does VoLTE need hardware support?

bjlockie

My Mom’s 2018 phone is Android 9 and won’t work once Rogers gets rid of 3g for voice.
If I install LineageOS (Android 11) on the phone is that enough to get VoLTE or does it need hardware support?
The phone is small and she likes it.

px_eliezer_

bjlockie

It’s been a couple of years since I set up Lineage or other AOSP (Android Open Source Project) operating systems on phones, but I do know that VoLTE has been a problem.

Three parties have to get along: Hardware, Software, Carrier.

Many people have posted (and this matches my experience) that Samsung is especially a PITA compared to others.

WalterDnes

bjlockie My Mom’s 2018 phone is Android 9 and won’t work once Rogers gets rid of 3g for voice.

VOLTE == Voice Over LTE.

Does the phone support 4GLTE ? That is hardware. If the phone only goes up to 3G, it’ll be a brick when Rogers ditches 3G.

Donoreo

WalterDnes That is what I was going to post, but a phone from 2018 should have LTE. What is the model of phone? The specs should be available.

WalterDnes

bjlockie Some more research.

Roger$ are @$$h0le$. See the thread on the Rogers community forum https://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/Android/Oneplus-6T-IS-4G-LTE-Volte-compatible-but-Fido-Rogers-recognizes/td-p/543141 Basically Rogers whitelist for VOLTE only the phones they sell, and block all others, “because they can”.

I’m on Virginplus (Bell flanker brand). Their list of accepted phones for VOLTE in Ontario is at https://www.virginplus.ca/en/support/voice-and-video-over-LTE.html?province=ON&geoResult=failed# The Phones with asterisks beside them will do VOICE over LTE, but not VIDEO over LTE.

The requirements…

Software - At least Android 11
Hardware - Phone must support at least 4GLTE
Sim card - must support at least 4GLTE

What specific model is your mother’s phone? Assuming the phone is VOLTE-capable, would she be willing to switch carriers to keep the phone? There would probably be fees for the transfer, and a new 4GLTE compatible SIM card.

bjlockie

WalterDnes If the phone only goes up to 3G, it’ll be a brick when Rogers ditches 3G.

The phone does LTE but there are no settings for VoLTE and Rogers keeps bugging her.

Does anyone know any current phones that have similar size to the Samsung Galaxy A8?

bjlockie

WalterDnes

What is the policy of Koodo, Freedom?
How can whitelisting be legal?

bjlockie

WalterDnes Basically Rogers whitelist for VOLTE only the phones they sell, and block all others, “because they can”.

Will supported models of phones bought from other carriers work on Rogers?
I have a spare Moto G Power (2022) that seems to work.

px_eliezer_

bjlockie

The Best Small Phones for 2025
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-small-phones

Best small phones of 2025
https://www.phonearena.com/news/best-small-phones_id164042

px_eliezer_

bjlockie Moto G Power (2022)

That was shipped with Android 11 and possibly upgraded to Android 12.

I’m not a “version snob” but in terms of apps, functionality, security, it’s going to be increasingly outdated.

Even for an older phone, Android 13 is probably a minimum these days.

bjlockie

px_eliezer_

Wow, their definition of “small” is pretty big.
The A8 is 5″ something, new “small” phones are 6.1+".

px_eliezer_

bjlockie

It’s a problem, yes.

Even back in 2022-2023 people were complaining that the formerly small phone sizes no longer existed.

WalterDnes

bjlockie

The phone does LTE but there are no settings for VoLTE and Rogers keeps bugging her.

If you don’t have at least Android 11 (or Lineage equivalent) as well as a 4GLTE-capable SIM card, it won’t even try to do VOLTE. Given the thread from the Rogers community forum, I don’t think Rogers would allow it.

Does anyone know any current phones that have similar size to the Samsung Galaxy A8?

Small phones are very rare. You may have to buy an obscure brand off of Amazon or AliExpress. But then Rogers probably won’t support it. I also notice that phones with OTA FM radios are no longer sold in Canada. I’m half-seriously considering getting a phone from AliExpress with FM radio.

What is the policy of Koodo, Freedom?

I believe Koodo is a Telus flanker brand and Freedom is a Videotron flanker brand. Telus has a page where you enter your IMEI to check (bad sign). I don’t know about Freedom.

How can whitelisting be legal?

To use an old meme… in Soviet Canada wireless carriers regulate the CRTC.

Will supported models of phones bought from other carriers work on Rogers? I have a spare Moto G Power (2022) that seems to work.

Rogers is questionable, given the community forum thread I pointed to earlier. According to https://www.virginplus.ca/en/support/voice-and-video-over-LTE.html?province=ON&geoResult=failed the G Power is supported on VirginPlus

px_eliezer_

bjlockie

iPhone 13 Mini (specifically, the Mini) is 5.4 inches.

It’s a few years old but Apple is supposed to support it until 2028.
https://www.refurb.me/blog/how-long-does-apple-support-iphones

LiteMeUp

bjlockie

According to GSMarena… https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a8_(2018)-8886.php
It does 4G and LTE
Doesn’t specify VoLTE, but it’s not stuck at 3G.

According to Rogers…
https://www.rogers.com/support/mobility/rogers-3g-hspa-networks-are-being-retired

Samsung A8
Postpaid accounts
Your device is compatible
You can continue using your device on Rogers Networks.

Also according to Rogers (well, Google’s A.I.)…
Verify you have an LTE or 5G SIM card inserted in your phone.
Enable VoLTE in Settings:

Go to Settings.
Tap on Network & Internet or Connections.
Select Mobile network.
Choose Preferred network type.
Select 4G/LTE/5G.
Toggle VoLTE to the “ON” position.

Or maybe they’re all lying.

bjlockie

LiteMeUp According to Rogers…

Ya, I checked it there.
It says it’ll work, Rogers says it won’t.
Maybe the tool only checks if it’ll work now.
It’ll work until the end of the month. :-)

gwailodan

HI I have the answer! You need to reset your phone’s CSC to Rogers.

I have a S7 (from Bell) that had the same issue. I posted the experience here.

https://broadbandbulletin.com/d/4411-solution-found-for-getting-volte-on-samsung-s7

I had no VoLTE option previously, then got it once I updated the CSC to Rogers. My phone still works on Fido now.