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Alternate Line Service on Android?

Does the Android G1 (or any other Android phone) support the CPHS "Alternate Line Service" (aka Orange Line2, One 2 Switch, A1 Xtraline or eplus Privateline). By using this service one can easily switch between two lines for outgoing calls. Incoming calls can be assigned to the called line by different ringtones. Most HTC hardware does usually support this service, but does Android?

Sounds like a feature that would be need to implemented by the carrier. I would contact them for an official answer.

Well, of course this feature has to be supported by the mobile carrier! And as I already mentioned, it IS indeed supported by several networks, like Orange (UK), eplus (DE) and A1 (AT)! However, only most, but not all phones support the feature. In order to be able to use this feature, the phone must display a dedicated menu to switch the lines. This menu is often deactivated if the carrier does not support the ALS-service and the phone is branded, such as the T-mobile G1. I wonder if there is any possibility to activate the menus in the unbranded version, or if Android supports this feature at all!?
Thanks, Chris

How do you activate wi-fi calling?

Does anyone know how to activate wi-fi calling on the Z5? I figured it'd be a menu setting, but I can't find it. I'm using the Taiwan version of the Compact and am using MetroPCS here in the States.
Thanks.

To answer my own question. It appears that wi-fi calling is only available with some carrier phones. So for instance, EE in England says on their setup page,
"WiFi Calling is only available on the EE version of the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact, bought directly from us in one of our stores, online at EE.co.uk, through our telesales team, or through corporate sales if you are a corporate customer."
So, I guess my question now is, is there a way to flash the phone so that I can get this feature on my non-EE phone? My carrier, MetroPCS, does allow wi-fi calling, but they don't sell the Z5 (and likely won't ever sell it).

You can try flashing the EE ROM with flashtool and see if you have that option. You will get carrier specific bloatware as well.

Would I be able to delete the bloatware? And I'm new to Android. When I flash, does it delete all of my settings and downloads and whatnot? I'm assuming I can back them up someplace in case it does, but like I say, I'm new to this. Also, where would I get the EE Rom from?

Look for Xperifirm. Download and install. You can get the firmware there. Next download flashtool version 0.9.19.10. You can bundle the firmware files into a ftf and flash, both with flashtool. Read the respective guides. To keep data, look at options when flashing and choose not to wipe user data. I would type it up but the instructions are on XDA, just search.

Neither WiFi calling or VoLTE will not work on the Sony Z5 unless your carrier/network offers the Sony Z5 for sale directly.
Note, WiFi Calling and VoLTE are two separate features but similar network functions on the operators side.
Note, MetroPCS is a sub-brand of the T-Mobile USA network so Metro is pretty much TMo USA.
Since T-Mobile USA does not offer the Z5 you will not be able to get WiFi calling working. In order for WiFi Calling or VoLTE to be supported the network operator must customize the ROM to include the WiFi calling and/or VoLTE network configurations. Unlike the typical SIM card and APN settings which are industry standard and can be adjusted manually. WiFi calling and VoLTE are somewhat more complex and include carrier/network specific security certificates to work. Apple can get away with supporting WiFi calling and VoLTE simply by swapping SIMs because the T-Mobile configs are loaded into their core iOS software which goes out to everyone around the world. (Probaly one of the reasons the iOS eats up so much storage...but i digress) Android runs much leaner and does not carry all the extra configs for all global networks...hence a carrier (i.e. T-Mo US) tweaked version of the Z5 ROM would be required for this all to work.
If T-Mobile USA offers the Z5 in the future you may be able to unlock the boot-loader and flash the T-Mobile specific ROM onto your phone and get WiFi Calling and VoLTE to work. But if T-Mo USA never offers the Z5 then you will never have WiFi calling supported.
Hope that helps....
WiFi calling and VoLTE are pretty much the same thing...just VoIP. And in most operators case WiFi Calling and VoLTE are the same back end network call processing systems. VoLTE is easier for the operator to secure as the customer is using the operators LTE and IP network. WiFi calling is seen on fewer operators as it requires more security since you can access the operators network from any public or private IP network.
---------- Post added at 10:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 PM ----------
and in theory you could extract the WiFi calling stack form the EE network's Z5 ROM and load it into a custom ROM. That would give you the software capability to support WiFi calling....But you will still need the T-Mobile USA WiFi calling fqdn for the WiFi border controller and their security certificates which are typically specific to a handset model. And again since TMo does not offer the Z5 there are no Z5 certificates.

Ah, well that sucks.

Yeah I feel ya, I love WiFi calling too

Some network providers have their own apps to allow it. Like in the UK, O2 network has an app called TU go

All hope isn't lost - Android M is supposed to have a provision for wifi calling. I've read posts of people with Nexus 6's on M (google play editions, so no carrier specific models) that have been able to use wifi calling. The current loss of band 12 (hoping this will change too) as well as the loss of wifi calling as a fallback has been the only drawback to this otherwise excellent handset. I absolutely love the thing. It just works, no fuss.

I know this isn't helpful, especially for those outside of the US, but this is why I ported my number to google voice a long time ago. VOIP works great over Wifi for me most of the time and when I have LTE reception, I can still use Voip albeit with increased data consumption.

shizenyasuya said:
I know this isn't helpful, especially for those outside of the US, but this is why I ported my number to google voice a long time ago. VOIP works great over Wifi for me most of the time and when I have LTE reception, I can still use Voip albeit with increased data consumption.
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Do you know of any guides for how this is supposed to work? I have Google Voice, and I have Hangouts, but I'm not sure how they're supposed to work in tandem for wi-fi calling. Would I be forced to actually open up the Google Voice app in order to make wi-fi calls? How is that any different from something like Talkatone?

Adrift98 said:
Do you know of any guides for how this is supposed to work? I have Google Voice, and I have Hangouts, but I'm not sure how they're supposed to work in tandem for wi-fi calling. Would I be forced to actually open up the Google Voice app in order to make wi-fi calls? How is that any different from something like Talkatone?
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Yeah, that's a bit of a pain in the ar$3. I install google voice and hangouts on any phone/tablet I get, Google voice is necessary to route all outgoing calls through GV so that my GV number shows up on my call partner's caller ID. (even though you can dial directly from the native phone dialer) I install Hangouts to manage sms and google talk (now just google hangouts but specified to avoid... or contribute to, (as the case may be) confusion) messages. You can also dial directly from Google Hangouts (this is the only option when you're only using Wifi, without cellular signal) So my thought flow kinda goes like this.
To make a call:
1)check for cell signal, if there is signal, use the native dialer to place a call
2) if there is only WiFi, use hangouts (or hangouts dialer) to place a call
Receiving calls: (If you need help I can tell you the specific settings)
1)when the phone rings, determine if it's ringing via Hangouts or the native phone app
2) check for cellular signal and wifi signal
3) if cell signal is 2g only, only answer with the native phone app (sometimes hangouts will ring first) and I have to wait for the native phone app to realize there is a call coming in (forwarded of course to my cellular provider number from GV)
4)if connected to WiFi, or I have LTE coverage (sometimes even on 3g) pick up the hangouts ring.
Sometimes I do miss calls because I'm waiting for the native phone app to ring when I'm on 2g, but hangouts rings first and the native phone app doesn't ring, but those instances are fairly infrequent and I can just call them back.
---------- Post added at 04:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:48 AM ----------
Adrift98 said:
Do you know of any guides for how this is supposed to work? I have Google Voice, and I have Hangouts, but I'm not sure how they're supposed to work in tandem for wi-fi calling. Would I be forced to actually open up the Google Voice app in order to make wi-fi calls? How is that any different from something like Talkatone?
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Also, sorry I've never used Talkatone, so I don't know if it works any differently. You don't have to have google voice installed to make / receive wifi calls via hangouts. you just have to have opted in to hangouts on your google voice account. The ONLY reason I still install GV is to make sure that when I make outgoing calls from the native phone app, my GV number shows up on the recipient's caller ID. They should really just bake this into hangouts and completely depreciate the GV app.

You could port the t-mobile wifi calling apps from the z3. I ported wifi calling to my att g2 from the t-mobile rom. It's not really that hard if you know how to read logcats

Many retail mobiles have "Wifi Calling" function but not any menu entry to enable , The APP can check the hidden function and enable it if can use.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.widget7.wifi.calling

Mi A1: WiFi Calling does not work on T-Mobile in US

Just got off a multi-hour chat with T-Mobile tech team in US: they confirmed that they can't make WiFi Calling work on my Xiaomi Mi A1 (Global). Regular calling (Band 4) works fine.
Quote from out chat:
I have reached out to the highest level of Specialized Tech Care, and worked with them on the provisioning issues. With the Xiaomi MI A1 being a non-T-Mobile non US based phone, the option may show as available, but the device itself will not actually operate on, or use the wi-fi calling options. We can absolutely help you get into a device that supports the feature, but there is not a way to activate it on that device.
The provisioning failure is on both sides, we cannot activate the service, nor force an override to update the IMS.
The plan is setup and good to use it, but the systems are giving us an error saying that the feature is unsopported.
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Symptoms and details:
Phone is a Global version with Oreo 8.0.0 and the latest security patch (Feb 1, 2018), not rooted, fully stock.
I tried enabling WiFi Calling in the Phone dialer app to no avail (Hamburger menu → Settings → Calling Accounts → T-Mobile → Wi-Fi Calling)
T-Mobile tried re-provisioning the phone. Their system was sending a special sms to enable WiFi Calling. It was understood by the phone, so I was seeing it as a regular text message:
FREE T-MOBILE SUPPORT MSG. Q's? See <REDACTED LINK TO TMOBILE SUPPORT SITE> WQGxYT92fBTCECnvS4QOiu7gzm4NPHiWMYoeXEs5riY=:WFCn|414b7f5b
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Debug menu (*#*#INFO#*#* in the dialer) is still showing IMS Service Status → IMS Registration: Not Registered.

It sucks that voLTE doesn't work on T-Mobile US as well. It's what I expected when I got the phone anyways, so I can't complain too much.

yup sucks. regular calls is alright but to make up no VoLTE or wifi calling I just use google duo calls to my friends and it sounds excellent. only downside is I can only use it with people who only have duo installed.

VoLTE works great with this device.
Ps from India

It's so weird that my mobile company supports VoWifi and VoLTE but the phone doesn't seem to understand that. No option to enable and when i force enable it via shortcutMaker it disables itself. I double check that it's enabled by calling the company and they say that if my smartphone supports it, it sould be enabled by now...

Volte works fine here in my country

VoWiFI doesnt work in Greece, too.

VZW WIFI Calling on unlocked Note 20 ultra 5G

Found out the guy lied. So the US unlocked N20U does work with VZW wifi calling.

It definitely does work with my N20U on Verizon.

The only differences between the Unlocked and VZW version are:
1. Native Verizon video calling doesn't work on unlocked, but the integrated Duo video calling is better anyways.
2. Verizon's model doesn't have the Samsung "Smart Call" feature for Caller ID. Instead, it uses Verizon's app.
3. Verizon's version has the Verizon bootscreen and a ton of bloatware, especially games, news apps, and what not. Fortunately, most can be uninstalled, and the rest can be disabled using ADB.

Guyinlaca said:
The only differences between the Unlocked and VZW version are:
1. Native Verizon video calling doesn't work on unlocked, but the integrated Duo video calling is better anyways.
2. Verizon's model doesn't have the Samsung "Smart Call" feature for Caller ID. Instead, it uses Verizon's app.
3. Verizon's version has the Verizon bootscreen and a ton of bloatware, especially games, news apps, and what not. Fortunately, most can be uninstalled, and the rest can be disabled using ADB.
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Click to collapse
I can confirm all of the above. I have an unlocked phone, on U1 firmware, with a Verizon SIM. Wifi calling works. There is no "Advanced Calling" menu in Connection Settings, but there's a toggle for VoLTE and it was switched on by default. No 4G icon, but rather a LTE+ icon is shown in status bar. The only thing I haven't found a workaround for is the native video calling. I cannot initiate it (phone app does not show the option when I'm on a call with another Verizon phone) and if another Verizon phone attempts to initiate a native video call, it tells them that I cannot accept video calls. I checked my VZW account settings on a PC, and despite the video call option being on and not blocked, native calling doesn't work, as described above. Duo works fine for video. I was able to get Visual Voicemail by installing the app that I go from another thread. I installed it before checking to see if the U1 firmware added it by default, so I can't say for sure that it wasn't there already.
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

So I had an interesting observation. I flashed my Verizon Note 10+ to U1 firmware and noticed a drastic reduction in data speeds. After getting the Note 20 Ultra, I noticed the data speeds were nearly doubled. I then disabled a ton of Verizon and Samsung apps, and my data speeds dropped drastically as well. Through the process of elimination, I found that the "My Verizon Services" app seems to have a major impact on data speeds. As long as I keep that enabled on the Verizon firmware, data speeds are blazing fast.
Is it possible that Verizon uses apps to prioritize or de-prioritize data speeds? I'd be curious if one could do a side by side of the Unlocked vs Verizon firmware.

ferzmedina said:
I can confirm all of the above. I have an unlocked phone, on U1 firmware, with a Verizon SIM. Wifi calling works. There is no "Advanced Calling" menu in Connection Settings, but there's a toggle for VoLTE and it was switched on by default. No 4G icon, but rather a LTE+ icon is shown in status bar. The only thing I haven't found a workaround for is the native video calling. I cannot initiate it (phone app does not show the option when I'm on a call with another Verizon phone) and if another Verizon phone attempts to initiate a native video call, it tells them that I cannot accept video calls. I checked my VZW account settings on a PC, and despite the video call option being on and not blocked, native calling doesn't work, as described above. Duo works fine for video. I was able to get Visual Voicemail by installing the app that I go from another thread. I installed it before checking to see if the U1 firmware added it by default, so I can't say for sure that it wasn't there already.
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing your observations regarding wifi calling. How can one tell it is working? I am used to older phones advising that wifi calling was in use via text in the phone app. I'm not seeing this notification on my new unlocked T-Mobile-branded N20U with Verizon SIM.
I also noticed the VoLTE toggle in the phone app, switched on and greyed-out, can't be deselected. Of course they don't want to support anything but VoIP anymore. What is the behavior, if the cell signal is decent it won't use wifi? It can't be forced to prefer wifi, can it? I used the trick of putting it in airplane mode, then turn on wifi to try and force it to wifi call. It said it couldn't make the call in airplane mode, which is not encouraging regarding wifi calling being functional on this phone/provider combo.

[email protected] said:
Thanks for sharing your observations regarding wifi calling. How can one tell it is working? I am used to older phones advising that wifi calling was in use via text in the phone app. I'm not seeing this notification on my new unlocked T-Mobile-branded N20U with Verizon SIM.
I also noticed the VoLTE toggle in the phone app, switched on and greyed-out, can't be deselected. Of course they don't want to support anything but VoIP anymore. What is the behavior, if the cell signal is decent it won't use wifi? It can't be forced to prefer wifi, can it? I used the trick of putting it in airplane mode, then turn on wifi to try and force it to wifi call. It said it couldn't make the call in airplane mode, which is not encouraging regarding wifi calling being functional on this phone/provider combo.
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From what I've found, if you put another carrier's SIM in a truly unlocked carrier branded phone, it should prompt you to apply your carrier settings upon boot. For example when I put a Spectrum SIM in a Verizon phone, it "converted" the CSC (Carrier settings and boot logo) to Spectrum.
My recommendation is to attempt to get the SIM to switch the CSC automatically. If not, use the patched ODIN to flash the Unlocked U1 firmware, and optionally you can flash Verizon from there if Verizon's Video Calling is a must.

Guyinlaca said:
From what I've found, if you put another carrier's SIM in a truly unlocked carrier branded phone, it should prompt you to apply your carrier settings upon boot. For example when I put a Spectrum SIM in a Verizon phone, it "converted" the CSC (Carrier settings and boot logo) to Spectrum.
My recommendation is to attempt to get the SIM to switch the CSC automatically. If not, use the patched ODIN to flash the Unlocked U1 firmware, and optionally you can flash Verizon from there if Verizon's Video Calling is a must.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the detailed response. I was a little concerned about the T-Mobile branding, and what that truly meant at the software level. I installed the Verizon SIM to this factory-reset phone. If it was going to switch CSC I think it would have happened then. It went through the usual setup steps, but still displays T-Mobile screen at boot. I'm not sure what else I would do to "get the SIM to switch the CSC automatically".
Would you agree with my conclusion that wifi calling isn't working based on the outgoing call failure when in airplane mode with wifi on?
If there is better, more-unlocked firmware I'm not opposed to flashing it. It's been a while since I've played with rooting and custom ROMS, but I'm guessing stock firmware is a lower-risk activity on an expensive phone.
I'll refer to this link to try and flash to unlocked U1 firmware, hopefully that will allow wifi calling compatibility:
OTA and Non-OTA Firmware for N986U and N986U1

Do US phone carriers have the ability to grey out Android call features from being selectable ?

What are they doing that makes them have this ability? They seem to be able turn off things like VoLTE, video calling, and WifI calling but also make it non selectable. For example if VoLTE is not selectable even with the hidden controls from *#*#4636#*#* when a phone is compatible with the network and even previously worked why is that? Does it differ by carrier on how this is accomplished or do they all use basically same methods? Or is it generally all the same thing? I already know they run an IMEI check and have a white list but I’m talking about what happens after that.
Is it the APN settings? I think I also heard there is something called an IMS setting that is sometimes seporate from the APN settings that VoLTE is dependant on and not always visible to the user. I know there is something network side they have control over but from recent experience being told that I do have features like VoLTE enabled on their end unless I am being lied to I think something also is done on the phone itself. Do the network carriers have the ability to just push settings to the phone and can push out improper settings causing such issues? So does that mean they can push over the proper settings or can it only be controlled from the user side? If it can only be controlled from user side then why is it that certain features are forcibly non selectable? It makes no sense if the user side is the only one who has control because this clearly is an indication the network carrier is the one in control.
I have this issue and am just throwing a broad topic before I cover the issue in it’s own dedicated section for my phone model to get a better understanding of what is going on since I know this is by no means device specific as I’ve heard from many different makes and models of similar occuring over different network carriers too. In my specific case it’s Verizon’s network through Straight Talk on an unlocked phone I got through them.

The carrier isn't necessarily remotely enabling or disabling anything. When your device is provisioned, it receives a configuration file that tells it what channels to use, what APN to use, and what features are available. If this configuration file does not indicate the network supports features such as VoLTE, video calling, or wifi calling, these features will not be available. Your device is most likely capable, but you can't use features that don't exist.
Think of it like the cable internet industry - while you might own the modem, the carrier pushes the configuration file that allows it to work on their network. You as the user don't get to decide what that configuration entails, beyond what features your plan supports and what the network is capable of. The only thing you can change are whether you use features that are available. Trying to change the network side configuration is absolutely against the carrier's terms of use, and in most cases is illegal - just like hacking a cable modem or cable TV box to get channels you don't pay for.
It sounds like you need to contact Verizon support and explain that even though your plan and device support VoLTE, video calling, and wifi calling, these features aren't working for you. It's going to be a real pain because they're going to assume something is wrong with your device and try to walk you through the infuriating process of basic troubleshooting, but you'll eventually get some real help.

V0latyle said:
The carrier isn't necessarily remotely enabling or disabling anything. When your device is provisioned, it receives a configuration file that tells it what channels to use, what APN to use, and what features are available. If this configuration file does not indicate the network supports features such as VoLTE, video calling, or wifi calling, these features will not be available. Your device is most likely capable, but you can't use features that don't exist.
Think of it like the cable internet industry - while you might own the modem, the carrier pushes the configuration file that allows it to work on their network. You as the user don't get to decide what that configuration entails, beyond what features your plan supports and what the network is capable of. The only thing you can change are whether you use features that are available. Trying to change the network side configuration is absolutely against the carrier's terms of use, and in most cases is illegal - just like hacking a cable modem or cable TV box to get channels you don't pay for.
It sounds like you need to contact Verizon support and explain that even though your plan and device support VoLTE, video calling, and wifi calling, these features aren't working for you. It's going to be a real pain because they're going to assume something is wrong with your device and try to walk you through the infuriating process of basic troubleshooting, but you'll eventually get some real help.
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These features all were available on same phone and same network before working fine and stopped working a few months before the 3g shutdown and after the shutdown it made it so Im unable to make calls at all since I cant use VoLTE. Im not sure if they had pushed a bad configuration to prepare for this whether intentional or not or if it was result of a bad configuration caused by an Android security update or something. I’ve heard of this happening a lot particularly with unlocked phones on bring your own phone prepaid plans.
Yes, it’s difficult to get ahold of anyone who understands what is going on. I’m not even sure if i can contact Verizon since their support looks like it’s setup where you need a Verizon account for them to assist and my service is through Straight Talk which while its now owned by Verizon I imagine they will give me the runaround because of that small detail and the people at Straight Talk arent high up enough to know some details about the network I would assume as Ive been on the line with them a few times already and their solution came down to get a new phone which I dont want to be pushed into even if it came to a point they start offering it for free since I dont want this to be the case in the future potentially happening over and over. I want them to show they are competent enough to run their own network. The Straight Talk support just keep doing the same things even after getting to higher levels of support, checking my IMEI and ICCID are correct and that they have VoLTE turned on their side in some settings then commonly they work backwards and assume I’m an idiot and ask if I have data turned on.