Samsung S8+ Video Calling

[Dennyjo8]

I have read so many posts on this issue, dating back to 2016, and I still can't believe Vodafone has STILL not resolved the problem!!!  

I am not able to make video calls on my new Samsung S8+, I have spent hours 'chatting' to both samsung and vodafone to try and get a solution - the latter have apparently never heard about there being an issue (and they were the technical team which doesn't bode well, as clearly no on is looking to resolve it!!!).  

I put my sim into my boyfriend's new S8 (to O2) and it worked perfectly - which obviously backs up the fact that this is to do with vodafone locking their phones and the firmware they use to do that.  

The solution I've been given is that I should send my phone away to samsung to 'investigate' - as I'm out of 30 day cool off this would mean I'm without a phone for 2 weeks which just is not do-able.  So I'm pretty much stuck with it!

It would be helpful if any moderator on the site could answer a few questions - 

a) if Vodafone have known about this issue for years and still not resolved it - why????

b) if there is a solution being worked on - when will it be available to us loyal paying customers who have been with vodafone for years??

c) will we be receiving any kind of compensation for not having this feature when it is clearly something that samsung support and alledgedly vodafone do too?  ( I have been repeatedly told that it's not vodafone's fault as they have activated the right settings on my account for me to be able to use video calling!

I also wondered if anyone else had tried getting their vodafone handset unlocked to see if this solves the problem? I have requested my unlocking code, I don't expect vodafone to refuse me!!!!

[Alex]

@Dennyjo8 There's no timescale for this to be rectified, however our teams are still looking into it. 

There's a workaround posted here, which you may wish to try in the meantime. 

[Dennyjo8]

Have you actually tried using that app? The only way it works is if your contacts also have it installed! As most of my friends are with providers who do actually provide a good service and the one they are contracted to do, there is no need for my friends to download an app they don't need!! And actually there must be some kind of contractual breach by Vodafone on this. Not least when they have known about the issue for years and still fool customers into singing up to something that is not 100% what they claim it to be! 

Really not happy about this!

[zimou13]

I cannot get the video call feature to work. Says it's unavailable. Tried all settings. This is all three phones on one account tmobile. Tried to call tmobile, that didnt help. S7 to s7 works but not s8 to s7. Think its the software itself. They need to make it universal across android phones like they do the fscetime for iphone. HELP!!!

[Alex]

@Dennyjo8 We're speaking to Samsung about this and our team would like to know the software versions of the devices involved. You can find this by dialling *#1234# and please let us know the AP and CSC version. 

They've also asked if both numbers involved in the call are using the Samsung S8+? 

@zimou13 If you have a Vodafone UK account, please also provide us with the above answers 🙂

[Dennyjo8]

AP- GN55FXXU1AQK7

CSCS-GN55FOVF1AQL1

Not sure of relevance about handsets. It's mine that doesn't work, regardless of who/what I I'm trying to call!! I tried my SIM in an O2 s8 handset and it worked fine. I couldn't do the opposite because Vodafone handsets are locked to any other provider. 

And if you read the dozens of blogs over the last few year on this matter you will see the problem seems to have been identified as Vodafone firmware, and it is to do with the phones being locked. I'm actually not technical but it's clear whatever the problem is, it is well known, but Vodafone has not bothered to find by solution.

[Tash]

Thanks for getting back to us with your AP and CSC @Dennyjo8.

We've passed these on to our specialist team who will be able to investigate this further to help with your video calling query.

[Alex]

@Dennyjo8 Could you please also confirm that you're on a Red plan with Wi-Fi Calling enabled? 

We'll also need to check the coverage in your area to make sure there's a 4G connection. Please let us know your full postcode so we're able to do this. If you don't want to post this publicly, you can add it to your profile here. 

[Dennyjo8]

Yes I am on a red plan. The phone does not give me the option of turning on WiFi calls. I expect with s8 it is automatically on. When I tried my SIM in my boyfriends s8 the video calling worked and it also doesn't have the option of turning on WiFi calls. And yes I live in an area where 4g works perfectly fine! I have added my post code to my profile.

[Alex]

@Dennyjo8 You're able to see how to set up your Wi-Fi Calling here. 

To enable this, you can simply text CALLING to 97888 - this text will not be charged. 

Once you've confirmed this is enabled, please test again and let us know if you've seen any changes. 

Thanks for adding your postcode to your profile 🙂