Database Develop

[Issue Resolved] AT&T was refusing to allow my Nexus 5 on LTE

I just swapped my SIM out from my Nexus 4 to my Nexus 5 and was receiving only HSPA. Not a complete surprise, a short time later I got a text saying my plan needed to be enabled for LTE and to call customer service. I called customer service and the agent told me that at this time AT&T will not activate the Nexus 5 to operate on their LTE Network because it was not sold by AT&T. This is on a regular post paid contract plan.
UPDATE: I called back yesterday evening and asked to speak to a Tier 2 rep, the Tier 1 asked why, told them the situation, they put me on hold, then came back and put me through to a Tier 2 rep who asked my IMEI number and the SIM serial and was then able to provision the phone for LTE.

That's not quite a nice thing. I don't think providers should just tell You not to use a device on their network.

Mine comes in tomorrow and I'm already on an unlimited LTE SOC code for my One X+. Will post results tomorrow evening.

That's really odd. My brother got his N5 today and it gets LTE just fine. It gets a stronger signal than my Note 2 even

Just hang up and speak to another agent.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app

so lame
if sprint tries to give me the runaround, i'm cancelling on the spot

Yeah you got an idiot. Call back. It amazes me how people just take what they are told the first time.

This isn't good. I have att
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

I tried calling to switch my plan from regular plan to LTE plan and I was told I would need to provide them with the IME for the phone. I may try to call again before I get the Nexus 5 just to see what they say. Worse case scenario, i'll go with T-mobile.

Why do they care what phone you use? And why do they even need to know?

Call center CSR's is a crap shoot. If your data plan in not provisioned for LTE, simply go to your local ATT store and tell them to switch your data plan for LTE along with an LTE sim. If they say you can't, simply ask to speak to someone else who can help you. Just because it wasn't sold by them doesn't mean $hit.

nomisr said:
I tried calling to switch my plan from regular plan to LTE plan and I was told I would need to provide them with the IME for the phone. I may try to call again before I get the Nexus 5 just to see what they say. Worse case scenario, i'll go with T-mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ask for Tier 2 tech support. Customer service is more or less useless in a situation like this. Tier 2 will actually be happy to help with something other than people whining about the iOS7 update. Trust me on that one. Worst case, you'll have to get an IMEI off an LTE device. If you run in to that roadblock, PM me and I'll give you an IMEI off one of my spare phones.

greatgoogly said:
I just swapped my SIM out from my Nexus 4 to my Nexus 5 and was receiving only HSPA. Not a complete surprise, a short time later I got a text saying my plan needed to be enabled for LTE and to call customer service. I called customer service and the agent told me that at this time AT&T will not activate the Nexus 5 to operate on their LTE Network because it was not sold by AT&T. This is on a regular post paid contract plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply go to an AT&T company store and request a new LTE SIM card, they will give to you for free. I just swapped my sisters out no problem.

Elisha said:
Why do they care what phone you use? And why do they even need to know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's standard crap from regular customer service. They really aren't told about anything other than billing issues and plan changes. Something as mundane to you or me as changing APN settings in an unlocked phone is beyond them. Tech support, on the other hand, was always a great help.
Simply changing the type of SIM card is not what's needed, as 3G, HSPA+, and LTE all have different SOC codes in AT&T's system. Provisioning is what matters in this case.

This happens with every Nexus device since the IMEI's aren't in AT&T's database. For some reason, AT&T needs to have a proper LTE phone IMEI on your account for LTE to work. Just google and find an IMEI (from an eBay auction, etc), call up AT&T and tell them to put that IMEI on your account. Boom, LTE works fine.
Or just go in a store and have a rep do it for you. They will just pull an IMEI off of a display model, load it onto your account and off you go into LTE heaven.
No need to over-react. Just a provisioning issue.

Pulled my Sim out of my N4 plugged it right into the N5 and instantly got LTE, sounds like you need to try a different agent/store.

Yep, I did this with my Nexus 4, although I did have them provision it with "Data Unlimited on 4G for LTE Smartphone Enterprise", so when I get home I should be able to just swap the sim card in =).

I just popped my ATT sim in my n5 and was on LTE by default, you got a rep that doesnt know any better.

Mine works fine on LTE in the mid-Michigan area.

BobSwi said:
Yep, I did this with my Nexus 4, although I did have them provision it with "Data Unlimited on 4G for LTE Smartphone Enterprise", so when I get home I should be able to just swap the sim card in =).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, call back in later and get your plan amended to the regular Data Unltd LTE, because that Enterprise SOC code (unless you need Enterprise provisioning) costs $45/month.

There is a slight difference between Carrier and GPlay Nexus 5

First lets start by saying THERE are NO HARDWARE DIFFERENCE'S Just the matter of your carrier accepting the device
*Disclaimer : This information may change in the future and I'm not aware of any other CDMA carrier that does this in the UNITED States besides Sprint (If you do post and let us know). Most of the world is on GSM anyway right so this doesn't even matter to you
The Google Play Version allows you to go to Sprint and T-mobile
The T-Mobile Version or Carrier version will only work on other GSM Carriers while the Google play version allows you to go CDMA and GSM
Both of the Carrier and Google versions sold have the same internals and same everything else its just the matter of your carrier accepting it
If you're going to be using it for GSM only the carrier version is fine, however if you would like to use Sprint one day you would need the Google Play one or buy one from Sprint Themselves
Overall From Carrier and or Google Play Hardware/Software is the same its just the matter of your carrier accepting it :good:
Another Difference is that Carrier purchased Nexus 5 GOOGLE WILL NOT RMA only LG can with their Limited 1 year warranty
THE RMA Process is Only available from Google If the device was purchased from them
So for best warranty service try to purchase from Google Play
So Mark...? How do I know this is true and not one of your BUll***** threads again?
Simple Try going to ting and or any BYOD Sprint MVNO or Sprint themselves in order for them to activate it the ESN/IEMI must be in their system the google play ordered device will show however the Carrier purchased one Example T-Mobile wont show
It may sound stupid as all Nexus 5's should be unlocked and can be used anywhere. As it should be but it isn't
This is an Error on Sprint's End. This was similar to the iPhone 4s being GSM unlocked however carriers such as Sprint/Verizon Locked it

I'm not quite sure what this thread is about.
CDMA carriers have to have your ESN in their database for the phone to work on their network. They have all the Google play ESN's and all their own carrier ESN but they don't have other carriers' ESN so you have to ask them to add it. Is that what this is about?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

rootSU said:
I'm not quite sure what this thread is about.
CDMA carriers have to have your ESN in their database for the phone to work on their network. They have all the Google play ESN's and all their own carrier ESN but they don't have other carriers' ESN so you have to ask them to add it. Is that what this is about?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, you can go Sprint to T-Mobile but you cant go to T-Mobile to Sprint

markdapimp said:
Yep, you can go Sprint to T-Mobile but you cant go to T-Mobile to Sprint
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do they refuse to add the ESN when you call them up?

rootSU said:
I'm not quite sure what this thread is about.
CDMA carriers have to have your ESN in their database for the phone to work on their network. They have all the Google play ESN's and all their own carrier ESN but they don't have other carriers' ESN so you have to ask them to add it. Is that what this is about?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am confused as well.

Sprint seems pretty horrific with dealing in ESN's anyways. 6 support calls and a friend of mine could still not activate my old e4gt. They knew it wasn't blacklisted for stolen or funds due. They knew the exact date the phone was last activated but it wasn't until I told him to tell them the old number that they are like oh that hasn't been released from the line (which no longer exists). You would think you would get a clear and concise message trying to activate a device that is attached to another account not cryptic errors people are asking if they have ever seen before. One support staff actually asked him "are you sure its a sprint phone".
We already know AT&T doesn't exactly deal as well with the N5 as we would like to.

RainMotorsports said:
We already know AT&T doesn't exactly deal as well with the N5 as we would like to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really?
I bought the play store edition, popped in my sim card and that was it...
Sent from my Nexus 5

Pirateghost said:
Really?
I bought the play store edition, popped in my sim card and that was it...
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats the best way to do it too. You already had service right? Possibly previously owned an LTE device? But its been encountered many a time they won't provision the account with LTE if the device ESN isn't in the system. But if you have an AT&T device available to activate on its no big deal. Already have service even better. Not an issue for say ST Byod or something.

mistahseller said:
I am confused as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is what I understand
Google version=bought from google play
T-Mobile version=bought from tmobile
Hardware wise, they are exactly the same.
However, sprint only has the ESN of the Google version (and their sprint version)
When op tries to activate the tmobile version on sprint, sprint (or ting) was unable to verify the ESN and refused.
Gsm providers are fine because you just pop the Sim in and it'll work (baring other stuff like imei blocking or att not allowing your Sim card to access LTE but allow 3g)

paperWastage said:
Here is what I understand
Google version=bought from google play
T-Mobile version=bought from tmobile
Hardware wise, they are exactly the same.
However, sprint only has the ESN of the Google version (and their sprint version)
When op tries to activate the tmobile version on sprint, sprint (or ting) was unable to verify the ESN and refused.
Gsm providers are fine because you just pop the Sim in and it'll work (baring other stuff like imei blocking or att not allowing your Sim card to access LTE but allow 3g)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But couldn't you just obtain that, give to sprint, they enter it, and then call it did?

mistahseller said:
But couldn't you just obtain that, give to sprint, they enter it, and then call it did?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But what if Sprint's policy is only to allow a whitelisted phone on the network?
Otherwise, you could call them up with a Verizon ESN and get to use a Verizon phone on sprint?
//why I'll never touch CDMA even with a 20 foot pole

paperWastage said:
But what if Sprint's policy is only to allow a whitelisted phone on the network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is both vzw's and sprint's policy.

Zepius said:
this is both vzw's and sprint's policy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but sprint could be doing things differently with the nexus 5
I don't know, but from ops perspective, looks like this is happening.
Imeis (and probably ESN) have a specific structure. (Go Wikipedia imei. On mobile, can't link easily)
If google/sprint version have the same starting digits and are white listed, and T-Mobile has different digits, then yeah

mistahseller said:
But couldn't you just obtain that, give to sprint, they enter it, and then call it did?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have seen posts that suggest this can be done
Most recently:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2672066
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

RainMotorsports said:
Thats the best way to do it too. You already had service right? Possibly previously owned an LTE device? But its been encountered many a time they won't provision the account with LTE if the device ESN isn't in the system. But if you have an AT&T device available to activate on its no big deal. Already have service even better. Not an issue for say ST Byod or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T don't care what device you use. Call them and tell them you want to pay them money for LTE, give them the imei (they don't use esn) and they provision a sim card.
Sent from my Nexus 5

All you have to do is call sprint and give them the esn and it will work on sprint.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I ordered my N5 on 1st available day. Then went to local ATT store and set up my ATT Go account and SIM, without the phone, for free. When phone arrived, I just bought ATT Go pin from callingmart, pop in SIM and voilà, LTE.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

Pirateghost said:
AT&T don't care what device you use. Call them and tell them you want to pay them money for LTE, give them the imei (they don't use esn) and they provision a sim card.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Company policies often have little to do with the current behaviour of high level software that abstracts the process from low level tech support. I don't think it was even an issue until very recently as most international unlocked devices were not compatible with their LTE nor do travelers take contracts. There are a couple of tricks experienced support know and even better if you get a higher level support tech answering your call rather than having to elevate. Sometimes its an easy day some days its hard.
There are words to use with support that can help facilitate a solution but money is not one of them. Its their job to help you no matter a current customer or new and no matter how much or little your spending. Talking about money only produces eye rolling and it falls under the same care level as calling your credit card company and telling the random poor soul your cutting up the card. They don't care, though a bean counter somewhere will tell anyone who asks they do or they should. In reality a rep who only gets motivated by threats or talking about money is a prime candidate for retraining or dismissal.
If they haven't already adjusted for this they need to. With the amount of cross carrier compatible unlocked lte devices on the market they will have more customers on them than ever before. Any extra calls to get LTE provisioned is wasted money for them.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

RainMotorsports said:
Company policies often have little to do with the current behaviour of high level software that abstracts the process from low level tech support. I don't think it was even an issue until very recently as most international unlocked devices were not compatible with their LTE nor do travelers take contracts. There are a couple of tricks experienced support know and even better if you get a higher level support tech answering your call rather than having to elevate. Sometimes its an easy day some days its hard.
There are words to use with support that can help facilitate a solution but money is not one of them. Its their job to help you no matter a current customer or new and no matter how much or little your spending. Talking about money only produces eye rolling and it falls under the same care level as calling your credit card company and telling the random poor soul your cutting up the card. They don't care, though a bean counter somewhere will tell anyone who asks they do or they should. In reality a rep who only gets motivated by threats or talking about money is a prime candidate for retraining or dismissal.
If they haven't already adjusted for this they need to. With the amount of cross carrier compatible unlocked lte devices on the market they will have more customers on them than ever before. Any extra calls to get LTE provisioned is wasted money for them.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Telling them you wanted to pay them money is a figure of speech, like 'hello, I would like phone service' I didn't mean literally call them and say "I want to pay you money for LTE"
Dude, chill out a little. I have been dealing with cell phone companies as an enterprise account for many years.
Sent from my Nexus 5

Pirateghost said:
Telling them you wanted to pay them money is a figure of speech, like 'hello, I would like phone service' I didn't mean literally call them and say "I want to pay you money for LTE"
Dude, chill out a little. I have been dealing with cell phone companies as an enterprise account for many years.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right but you might be surprised how many customers are serious and speak like that as if the service rep is part of this corporate entity. I guess you can tell a battered customer service veteran. I once had a guy tell me he was going to file a complaint on me for basically enforcing a policy that had been changed...
I'm a bit bummed actually. As much as I loved getting off sprint I was excited about the device support. So I'd hate to have any issues going back. However if I ever went AT&T it would probably be an mvno.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

AT&T wifi calling on unlocked 4 XL

Long story short, I swapped my sim from my unlocked ATT 2 XL to the 4 XL and it fired right up with wifi calling and HD voice. I gave my wife the 2 XL and when I swapped her sim from her iphone I had to call ATT to get her hotspot working. The 2 XL is now in business but during that process they killed wifi calling on my 4 XL. I called again and they gave me the runaround about it being an unlocked device and that's a feature reserved only for ATT phones. I explained that it was working prior and they couldn't seem to figure it out. They said they were going to send me a software push that could take up to 24 hours and if that doesn't work, I'm out of luck. Anyone have any ideas on how to get wifi calling back? I appreciate it.

No resolution here, but same issue. though I had my sim in samsung phones most recently. At first, visual voicemail wasn't working either. I called, gave IMEI, and VVM started working a few minutes later. As far as wifi calling, they said my imei didn't show my phone as being LTE capable (or something to that effect). He knows pixels and couldn't understand why I was getting that error. He said he would submit a ticket to get it figured out. That was Thursday.

I had this problem also when I switched to AT&T when using a Verizon LG V30 flashed to AT&T software. Wifi-calling would not work, and their CS said only AT&T phones support it. Their system checked your IMEI and kills wifi-calling if it's not one of their phones.
Only solution is to get an official AT&T branded Pixel 4 XL.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Well this will suck. Anyone else confirm that unlocked pixel 4s don't have wifi calling on ATT?

Works fine on mine.
WiFI calling & HD Voice.

That blows, I have t mobile WiFi calling on my OnePlus 5t. Unlocked, not purchased from the carrier. Maybe it's time to switch provider

I can confirm that is DOES work on my unlocked Pixel 4XL and my wife's unlocked Pixel 3. Upper left corner says AT&T Wi-Fi Calling and when in a call, you see the WiFi signal meter by the call timer.

wattsja said:
I can confirm that is DOES work on my unlocked Pixel 4XL and my wife's unlocked Pixel 3. Upper left corner says AT&T Wi-Fi Calling and when in a call, you see the WiFi signal meter by the call timer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I though it would be strange that it worked on the unlocked 3xl and not work on the 4.

It worked fine when they still had my Sim tied to my 2XL. Once they updated my imei it killed it. Still not working, I'll keep trying.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

crazy3gz said:
It worked fine when they still had my Sim tied to my 2XL. Once they updated my imei it killed it. Still not working, I'll keep trying.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might try talking to their tech support to see if they can add your imei to their system to allow wifi-calling.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

MicroMod777 said:
I had this problem also when I switched to AT&T when using a Verizon LG V30 flashed to AT&T software. Wifi-calling would not work, and their CS said only AT&T phones support it. Their system checked your IMEI and kills wifi-calling if it's not one of their phones.
Only solution is to get an official AT&T branded Pixel 4 XL.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an unlocked Pixlel 4XL, upgrading from a 3 XL. But I have had WiFi calling on my 2XL, and 3XL and now on my 4XL.

MicroMod777 said:
You might try talking to their tech support to see if they can add your imei to their system to allow wifi-calling.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had a ticket open for a few days. This morning I get a text saying the ticket was resolved and to call. I tested wifi calling again first, but still same error. When I call I got directed to the retention dept. They said they were giving my $5 off my bill indefinitely, as long as I keep my unlimited plus plan. Then my ticket came up and I got transferred to tech support. They said they were not able to add the imei and my phone was not showing as VOLTE capable. The tech i talked to said she knew that was BS so she opened the ticket back up saying they would just have to add the imei on the backend. After a couple more return phone calls they said it's not supported because I didn't buy it from them. I've been with AT&T for many years, since they were Cingular. With the $5 off, my bill should only be about $80, plus I get HBO for free. That's not much more than what tmobile or google fi would be, but I really feel like leaving because of this ****.

I left att specially for this reason when I first got my pixel..... No other phone company has a rule that u can't utilize all the advanced carrier features unless you buy the phone from them.
I never tested but I suspect if you get an att branded phone that has WiFi calling on and operational and then just swap the SIM I to your P2XL without telling att it should work.
It's a provisional flag that needs to be activated.... It may happen automatically or you could ha e them manually do it for the att branded phone..... My assumption is that when you transfer the SIM to the P2XL the provisional flag won't turn off unless the carrier manually alters you account again... Like adding hotspot or something.
And what's even worse is you can buy an iPhone from the Apple store and wifi calling works.... I told them that is discrimination. They had no answer.....

I have an unlocked Pixel 4 XL and wifi calling has always worked just fine.

AT&T sucks for things like this. And now since AT&T offers the Pixel 4 they force AT&T customized firmware even if you buy the phone from Google. It looks like it's the Nexus 6 all over again. AT&T will likely be involved in updates now too even if the phone was bought from Google. It would have been better if AT&T didn't offer the Pixel 4. My Pixel 2 XL on AT&T gets updates from Google right away but no wi-fi calling.

bsg411 said:
I left att specially for this reason when I first got my pixel..... No other phone company has a rule that u can't utilize all the advanced carrier features unless you buy the phone from them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually Sprint is/was like that because I didn't have WiFi calling, voLTE, or their visual voicemail on my Pixel 2 XL. Now, I surprisingly have all three with my Pixel 4 XL.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

EeZeEpEe said:
Actually Sprint is/was like that because I didn't have WiFi calling, voLTE, or their visual voicemail on my Pixel 2 XL. Now, I surprisingly have all three with my Pixel 4 XL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.... It's not fair. If we paying for the service and to use a carrier's network, why penalize a customer for not buying the phone thru the carrier.... Especially when they dont penalize people for buying the iPhone outside the carrier.

bsg411 said:
Yeah.... It's not fair. If we paying for the service and to use a carrier's network, why penalize a customer for not buying the phone thru the carrier.... Especially when they dont penalize people for buying the iPhone outside the carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curious but how did you setup your phone? Did you go through the eSIM method? I saw AT&T was an option along with Google Fi and Sprint. I was surprised to see Sprint there and during the setup I got the visual voicemail option. Not saying that setup is what gave me WiFi and voLTE as well but just wondering.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

EeZeEpEe said:
Curious but how did you setup your phone? Did you go through the eSIM method? I saw AT&T was an option along with Google Fi and Sprint. I was surprised to see Sprint there and during the setup I got the visual voicemail option. Not saying that setup is what gave me WiFi and voLTE as well but just wondering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the regular sim option. But I ended up leaving att because of this issue plus I wanted to see if I got better cellular reception on Verizon in general.... and my Verizon bill is cheaper than the att one was. But Ionly have a 5GB + rollover data plan versus a 6GB plan on att.

I want to follow this since I am done with AT&T branded phones. They only way I might get the Pixel 4 is through Google directly and I want Volte and Wifi calling, otherwise there is no point.
I hope that AT&T/Google will get many complaints and fix this nonsense.
Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

PSA: Pixel 4 / 4 XL (Unlocked) on Xfinity Mobile - all advanced calling features work

Hi everyone. After a big blowout I had with AT&T leading me to finally leave them after our family being customers for 20 years, it led me to porting out all 5 of my family's numbers to Xfinity Mobile. Good riddance.
I'm happy to report that, unlike with AT&T, advanced calling features work with the Google Store / Unlocked Pixel 4 XL (and regular Pixel 4, which my wife is now using). VoLTE and WiFi calling both work perfectly. Both phones were immediately bootloader unlocked and heavily modified as soon as I got them. Like usual, none of the advanced calling features worked while on AT&T (for our last 2-3 days with them before I got the Xfinity Mobile SIM cards in the mail and peaced out, lol). I was worried that advanced calling might not work on Xfinity Mobile either unless you bought the phone from them, and considering they're closely related to Verizon, I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to unlock the bootloader if purchased from them. Well, you don't need to worry if you buy the factory unlocked variant.
They also extended their BYOD promo, so doing BYOD and porting out your number from your carrier will get you a $50 "rebate" so to speak per number ported out ($250 for me, wooo! My brother and parents all had iPhones that were also BYOD'd). I'll be honest, I friggin hate Comcast as a cable company, but seeing as how they're my only option for ISP for the foreseeable future, why the hell not reduce my cell phone bill by ~60-70% and be on a better network than AT&T's crap?
Oh, and also, for the last month of service with AT&T, knowing it wouldn't be a full month of service, I dropped our 35GB family plan to 3GB, expecting to save a few bucks. According to them, the total month cost was supposed to go down by ~$40. Instead, it went UP by $10. Yup, I dropped our data allotment by 90%, and our bill went UP. They didn't tell us that instead of $15 per line access charge we've been paying for years, it would become $20, and charge the primary line $45 access fee, just because. Goodbye you f"king scam artists.
PS: I'm not a Comcast shill. This is more of a PSA, and if I could convince anyone else to leave AT&T and stop giving them your hard earned money, this is all worth it.
edit for more info/thoughts: Part of the BYOD process involved entering the device IMEI numbers, before being able to order the sim cards - I suspect to check that, A) they're compatible BYOD devices, B) whether it corresponds to certain carriers, and C) for iPhones, that they are indeed carrier unlocked. I would also suspect that this process registers these devices' IMEI numbers into their database to allow VoLTE and WiFi Calling on their network. So I really don't see any reason they would suddenly pull these features away for eligible BYOD devices, done the right way. I did notice when I tried to drop the new SIM into my wife's old HTC U11, data and advanced calling wouldn't work. Like some MVNO's, this may make switching phones a little more annoying in the future, but probably easily taken care of as long as you use a compatible phone and a quick call. Ultimately still well worth it if you ask me. Oh, and my brother, mom, and stepdad use iPhone 6s, 7, and 7 Plus - advanced calling features worked on them too. 2 of them were unlocked AT&T phones, and the other was Verizon (which at the time were all SIM unlocked).

Google Fi Pixel 5, Same?

I went to order a pixel 5 yesterday and all they had in stock were the Fi variants (ordered anyways), after some quick research I discovered that they were the same phone as the unlocked version. I'm a T-Mobile customer, with 2 numbers, one for personal and one for work. I read where some people have said the esim is tied to Fi, I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on that as my plan was to have T-Mobile activate the esim for one of my lines and using the traditional sim card in the slot. Anyone done this?
Also, I've read where they say 5g isn't an option with dual sims, yet I also read where changes were pushed to allow 5g with dual sims... Anyone have an answer on that as well? Thanks.

Ducter said:
I went to order a pixel 5 yesterday and all they had in stock were the Fi variants (ordered anyways), after some quick research I discovered that they were the same phone as the unlocked version. I'm a T-Mobile customer, with 2 numbers, one for personal and one for work. I read where some people have said the esim is tied to Fi, I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on that as my plan was to have T-Mobile activate the esim for one of my lines and using the traditional sim card in the slot. Anyone done this?
Also, I've read where they say 5g isn't an option with dual sims, yet I also read where changes were pushed to allow 5g with dual sims... Anyone have an answer on that as well? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only difference with the Fi phone vs. the Google one is who supports it. If you have a warranty replacement it will have to come from the Fi team and not Google. Weird but true. Otherwise they are exactly the same. That includes not being branded to any one carrier. If you have a Fi account when you set up your phone it will automatically download the eSim if you want but if you don't then just pop in your physical sim and you're off to the races. Then contact the provider for a scan code for the eSim. I've not done it with TM but with Verizon and all works easily enough. Get yourself a 5G sim too while you're at it.
Now the big question, lol, I do not have 5G with both my sims active.. yet. I do not have the December patch from VZW either so I can't say if the merged code made it into the patch. I've asked all around and no one even responds to my inquiries including Android Police and 9to5 who initially reported it from the XDA feed. But supposedly Monday I'll get the Dec build and know one way or the other.

bobby janow said:
Now the big question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I assumed as much but you know what it's like after you do something, you begin to wonder lol. I do not have Fi, hopefully if I have an issue, that won't become one.
Hopefully the 5g on both sims made it into the update, or will be making it in shortly. I'm coming from a OnePlus 6t and dissatisfied with how OnePlus has been handling their updates. Phone gets great updates, timely and functional for 6 months, after that it's mainly focused on the newer models and the updates slow down but do still come, 12 months it starts to get left behind and now, they throw a security update at you occasionally. Been on lineage for a while and just decided spec wise, modern phones do all I care for them to do so the pixel 5 looked like a nice offering even if it's not "top of the line". We'll see I suppose.

Ducter said:
Thanks for the reply. I assumed as much but you know what it's like after you do something, you begin to wonder lol. I do not have Fi, hopefully if I have an issue, that won't become one.
Hopefully the 5g on both sims made it into the update, or will be making it in shortly. I'm coming from a OnePlus 6t and dissatisfied with how OnePlus has been handling their updates. Phone gets great updates, timely and functional for 6 months, after that it's mainly focused on the newer models and the updates slow down but do still come, 12 months it starts to get left behind and now, they throw a security update at you occasionally. Been on lineage for a while and just decided spec wise, modern phones do all I care for them to do so the pixel 5 looked like a nice offering even if it's not "top of the line". We'll see I suppose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll be happy with the phone. It's the right price, right size and battery lasts all day no matter what you do to it. At least for me, lol. There have been some issues with Fi support buy you really won't be dealing with them unless you have a hardware issue. As soon as I get the update on Monday I'll chime in here but you might get the device before that. Make sure you are there to sign for it as I've heard of some empty boxes arriving on doorsteps.
As for 5G if you need it you can toggle off a sim very quickly and bring it back online just as easily. If I toggle off my work number 5G pops right up. I don't usually do it but I will on the weekends sometimes. I don't find it any faster than lte at this point but perhaps TM is better the VZW. Then again I've yet to connect to the super duper 5G they are touting.

Ducter said:
Hopefully the 5g on both sims made it into the update, or will be making it in shortly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, didn't make it in. Still LTE with both sims active.

bobby janow said:
Nope, didn't make it in. Still LTE with both sims active.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I received the phone Sunday actually, surprised me they delivered then as it was scheduled for Monday. I wasn't home, they delivered it regardless, another surprise as tracking said signature required and I watched on my camera the FedEx guy walk up, put the phone by the door and walk away... Worked for me I suppose.
My time with the phone so far has been good. I'm coming from a OnePlus 6t that I was happy with the performance of the phone but it was starting to have gps issues and would drop calls fairly often. This phone is much smaller but I like it. I'm 6'4 with large hands but it still is a nice size. Performance wise, if I'm honest I can't really tell a difference. Sure, benchmarks likely would suggest different but I don't use them, I use the phone and in that regard, the pixel 5 is fine. Camera, even with it's aging hardware takes much better pictures. I can't comment fully on battery as of yet but then again my 6t would easily outlast my usage per day anyways.