Another VoLTE Compatibility Question...

[PaulC2]

Hey everyone,

So I have been using a Nothing Phone 1 for the last 4+ years on Public Mobile. VoLTE works, I have had no issues with compatibility. When I enter the IMEI of this phone into the compatibility checker, of course it says that it is not compatible.

I opened a ticket and asked if a Nothing Phone 4a Pro would be compatible. The agent said that she couldn't check without an IMEI. Its kind of ridiculous that I have to buy a phone first, then check... but anyway. 

I bought it the 4a Pro, and of course the IMEI is also not compatible. But what does that mean?  I have been using an incompatible phone for years without issue, so who cares if it is not compatible, right?

Can anyone confirm this: Phones that work with VoLTE, even though they are not on the compatibility list, will continue to work after the March 1, 2027 shutdown. Is Public Mobile making any changes that day, say making their whitelist more restricted, etc?

Also, some will say, "Just buy Google, Samsung or Apple." Well no, I don't want to support those companies as much as possible. Am I supposed to just keep buying/returning phones until I finally find a compatible IMEI? 

[PaulC2]

Yeah, its the not knowing that is killing me. I wish Public Mobile would first admit that "incompatible" phones can still work with VoLTE, and I wish they would be clearer on what will happen to these outlier phones on March 1. 

Like instead of saying, "if it shows incompatible, it will never work!", which is clearly false.

They should say, "if it shows incompatible, it MAY not work, here is how to check, open settings, bla bla bla"

Thanks for your input @softech . I guess I have no choice but to return it for now, since I can't afford to buy another handset in March if I need to. 

[softech]

@PaulC2 if you already have the phone and cannot return it anyway, you can keep using the phone and see what happens next year.  

Since you seem to be using it already , maybe it will work.  But we always seem some service was working and stopped working shortly after once PM tightens the gap as the phones are incompatible 

[PaulC2]

Thanks for taking the time to reply to me @softech and @slusagm .

if I make a call with WIFI off, and I see the VoLTE icon, doesn't that mean that VoLTE is working?
Also, when I dial *#*#4636#*#* on my phone, and check the IMS settings, VoLTE is enabled and working.

Why is everyone telling me something doesn't work when I have it in my hands and it is working? What am I missing here?

[slusagm]

Sorry, Phones that have VoLTE but not on PM VoLTE whilelist will not work when the 3G network is gone

Nothing has no Canadian carrier partnerships, so they are not certified anywhere 

We saw people confirmed Nothing phones do not work on VoLTE for Rogers, Bell, Telus and all its sub-brands. VoLTE calls with Nothing can only works on Freedom and Videotron as they have the most relaxing requirement and they don't enforce IMEI whitelisting

[softech]

@PaulC2 Nothing phones is NOT compatible with Public Mobile.  Data will work but not VoLTE, which will be needed for voice calls 

Voice calls are working now because Telus/Bell still has 3G. But after March 2027, once the 3G network is fully shut down, your phone will no longer receive voice calls because it isn’t certified for VoLTE.

Your phone is really one of the brands that has least compatibility with any Canadian carriers when it comes to VoLTE. Most carriers, not just Public Mobile, do not support Nothing phones.   You might want to return it if it is not too late, or sell it if you cannot return it

You don't want to support Google, Samsung or Apple, but Public Mobile, like all tier 3 providers, has a short list of supported phones. Generally most major brands of phones released after 2024 and are designed and sold for the Canadian market should work.  ( BUT Imported phones/grey market phones sold on marketplaces likely won't work)