Database Develop

Nexus 5 T-Mobile $30 Prepaid Plan with Hangouts & Google Voice

IF YOU EVER WORRY ABOUT USING UP YOUR 100 MINUTES AND DON'T WANT TO SET UP A SIP ACCOUNT, KEEP READING.
***THIS APPLIES IF YOU HAVE A GOOGLE VOICE NUMBER THAT YOU CONSIDER YOUR PRIMARY NUMBER***
So I know everybody and his/her mothers already knows about the beauty of Tmo's $30 prepaid plan, which comes with 5 GB of LTE data (2G after that), 100 minutes, and unlimited text. I just wanted to add a tip that I thought might come in handy.
My personal situation is the following:
--->Tmo subscriber with Nexus 5 and two phone numbers: Google Voice and Tmo. (I have LTE coverage virtually everywhere I live. No hit or miss.)
--->Ported my old Sprint number over to Google Voice. This is the only number I give out. I don't mind not having full MMS functionality just yet (I can receive MMS from other Tmo subscribers). My Tmo number is just linked to my Google Voice account.
--->I have Hangouts and Google Voice apps/extensions installed everywhere and anywhere: Nexus 10, Nexus 5, laptop, work PC, etc.
--->I have a yearly subscription with Skype ($30/yr) that I use to make calls over LTE. I like the integration with my phone, especially when I use Google to make calls with the "OK Google" detection. The Skype Dialer always comes up as an option, and I'm allowed to decide whether to make calls over Skype or via the phone. (This allows me to show either my Google Voice number or Tmo number).
So my personal setup usually involved answering the calls over Hangouts via my PC, since I always had access to the internet via WiFi or LAN.
But now with the Hangouts and Google Voice integration, I let Hangouts ring whenever people dial my Google Voice number, and I set Google Voice to not ring my personal Tmo number anymore. Whereas I used to debate about whether or not to set up a SIP account, now I don't need one. Hangouts will automatically ring my phone whenever people call my Google Voice number, and whenever I answer the calls, they are automatically answered over LTE. No more worrying about using up my 100 minutes.
This, of course, depends on the user having guaranteed LTE, HSPA+, or even decent 3G everywhere.
With regards to the Skype subscription, I may or may not get rid of it. I like being able to dial using my voice, and the Hangouts Dialer currently doesn't appear as an option for making calls whenever I issue the voice command.
Hope somebody found this useful. Comments welcome.

Been doing something similar since Google updated Hangouts—particularly since my home office is in the basement and I get poor T-Mobile (same prepaid plan) coverage there. Go Google!

BinkXDA said:
Been doing something similar since Google updated Hangouts—particularly since my home office is in the basement and I get poor T-Mobile (same prepaid plan) coverage there. Go Google!
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Sounds like a plan! I just hope that the devs can hammer out a few of the minor issues with Hangouts, specifically the lag. All in good time though. Happy to have what I got so far!

I also disabled forwarding to my sip did and tm #. Hangouts/GV is doing just fine on its own.

Does someone knows if the Google Voice app now can be uninstalled? Will I be able to make and receive calls with my Google voice number from the Hangouts without G.Voice app?

denis_y_s said:
Does someone knows if the Google Voice app now can be uninstalled?
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You shouldn't uninstall the voice app as it's still needed for other apps trying to use a dialer.

jnbanda said:
I just hope that the devs can hammer out a few of the minor issues with Hangouts, specifically the lag.
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Outside of call setup, I have no lag! That said, Hangouts does seem to use FAR more of the battery for calls compared to the built-in Internet calling.

denis_y_s said:
Does someone knows if the Google Voice app now can be uninstalled? Will I be able to make and receive calls with my Google voice number from the Hangouts without G.Voice app?
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I guess it depends on how you want to make and receive calls.
I uninstalled the Google Voice app because it no longer receives my SMS messages. The messages automatically get forwarded to Hangouts.
Furthermore, I don't make calls using the stock dialer app, so I don't have a need to make calls from my phone via Google Voice. (I don't need Google Voice to generate an automatic number for the person I wish to call anymore. This issue led me to saving two numbers for every contact: one labeled as their "true carrier" number, and one labeled as the Google Voice assigned number that I would see on my phone.)
If you still intend to make calls using the stock dialer, I'd say leave Google Voice installed. If you don't plan on making calls through the stock dialer anymore, but instead wish to make and receive calls via Hangouts only, then it should be OK to uninstall.
***NOTE: Be sure to check the two boxes in the Hangouts App settings labeled "Incoming Phone Calls" and "Messages" under
Settings->"[email protected]". If you don't want your phone to ring twice for every call, you need to disable forwarding of calls to your carrier number through the Google Voice website settings, under the tab "Groups & Circles". Be aware that your phone WILL NOT RING THROUGH THE STOCK DIALER APP ANYMORE if you disable the call forwarding. It will ONLY RING THROUGH HANGOUTS, which requires an active internet connection.***

BinkXDA said:
Outside of call setup, I have no lag! That said, Hangouts does seem to use FAR more of the battery for calls compared to the built-in Internet calling.
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Hmmm.. Interesting. The only lag I see is in the amount of time it takes to launch the app and allow me to open up/tap a conversation. At first I had a few crashes when I would try to open up a convo pretty fast, like immediate tapping on the screen as soon as Hangouts launched. The crash issue seems to be resolved with the update. Perhaps it is an issue with my personal setup. I'm running rooted/stock/Franco kernel/Dalvik.

Still uses minutes
I have been making calls through the hangout dialer and have confirmed that the call is going out as my Google Voice number. The problem is that it still uses minutes. I just got off the chat with a rep at T-Mobile and she confirmed that on the $30 T-Mobile plan VOIP and wifi calling still use minutes.
Is there any way around this?

seagood3 said:
I have been making calls through the hangout dialer and have confirmed that the call is going out as my Google Voice number. The problem is that it still uses minutes. I just got off the chat with a rep at T-Mobile and she confirmed that on the $30 T-Mobile plan VOIP and wifi calling still use minutes.
Is there any way around this?
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Click to collapse
I have the same plan. Hangouts does not use your plan minutes—just data. That said, T-Mobile does have a special Wi-Fi Calling option, which does use minutes, but it’s not available on the N5, at least not at this time.

BinkXDA said:
I have the same plan. Hangouts does not use your plan minutes—just data. That said, T-Mobile does have a special Wi-Fi Calling option, which does use minutes, but it’s not available on the N5, at least not at this time.
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Are you rooted or something? I have a moto x and running 4.4.4. I just put $10 dollars into my account yesterday and have using google hangout dialer exclusively and now am down to $3. I had a chat with T-Mobile just now and the rep confirmed that it does use minutes. What am I missing here? The rep even credited me $7 for the confusion that I thought it would use data not minutes. She said that on the post pay plans it does not use minutes.

seagood3 said:
Are you rooted or something? I have a moto x and running 4.4.4. I just put $10 dollars into my account yesterday and have using google hangout dialer exclusively and now am down to $3. I had a chat with T-Mobile just now and the rep confirmed that it does use minutes. What am I missing here? The rep even credited me $7 for the confusion that I thought it would use data not minutes. She said that on the post pay plans it does not use minutes.
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Nope. Not sure what’s going on—unless somehow your T-Mobile number is involved. Hangouts simply uses data so I’m uncertain why your minutes are being decremented.

BinkXDA said:
Nope. Not sure what’s going on—unless somehow your T-Mobile number is involved. Hangouts simply uses data so I’m uncertain why your minutes are being decremented.
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I even tried putting it in airplane mode and turning wifi on and it wouldn't connect. Can you do that and it works?

seagood3 said:
I even tried putting it in airplane mode and turning wifi on and it wouldn't connect. Can you do that and it works?
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Weird. I don’t have cell service in my basement, but do have Wi-Fi there, and I have zero issues making calls from Hangouts.

Is there a way to purchase this plan before going to the US? I'm planning a trip and will need this as soon as I arrive.
Thanks in advance!
ps: I already have a gv #, everytime I travel to the us I have to go to a mall, explain that I need a short term plan, get the sim chip, wait for it to work, call t-mobile complaining that I've run out too quickly... lol

seagood3 said:
I have been making calls through the hangout dialer and have confirmed that the call is going out as my Google Voice number. The problem is that it still uses minutes. I just got off the chat with a rep at T-Mobile and she confirmed that on the $30 T-Mobile plan VOIP and wifi calling still use minutes.
Is there any way around this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way this would be happening is if you're not really using the hangouts dialer, but using the Google voice app which integrates with the regular dialer on the phone. In that case it will use minutes, because you're using the regular dialer (ie minutes) where calls are being routed through to Google voice.... not the same as using the hangouts dialer directly.

seagood3 said:
I have been making calls through the hangout dialer and have confirmed that the call is going out as my Google Voice number. The problem is that it still uses minutes. I just got off the chat with a rep at T-Mobile and she confirmed that on the $30 T-Mobile plan VOIP and wifi calling still use minutes.
Is there any way around this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use Hangouts to dial phone numbers, it should not use your minutes. I had this $30 T-Mo plan for a while now and been using it with the 5GB just fine.
One way to check is using the Android Phone Dialer app (NOT Hangout dialer) and dial...
1. Check for minutes: dial #646# (#MIN#) then hit the talk button
2. Check for data usage: dial #932# (#WEB#)
You should see your data usage going up and talk minutes should remain low.

I would make sure hangouts and voice are updated and that you have hangouts dialer installed. Make sure that under settings in hangouts is showing your gvoice number and if you open voice that it let's you know that hangouts had taken over. Use the dialer to make a call that will be easy for you to see the caller ID. Your gvoice number should show up.

i dont have GV....
i do have Tmo $30... i love i can call everyone now over LTE since now calling my parents once wont kill my 100 minutes....BUT, people i call see "UNKNOWN" on their caller ID when i called via Hangouts... thats the only thing that sucks for me because most of people wont answer those types of calls, i have to text them before calling saying to expect it.
wish there was a way to set a ANI number on hangouts to show my number

[Q] Moto X 2014 VZW no data during call

I had the original Moto X and just got the new Moto X 2014 on Tuesday. When i'm in the middle of a phone call i get a message saying data is unavailable. During the time of the call I'm on LTE and i never had this issue with the original Moto X. Why is it different with the new Moto X. does anyone know if there is a fix?

eugene8025 said:
I had the original Moto X and just got the new Moto X 2014 on Tuesday. When i'm in the middle of a phone call i get a message saying data is unavailable. During the time of the call I'm on LTE and i never had this issue with the original Moto X. Why is it different with the new Moto X. does anyone know if there is a fix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Data + Voice will not be available until Verizon releases Advanced Calling 1.0 apk. Will have to use VoLTE. See article here > http://phandroid.com/2014/09/20/verizon-moto-x-launch-without-simultaneous-voice-data/

cam30era said:
Data + Voice will not be available until Verizon releases Advanced Calling 1.0 apk. Will have to use VoLTE. See article here > http://phandroid.com/2014/09/20/verizon-moto-x-launch-without-simultaneous-voice-data/
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Click to collapse
ahh i see.. thanks for the info! much appreciated!

How will this technology work if one is driving (i.e. calling being routed through the VoIP LTE) and then geographically falls outside of an LTE zone?
I can see how this technology causes frustration. I work in Sales and am constantly holding calls via Bluetooth while driving.

Comp625 said:
How will this technology work if one is driving (i.e. calling being routed through the VoIP LTE) and then geographically falls outside of an LTE zone?
I can see how this technology causes frustration. I work in Sales and am constantly holding calls via Bluetooth while driving.
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My understanding is that your call will only be via VOLTE if you are doing voice+data. Under this circumstance, your voice call will be dropped when you are no longer within range of LTE.

cam30era said:
My understanding is that your call will only be via VOLTE if you are doing voice+data. Under this circumstance, your voice call will be dropped when you are no longer within range of LTE. On the other hand, if it is voice only (without data), it will hand off to 3G.
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Incorrect.
Straight out if verizons faq. If you enable volte (advanced calling 1.0) and place any call from a 4g area it will *always* drop if the phone moves to a 3g area.
A call placed in a 3g area will continue on 3g if you move into a LTE area (not drop).
The only way to avoid drop calls is not enable volte. in which case your new moto x will never have voice and data simultaneously.

Restola said:
Incorrect.
Straight out if verizons faq. If you enable volte (advanced calling 1.0) and place a call from a 4g area it will *always* drop if the phone moves to a 3g area.
A call placed in a 3g area will continue on 3g if you move into a LTE area (not drop).
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Thanks for setting the record straight.

cam30era said:
Thanks for setting the record straight.
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Sure thing. Verizon is not advertising that fact very well. Its frustrating because they don't have 100% LTE coverage. I will drop calls pulling into my driveway once volte is turned on...

Restola said:
Sure thing. Verizon is not advertising that fact very well. Its frustrating because they don't have 100% LTE coverage. I will drop calls pulling into my driveway once volte is turned on...
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Click to collapse
They can stick volte, right up their a$$, its complete garbage, only works between 2 volte phones, drops calls. Yet the went ahead and gimped this device in some kind of thoughtless preparation for the half baked volte plan. Thanks Verizon for ruining data during calls. Idiots!

neh4pres said:
They can stick volte, right up their a$$, its complete garbage, only works between 2 volte phones, drops calls. Yet the went ahead and gimped this device in some kind of thoughtless preparation for the half baked volte plan. Thanks Verizon for ruining data during calls. Idiots!
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Click to collapse
HD voice and instant video calls will only work between two volte devices. However all calls will be transmitted as data once you enable volte in your account and on your phone.

Another reason to never activate the steaming heap. Head to the country side, and data goes in and out swapping towers and landing in 1x at times. Yet in those areas regular voice services work fine. So it would be a huge downgrade for me and most people I know. Verizon is plain stupid for pulling the trigger on this. Thanks for the info, I know even better to steer clear now.

And they complained
during the switch from AMPS to CDMA, too.

So this is a very serious issue about the x2 Vzw phone?
Is this a deal breaker?

aviwdoowks said:
So this is a very serious issue about the x2 Vzw phone?
Is this a deal breaker?
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I've read that all new vzw phones will work like this. Curious to know if the note 4 has the two radios or will also rely on volte like the iPhone 6 and new Moto x do.

[Q] Wi-Fi Calling

Hi, I know most of you guys are aware that the Moto X doesn't support T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling natively. What are some workarounds you may have to use Wi-Fi calling? I need this feature since my service is abysmal at home. Are there any suggestions? My theory is using Hangouts Dialer, but there's not much of a hand off like native Wi-Fi calling for me.

Someone on Google+ asked this same question on the T-Mobile page and the answer was no, that there are no plans to get the moto X on Wi-Fi calling at this time, but to keep checking or some BS like that.
T-Mobile does offer a signal booster, not the Wi-Fi router for Wi-Fi calling, but a cellular booster. You might want to call and look into that.

For the mean time, there is free "wifi calling" service like Google voice now know as hangouts. There are others but that is the best one i can recommend to use for the mean time.

There's word that T-Mobile is working with Google to get wifi-calling on the nexus phone(s), but I wouldn't hold my breathe. You're best alternative is like the above poster suggested and use google voice for calling.

Voice-mail and Calling

So I just got my moto x2 pure version which is awesome. I went to the Att store and they figured out how to give me LTE but I realized when I make a call or receive, it automatically switches to H which I think means 3G. But right after I hang up it goes back to LTE. Also I can't seem to set up voice-mail. I called my voice-mail but it says to just keep putting my 10 digit number which it doesn't recognize. Anyone have these same issues? How'd you resolve them

For your first question, that's just how it works - the radio downgrades to HSPA during voice calls.

chrisrozon said:
For your first question, that's just how it works - the radio downgrades to HSPA during voice calls.
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Maknora said:
So I just got my moto x2 pure version which is awesome. I went to the Att store and they figured out how to give me LTE but I realized when I make a call or receive, it automatically switches to H which I think means 3G. But right after I hang up it goes back to LTE. Also I can't seem to set up voice-mail. I called my voice-mail but it says to just keep putting my 10 digit number which it doesn't recognize. Anyone have these same issues? How'd you resolve them
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Unless you're in a hdvoice lit up market right?
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk

dobbs3x said:
Unless you're in a hdvoice lit up market right?
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
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The phone's software also needs to be able to take advantage of VOLTE. As far as I know, the pure moto X does not have that ability.

Sprint User - advisable to get unlocked model?

I've been reading about all the Note 8's (Snapdragon) being the same hardware but different firmwares which can be flashed vice-versa. I'll assume the ESN/MEID of the unlocked models are in Sprint's database. (Still have nightmares trying to activate a Nexus 6P with Sprint)
I'm wondering if it is worth it to get the unlocked model and then flash/ODIN the Sprint firmware (for Wifi-Calling/Calling Plus, and VoLTE, etc).
Why go through this? If I can get the unlocked model cheaper than the Sprint branded version, is it worth it?

I'm on unlocked note 8 with sprint. Activation was simple. easy and no trouble. I do have wifi calling.

krazieboy said:
I'm on unlocked note 8 with sprint. Activation was simple. easy and no trouble. I do have wifi calling.
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Did you flash the Sprint firmware for WiFi calling or just the way it came out the box?

LordLugard said:
Did you flash the Sprint firmware for WiFi calling or just the way it came out the box?
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Click to collapse
As soon as the SIM activates, WiFi calling enables...as soon as LTE Calling is available, I bet we get it too...could be mistaken though...

LordLugard said:
Did you flash the Sprint firmware for WiFi calling or just the way it came out the box?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
out of the box.

krazieboy said:
I'm on unlocked note 8 with sprint. Activation was simple. easy and no trouble. I do have wifi calling.
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Click to collapse
How are you getting voicemail? Without the sprint visual voicemail app, do you have to dial into your own number or hold "1" in the dialer to check ur messages?

Bang321 said:
How are you getting voicemail? Without the sprint visual voicemail app, do you have to dial into your own number or hold "1" in the dialer to check ur messages?
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I used *73mygooglevoicenumber to forward no answer service to Google voice...I like the transcriptions

BlueFox721 said:
I used *73mygooglevoicenumber to forward no answer service to Google voice...I like the transcriptions
Click to expand...
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That works terrifically. Thanks!

BlueFox721 said:
I used *73mygooglevoicenumber to forward no answer service to Google voice...I like the transcriptions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*73 works but FYI it forwards calls after 23 seconds or if you hit END
*28 is what gvoice recommends which forwards on no answer or busy.
Almost the same thing but you get the busy signal forward as well as when it goes to voicemail with 28. 73 is more of a timeout or on reject.

centran said:
*73 works but FYI it forwards calls after 23 seconds or if you hit END
*28 is what gvoice recommends which forwards on no answer or busy.
Almost the same thing but you get the busy signal forward as well as when it goes to voicemail with 28. 73 is more of a timeout or on reject.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right on...I'll have to do that then...the website said *28 was no longer being used for no answer and th at *73 replaced it...I'll check it out anyways..

I use Google voice on my unlocked note 8. I get a text whenever i get a new voicemail

Ordered Unlocked on OCT 3rd for Sprint, coming with SIM card, so i assume once its activated that ill get the WIFI Calling, but whatabout HD voice and VOLTE?? Its already in BETA on my wifes S8, THanks

urirx98 said:
Ordered Unlocked on OCT 3rd for Sprint, coming with SIM card, so i assume once its activated that ill get the WIFI Calling, but whatabout HD voice and VOLTE?? Its already in BETA on my wifes S8, THanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely might need to flash Sprint firmware to get Sprint network specific features ...

urirx98 said:
Ordered Unlocked on OCT 3rd for Sprint, coming with SIM card, so i assume once its activated that ill get the WIFI Calling, but whatabout HD voice and VOLTE?? Its already in BETA on my wifes S8, THanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint WiFi calling already works on unlocked version...for VoIP we are waiting for update...Sprint will enable provisioning for your imei if you call them...mine is enabled awaiting the VoIP update when released...Verizon and AT&T are the only ones having issues with WiFi calling and VoLTE...Video calling is not even offered by Sprint
My unlocked on Sprint has:
Download Booster
WiFi Calling
Hotspot (shortcut master lite method)
HD voice (shortcut master lite enable enhanced lte)
VoIP (provisioned by Sprint but awaiting app (like Sprint's WFC for WiFi calling) to be installed in future update to work)
VVM by Google Voice (Sprint VVM needs root and build prop edit with required files pushed to system folders)
No Video Calling will be available because Sprint and Google agreed for Google duo....which is sometimes better anyways

Duo does work great, have tried with both my wife and father ( both have s8s) . I got email today that my Sprint SIM CARD was shipped but the phone is still on backorder, errrr. Hoping to get update in few days since when i bought it said would be shipped after the 15th.. FINGERS CROSSED!!!
Ps, did you have to do anything to the phone to get the wificalling or hotspot working?? I have hotspot on my sprint plan so i plan on using it for tablets for the kids., and deff want VOLTE when its ready
WG
BlueFox721 said:
Sprint WiFi calling already works on unlocked version...for VoIP we are waiting for update...Sprint will enable provisioning for your imei if you call them...mine is enabled awaiting the VoIP update when released...Verizon and AT&T are the only ones having issues with WiFi calling and VoLTE...Video calling is not even offered by Sprint
My unlocked on Sprint has:
Download Booster
WiFi Calling
Hotspot (shortcut master lite method)
HD voice (shortcut master lite enable enhanced lte)
VoIP (provisioned by Sprint but awaiting app (like Sprint's WFC for WiFi calling) to be installed in future update to work)
VVM by Google Voice (Sprint VVM needs root and build prop edit with required files pushed to system folders)
No Video Calling will be available because Sprint and Google agreed for Google duo....which is sometimes better anyways
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

urirx98 said:
Duo does work great, have tried with both my wife and father ( both have s8s) . I got email today that my Sprint SIM CARD was shipped but the phone is still on backorder, errrr. Hoping to get update in few days since when i bought it said would be shipped after the 15th.. FINGERS CROSSED!!!
Ps, did you have to do anything to the phone to get the wificalling or hotspot working?? I have hotspot on my sprint plan so i plan on using it for tablets for the kids., and deff want VOLTE when its ready
WG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing for WiFi calling... shortcut master lite for hotspot

Just got my phone and can not find WIFI CALLING on it. I do not have a setting for ADVANCED CALLING which all the sites are telling me to go to , let me know where you found it, thanks