New Phone and Public Mobile's Whitelist for VoLTE

[hncfreyja2]

So I need to get my husband a new phone.  I am looking at Samsung Galaxy A35 5G 128GB Model  SM-A356WZKAXAC.  It was only released this spring and is not on Public Mobile's list of VoLTE compatible devices as that list is over 2 years old. 

So where is the updated list?  How do I know if this phone will work while he's roaming in the US?  I'm not buying a phone that is two years old just so that it's on that list and I'm not buying one that is uber expensive either.  I want one that's current and mid-range that is going to work for VoLTE here and in the States because his LG G6 while it will work here would only work very sporadically in the States. 

Any insight?  TIA

[hncfreyja2]

Yes, that might be an option.  Thanks.

[hncfreyja2]

It needs to work without WIFI or mobile data, which I presume is how that works without SIM.  He is often in the woods/middle of nowhere and would need a SIM.  But I get what you are saying.

[Joe_G]

TextNow is a free VOIP app that works over WiFi or mobile data or the TextNow SIM card. The SIM card only works with the TextNow app. It will not work with your phone's built in phone app. The SIM card is US$4.99 but they will only ship it to a US address and you must pick a US phone number when you sign up.

[KZ1964]

You dont need a textnow sim, just download the textnow app and pick a free phone number and use that to call.  That is wjat my husband does in the States

[hairbag1]

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@hncfreyja2 wrote:

well I like to use a lot of *ahem* "unofficial" apps etc.  so I question my ability to do that with iPhones...

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totally understand. That's one of the downsides of apple products...they only like apple approved apps. For talk in US, iphones are just fine though.

[hncfreyja2]

Wow, that is messed up.  What is this TextNow SIM?  Do you get that here or down there?  How does it work?

[hncfreyja2]

well I like to use a lot of *ahem* "unofficial" apps etc.  so I question my ability to do that with iPhones...

[Chalupa_Batman]

Hey @hncfreyja2 

Allow me to say this. I recently purchased a phone that was literally made for T-Mobile, Public Mobiles partner company down in the USA. It's a Cat S22 Flip phone. It works in the US on T-Mobile if I have a T-Mobile account. It also works on Mint Mobile down in the USA. However, it will work here in Canada on Public Mobile but only on 3G. When I bring it to the USA, it doesn't work because Public Mobile won't add it to the VoLTE safe list. Nobody truly understands how Public Mobile thinks. I LOVE this phone. I just want to use it with PM. But a bonus is that I can place a TextNow SIM card in it and use it while in the USA so that makes me happy. 🙂

[Handy1]

@hncfreyja2  Yes 4G works in the U.S. for text and data . Will work for call no problem to so long as it’s in the PM voLTE list 

[hairbag1]

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@hncfreyja2 wrote:

OK.  He actually just got one of those from his other job today lol, too funny.  Too small to suit him though.  I will look at iPhones too but I am not familiar whit that OS at ALL and I have to do all the tech stuff sooo....

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Once you get over the initial fear, it's a perdy intuitive operating system. Easy to navigate. Lots folks use iPhones without issue.

[hncfreyja2]

OK.  But shouldnt 4G work fine in the States, though?  I'm beginning to question these low price plans we have.  They seem to come at a price not in $ but in tech limitation

[hncfreyja2]

OK.  He actually just got one of those from his other job today lol, too funny.  Too small to suit him though.  I will look at iPhones too but I am not familiar whit that OS at ALL and I have to do all the tech stuff sooo....

[hairbag1]

@hncfreyja2 

for some reason, PM has been very selective about who gets on the volte whitelist. There simply is no logical reason that we can come up with.

[Handy1]

@hncfreyja2  public mobile prevents it if it’s not on the list  for example Samsung s20 is 5G capable phone and with Telus you get 5G network but with PM s20 only gets 4G so it’s PM that hinders it from working 

[hncfreyja2]

I see what you're saying.  But like why would it not work down there? I don't understand what would prevent it. Especially if you check IMEI number on, say, T-Mobile site and it says it's compatible.

[hairbag1]

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@hncfreyja2 wrote:

Yes, it seems iPhone is a safe bet.

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I use an iPhone SE and volte works just fine whilst in US. It's a lower priced phone but it does what I need it to do.

[hairbag1]

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@hncfreyja2 wrote:

Yes.  These phones are from 2022.  That's the issue.  I need phones from 2024.

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PM hasn't updated that list. We've all asked for an accurate update, but to no avail. If you get it and it works in US...please let us know. I wouldn't count on volte to work if it's not listed though.

[hncfreyja2]

Yes, it seems iPhone is a safe bet.

[hncfreyja2]

I did see that thread, yes.  I guess I'm more concerned whether it will work in the States rather than here but unsure how one could know that until they are in the US lol

[hncfreyja2]

Works on LG G6 although it's not on list but that phone did not work hardly at all in the States.

[Handy1]

@hncfreyja2  If you don’t mind “old tech “ you could’ve buy a cheap iPhone 8 or up and it’ will work 

[hncfreyja2]

Yes.  These phones are from 2022.  That's the issue.  I need phones from 2024.

[hTideGnow]

hi @hncfreyja2 someone confirmed earlier that A35 actually works with VoLTE

[Handy1]

@hncfreyja2  If it’s not on the list it most likely won’t work , but you can test out phone to LTE and turn-off wifi . Now make a phone call does the phone stay on LTE or drop to 3G if it stays on LTE then you have voLTE enabled on your account/phone if it drops to 3G he will have hard time making calls in the U.S. while roaming 

[hairbag1]

@hncfreyja2 

use this link to find the volte enabled official list...

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-help/articles/volte