4G Calling and WiFi Calling on Google Pixel 4a 5G bought from elsewhere

[elucidate]

Hi all,

Vodafone's device guide for the Google Pixel 4a 5G says that the device has WiFi Calling capability, but I just wanted to know if that also means 4G Calling (HD Voice) is included? And, for each of those features (WiFi calling / 4G Calling) does it matter if I bought the phone from Vodafone or not?

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @elucidate 

From Vodafone wi-fi-calling it says 

“ All the devices on this page will support WiFi calling when you buy them directly from us. Please note that phones bought from other UK telecom providers are unlikely to support our WiFi calling, with the exception of iPhones, which should work regardless.

Devices might not be compatible when bought from third parties, we’re working with these other manufacturers to add our settings. ”

However we have seen some phone's will work even if not bought directly from Vodafone. An incapability may exist on some if the phone was originally purchased from another network and then unlocked to use on another due to networks sometimes imposing their own flavour of software on them.

You can still check Calling Over Wi-Fi is activated in your myvodafone and then toggled On in your phone's settings and try.

Calling Over WiFi Set up. Ask the agent to force the phone via sending an OTA configuration update that should provision your phone for Calling Over WiFi.

"Register for Vodafone Wi-Fi Calling
Text the word CALLING to 97888
This is a free text which will add the service to your account
You should receive the following confirmation text:
Thanks. We’ll add Wi-Fi Calling to your account in the next 24 hours and will let you know when you’re all set up.
If you’d like to discuss this with us, or if you have any other issues, you can find more info here or contact us
Once you receive the confirmation text, switch on Wi-Fi Calling in your settings
Go to Settings, scroll down and choose the Application icon
Choose Phone and scroll down until you see Wi-Fi Calling – select the box beside this option
A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm if you want to enable Wi-Fi Calling – tap OK"

For HD Calls you can see if your phone is compatible via the Checker in high-definition-voice-calls. 

In regards to 4G calling i.e voLTE then the case used to be a phone had to be purchased from the network as I answered in this older thread here 4G-VOLTE-Calling-Third-Party-Handset but that may have changed. You'll know if it works if 4G stays on when you make a call i.e it does not drop to 3G.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

For Pixel devices it doesn't matter where the device is purchased from since Google don't enable carriers to install their own firmware, the 4G/Wi-Fi calling settings are bundled in a "settings file" which is applied dependent on the current SIM/eSIM you are using. Unfortunately it is unclear to me as to whether these settings are applicable to multiple Pixel models or whether for a new model to be supported the carrier must submit settings to Google to be included in a future Android update specific to that model.