Hi folks,
I'm looking to possibly switch to T-Mobile, but I know that coverage is spotty in my home town. (I don't go home often... Maybe once or twice a month for a weekend)
Because of the spotty coverage, wifi calling is a feature of T-Mobile that is very appealing to me, but I've been hearing rumors that their wifi calling feature doesn't work unless you purchase the phone directly from T-Mobile (which obviously cannot be done).
However, I do remember seeing a screenshot of the Xperia Z5 Compact's wifi calling settings and there was a tab listed for T-Mobile. Now why would a phone include wifi calling options for a specific carrier if that carrier refuses to support that phone?
Now let's say there is no way to trick the Z5 into letting me use wifi calling on T-Mobile... I read an article stating that CM13 will support T-Mobile's wifi calling. If CM13 was developed for the Z5C, would that do the trick?
Praying that someone with some more experience can shed some light on this matter. Is there any hope for me?
T-mobile announced that they'll be giving mini towers to customers for free (that's not wifi calling but an actual LTE tower for your house that uses your internet connection) so you can just call them up and ask when they'll start sending them out.
Does it just generate an LTE signal? That works well if the phone had working T-Mobile voice over LTE; which i'm not sure it would if I purchased an unlocked model. That router would be great for my home, but I'm concerned for other areas of my hometown, where I actually would need service (for example: car accident). If I could connect to a local coffee shop's wifi connection to make calls; that would make my life so much easier. I would hate to only have service in my home because that would make me feel bound to my house.
JGoldz75 said:
Does it just generate an LTE signal? That works well if the phone had working T-Mobile voice over LTE; which i'm not sure it would if I purchased an unlocked model. That router would be great for my home, but I'm concerned for other areas of my hometown, where I actually would need service (for example: car accident). If I could connect to a local coffee shop's wifi connection to make calls; that would make my life so much easier. I would hate to only have service in my home because that would make me feel bound to my house.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only phone based: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-24269
FYI, I did use T-Mobile on an unlocked, unsupported phone last year for few months and I don't recall ever not having phone signal. Data is another story but calls were always available and I do travel a lot across the world. Their international data is pure BS - it just doesn't work.
And finally, the T-Mobile WiFi calling menu you saw is for the old T-Mobile in the UK that has now been merged into EE. You can flash that firmware but it probably won't work with the USA version depending on what moron wrote the integration and how much configuration data they hardcoded in the app or if it works it might be connecting to a UK gateway.
weasal said:
It's only phone based: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-24269
FYI, I did use T-Mobile on an unlocked, unsupported phone last year for few months and I don't recall ever not having phone signal. Data is another story but calls were always available and I do travel a lot across the world. Their international data is pure BS - it just doesn't work.
And finally, the T-Mobile WiFi calling menu you saw is for the old T-Mobile in the UK that has now been merged into EE. You can flash that firmware but it probably won't work with the USA version depending on what moron wrote the integration and how much configuration data they hardcoded in the app or if it works it might be connecting to a UK gateway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that I think the phone will not have service because it's unlocked. T-Mobile just doesn't have great coverage in my hometown area at all. I did the Test-Drive a couple months back and remember getting 0-1 bars at all times... never holding on to a signal long enough to make a single phone call or send a text message. Thanks for the insight into the T-Mobile - EE thing. I didn't realize that. It would be lovely if it did work in the USA but I doubt it The T-Mobile Nexus 5 (arguably one of the most modded phones out there) never got t-mo wifi calling so I doubt this will.
Thank you!
Just so you know, I flashed to EE (even though technically I'm on MetroPCS which is a T-Mobile subsidiary), and I couldn't find that screenshot in any of the settings menus, nor could I locate it via "settings, under device, call. UK EE" as someone suggested in that thread. I do have a "Device Connection" menu and a "Call" menu, but they're separate menus not nested in one another. And I can't find any menu or option that says "UK EE".
So, it sounds like no one can find any Wifi calling toggle in any settings menu, correct?
nnotis said:
So, it sounds like no one can find any Wifi calling toggle in any settings menu, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple people have mentioned seeing it...someplace. One person said he saw it under the pencil looking icon in the drop down shade, but I've never been able to locate it up there no matter what firmware I've flashed too. It appears to be pretty elusive.
Adrift98 said:
A couple people have mentioned seeing it...someplace. One person said he saw it under the pencil looking icon in the drop down shade, but I've never been able to locate it up there no matter what firmware I've flashed too. It appears to be pretty elusive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's probably checking for some condition to show the menu.
If you extract the EE firmware you would probable be able to do a text search for T-Mobile and find the apps that have that then decompile the one that sounds like the most likely to have the functionality (probably one with the word customization in the name) and check the logic which enables the functionality and even change and re-compile it. You would also be able to see if it connects to a specific gateway for the wifi calling and if so try to change that too..
Theoretically a company won't spend the money to develop different Wifi calling mechanisms for different countries and thus it should work but then again...
weasal said:
It's probably checking for some condition to show the menu.
If you extract the EE firmware you would probable be able to do a text search for T-Mobile and find the apps that have that then decompile the one that sounds like the most likely to have the functionality (probably one with the word customization in the name) and check the logic which enables the functionality and even change and re-compile it. You would also be able to see if it connects to a specific gateway for the wifi calling and if so try to change that too..
Theoretically a company won't spend the money to develop different Wifi calling mechanisms for different countries and thus it should work but then again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't know how to begin to do all of that.
Adrift98 said:
I wouldn't know how to begin to do all of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can follow this to extract the system partition (system.sln) and get it's contents to your hard drive: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1723284
Then you can use your file explorer (on Windows or whatever your OS is) to search for a text string (make sure you tell it to look only inside *.apk to avoid getting too many results). Once you find the apk files that could be what you need you can then use this: http://www.decompileandroid.com/ to decompile the apps so you get source code.
From then on it's a bit trickier, you'll need to make your way trough the configuration and maybe even the code to figure out where they store the connection info or what exactly do they connect to (it looks like the app uses your sim card to authenticate so that shouldn't require any tweaking).
Or you can just wait and hope this is true: https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/81359 or maybe it's already in M : http://www.phone-probe.com/android-m-features-native-wifi-calling/
Oh is that all? Simple.
It might be easier to just locate the apps needed for US T-Mobile wifi calling from another phone and install them on a z5c with EE firmware since the core OS code needed would be provided by the EE firmware and the US specific stuff will come from the apps.
This has a list that might actually be complete: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2302313 and you can ignore any jar files that are listed since that should come with the EE firmware.
The fact that there is a z5c firmware that supports Wifi calling is what's important here - you have all the proprietary and OS stuff baked in, you just need the US specific bits/configuration.
Related
Hi All.
I've had an X10 mini pro on T-Mobile UK for nearly a year, and love it, but I am faced with a problem:
At work, I get absoluteley no signal. However, there are Wifi networks everywhere that are freeley available. It seemed logical to me that I aught to be able to get my phone to use those wifi networks to obtain a signal, so I did some research and found this generally to be reffered to as UMA (Unliceneced Mobile Access?)
For anyone who's coming across this technology for the first time, this is a facility which allows your mobile phone to use wifi connections as a backup for service signal, and switch seemlessley between them for use on calls (through your regular phone number [NOT VOIP!]) and texts.
I've read a lot of conflicting oppinions and statements on this, and wanted to ask here (In a place of expert knowledge and understanding) what the real truth is behind all this.
1: Is UMA a hardware or software based tool?
-I've heared numerous statements on this, including:
a) "Your phone can not do this if you don't have the correct hardware"
b) "The standard hardware (provided you have wifi access) is all you need, only the software needs to allow support"
C) "You need sufficient wifi technology AND the correct software to enable this"
Which is true?
2: "Service Providers are holding back on UMA support as it removes their justification for charging the user for calls"
- I've seen this in a few places, but it doesn't make sense to me. Sureley, despite the fact that the call is connected by a wifi signal, it still needs to find its way through a telephone exchange. Telephone exchanges cost money to maintain and manage, so that can't be right? can it?
- If anything, sureley this would give service providers a competative advantage as they can guarentee better signal coverage. It would seem more logical to me that the issue is less with the hand set, but with the providers managing the incoming and outgoing call data via the wifi network?
3: "UMA is/isn't supportend on android version X.X"?
- Again, I've seen conflicting info on this. What's the score?
Thought this was the right place to discuss all this and find the real truth behind UMA. My final question of course being:
4: Is there a UMA app or method by which I can use wifi as a signal backup? If not, is anyone looking into it and how soon may users see the benefits?
Appreciate any light that can be shead on this to dispurse the smoke and mirrors that seenm to surround it.
Thanks,
Oliver
hmmm
Supprised noone's responded to this... did I miss something?
In the USA, T-mobile has an app that does this. T-mobile USA uses the term wi-fi calling.
Is there such a thing in the UK? I know that the Optimus T (essentially the same as Optimus One) has this ability. I found this list of phones that work with this feature on T-mobile USA.
Phones that can make use of this new feature:
Blackberry 8520
Blackberry Bold 9780
Samsung Vibrant (SGH-T959)
Samsung Vibrant II (Galaxy S 4G)
LG Optimus T
myTouch 3G Slide
myTouch 4G
Motorola Defy
Motorola Cliq 2
Motorola Cliq XT
Sidekick 4G
G2
G2X
Nokia Astound (C7-00)
Nokia Mode (E73)
Samsung t339
Some other older android phones can work as long as the app has been ported for the device. Very YMMV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not think your phone is available through T-mobile USA, so it is not on the list. Someone figured out how to bring wi-fi calling to non-tmobile Roms for the Optimus T/Optimus One phone. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1116268 However, I am fairly certain that this type of app needs the cooperation of your carrier to work.
Action_Man_1 said:
Hi All.
I've had an X10 mini pro on T-Mobile UK for nearly a year, and love it, but I am faced with a problem:
At work, I get absoluteley no signal. However, there are Wifi networks everywhere that are freeley available. It seemed logical to me that I aught to be able to get my phone to use those wifi networks to obtain a signal, so I did some research and found this generally to be reffered to as UMA (Unliceneced Mobile Access?)
For anyone who's coming across this technology for the first time, this is a facility which allows your mobile phone to use wifi connections as a backup for service signal, and switch seemlessley between them for use on calls (through your regular phone number [NOT VOIP!]) and texts.
I've read a lot of conflicting oppinions and statements on this, and wanted to ask here (In a place of expert knowledge and understanding) what the real truth is behind all this.
1: Is UMA a hardware or software based tool?
-I've heared numerous statements on this, including:
a) "Your phone can not do this if you don't have the correct hardware"
b) "The standard hardware (provided you have wifi access) is all you need, only the software needs to allow support"
C) "You need sufficient wifi technology AND the correct software to enable this"
Which is true?
2: "Service Providers are holding back on UMA support as it removes their justification for charging the user for calls"
- I've seen this in a few places, but it doesn't make sense to me. Sureley, despite the fact that the call is connected by a wifi signal, it still needs to find its way through a telephone exchange. Telephone exchanges cost money to maintain and manage, so that can't be right? can it?
- If anything, sureley this would give service providers a competative advantage as they can guarentee better signal coverage. It would seem more logical to me that the issue is less with the hand set, but with the providers managing the incoming and outgoing call data via the wifi network?
3: "UMA is/isn't supportend on android version X.X"?
- Again, I've seen conflicting info on this. What's the score?
Thought this was the right place to discuss all this and find the real truth behind UMA. My final question of course being:
4: Is there a UMA app or method by which I can use wifi as a signal backup? If not, is anyone looking into it and how soon may users see the benefits?
Appreciate any light that can be shead on this to dispurse the smoke and mirrors that seenm to surround it.
Thanks,
Oliver
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this solution, T-Mobile and Orange have done a deal where they can use eachothers signals, go back to netwoork settings and you should find " T-Mobile-Orange 3G"... Connect to that and it may work.
It seems that T-Mobile and Orange both have very bad coverage compared to other competators.
to day I stated to have problems with my internet on my SGP621 LTE I'm on T-Mobile and i'm getting the connect me messages basically t-mo want's me to get a separate tablet data plan. I was wondering if there is a work around so that I can use my tablet as a regular phone with data internet access without an additional data plan which I would not pay for. is there a way to make my tablet SPG621 to show as the regular Z3 phone and not as a tablet so that I can use the internet 3G/4G LTE thank you:crying:
I think that's just an offer. You don't have to do this. As far as i know you can use your SIM in any device you like. And ... Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact can be considered as a big phaplet.
jaime4272 said:
to day I stated to have problems with my internet on my SGP621 LTE I'm on T-Mobile and i'm getting the connect me messages basically t-mo want's me to get a separate tablet data plan. I was wondering if there is a work around so that I can use my tablet as a regular phone with data internet access without an additional data plan which I would not pay for. is there a way to make my tablet SPG621 to show as the regular Z3 phone and not as a tablet so that I can use the internet 3G/4G LTE thank you:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jaime4272 said:
to day I stated to have problems with my internet on my SGP621 LTE I'm on T-Mobile and i'm getting the connect me messages basically t-mo want's me to get a separate tablet data plan. I was wondering if there is a work around so that I can use my tablet as a regular phone with data internet access without an additional data plan which I would not pay for. is there a way to make my tablet SPG621 to show as the regular Z3 phone and not as a tablet so that I can use the internet 3G/4G LTE thank you:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with nico_las. I use my SGP621 on T-Mobile USA as well, and it's not mandatory I switch over to a tablet plan. It's just an offer you can refuse.
Is there a way to refuse this offer? Like, my data no longer works as of maybe two hours ago, and I am not the only one reporting this. Can I refuse an offer and retain it? I called 611 but as usual the pre-paid support folk never know anything outside of their scripts...
the problem is that t-mo knows is a tablet and the internet wont work, calls ant and text does work but not mms and everything that requires internet, if any body know how to disguise as a phone/phablet like the z ultra by modifying the IMEI or something. thanks
Yes, I am currently Experiencing this Issue as well, and I told T-mobile Rep to stop forcing people like this. I can just sell this phone and buy a note 4, with smaller screen and it will work just fine.....but they basically want to force people into it, so they can make money out of it.
I am interested in how to disguise the tablet as a phone as well.
I really really want to kick Tmobile in the ass and never come back as a customer........but they know other carriers do the same thing......We are at the losing ends
we need to ask to devs if we can get help on this issue. what we need is to disguise out tablet as phone or phablet
I think you're being overly optimistic. I appreciate it. But we barely have support enough on this device to get a proper root, much less ROM support. I feel like it should be possible to pass this off as a normal Z3... But not sure. In any case it will take root at minimum and most likely an unlocked bootloader... Which I don't plan on pursuing until I know I can keep remote play, DRM, cast support, etc.
I hope it happens... And I'm with you... But I think it's a lost cause. I'd like to hear from an actual Dev about it though... Just not a lot of them in the English world with this tablet not on shelves outside of Asia.
Hey guys, a few thoughts.
First, there is chatter about this in 3 or 4 different threads. It doesn't have to be this thread, which I created yesterday, but we should band together and use a single thread for longer-term discussion.
Second, I actually don't think that this is an attempt by T-Mo to gauge more money out of us; we are a tiny percentage of their user base and are probably an attractive demographic for T-Mo in a sense. This is simply bureaucratic disorganization (I think they simply don't know how to provide 'free data for life' without considering the 621 a 'data only device,' damn you all who rallied for that), and unfortunately execs are not going to make an immediate priority of satisfying a tiny percentage of prepaid customers on cheap plans. What I personally expect will happen at some point, T-Mo will act in accordance with its 'uncarrier' mantra and be the first carrier to recognize that there is increasingly no difference between a phone and tablet. They will offer substantially the same plans for any data enabled device and will be the first carrier to officially support "phablets.'
Third, I am also very curious what can be done to trick T-Mo's system, in the mean time. I can say firsthand that altering the device model # inside your build.prop file will do nothing. Switching up the APN, nothing. But I didn't personally get that creative before giving up. One thing to note, on an older device, I downloaded a root app to ltyer my DNS servers (switched from T-Mo to OpenDNS). Within X many minutes of rebooting I could not make phone calls or receive texts and no data icon appeared either, but I did have data and T-Mo was probably unable to meter my data usage. Try at your own risk.
Fourth, *****ing accomplishes nothing. The great thing about buying unlocked, is the ability to switch carriers at the drop of a dime (which is coincidentally what T-Mo deserves from us right now). AT&T has LTE on four frequencies and the 621 supports all of em. I already made the switch to AT&T, and everything is smooth at the moment. And I can always switch back. As a light talker I miss my $30 plan (and the small $$ I had left over in my acct), but $60 for talk, text, and a tetherable 4 GBs of LTE isn't terrible when you can buy 5-10% off discounted refill cards from Calling Mart. Cricket is also on AT&T's network now and $60 will get you 20 GBs of <= 8Mbps LTE, $10 more if you want to tether without worry. I would be curious for an expanded discussion regarding our options, since I am only so familiar with the ins, outs, and possible pitfalls of them.
good one
Would anyone like to test for compatibility/pitfalls/etc on Harbor Mobile? $50/mo for unlimited talk/text/LTE and 3GB tethering on T-Mo's network, purportedly.
https://www.harbormobile.com/plans/
They also have a good looking tablet data plan ($15 for 5GB) that would be more useful if we had dual sim slots.
MetroPCS would be the other competitive T-Mo pre-paid option. Not sure how these companies detect phones/tablets. They don't offer free data for life, which might or might not make a difference.
Possible Solution?
jaime4272 said:
to day I stated to have problems with my internet on my SGP621 LTE I'm on T-Mobile and i'm getting the connect me messages basically t-mo want's me to get a separate tablet data plan. I was wondering if there is a work around so that I can use my tablet as a regular phone with data internet access without an additional data plan which I would not pay for. is there a way to make my tablet SPG621 to show as the regular Z3 phone and not as a tablet so that I can use the internet 3G/4G LTE thank you:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work for T-Mobile and have also have the same issues with my Z3tc I, being a store manager, have limited resources available to me but i plan to submit a ticket in hopes of resolving this issue, it would help if i had multiple issues to report however. If you folks are willing to help me out with this (power in numbers as they say) i think we may have a chance of getting a fix, what i need from each of you is your T-mobile telephone number that you've been using your Z3TC on and i can submit this ticket. Email your name and phone# to [email protected] and I'll do my best
I was about to e-mail Tyson, and just saw this posted (by a post-paid customer) to a T-Mo Support thread I had participated in:
"Just got off with customer service with the solution. To fix the problem you need to get a new sim card. The customer service rep said T-Mobile will provide them for free then everything should work fine. What happened is the info on the sim says its a tablet, once the sim info gets changed on T-Mobile's end there is no way to change it back and the only solution is to get a new sim card. Hope this helps you guys."
(https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/86423?start=15&tstart=0)
thref23 said:
I was about to e-mail Tyson, and just saw this posted (by a post-paid customer) to a T-Mo Support thread I had participated in:
"Just got off with customer service with the solution. To fix the problem you need to get a new sim card. The customer service rep said T-Mobile will provide them for free then everything should work fine. What happened is the info on the sim says its a tablet, once the sim info gets changed on T-Mobile's end there is no way to change it back and the only solution is to get a new sim card. Hope this helps you guys."
(https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/86423?start=15&tstart=0)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think this is correct. I already got a new SIM for mine because that's what Tmobile support had me do originally. It didn't fix the issue. However I noticed under my account that it had my device listed as a Xperia Z tablet as in the old version when I got the new SIM. So maybe if you change it to a Z3 and get a new one it will work... But I doubt it.
The tech support I most recently talked to said they updated their systems with the Z3TC information and classified it as a tablet so the data won't work unless you get on a tablet data plan. But if I get on a tablet data plan then I can't have phone and text on the same SIM. He said there was no way for them to accommodate both.
And I tried explaining that the only difference between tablet and phone is phone capabilities... Which we have... So it should be a phone.
I see that more and more people are having this problem and being that t-mo knows that our SGP621 is a tablet the only thing to do is to disguise it as something else other then a tablet. I know that phablets do work fine like the xperia z ultra. we need some technical help on doing this guys.
Need more help
tysontthompson said:
I work for T-Mobile and have also have the same issues with my Z3tc I, being a store manager, have limited resources available to me but i plan to submit a ticket in hopes of resolving this issue, it would help if i had multiple issues to report however. If you folks are willing to help me out with this (power in numbers as they say) i think we may have a chance of getting a fix, what i need from each of you is your T-mobile telephone number that you've been using your Z3TC on and i can submit this ticket. Email your name and phone# to [email protected] and I'll do my best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got about 5-6 people's info so far, if i could get 10 or so i think we could make some headway here. I have tried SIM swaps, tried using a regular z3 for a couple days and switching back, tried rooting and IMEI changing nothing has worked thus far... this seems like the best chance here.
tysontthompson said:
I've got about 5-6 people's info so far, if i could get 10 or so i think we could make some headway here. I have tried SIM swaps, tried using a regular z3 for a couple days and switching back, tried rooting and IMEI changing nothing has worked thus far... this seems like the best chance here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you still looking for folks for this?
I just ordered one and will be trying to use it on Tmo.
Just sent you my contact information, I'm also having the same issue with T-mobile.
Thank,
Scott
tysontthompson said:
I've got about 5-6 people's info so far, if i could get 10 or so i think we could make some headway here. I have tried SIM swaps, tried using a regular z3 for a couple days and switching back, tried rooting and IMEI changing nothing has worked thus far... this seems like the best chance here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This won't be a problem on AT&T's network. Why not just switch? For high data users, Cricket has competitive prices, for low use folks there are several mvnos to choose from.
afblangley said:
This won't be a problem on AT&T's network. Why not just switch? For high data users, Cricket has competitive prices, for low use folks there are several mvnos to choose from.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone have an update on this? I think I got hit too. My internet stopped working this morning and I've been calling T-Mo and they said they don't know what the problem is.
Looks like, so far, Three are the only network not to have announced they are stocking the Nexus 6P.
I for one am hoping they are just delaying their announcement!
If anyone has any information regarding this matter, please post here.
Don't think three stocked the Nexus 6 at release did they?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Three did not stock the N6 so very doubtful they will do the 6P
I think a few places never stocked the 6. This time however, everyone except Three are stocking the 6P.
They can't be the only people not to negotiate a contract to sell the 6P, surely!
Seems that way. No plans as yet to sell it, and as such I'd imagine it won't work with VoLTE on Three either.
Annoying as I've ordered one and am on Three.
jonmorris said:
Seems that way. No plans as yet to sell it, and as such I'd imagine it won't work with VoLTE on Three either.
Annoying as I've ordered one and am on Three.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not good, any more news on this??
No. I guess we can safely say VoLTE won't be possible on the 6P with Three. That is unless we get the ability to manually enter the relevant IMS settings (like APNs for data), in which case it should be possible.
I have heard rumours that the inTouch app may be updated to allow you to make calls over the app, just like you can use it for calling over Wi-Fi without 'proper' Voice over Wi-Fi support.
In this way, Three will then (apparently) give you access to the 800MHz LTE network (which is available in areas where there's no 3G to fall back to for voice) once you're registered and signed in.
That too could solve the problem, but it's a bit of a bodge and by no means going to happen for definite.
jonmorris said:
No. I guess we can safely say VoLTE won't be possible on the 6P with Three. That is unless we get the ability to manually enter the relevant IMS settings (like APNs for data), in which case it should be possible.
I have heard rumours that the inTouch app may be updated to allow you to make calls over the app, just like you can use it for calling over Wi-Fi without 'proper' Voice over Wi-Fi support.
In this way, Three will then (apparently) give you access to the 800MHz LTE network (which is available in areas where there's no 3G to fall back to for voice) once you're registered and signed in.
That too could solve the problem, but it's a bit of a bodge and by no means going to happen for definite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I first ordered the 6P i went into a three store and asked about the VoLTE and they said they should support it.
Remember they dont brand/lock the phones they sell anymore. Can't remember if they put extra software on though.
brichardson1991 said:
When I first ordered the 6P i went into a three store and asked about the VoLTE and they said they should support it.
Remember they dont brand/lock the phones they sell anymore. Can't remember if they put extra software on though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't lock but they do brand. It isn't like the old days, with custom ring tones, colours, loads of extra apps (free trials of aps, or whatever) installed but it's still a custom ROM with settings unique to them, from APNs to the IMS settings needed for VoLTE (and Wi-Fi calling).
If you want to use VoLTE on Three today, or SuperVoice as they call it, you need to flash the Three ROM on your Galaxy S5, LG G4 or the other few devices given access - and requiring a software update.
Apple is the exception. These are never branded and the carrier settings are the same on EVERY single phone. I do wish Google would do something similar with regards to carrier settings, as then every phone on any network could be made to work properly with all the available features.
Given this is Xda, it's worth noting that there are sometimes other ways to get a generic phone to work with VoLTE but it's not something Joe Public would be able to do, or even know they could do. And Three stores have been saying some phones are able to work that can't (and never will, unless they do this inTouch update) as well as saying 4G 800 is a high priority, when the reality is that it's the lowest and you'll only ever use it when 3G isn't available.
There's a dedicated UK thread here,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/uk-nexus-6p-t3213767
Please continue this there. :good:
Thread closed.
Darth
Forum Moderator
I have a lg v30 "us998" I bought off ebay. Rooted, bootloaders unlocked with magisk and software US99820h android version 8.0.0.
Been using ting for a long time, but I've come to a point where I need to make calls more and I can't use this phone on their new unlimited service. Anyone have suggestions on reasonably priced services that offer unlimited talk and text? I saw someone post something prepaid they bought off ebay but cannot find what it was. Open to all suggestions as long as I am able to bring this phone over as I don't want to shop for a new phone and deal with rooting again.
Thanks.
Is your Ting with T-Mobile network? If so, you might like Mint.
Phone Plans with Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data | Mint Mobile
Shop our phone plans with unlimited talk, text, and 5G•4G LTE data plans. With reliable nationwide coverage and a money back guarantee, you'll wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.
www.mintmobile.com
ChazzMatt said:
Is your Ting with T-Mobile network? If so, you might like Mint.
Phone Plans with Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data | Mint Mobile
Shop our phone plans with unlimited talk, text, and 5G•4G LTE data plans. With reliable nationwide coverage and a money back guarantee, you'll wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.
www.mintmobile.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, ChazzMatt. Looking over my ting customer support history looks like it is using a GSM sim card which is T-Mobile. I'll take a look at switching to mint. Thanks for always helping.
Any ideas on redpocket (this was the service I was originally thinking) or us mobile?
Red pocket has a plan gsmt 200 mins and 1000 txts 200mb for 2.50 a month. I don't see a way to check if my phone is compatible though.
SuperUser1010 said:
Any ideas on redpocket (this was the service I was originally thinking) or us mobile?
Red pocket has a plan gsmt 200 mins and 1000 txts 200mb for 2.50 a month. I don't see a way to check if my phone is compatible though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's compatible. I am using Red Pocket GSMA (AT&T) with US99820h. Others have posted about using Red Pocket GSMT (T-Mobile) also on US998.
I third user posted about Mint providing more features on US998 than Red Pocket (specifically Visual Voicemail). So definitely check them too.
Best Red Pocket deals are quarterly and annual plans on the Red Pocket eBay store. I have 100mins/100txt/500MB per month for $60/year. But they may have better deals since I bought that last summer.
Phenominal thank you. I was literally just reading a post of yours on an older thread of your thoughts on redpocket.
Do I need to do anything special for volte/wifi calling? I don't believe I've ever had that work on Ting; I only see an option for wifi calling which errors out if I try to turn on and don't see where volte option is. This could be very useful for me because my service is about 1 bar inside my house; if I can get calls via 4g or wifi (I'm usually home or at school so wifi everywhere) that would solve that issue.
VoLTE should be automatic on both GSMA (Red Pocket AT&T) and GSMT (Red Pocket T-Mobile). You won't see statusbar icons to confirm it, although I've enabled such icons in my phone's Hidden menu.
Red Pocket provides WiFi Calling (VoWiFi) if you ask them to activate it. US998 doesn't support it on AT&T (including GSMA) but DOES support it on T-Mobile (including GSMT). According to the user who recently confirmed it on GSMT there is a menu to enable it (like you are seeing with Ting, it just isn't provisioned by them). But still no statusbar icons, which is strange.
You really should read the last few pages of ChazzMatt's VoLTE thread for that discussion:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...mware-not-los-based-custom-roms-when.4138223/
Edit: Again make sure to also check out Mint. My wife had them a few years ago, and they worked well on an H932 (TMO V30). But we switched when their seemingly good price turned out to be just a 3-month intro offer.
TheDannemand said:
Again make sure to also check out Mint. My wife had them a few years ago, and they worked well on an H932 (TMO V30). But we switched when their seemingly good price turned out to be just a 3-month intro offer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone Plans with Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data | Mint Mobile
Shop our phone plans with unlimited talk, text, and 5G•4G LTE data plans. With reliable nationwide coverage and a money back guarantee, you'll wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.
www.mintmobile.com
Yes, their intro 3-month plans are lower than the "regular" 3-month plans, but you can get that same price if you pay for 12-months in advance. The only reason you would want to do that, however, is if you try them for 3 months and like them very much and you don't anticipate changing providers for another year.
Or you can go with 6-month plan which splits the difference.
Or you can go with 3 months again, at the "regular" price.
Interesting that they don't seem to offer just monthly plans.
By the way, this is the MVNO bought by Ryan Reynolds. Well, not bought outright, but he owns a very large percentage (November 2019) and since has been appearing in their commercials: "In connection with the investment, Reynolds will help with Mint’s communications and marketing efforts as well as strategic decision-making."
Actor Ryan Reynolds Just Bought a Wireless Carrier. And His Reason for the Buy Makes Sense
Mint Mobile gets a celebrity boss.
www.inc.com
While every other tech titan is off chasing rockets, I’ll corner the budget-friendly wireless sector. Like most people, I only use rockets 10-12 times a year but I use my mobile service every day. – Ryan Reynolds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TheDannemand said:
VoLTE should be automatic on both GSMA (Red Pocket AT&T) and GSMT (Red Pocket T-Mobile). You won't see statusbar icons to confirm it, although I've enabled such icons in my phone's Hidden menu.
Red Pocket provides WiFi Calling (VoWiFi) if you ask them to activate it. US998 doesn't support it on AT&T (including GSMA) but DOES support it on T-Mobile (including GSMT). According to the user who recently confirmed it on GSMT there is a menu to enable it (like you are seeing with Ting, it just isn't provisioned by them). But still no statusbar icons, which is strange.
You really should read the last few pages of ChazzMatt's VoLTE thread for that discussion:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...mware-not-los-based-custom-roms-when.4138223/
Edit: Again make sure to also check out Mint. My wife had them a few years ago, and they worked well on an H932 (TMO V30). But we switched when their seemingly good price turned out to be just a 3-month intro offer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just analyzed my ting bills over time and it seems like the 8.25/mo plan from red pocket would fulfill my needs best (1000 minute should be more than enough for me). I'll finish reading over that thread when I get some more free time. I tried to look at that hidden menu using *#*#4636#*#* but it doesn't seem to do anything on my phone. Is that just an alternate way to enter developer mode?
Here is a question, what is difference between using vowifi and volte? Is it just one is better depending on which is stronger for you?
SuperUser1010 said:
I tried to look at that hidden menu using *#*#4636#*#* but it doesn't seem to do anything on my phone. Is that just an alternate way to enter developer mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dialer codes should work, but you have to enter them in the stock LG dialer. If you copy/paste them then make sure no spaces anywhere.
*#*#4636#*#* is the Android Testing menu, which merely shows some useful information, including whether VoLTE and VoWiFi are provisioned by the carrier AND picked up by the SIM card and the phone.
*#546368#*998# (998 to be replaced with your phone's model number) is the actual Hidden menu, which provides a number of technical controls meant only for LG themselves. Warning: There are plenty of ways to mess up your phone in there, some permanently! You shouldn't have to use Hidden menu with US998 on T-Mobile, including Mint and Red Pocket GSMT. Best to avoid it if you can!
These have nothing to do with Developer Mode, which is a useful menu for other things -- and mostly harmless.
SuperUser1010 said:
Here is a question, what is difference between using vowifi and volte? Is it just one is better depending on which is stronger for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VoLTE and VoWiFI (WiFi Calling) both operate the same way: They transmit voice calls over data. But VoWiFi has more extensive authentication since it gives you access to the carrier's network from any WiFi network. VoLTE requires an activated SIM card, so you're already authenticated through that.
You would normally prefer to use VoWiFi anytime you have a good WiFi connection, particularly indoors where cell signals can be challenged. If you always have good LTE signal, you generally don't have to bother with VoWiFi.
Some carriers use voice minutes when you use VoWiFi, others don't. Red Pocket GSMA (AT&T) does NOT count voice minutes on VoWiFi, but other Red Pocket networks (including GSMT) DO count them. See the Red Pocket support pages below:
VoLTE: https://help.redpocket.com/hc/en-us...-and-can-I-use-it-with-my-Red-Pocket-service-
VoWiFi: https://help.redpocket.com/hc/en-us...-and-can-I-use-it-with-my-Red-Pocket-service-
TheDannemand said:
The dialer codes should work, but you have to enter them in the stock LG dialer. If you copy/paste them then make sure no spaces anywhere.
*#*#4636#*#* is the Android Testing menu, which merely shows some useful information, including whether VoLTE and VoWiFi are provisioned by the carrier AND picked up by the SIM card and the phone.
*#546368#*998# (998 to be replaced with your phone's model number) is the actual Hidden menu, which provides a number of technical controls meant only for LG themselves. Warning: There are plenty of ways to mess up your phone in there, some permanently! You shouldn't have to use Hidden menu with US998 on T-Mobile, including Mint and Red Pocket GSMT. Best to avoid it if you can!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd, the android testing menu code is accepted but menu does not pop up. Whereas the hidden menu works. I tried rebooting and trying again. Same results. Oddly when I rebooted, youtube music (from youtube vanced) installed. But that's something else lol.
I'll pull the trigger on red pocket's 8.25/mo plan probably this week.
I was just comparing plan prices now between Mint and Red Pocket, and BOY did things change a lot since last I looked: Red Pocket only has a fraction of the plans they used to on their eBay store. I assume the carriers have tightened their access.
Generally, if (A) you can use T-Mobile in your area and (B) are willing to pay $180/year or more ($15/month) Mint is the better deal, since they provide unlimited voice and 4GB/month starting at that tier.
If you are looking to pay less than $180/year OR service on other networks, Red Pocket is a better choice. Such as 1000mins/1GB LTE for $99/year ($8.25/month, available on all 4 carriers); 100mins/500MB LTE for $60/year ($5/month, available on GSMA/ATT, CDMA/VZ, CDMAS/Sprint); 200mins/200MB LTE for $30/year ($2.50/month, available on GSMT/TMO).
For quarterly/monthly plans, Mint becomes expensive after the 3-month intro: Their smallest plan is quarterly $25/month. Red Pocket has several regular monthly plans, starting at $10 for 1000mins/1GB LTE, available on all networks.
My wife has been on Red Pocket's $19/month Unlimited/3GB LTE plan for a couple years now, and it looks like that's still the best deal for her.
SuperUser1010 said:
Odd, the android testing menu code is accepted but menu does not pop up. Whereas the hidden menu works. I tried rebooting and trying again. Same results. Oddly when I rebooted, youtube music (from youtube vanced) installed. But that's something else lol.
I'll pull the trigger on red pocket's 8.25/mo plan probably this week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on a custom ROM or have mods installed, that may explain it. Otherwise I don't know why.
Unfortunately I haven't used GSMT (or TMO) in several years so I won't be able to help you much beyond general pointers. But from other reports you should be OK.
TheDannemand said:
If you are on a custom ROM or have mods installed, that may explain it. Otherwise I don't know why.
Unfortunately I haven't used GSMT (or TMO) in several years so I won't be able to help you much beyond general pointers. But from other reports you should be OK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I'm on a custom ROM. I believe it is a stock. I remember when I bought phone I just followed ChazzMatt's frankenstein's guide to unlock bootloaders and install magisk; never wanted to put the time in to try those custom roms. Only module I have installed per magisk is systemless hosts. I have greenify and few other "rooted" apps istalled, but none that should do anything funky.
SuperUser1010 said:
I don't think I'm on a custom ROM. I believe it is a stock. I remember when I bought phone I just followed ChazzMatt's frankenstein's guide to unlock bootloaders and install magisk; never wanted to put the time in to try those custom roms. Only module I have installed per magisk is systemless hosts. I have greenify and few other "rooted" apps istalled, but none that should do anything funky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose Greenify and other root apps could interfere with the Testing menu, although I am surprised if they do.
You shouldn't need these Hidden menus on TMO, though. Just ask Red Pocket chat to activate VoLTE and WiFi Calling on your account and enable it in the phone menu.
So far it appears that only tmobile networks allow this phone, since at&t does not support VoLTE with this phone (must set to 3g in order to receive texts/calls). I love this phone, but tmobiles cell towers don't offer a good signal in my area (using straight talk w/ tmobile card). So this got me wondering, which wireless carriers can this actually use now days? What do you personally use with this phone, and how is the service? Verizon definetly won't work either, so it looks like I am out of options... Any replies to this would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!
You sure? Here's the AT&T white list, more may have been added since...
I am positive. And yes, I have seen my phone on the list. no phone calls or text messaging when on LTE (and at&t). I looked into changing the IMEI so that I could use a random generated one that matches an s20 or some other phone that is more compatible, then gave up on it. At this point Im looking to sell my s10 lite so I can buy a oneplus 8T/Pro, just so I get better compatibility. Supposedly AT&T is also dropping support for international versions of cell phones, which this is. I went through 3 different at&t sim cards and all have the same result. I just wish there was a way to change my IMEI (or somehow spoof a different phone some other way)
On The Go Repairs said:
I am positive. And yes, I have seen my phone on the list. no phone calls or text messaging when on LTE (and at&t). I looked into changing the IMEI so that I could use a random generated one that matches an s20 or some other phone that is more compatible, then gave up on it. At this point Im looking to sell my s10 lite so I can buy a oneplus 8T/Pro, just so I get better compatibility. Supposedly AT&T is also dropping support for international versions of cell phones, which this is. I went through 3 different at&t sim cards and all have the same result. I just wish there was a way to change my IMEI (or somehow spoof a different phone some other way)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is VoLTE enabled etc in hidden phone settings?
Did you have AT&T reset it on their end?
Talk to AT&T advanced tech support.
If white listed it should work!
I have straight talk which gives three options: at&t, TMobile, or Verizon (so I can't call att directly). I went into the hidden menu settings and VoLTE was turned off and greyed out. I even opened a file and added a few lines (might have been build.prop or something like that, don't remember) and all that did was switch it on in the settings (but still greyed out).
When I called straight talk tech support and asked them to provision VoLTE, all they would say is that the sim card is provisioned, and that's all they can do. Phone and text used to work if I set it on 3g (instead of lte), but this was less than optimal. I also read a reddit post today from someone four hours away that said they killed off the 3g now, so I'm not going to try using another at&t card until I get a different phone that is compatible. I know this phone is capable of VoLTE but at&t sucks, and they want to force a bunch of people to upgrade to newer phones for whatever reason.
I've even had this phone work with a Verizon sim card swapped from a different phone, but after a few days it gets shut off. So it's not a question of compatibility more than it is at&t just being jerks.
OnTheGoRepairs said:
I have straight talk which gives three options: at&t, TMobile, or Verizon (so I can't call att directly). I went into the hidden menu settings and VoLTE was turned off and greyed out. I even opened a file and added a few lines (might have been build.prop or something like that, don't remember) and all that did was switch it on in the settings (but still greyed out).
When I called straight talk tech support and asked them to provision VoLTE, all they would say is that the sim card is provisioned, and that's all they can do. Phone and text used to work if I set it on 3g (instead of lte), but this was less than optimal. I also read a reddit post today from someone four hours away that said they killed off the 3g now, so I'm not going to try using another at&t card until I get a different phone that is compatible. I know this phone is capable of VoLTE but at&t sucks, and they want to force a bunch of people to upgrade to newer phones for whatever reason.
I've even had this phone work with a Verizon sim card swapped from a different phone, but after a few days it gets shut off. So it's not a question of compatibility more than it is at&t just being jerks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Straight talk maybe the issue. I don't know for sure. Maybe it's the sim card.
Both my N10+'s N975U, N975U1 made the jump seamlessly, no changes were needed on my side.
However the N975U was configured for 4G VoLTE already.
On the new N975U1 all I did was plug the N975U sim card in and it was online.
I feel you... this was an unwanted learning curve for me and had me doing a lot of Google searches.