mmcli

command-line interface for ModemManager, a DBus-powered daemon that provides

TLDR

List available modems

$ mmcli --list-modems

Print information about a modem

$ mmcli --modem=[modem_id]

Enable a modem

$ mmcli --modem=[modem_id] --enable

Disable a modem

$ mmcli --modem=[modem_id] --disable

List SMS messages on the modem

$ sudo mmcli --modem=[modem_id] --messaging-list-sms

Delete SMS message

$ sudo mmcli --modem=[modem_id] --messaging-delete-sms=[sms_path]

Monitor modem status changes

$ mmcli --monitor-modems

SYNOPSIS

mmcli [--list-modems] [--modem id] [--enable|--disable] [--messaging-list-sms] [options]

mmcli is a command-line interface for ModemManager, a DBus-powered daemon that provides unified control of mobile broadband modems on Linux. It supports various modem types including USB modems, embedded cellular modules, and phone tethering.The tool can enable/disable modems, manage connections, send/receive SMS, control GPS functionality, scan for networks, and perform SIM operations. It communicates with ModemManager through DBus.

PARAMETERS

-L, --list-modems

List all available modems

-m, --modem _id_

Specify modem by index or DBus path

-M, --monitor-modems

Monitor modem status changes

-e, --enable

Enable the specified modem

-d, --disable

Disable the specified modem

-r, --reset

Reset the modem

--factory-reset _code_

Reset modem to factory state with unlock code

--command _at_command_

Send raw AT command to modem

--messaging-list-sms

List SMS messages on modem

--messaging-create-sms _properties_

Create new SMS message

--messaging-delete-sms _sms_

Delete SMS message

-S, --scan-modems

Scan for new modems

--output-json

Output in JSON format

--output-keyvalue

Output as key-value pairs

-v, --verbose

Enable verbose output

INSTALL

sudo apt install modemmanager

sudo pacman -S modemmanager

sudo apk add modemmanager

nix profile install nixpkgs#modemmanager

CAVEATS

Some operations require root privileges, particularly SMS and connection management. Modem indices may change across reboots or device reconnections; use DBus paths for stable identification. Factory reset requires carrier-specific unlock codes and erases all modem configuration.

HISTORY

mmcli is part of ModemManager, developed by the freedesktop.org community. ModemManager provides a unified high-level API for mobile broadband modems, abstracting differences between vendor implementations. It is commonly used with NetworkManager for mobile connectivity.