WiFi Calling - GOS bug?

tnbratten

I first switched to GOS in Jan, 2024. I was on Patriot Mobile using a Moto phone (on AT&T network). I enabled WiFi calling, having to enter 911 information.
I then got a Pixel 7a, installed GOS and put the SIM from the Moto in it. It worked great, including WiFi calling.

Next, I got a Pixel 6a, installed GOS and signed up with Cricket (essentially AT&T). Put in the SIM. Cell service worked fine but WiFi calling did not. The Cricket site said that when I enabled WiFi calling I should see a form that allows me to enter 911 information. I saw nothing like that. I reflashed back to stock Android, enabled WiFi calling and I got the form to enter 911 info. WiFi calling then worked. I reinstalled GOS and WiFi calling now works.

I have seen in other threads that some have been successful by calling their carrier and having them enable WiFi calling on their end. My carrier support people had no idea how to do this. They said it should "just work". I didn't tell them I was using GOS; I'm afraid they would just blow me off at that point.

I think the key is that the carrier has to enable WiFi calling and this is accomplished when you enter the 911 information on the stock Android phone. However, on GOS the 911 form never appears. Therefore, WiFi does not get enabled by the carrier.
Could this be considered a GOS bug? Or, is there another reason for this?

de0u

tnbratten I think Google's stock OS includes some apps shipped by specific carriers; GrapheneOS does not ship those apps. Some carriers might require that their carrier app submit information to their system before enabling Wi-Fi calling.

tnbratten

I forgot to add that I subsequently purchased a Pixel 9a, transferred the SIM from the 6a to it and it works fine including WiFi calling.

tnbratten

FYI, when I reflashed the Pixel with Google Android, I used the Google Android flash tool located here:
https://flash.android.com/welcome?continue=%2Fback-to-public
This does not appear to be a carrier-specific Android. It looks like the Google Android you get when you but a Pixel directly; e.g. from Amazon.
However, I suppose there could be a Google included app that presents the 911 form. At any rate, this is definitely a problem for GOS users to get WiFi calling enabled.

de0u

tnbratten This does not appear to be a carrier-specific Android. It looks like the Google Android you get when you but a Pixel directly; e.g. from Amazon.
However, I suppose there could be a Google included app that presents the 911 form.

https://grapheneos.org/features#broad-carrier-support

tnbratten At any rate, this is definitely a problem for GOS users to get WiFi calling enabled.

It sounds like it's a problem for some GrapheneOS users on some carriers, especially AT&T. It's great that you posted a workaround. But it's not clear how widespread it is.

GrapheneOS

tnbratten The stock Pixel OS includes privileged carrier apps which are not included in GrapheneOS, mainly for Verizon and their MVNOs. It's also used to a lesser extent for certain other US carriers. Wi-Fi calling isn't available with all US carriers without giving their apps privileged access.

tnbratten

I really love the GrapheneOS solution. I even contributed a modest amount to help support it.
However, it's issues like this that keep less technical users from adopting it.
In my case, I'm very rural and AT&T is the only option for cell phone coverage. I do have a solid internet connection so WiFi calling is great to have.
I have seen some threads about which providers seem to work best with GOS. However, they seem to be outdated. Perhaps a new thread where people can weigh in with success stories about which backbones and MVNO's are GOS-friendly. If there's already a thread out there, let me know and I'll add my 2 cents about my experience.

tnbratten

I switched MVNOs to US Mobile. I was able to use the same process and got WiFi calling working. Summary of steps:
1) Reflashed Pixel 6a to Google Android; did minimal setup; no WiFi; no Google account
2) Inserted physical SIM and connected to US Mobile (Dark Star, i.e. AT&T)
3) Turned on WiFi calling; a form came up that prompted me to enter 911 information; WiFi calling worked.
4) Moved SIM to Pixel 9a with GOS; WiFi calling works!

tnbratten

If you don't have a spare Pixel to use as I described, you'll have to flash your Pixel to Google Android, follow the steps I mentioned and then reflash GOS. Yup, it's a pain but it works.