EE, like most mobile carriers (Three, Vodafone, O2), uses CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) . This means your hotspot does not have its own unique public IP address. Instead, you share one public IP with hundreds of other EE users in your area. Because of this, EE has very strict firewall rules to prevent abuse, which results in a Strict (Type 3) NAT.
Here’s what I’ve tried so far:
For the vast majority of users on phone contracts, this is the most common troubleshooting step. By altering the Access Point Name (APN), you can sometimes force the network to treat your data traffic differently, potentially loosening NAT restrictions.
If you are an EE mobile subscriber trying to game on the go, connect to a work VPN, or host a P2P session, you have likely encountered the dreaded "NAT Type Strict" or "NAT Type 3" error. This single setting is responsible for failed connection tests, inability to join party chats, and laggy gameplay.
You can work around it using advanced techniques that change how your device connects to the EE network. EE does not allow UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) or port forwarding on mobile hotspots. Therefore, you must bypass CGNAT entirely.
Sometimes, switching from a standard data APN to one that allows better peer-to-peer connectivity can change your NAT type from Strict (Type 3) to Moderate (Type 2).
Requires a paid VPN (approx £3-£5/month), adds slight latency (10-20ms), and drains battery faster.
When you connect to the internet via EE, your phone does not receive a unique "Public IP address" that is visible to the rest of the world. Instead, EE uses . This means thousands of users share a single public IP address.
Save the new APN and select it. Restart your phone and test your connection on your console. 2. The "4G/LTE Toggle" Trick
Sometimes, creating a new Access Point Name (APN) profile on your phone can bypass the default restrictions. This has been reported to move users from NAT Type 3 (Strict) to Type 2 (Moderate).
