mmcli
Control and monitor modem devices
TLDR
List available modems
Print information about a modem
Enable a modem
List SMS messages available on the modem
Delete a message from the modem, specifying its path
SYNOPSIS
mmcli [OPTIONS] [COMMAND]
PARAMETERS
--help
Display help message and exit.
-m, --modem
Specify the modem to use (index as listed by 'mmcli -L').
-i, --imei
Specify the modem to use (by IMEI).
-p, --path
Specify the modem to use (by device path).
-L, --list-modems
List available modems.
-M, --monitor-connect
Monitor modem connection state.
-D, --disable-modem
Disable a specified modem.
-E, --enable-modem
Enable a specified modem.
-o, --output-fields
Output specific fields (e.g., 'Status,Signal').
-s, --simple-connect
Connect to the network using the specified APN.
-S, --simple-disconnect
Disconnect from the network.
--command-fd
File descriptor used for sending/receiving commands.
--version
Display version information and exit.
DESCRIPTION
mmcli
(ModemManager CLI) is a command-line tool designed for interacting with the ModemManager service in Linux-based operating systems. It provides a way to manage and control mobile broadband (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G) modems. Using mmcli
, you can list detected modems, query their capabilities and status, connect to and disconnect from mobile networks, send and receive SMS messages, and perform other modem-related operations.
The tool simplifies interaction with complex modem features by providing a user-friendly command-line interface. It is commonly used in embedded systems, servers, and desktop environments where reliable mobile broadband connectivity is essential. mmcli
is frequently employed for automated scripting and configuration tasks, enabling administrators to programmatically manage modems without directly interacting with the ModemManager D-Bus API. Proper understanding of GSM, UMTS, and LTE technologies improves the usefulness of this command.
CAVEATS
mmcli
requires ModemManager service to be running. Root privileges are usually necessary for many operations.
DEBUGGING
For detailed debugging, run mmcli
with the --debug
flag. This outputs verbose information about the interactions with ModemManager and the modem.
TROUBLESHOOTING CONNECTION PROBLEMS
If connection problems occur, review ModemManager logs using journalctl -u ModemManager
. Check the APN configuration, SIM card status, and signal strength using mmcli -m
.
HISTORY
mmcli
is part of the ModemManager project, which aims to provide a unified way to manage mobile broadband devices across different Linux distributions. Development started in the late 2000s. It is actively maintained and has become a crucial tool for managing mobile broadband connectivity in various Linux environments. It continues to evolve to support new modem technologies and features.
SEE ALSO
ModemManager(8), nmcli(1)