Pixel 2 XL and AT&T VoLTR

[dmb219]

I had a sim in my Pixel 2 that was several years old, was cut down from a micro or whatever the larger size is. I got on at&t's chat and said I got a P2 but have an old sim and would like a new one so I can use HD calling. He said would you like me to send you one or you can go to a store. I said why don't you send me one. He overnighted me a new card. When I put it in, no network. The activation website wasn't helpful, seemed geared toward a new phone or line of service. Back on the chat & got sent to a "specialist" or something of that nature. He took my sim # & IMEI # and said give me 4 or 5 minutes. He came back and said restart, you should be good. The sim worked but I needed to move to the 8.1 beta to get the enhanced 4G LTE toggle in settings. Calls are louder and clearer with someone who also has the service. I had to turn my call volume down from my usual high setting, it sounds like it's on speaker.

 

[uicnren]

....but they don't provision non att branded phones except iPhones bought from Apple....

Except now apparently in the case of the Pixel 2 XL. Pre-ordered mine from Google Store Oct. 4th.

They provisioned mine just the other day, and it works fine.
Several others have also reported success doing it as well.

 

[balleron24z]

From what I understand......att has to provision the phone to use HD features....and your phone has to have the capability....and you have to have an HD sim....but they don't provision non att branded phones except iPhones bought from Apple. My theory is though.....if you have another phone that has HD capability....have them turn the features on then take that Sim and put it in the pixel...it should work.....I haven't tried it but I think it should work.

Also...the HD features only work if both ppl have the feature and have it turned on and are both on att network....a lot of things have to come together for it to work.

1). Common misconception is that AT&T "won't allow" VoLTE on unlocked/non-branded Android devices, but there are multiple parts to this. I see more often than not that a device that supports VoLTE in general just doesn't have the proper configuration for AT&T's VoLTE (read: the IMS profile isn't set up), not to mention the modem configuration doesn't support it. AT&T may have a whitelist for "advanced services" on their network that devices must be on to access them, but there are work-arounds (like you mention, SIM swap from a branded device to non-branded, for example). However, based on what folks in this thread state, that doesn't seem to be required.

2). HD Voice ≠ VoLTE. On AT&T's network (as well as Verizon's), VoLTE is required for HD Voice to be available, but just because a call isn't utilizing "HD Voice" doesn't mean it's not utilizing VoLTE. It's to be noted that AT&T refer to VoLTE as "HD Voice" as to minimize consumer confusion (similar to how Verizon has Advanced Calling 1.0, which is effectively the same thing). When a phone is provisioned for "HD Voice" on AT&T's network, calls complete over the LTE (packet-switched) network instead of the legacy UMTS (circuit-switched) network regardless of who's being called. I can call a landline/business/non-interconnected carrier phone number, and the call will always complete over LTE, but the real HD Voice does only work if the recipient is on an interconnected network. Currently, Verizon and AT&T share HD voice calls for those who meet the networks requirements (proper SIM card, account and SIM provisioned for VoLTE, supported device).

 

[bsg411]

Except now apparently in the case of the Pixel 2 XL. Pre-ordered mine from Google Store Oct. 4th.

They provisioned mine just the other day, and it works fine.
Several others have also reported success doing it as well.

That's great news then....I have N6P and they wouldn't do it..... They should never have had that restriction anyway......ATT was the only carrier doing restrictions anyway...... All other carriers always let you bring your device and enjoy all the features the carrier had to offer. ATT should be ashamed of themselves!! Hopefully they are changing their policy.

---------- Post added at 02:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------

1). Common misconception is that AT&T "won't allow" VoLTE on unlocked/non-branded Android devices, but there are multiple parts to this. I see more often than not that a device that supports VoLTE in general just doesn't have the proper configuration for AT&T's VoLTE (read: the IMS profile isn't set up), not to mention the modem configuration doesn't support it. AT&T may have a whitelist for "advanced services" on their network that devices must be on to access them, but there are work-arounds (like you mention, SIM swap from a branded device to non-branded, for example). However, based on what folks in this thread state, that doesn't seem to be required.

2). HD Voice

 

[krolla03]

That's great news then....I have N6P and they wouldn't do it..... They should never have had that restriction anyway......ATT was the only carrier doing restrictions anyway...... All other carriers always let you bring your device and enjoy all the features the carrier had to offer. ATT should be ashamed of themselves!! Hopefully they are changing their policy.

---------- Post added at 02:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------

1). Common misconception is that AT&T "won't allow" VoLTE on unlocked/non-branded Android devices, but there are multiple parts to this. I see more often than not that a device that supports VoLTE in general just doesn't have the proper configuration for AT&T's VoLTE (read: the IMS profile isn't set up), not to mention the modem configuration doesn't support it. AT&T may have a whitelist for "advanced services" on their network that devices must be on to access them, but there are work-arounds (like you mention, SIM swap from a branded device to non-branded, for example). However, based on what folks in this thread state, that doesn't seem to be required.

2). HD Voice

Thats not true. Verizon also restricts feature for BYOP. Hell for awhile they wouldnt even activate unlocked phones even if they worked on the network. Like Nexus 7's before they sold the Nexus 7 I will agree AT&T is the worst though.

I just got off with the online chat. Even though im still on 8.0 they provisioned HD Voice and Enhanced Messaging on my P2XL. They said it activated successfully. He wanted to test it but i explained that it will only work once 8.1 drops or if i enroll in the 8.1 Beta as others on the Beta are reporting it working. He 100% understood what i was saying. Took about 10min total

 

[balleron24z]

Thats not true. Verizon also restricts feature for BYOP. Hell for awhile they wouldnt even activate unlocked phones even if they worked on the network. Like Nexus 7's before they sold the Nexus 7 I will agree AT&T is the worst though.

I just got off with the online chat. Even though im still on 8.0 they provisioned HD Voice and Enhanced Messaging on my P2XL. They said it activated successfully. He wanted to test it but i explained that it will only work once 8.1 drops or if i enroll in the 8.1 Beta as others on the Beta are reporting it working. He 100% understood what i was saying. Took about 10min total

Precisely, Verizon is also pretty bad about BYOP. However, they've got a different thing going on. You can't even activate a non-Verizon device with a new line unless the IMEI is in their database, otherwise, you need a branded device to do it (or an iPhone). Verizon does allow BYOP though, and as long as the phone has been certified for their network, then there should be no issue with usability. Advanced Calling 1.0/VoLTE is available on the vast majority of phones that have been certified with their network (read: the manufacturers ensured that the phone is configured to utilize VZW's network properly).

AT&T and Verizon both have their "neat" little quirks, so take your pick.

That sounds awesome by the way, hopefully 8.1 will drop soon so you don't have to wait. You could enroll in the beta honestly, unless you're just worried about stability, but I'd say once the full thing comes out, you'll be in great shape. Who knows, Google may even figure out WiFi Calling for AT&T before the full thing drops, they got VoLTE in this first DP!

 

[pcloadletter1]

I am assuming this will not work for prepaid ATT Gophone or Cricket. Cricket has HD voice for their branded devices, but will not add the Pixel 2XL when I called. The toggle is not the under settings.

 

[balleron24z]

I am assuming this will not work for prepaid ATT Gophone or Cricket. Cricket has HD voice for their branded devices, but will not add the Pixel 2XL when I called. The toggle is not the under settings.

AT&T Prepaid doesn't have VoLTE nor WiFi Calling, and Cricket does have VoLTE and very sparse WiFi Calling availability (due to the low number of handsets that are configured to support it). In your case, make sure you're on the Android 8.1 DP1/DP2 beta, as that's the only OS that has it on Pixel 2/2XL. 8.0 doesn't have the toggle at all. Also, you should be able to access VoLTE providing you know it's been provisioned/working on a line with Cricket using one of their handsets.

 

[SquireSCA]

What's weird is that I was able to easily get HD Calling and tethering enabled on my P2XL, simply by calling ATT and having them add my IMEI and provisioning it.

However, she said that on her end, Wifi Calling was also enabled, but I don't see a setting for Wifi Calling anywhere on my phone's menus... I have the latest 8.1 installed.

Where do I find these settings?

 

[uicnren]

What's weird is that I was able to easily get HD Calling and tethering enabled on my P2XL, simply by calling ATT and having them add my IMEI and provisioning it.

However, she said that on her end, Wifi Calling was also enabled, but I don't see a setting for Wifi Calling anywhere on my phone's menus... I have the latest 8.1 installed.

Where do I find these settings?

just because it is provisioned, doesnt mean the phone is capable.

wi-fi calling isnt available for the pixel 2/xl on at&t, yet, if it ever will be.

 

[balleron24z]

just because it is provisioned, doesnt mean the phone is capable.

wi-fi calling isnt available for the pixel 2/xl on at&t, yet, if it ever will be.

Exactly. Both the OG Pixel and Pixel 2 (and their XL variants) support WiFi Calling, but because the IMS stack doesn't have a profile for AT&T's WiFi Calling, that's why it's not going to work. This is why the Pixel 2 and 2 XL don't support VoLTE on 8.0, but do on 8.1, because the device was updated with the proper configuration. I'd assume Google submitted the Pixel 2/2XL for certification on AT&T's network, and they certified them (and the IMEIs) so that in AT&T's system, they're "whitelisted" for VoLTE. WiFi Calling would most likely require the same certification, as well as device-side support.

I'm like you, I don't know if we'll see WiFi Calling on the Pixel 2 series using AT&T as a carrier, but it is possible.

 

[gettingerr]

Looks like VoLTE options have come with the November 8.0 update!

 

[uicnren]

Looks like VoLTE options have come with the November 8.0 update!

Not on AT&T it doesn't.

 

[apristel]

Does anyone know if VoLTR is available with Straight Talk (AT&T SIM)?

 

[bsg411]

Well I just got my P2XL on ATT and I call to have the HD voice provisioned and it works. Both VoLTE and HD voice work. All call can use VoLTE but I can a friend of mine who has an iPhone on Verizon and noticed the HD symbol on the call. The call was louder and almost too clear. It kept picking up weird sounds...not background noise but some other sounds...but it was very clear though. Only had the one HD call though so far.