US phone calls - Volte - Samsung S8

[Jethro_82]

I have a samsung S8 and travel to the US several times a year.  I have a plan that includes US(and Mexican) roaming.  The last several times I have gone to the United States I can send and receive texts, and I can use data, but I can't make or receive phone calls.  It is my understanding this is because most of the US uses VoLTE to make calls.  I have googled setting up a samsung S8 to use volte, but when I follow the step by step instructions the option isn't on Settings - Connections - Mobile networks menu where the internet says it should be.  Does anyone know how I can enable the sending and recieving of phone calls when I'm visiting my American family on my phone?

[Nezgar]

Even if a phone is on Telus's whitelist for VoLTE use in Canada, it ALSO has to be on the whitelist for the networks you plan to roam on in the USA... For example, I had both a BlackBerry keyOne and a Huawei P30 working fine for calls in Canada, but both were reduced to data & texting only while roaming in USA as they are not approved by T-Mobile or AT&T for use on their networks.

Also, old phones like the Samsung Galaxy S8 in use by OP is so old it probably only supports 3G for voice calls in the first place, with no VoLTE capability at all. If it has LTE, it will be for data only and as such is virtually guaranteed not to be permitted on USA networks anymore.

Only solution would be to use a newer phone. Public Moible's official list is a little flexible - my most recent trip using a Galaxy S21FE worked fine for VoLTE calls even though that phone isn't in Public Mobile's (short) list of supported phones...

[BKNS27]

@Jethro_82 

You can use WhatsApp if both parties have this app for free calling and texting when connected to wifi or on data.

[Dunkman]

@Jethro_82 

Your phone is not VoLTE compatible with PM network so you will have voice issues while roaming in the USA since 3G network is decommissioned in the USA.  If you can connect to T mobile 2G network, you may get some talk services.    

Here is another thread:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Get-Support/Samsung-S8-On-US-Plan/td-p/1042553

[hairbag1]

@Jethro_82 

here's a list of Sammies that are recognized by Public Mobile to be VoLTE activated. There could be others but this is the only list provided by PM to date. If yours doesn't work whilst in us, you'll need to upgrade to newer phone...

• Samsung S23 (AVK2 & above)
• Samsung S22/S22+/S22 Ultra (CWAI & above)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 & Fold4 (CWAC & above)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G & Fold3 5G (FWB1 & above)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G (HWB1 & above)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G (JWB5 & above)
• Samsung Note20 5G/Ultra 5G (HWB3& above)
• Samsung A53 5G (CWB4 & above)
• Samsung S21 FE 5G (EWB3 & above)

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

[Chalupa_Batman]

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@Jethro_82 wrote:

I have a samsung S8 and travel to the US several times a year.  I have a plan that includes US(and Mexican) roaming.  The last several times I have gone to the United States I can send and receive texts, and I can use data, but I can't make or receive phone calls.  It is my understanding this is because most of the US uses VoLTE to make calls.  I have googled setting up a samsung S8 to use volte, but when I follow the step by step instructions the option isn't on Settings - Connections - Mobile networks menu where the internet says it should be.  Does anyone know how I can enable the sending and recieving of phone calls when I'm visiting my American family on my phone?

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If memory serves me correct, I do believe the phone should work in the US. What you have to do is go into your Settings, then Network Settings, turn off automatic and choose T-Mobile. Since your data is working you already have data roaming turned on by the looks of things. Then reboot the phone and you SHOULD be able to make and take calls.

EDIT: Just to confirm, SM-G950W ? Cause that one has Band12-700MHz, Band4-AWS, Band2-1900MHz and should work.