[Guide] Activate Native Video Calling (over LTE), RCS & other features

[warriorvibhu]

Quick Note before you start this - If you are on stable one UI 3.x / Android 11 or greater, see the bottom of the post to see the workaround. Thanks to @knuschit

Introduction - If you have ever bought a device that comes locked with the carrier you will see there are some carrier baked features missing in unlocked devices. While putting in your sim will change CSC of your device you might still not get all the features. So far i fail to understand why would device makers and Carriers make it so difficult for users. I have scourged through so many forums and found info like these where a t-mobile rep responds saying there is no way those features can be added to non carrier branded device ( Either a blatant lie or the reps are ill informed or both).

My Device - Unlocked SM-N986U1 with tmobile sim - CSC - TMB/TMB/XAA

Problem Statement- I want Video calling over LTE and RCS features.

Solution - Follow the steps carefully and also see the attached screenshots -
There are other ways of doing this by creating shortcut to ims service settings but i am posting something that most users can easily do.

Quick Pre-Check - Before starting if you have been using RCS on Google Messages you might want to de-register. Follow the process here: https://messages.google.com/disable-chat.
You can always activate it in case you want to go back to RCS on google messages.
This will only work if you are on Android 10, or the Beta version of Android 11. Samsung has blocked this on Stable Android 11.

STEPS​

1. Download and install Phone app (By google)
2. Open the phone App that you just downloaded and make it your default Phone app.
3. Dial *#*#467#*#*
4. You will see the settings as in my Screenshot 1
5. Tap on IMS Service Switch (The first Option)

In case you cant see the screenshot - Just tap on the first option IMS service Switch, Then make sure MMTEL Switch and RCS Switch is toggled on.
If you see below RCS Switch there is a section titled MMTEL
Sub-options of MMTEL are
VoLTE
VoLTE-Video
VoLTE-Call-Composer
SMS over IP
Supplementary Services
Called Dial Third Party Number
JUST TURN ALL THESE TOGGLES ON

6. See the Screenshot 2 and move all the switches to ON.
7. Go back to main page and then go to RCS Configuration settings and make sure they are selected to be always on as in Screenshot 3.
8. I changed back to default phone app after this.
9. And done you should have the video calling over LTE to fellow T-Mobile users activated now.

I have already made a few calls and tested it and can confirm that this works. This might work for Sprint too.


NOTE THAT - Default video call on contacts is still duo. you have to make a regular voice call to a contact first then you will see the native video call icon.

These settings wont stick after OS/Firmware update via Odin, OTA or Sideload and steps would need to be repeated.​

Edit Update -You can See all three screenshots together here.

Let us know how it goes here and if you explored any more settings and i will update this post with due credit.

WORKAROUND: SINCE THE ABOVE METHOD IS NOT WORKING ON ONE UI 3.X / Android 11
​

The conventional method doesnt work on Android 11 so use the method below:
1. Install Alliance Shield X >> Create account and Give necessary permissions
2. Open Alliance Shield X settings and toggle New App Manager Layout On
3. Look at this post and follow
4. See the Screenshot 2 and move all the switches to ON.
5. Go back to main page and then go to RCS Configuration settings and make sure they are selected to be always on as in Screenshot 3.

I can confirm this works.

ADDITIONAL CONFIRMED INFO FROM USERS / TROUBLESHOOTING​

Try the following step in case you had RCS activated on Google Messages and doing the above steps does not get you RCS in the Native SMS App. Thanks @Compusmurf

Also, might add. IF you were previously using Google messages, then you do this, you probably will have to UNREGISTER from Google Messages for Samsung Messages to pick up RCS.....
https://messages.google.com/disable-chat

Confirmed to be working for ATT

I have U1 on ATT prepaid so I don't have advanced messaging features, tried this method and now I do. Thanks
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

It works for other phones too

I just followed these steps this morning on an unlocked Samsung A51 and it has worked great!

 

[Phariex]

Hi, there is no screenshots attached.

 

[warriorvibhu]

Hi, there is no screenshots attached.

Sorry was having a lot of trouble posting screenshots check now i have linked those now.

 

[Phariex]

The screenshot size is really small and I can't read the text on them. Can you upload those with high quality? or bigger size? Thanks!

 

[warriorvibhu]

The screenshot size is really small and I can't read the text on them. Can you upload those with high quality? or bigger size? Thanks!

You dont really need to see the screenshot its just to give you an idea but i tried changing the ones with bigger fonts hope its readable now.

 

[Cindysmith0994]

What specifically has to be on to get native video calling? Got RCS using this method from another post, but video calling still uses duo.

 

[warriorvibhu]

What specifically has to be on to get native video calling? Got RCS using this method from another post, but video calling still uses duo.

If you see below RCS there is a section titled MMTEL
MMTEL - Suboptions of MMTEL are
VoLTE
VoLTE-Video
VoLTE-Call-Composer
SMS over IP
Supplementary Services
Called Dial Third Party Number

I have swited on all the options but for Video you mainly need VoLTE, VoLTE-Video and VoLTE-Call-Composer to be toggled on.

Also this site is further compressing the pictures hence you guys cant see. when i get time i will upload to some pic sharing site.

 

[picatrixgm]

I have an unlocked phone from EE in UK and this doesn't work for me

 

[Cindysmith0994]

If you see below RCS there is a section titled MMTEL
MMTEL - Suboptions of MMTEL are
VoLTE
VoLTE-Video
VoLTE-Call-Composer
SMS over IP
Supplementary Services
Called Dial Third Party Number

I have swited on all the options but for Video you mainly need VoLTE, VoLTE-Video and VoLTE-Call-Composer to be toggled on.

Also this site is further compressing the pictures hence you guys cant see. when i get time i will upload to some pic sharing site.

Thanks, all were all toggled on already. Still uses duo. Guess I can live with it.

 

[warriorvibhu]

Thanks, all were all toggled on already. Still uses duo. Guess I can live with it.

The default on contacts will still show duo. Make a regular voice call and then you will see the native video call icon wait i will show you as you can SEE HERE
As soon as the person answers the option to toggle to video is activated in the first row center icon. Let me know if that is the same for you and works.
It used to be a call hold icon earlier before we toggled the IMS settings.

 

[Cindysmith0994]

The default on contacts will still show duo. Make a regular voice call and then you will see the native video call icon wait i will show you as you can SEE HERE
As soon as the person answers the option to toggle to video is activated in the first row center icon. Let me know if that is the same for you and works.
It used to be a call hold icon earlier before we toggled the IMS settings.

I don't have the option to make a regular video call. After I place a voice call, the native video call button appears on the dialer screen with the active call, but it's greyed out.

 

[warriorvibhu]

I don't have the option to make a regular video call. After I place a voice call, the native video call button appears on the dialer screen with the active call, but it's greyed out.

The other person needs to have that option too (Why not just call me), JK sorry dont know how to help you here. if you know someone who got S8, S9, S10, S20, Note 8, 9, 10 or 20 phones directly from TMobile call them and since they would already have it yours wont be grayed out anymore.

 

[eric6268]

Introduction - If you have ever bought a device that comes locked with the carrier you will see there are some carrier baked features missing in unlocked devices. While putting in your sim will change CSC of your device you might still not get all the features. So far i fail to understand why would device makers and Carriers make it so difficult for users. I have scourged through so many forums and found info like these where a t-mobile rep responds saying there is no way those features can be added to non carrier branded device ( Either a blatant lie or the reps are ill informed or both).



My Device - Unlocked SM-N986U1 with tmobile sim - CSC - TMB/TMB/XAA



Problem Statement- I want Video calling over LTE and RCS features.



Solution - Follow the steps carefully and also see the attached screenshots -

There are other ways of doing this by creating shortcut to ims service settings but i am posting something that most users can easily do.



1. Download and install Phone app (By google)

2. Open the phone App that you just downloaded and make it your default Phone app.

2. Dial *#*#467#*#*

3. You will see the settings as in my Screenshot 1

4. Tap on IMS Service Switch (The first Option)







5. See the screenshot 2 and move all the switches to ON - My video share was on, it turned off while taking screenshot so make it on too.

6. Go back to main page and then go to RCS Configuration settings and make sure they are selected to be always on as in Screenshot 3.

7. I changed back to default phone app after this.

8. And done you should have the video calling over LTE to fellow T-Mobile users activated now.



I have already made a few calls and tested it and can confirm that this works. This might work for Sprint too.



Let us know how it goes here and if you explored any more settings and i will update this post with due credit.



NOTE THAT - Default video call on contacts is still duo. you have to make a regular voice call to a contact first then you will see the native video call icon.



Screenshot 1

ScreenShot 2

ScreenShot 3

Dial *#*#467*#*#
USSD code running
Unable to process the request

Please tell me why.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

 

[warriorvibhu]

Dial *#*#467*#*#
USSD code running
Unable to process the request

Please tell me why.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

Because You dialed wrong code you dialed *#*#467*#*# please check what i asked to dial.

 

[dj24]

I have a U.S t-mobile branded phone (AT15 ; Sep security patch)and use the Samsung stock messaging app. I have been hoping for RCS to be enabled but that hasn't happened yet. I know google messaging has this feature but I prefer to stick with my current stock samsung messaging app. Will following your method help me in activating RCS? Thanks!

 

[warriorvibhu]

I have a U.S t-mobile branded phone (AT15 ; Sep security patch)and use the Samsung stock messaging app. I have been hoping for RCS to be enabled but that hasn't happened yet. I know google messaging has this feature but I prefer to stick with my current stock samsung messaging app. Will following your method help me in activating RCS? Thanks!

Yes it will and i can confirm i checked and it is working. I see when my friend with RCS activated is typing. So typing indicators are working a big sign that RCS is working.
To verify before you do any of the above steps open your default Samsung SMS app and go to settings by clicking on 3 dots on top right, do you see an option called 'Chat Settings' if not, once you have gone through the suggested steps above you will see chat settings activated meaning RCS working.

 

[Compusmurf]

Also, might add. IF you were previously using Google messages, then you do this, you probably will have to UNREGISTER from Google Messages for Samsung Messages to pick up RCS.....


https://messages.google.com/disable-chat

 

[knuschit]

Also, might add. IF you were previously using Google messages, then you do this, you probably will have to UNREGISTER from Google Messages for Samsung Messages to pick up RCS.....


https://messages.google.com/disable-chat

Thank you, this was the part I was missing.

 

[warriorvibhu]

Also, might add. IF you were previously using Google messages, then you do this, you probably will have to UNREGISTER from Google Messages for Samsung Messages to pick up RCS.....
https://messages.google.com/disable-chat

Thank you for this information i will add it to 1st Post

Thank you, this was the part I was missing.

Thanks for confirming.

 

[Compusmurf]

I did all this a week or 2 back to mine and my granddaughters phones.

I didn't do any kind of writeup because this info has been out there in the wild, just not overly shared because there are other options in that menu that can wreck your phone experience.

Glad someone did.

(Note to folks, don't go randomly changing things here if you don't know what they are and haven't been validated by others)


Since you did so good here, you should write a document for folks how to "update" using FRIJA and ODIN for folks with U1 devices. Maybe that'll cut down on the folks that complain that they can't get Month X security update because Carrier Y is slow.

I know how, but writing a document step by step isn't the same and I'm very bad at documentation.