[Guide] Wi-Fi Calling Substitute! - Nexus 4 General
Updated! Now works on 4.2! Updated!
Hi All-- I really miss Tmobile wifi calling, and I have finally put together a system which works for me...so I thought I would share it if anyone is interested.
It works about as well as Wifi Calling did on my Tmobile Gs2.
I have found this to have two main benefits over the Groove IP method put together by codesplice here: (note: all credit goes to codesplice--he did the heavy lifting on this..I just modified his approach)
1) the call quality is a LOT better. a LOT LOT LOT better. Groove IP sucks.
2) with this method, calls will still ring through to your gmail (assuming you have it set up that way in google voice)
Download these apps to your phone:
CSIPSimple
Google Voice
Google Voice Callback (donate) (you can get it from the amazon appstore...not on the play store anymore for some reason)
Tasker (you need the newest beta, available here http://tasker.dinglisch.net/beta.html )
Secure settings
Download this file, unzip it, and put the files on your phone's SD card (tasker profiles):
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4nxPgKYHIDjbVN1b3IzNC0wd1E/edit?usp=sharing
Instructions:
1) Go to Callcentric.com and sign up for a free account. Write down your SIP number that it gives you (it will start with 1777)
2) also in callcentric, sign up for a free phone number. If you say that you live in the us, you have to pay for 911 access....
3) Open CSIPSimple on your phone. It will pop up with some questions about when you want it to work. I have mine set to ONLY be in use when I am connected to a wifi network. Then add an account. It will have an option for callcentric. Do that and sign in with your callcentric account (username is the 1777 number again).
4) Go to voice.google.com on your computer, go to the settings page, and add the new phone number that you got from callcentric (the phone number, not the 1777 number). It will call you to confirm the number...it should ring through to your phone! (note: under your regular cell number, choose 'edit>advanced>make sure that "Ring my other phones before going to voicemail " is checked)
--You have now set it up for incoming calls. If that's all you care about, you are done! Any call made to your google voice number will ring through to your phone via wifi calling.--
Now we're going to set it up to make outgoing calls
5) Open Google Voice Callback. Sign in with your account. In the settings, choose your new callcentric phone number as the callback number. That's it! you're set! now when you initiate an outgoing call, it will ring back to you, and you are good to go for free wifi calling!
--If you don't care about automating it, you can stop now.--
We're now going to set it up so that it works like WIFI calling, meaning that it a) turns on when connected to a good wifi network, b) turns off your cell radio when connected so you're not wasting battery, and c) it turns off automatically when you are not connected to wifi. We will do this with the miracle of tasker.
6) Make SURE you are on the latest beta of tasker. It is required for this to work!
You can find the newest beta here: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/beta.html
DL this zip file that I put together with my tasker profiles, unzip the files and put them on your SD card. Open up tasker and long-press on the 'profiles' tab. Choose import, and then import them.
Ze hu! You're done! Please let me know if it works--and I'm happy to try to help if it doesn't.
If it works for you, please click 'thanks'!
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Note--the tasker profiles were put together originally by codesplice, and all credit for them goes to him, not me. You can find his thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1646755
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The advantage of CSIPSimple over the native SIP client in JB is that CSIPSimple can be set to only operate when connected to wifi.
I hope this is useful for everyone--works great for me!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Just to clarify your method works only if someone dials the google voice number?
I mean that's fine, but I think a majority of folks are looking for T-mobile Wifi calling that ties in with their regular phone number and plan feature.
Re: [Guide] Wi-Fi Calling!
Your thread title is very misleading. Change it.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
edit.. nevermind
I agree, the title should be called Voice Over IP. T-Mobile WiFi Calling is actually their product name.
But the guide is great! I use Google Voice too, but for my Sprint number because it is free full integration. But that's not really possible with T-Mobile, and its not free either. I just need a fix for my T-Mobile Nexus 4 so I can get service everywhere lol.
Re: [Guide] Wi-Fi Calling!
Op,
Welcome to n4 world. I saw your same post in nexus7 forum.
Your method may work well for n7 but not for n4 because of battery drain issue. Using this method over 3g, n4 will not last 12 hours. Its because callcentric doesn't support TCP.
IMO, this is only good for WiFi as the title suggests. But I agree that the title is misleading. When i first saw it, i thought you cracked tmo WiFi calling. OTOH, there are tons of threads on free WiFi calls.
There is another side effect for your outgoing calls. The callback method is equivalent to initiating a call from gv web app. Gv calls both parties. I have found that this adds close to .4 sec lag one way. Do an echo test at 909-390-0003. You will hear your voice after 1 second.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Issue with WiFi Calling Method
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the major issue I see with this method is that it requires an active cellular connection for an outgoing call. For me (and I'm sure may others) the need is to be able to send and receive calls with no cellular coverage. Personally, with a lab/office in the basement of a building, having any coverage is not feasible, regardless of carrier.
Is there any workaround/alternate plan that would solve this issue?
Edit: At first, it was saying I needed to disable airplane mode, but once I reconfigured the CSIP and the callback app, it worked even on airplane mode. I guess the GV Callback (now called Voice+ in the Play Store) intercepts the call and initiates the callback via WiFi.
Thanks for the guide. This will work as a workaround until TMO Wifi Calling gets ported to the N4.
I use talkatone, really good sound quality
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app
I use Skype, $3 per month for unlimited US and Canada calls. For outbound calls and text you can use your own phone number. For inbound you can not, but you can probably set up some kind of redirection. I never gave it a thought, because I never needed it
So no one has an alternative to WIFI calling?
By this I mean, being able to recieve calls from anyone with my phone number just like TMo Wifi calling when I don't have any mobile signals?
edo101 said:
So no one has an alternative to WIFI calling?
By this I mean, being able to recieve calls from anyone with my phone number just like TMo Wifi calling when I don't have any mobile signals?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I setup call forwarding when not reachable (**62*PhoneNumber#) to my google voice/hangouts number. I don't have too many opportunities to test this, but it seems to work.
voland66 said:
I setup call forwarding when not reachable (**62*PhoneNumber#) to my google voice/hangouts number. I don't have too many opportunities to test this, but it seems to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how does that work? It calls your phone number and when it seems you have no signla and therefore cannot be reached, it dials your google voice number when then dials your phone? Have you checked to see if it works when you have no tmobile signal?
I tested this in a couple of ways. First, I switched to airplane mode and turned wifi back on. I had someone make a phone call to my t-mobile number. It came through on hangouts, the quality was great etc. I think the calling party did not see a delay in the call being answered. Of course, I knew that the call was coming so I answered quickly; but I think t-mobile system saw that the phone is not registed with any tower and forwarded the call to google voice right away. I repeated this test at least a couple of times.
The second test was a "real" one, in a building which does not have t-mobile signal. This test was only a partial one because I was in a meeting, so I could not answer. But the phone rang (vibrated actually) and the calling party got a google voice answering machine.
I also had a couple more accidental, partial tests. There is a stretch of the road near my house where the phone switches between two towers, neither tower has a good signal and calls are dropped when I drive/walk through there. So I recently received two calls in that area. The calls came on hangouts; there was no sound when I answered but at least I got the call and caller's name. I think the following happened: when the initial call came the phone was in the dead zone and the call was forwarded to google voice. By the time it came through on hangouts, the connection was restored but was not fast enough for voip call. Now that I think about it, I got another accidental test at home -- while I have a good signal at home, on some rare occasions my phone does not ring; so recently a call came through hangouts while I was at home and everything worked fine.
I should mention that when I started doing this, I was under impression that the forwarding setting occasionally resets to default (no-forwarding) on its own. But now it looks like the setting stuck permanently and I don't need to check/reset it anymore.
Yes, use Google voice/google hangouts dialer.
Make and receive calls from google hangouts.
You can setup a google voice number for free as well. you can use it to receive calla directly and/or to call from.
https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/6079055?hl=en
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Free mobile app
Related
[Q] Is there an app that switches how you receive calls...
based on what network you're on? I.e. When I'm at home, I want my Google Voice # to forward to my Skype # since I don't get any cell reception at home. But, when I'm away from home, I don't want Google Voice to forward to Skype since it only works on Wifi. What I'd like is an app that as soon as I get attached to a certain network's SSID (i.e. HOME NETWORK) it automatically forwards calls to Skype so I can actually get the call. Or even as soon as my phone is on a wifi connection...Skype becomes active. Basically, people are calling me on my Google Voice # when I'm at home and my phone doesn't even ring...
I haven't tried it out, but that sounds exactly like what Tasker is for: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/
Set Google Voice number based on Wifi connection?
Is there any way to use Tasker or some other setting/app to have my Google Voice ring a different number depending on if I'm connected to Wifi or not? Here's why: I have a pretty low minutes limit on my plan, but I also have an unlimited Skype account, so I can have GV forward into my Skype number if I have a wifi connection, so I don't get charged cell minutes. But if I'm not somewhere where I have a wifi connection, I want it to ring my actual cell number. I've seen the Google Voice plugin for Locale/Tasker, but it chooses based on location, as does the Google Voice Locations app. I'd prefer to use any location, but change the number when I'm connected to Wifi. Thanks!
Maybe I don't understand how Tasker plugins work, but if there is a Google Voice plugin for Tasker, that should be all you need. You are not forced to trigger it based on location, make a Tasker profile based on wifi connectivity instead.
Good call. I tried it, and it works when using wifi connected as the state that Tasker checks. Unfortunately, I realized that will be kinda useless if I don't have cell data as well, because when the wifi disconnects, there's no way for the phone to connect to Google Voice settings to change the phone number. For me the whole point is to get my phone to work in some places I frequently go that don't have cell reception... I did manage to get it to work using Tasker custom widgets, so I can set it manually, but I don't see any way to get it to work automatically unless I have 3G data, which I don't in the locations I mentioned. So I have single touch access to changing the settings, but not automatic based on location.
Yeah, if you don't have a connection you can't really change the setting. Sounds like you need a Tasker state that can predict the future. "Will lose wifi in 5 minutes" But seriously, I can't think of a way to get around that problem easily. If you always had a computer online at home or something, you could have Tasker send it a signal every 5 minutes. If your home computer notices the signal is late it can run a script to switch you to your cell number, because it will know you have lost your data connection and couldn't send the regular notice. When you get connection again, either your computer can switch it back (when it receives the 5 minute signal again), or have Tasker do it because it can talk to Voice again.
Yeah, that might be an option, actually... Hmm. Time to brush up on some scripting skills. Any recommendations? Thanks for the input, in any case!
Well, personally, I would set up a web server and script it with PHP, because I know that well. No clue how to go about hooking it into Google Voice to change the settings, you'd have to look it up, but I do know Tasker can send a call to a web page. I would make it in two parts, or two scripts. So set up a PHP page where you would send a signal to and it would then set a 'latest signal' variable, possible in a DB but you would probably want something simpler. You would want to pass in some POST or GET variable unique to your phone, so other people don't access the page and pretend to be the phone, unlikely, but possible if you tell your friends about it Then I'd have a separate CRON task that runs every 5 minutes, checks the DB or file to see if the phone has sent in a new update, if it doesn't see a new update it then does whatever it needs to do to change your Voice setting. Then to switch back to Skype, you can have Tasker do it when it detects a data connection again, or just depend on your home script to switch you back when the next signal goes out.
Doesn't gv forward calls to your numbers in the order you want them to ring? If everyone called gv you can make gv forward to skype first and if you don't pick up there it rings your cell right? I'm not home in the states so I can't test it :/ Actually they all ring at once. So you can switch to skype and pick up there.
If it does, I haven't figured it out yet. I'm new to GV, but so far I've found that I can set which numbers ring simultaneously, or set them based on either time of day, or contact groups. If I could have it ring Skype for 2 rings first, then my cell, that would be perfect, but I haven't found that setting yet.
Bringing this thread back to life for a followup question. Before I shell out the money for Tasker, will it enable me to alter GV settings based on WHICH wifi network I am connected to? I.E. set GV to ring home and cell when connected to my home network, office and cell when connected to my office network, and cell only for all other times? Given it's been a couple of years since this post, is there a better way/software to do this without the expense of Tasker? Thanks! Ben
App Recomendation to receive call via WiFi
Would like to know if there was an app for Nexus S which would allow me to receive calls for my own number over wifi connection. I work in 2nd level basement and no way of getting signal in here. Thanks
hmm... how about SKYPE?! (everyone knows about it, it's the standard) then people can call your skype number and you can answer via WiFi or also Google VOICE installed by default just need to setup your Google Voice account
Thank you for your reply Allgamer. I tried Google Voice but they do not give any accounts anymore + I am in canada and don't think Google Voice works in canada. For Sykpe I want to use my own phone number which came with the cell phone instead of a skype or other number.!
Wifi calling from Droid Maxx
I am going to be traveling this weekend. I guess I'll be paying $14 for an in flight wifi pass from gogo. I guess I could use grooveip and Google voice to make and receive calls but it's never been fully reliable. Anyone out there have a suggestion? I tried using Skype for video calling and that didn't work. Thanks! Sent from my XT1080m using xda-developers app. EDIT: After doing some research I am finding mixed answers. It seems like half the people say when using gogo vpn, voip is blocked as a courtesy measure to other passengers....but google voice texting still works. And the other half say they have quietly been able to make a few phone calls with no issue. Interesting.
If you're somewhat technically savvy you could try and setup a VPN connection and VoIP (use a generic SIP provider) over that. If you had a working VPN (gogo is unlikely to block those, as they'd kill off their core business - business travelers), you could use a VoIP app no matter where it was blocked as all traffic would be encrypted and tunneled and not visible to the provider (gogo in this case). I VPN back to home if I'm using SIP apps anyway because I'm too lazy to set up encrypted connections and I once had someone steal my credentials when roaming with a SIP app in Europe a couple of years ago. I'd recommend avoiding things like skype. They're not well optimized for the quality of connection you'd get via gogo. I'd recommend something like csipsimple with a cheap/free/per-minute SIP provider. The downside is the g729 codec - which is what you'd want in this case as it carries "toll quality" voice at 8 kilobits/sec - costs $9 to license due to patent issues. jfriend33 said: I am going to be traveling this weekend. I guess I'll be paying $14 for an in flight wifi pass from gogo. I guess I could use grooveip and Google voice to make and receive calls but it's never been fully reliable. Anyone out there have a suggestion? I tried using Skype for video calling and that didn't work. Thanks! Sent from my XT1080m using xda-developers app. EDIT: After doing some research I am finding mixed answers. It seems like half the people say when using gogo vpn, voip is blocked as a courtesy measure to other passengers....but google voice texting still works. And the other half say they have quietly been able to make a few phone calls with no issue. Interesting. Click to expand... Click to collapse
Nexus 5 - Internet Calling Experience/SIP Thread
So here’s a thread that focuses on the Internet Calling features of the device. I hope people will use this to share their experiences and give this feature more exposure! So how is it working for you? I used Internet Calling with the Galaxy Nexus and now do this on the N5. The apartment where I lived—and, unfortunately, now my home—has poor cell reception and since T-Mobile doesn’t make it easy to support Wi-Fi Calling on these devices, I’ve resorted to the native Internet Calling/SIP support in Android. That said, some observations I’ve noticed since switching phones: Overall audio quality appears to be better on the 5—audio is clearer and there appears to be less audio drops Like the Galaxy Nexus, Internet Calling does not appear to support echo cancellation and I find the experience worse with the N5, particularly for those on the far side of my calls. I can help mitigate this by lowering the volume of the phone, but this is a balance between my ability to hear them and their ability to hear an echo. Calls over LTE appear to be great—almost as good as the high-speed Comcast Wi-Fi I have at home. However, I was unable to make or receive calls successfully over T-Mobile’s LTE when the APN protocol was IPv6, which is the default—and changing this to IPv4 resolved the issue. I am also aware of CSipSimple, and am currently piloting it on the legacy Galaxy Nexus, but, at this time, I want to give the native client a chance. Cheers.
Reserved for possible future use
I also use CSipSimple for my work extension when I am not in the office to mask my cell phone. Has been working great! Sometimes I think the sound quality is better than cellular. Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
help I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to using sip for internet calls. Could you guys help me get set up using the native client? Would I be able to make calls to anyone over WiFi or LTE? Thanks in advance.
I tried it on Nexus S and then Nexus 4, battery life sucked with incoming calls enabled, so I've given up on SIP for now :-/ Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
attila123456 said: I tried it on Nexus S and then Nexus 4, battery life sucked with incoming calls enabled, so I've given up on SIP for now :-/ Click to expand... Click to collapse I had the same issue with my Galaxy Nexus, but the Nexus 5 handles this far better.
Optimusim said: I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to using sip for internet calls. Could you guys help me get set up using the native client? Would I be able to make calls to anyone over WiFi or LTE? Thanks in advance. Click to expand... Click to collapse First thing to do is get a Google Voice #. Then, download Groove IP.
booda3000 said: First thing to do is get a Google Voice #. Then, download Groove IP. Click to expand... Click to collapse this is what im using. should be ok until google adds voice calls into hangouts
booda3000 said: First thing to do is get a Google Voice #. Then, download Groove IP. Click to expand... Click to collapse This is not actually using the Internet Calling feature of the phone or SIP. My first exposure to this was with the Galaxy Nexus and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1583120&highlight=sip&page=12 is a great thread with relevant information.
Optimusim said: I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to using sip for internet calls. Could you guys help me get set up using the native client? Would I be able to make calls to anyone over WiFi or LTE? Thanks in advance. Click to expand... Click to collapse Yes. My first exposure to this was with the Galaxy Nexus and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1583120&highlight=sip&page=12 is a great thread with relevant information.
Those of you using CSipSimple or the native dialer, I can't get the echo to be reasonable. Even when turning the volume down, it still persists. This issue is well documented on google code for both csipsimple and android.. https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=41626 How are you guys getting around this?
So would this solution work if, say, I was in a bad T-Mo cell area but wifi was available? i.e. I could make calls over wifi, the way that T-Mo intended, except not with a Nexus? Also, isn't GrooveIP about to be discontinued? is Talkatone a reliable alternative? I downloaded it the other day but haven't had a chance to mess around with it yet...
ldubs said: So would this solution work if, say, I was in a bad T-Mo cell area but wifi was available? i.e. I could make calls over wifi, the way that T-Mo intended, except not with a Nexus? Also, isn't GrooveIP about to be discontinued? is Talkatone a reliable alternative? I downloaded it the other day but haven't had a chance to mess around with it yet... Click to expand... Click to collapse If you are looking for an SIP provider, there are many. I use callcentric and am pretty happy with them. Just put in your member # and pw on the native dialer and it registers right away. If you pony up a couple of bucks for a number, you can use it as one of your Google Voice numbers. They will even let you mask the number match your Google Voice number so it looks like you are calling from GV. To answer your question, you can call on any data connection. I even get good clear calls even on edge. FYI, if you do set it up with GV, make sure you are not calling through the GV app, it doesn't play nice with the SIP function.
Has anyone used text plus for voip? I've been using it and it has great voice over mobile data. Only bad part is some wifi networks don't respond well to it. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
ldubs said: So would this solution work if, say, I was in a bad T-Mo cell area but wifi was available? Click to expand... Click to collapse Yes, but the Wi-Fi and its Internet connection has to be of high quality as well (for example, this might not work well at a Starbucks).
Is there anyway to use my existing cell # over VoIP? I have no signal at work but good WiFi.
BinkXDA said: Yes, but the Wi-Fi and its Internet connection has to be of high quality as well (for example, this might not work well at a Starbucks). Click to expand... Click to collapse Can anyone create a step-by-step for this? I wouldn't want to use VoIP unless I'm in a crappy cell area with good wifi, i.e. most of the time I would not use this process. TIA
FuMMoD said: Has anyone used text plus for voip? I've been using it and it has great voice over mobile data. Only bad part is some wifi networks don't respond well to it. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Click to expand... Click to collapse i've used it to call both a land line and a cell. i haven't had any issues with it, i use it over wifi be careful with wakelocks now. textplus now uses location if it can and will keep your phone 'awake' even when you minimize hte app and turn the screen off
Enddo said: i've used it to call both a land line and a cell. i haven't had any issues with it, i use it over wifi be careful with wakelocks now. textplus now uses location if it can and will keep your phone 'awake' even when you minimize hte app and turn the screen off Click to expand... Click to collapse If you use app ops and disable location reporting it will remove the wake lock. That's what i did to all programs requesting location reporting and location history. They eat up a crazy amount of battery trying to get your location.
FuMMoD said: If you use app ops and disable location reporting it will remove the wake lock. That's what i did to all programs requesting location reporting and location history. They eat up a crazy amount of battery trying to get your location. Click to expand... Click to collapse they sure do. i have location reporting and location history turned off, with battery saver location mode on. it was just something i noticed after i left the app open(because people like to call others crazy around here for force closing apps). force closing the app helped though