[Updated] Some Pixel 6 users accuse Google of blocking 5G, VoLTE, & Wi-Fi calling in multiple countries, demand OTA to enable them

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on January 11, 2022) follows:

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are Google’s flagship devices that offer a refreshed design along with a significant jump in performance. Ever since its launch last year, the new phones have managed to stay in the spotlight.

From updates causing connectivity issues to screen cracking randomly, Pixel 6 issues seem to be never-ending.

A few weeks ago, Pixel users complained about their phones lacking VoLTE and Vo-WiFi support in numerous European and Asian countries.

That being said, some Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro users are now accusing Google of blocking connectivity options such as 5G, VoLTE, and Wi-Fi calling in several countries.

Device owners say that they are unable to connect to the 5G network in countries where the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are not on the certified carrier list.

But others say that they can easily use 5G in countries like Sweden and Denmark where the Pixel 6 series is not officially available.

My Pixel6 Pro doesn’t see any 5G network in Poland as it’s not on certified carriers list. I tried to resolve it with my Carrier (Orange Poland), they tried to fix it, they see my P6 Pro in the network as a compatible devices and there is no problem to add the device to the list on their side, but lack of profile of Orange Poland on Pixel 6 PRO disables 5G completely, so my P6 Pro can’t see any 5G network in Poland. So the problem is not on my network carrier side but because of lasck of few lines in settings, “Made by Google”.

They added that the same thing applies to VoLTE.

The same situation is for VoLTE. Please add Orange Poland Profile settings in the next update, we’d like to use our phones with all it’s functionalities, as we paid for it. I can’t use it in Poland even with my Italian WindTre SIM. We do You treat us as Beta testers of Your devices and worse category of your customers?! It’s 2021 and even though I pay 899 EURO for P6P I can’t use it as I want… I had the same issue with my Pixel 4 (VoLTE and CA) C’mon GOOGLE treat all Your customers the same way! Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Huawei (sic!) and even Apple can do it… So, how come it’s too difficult for GOOGLE?!
(Source)

Many are demanding that Google enable 5G and VoLTE via an OTA update like how they did in the past for some Pixel phones.

Commenting on the matter, a Community Manager said that users should double-check the network hardware if they want to buy the phone in unsupported regions.

When using a Pixel device outside of the supported regions, double-checking that the device’s network hardware is compatible with your carrier is important. Please use caution and understand that your Pixel device may not be compatible with your carrier in using 5G, VoLTE, and Wi-Fi calling outside of a supported region. When we launch in each region, we work to ensure that our device hardware is compatible with their major carrier networks.
(Source)

As expected, Google is blaming carriers for not making the phones compatible with their networks. While this is partly true, many users say that rooting the phone and making changes to radio settings enabled 5G and VoLTE.

This indicates that maybe Google is in fact intentionally blocking 5G and VoLTE on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro in some countries.

Users are really frustrated since every other smartphone manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, and Xiaomi have been able to make their devices compatible with various carriers in different countries.

We hope Google learns from other phone companies and enables support for 5G, VoLTE, and Wi-Fi calling sometime in the near future.

11:39 am (IST): Google has finally enabled VoLTE calling support for Pixel 6 and 6 Pro in EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) and APAC (Asia Pacific) regions with July 2022 update.

– Enable additional VoLTE calling features on certain networks (Source)

03:29 pm (IST): It seems that Google has enabled VoLTE calling support for Pixel 6a in Israel with Android 13 QPR2 update.

Updated to QPR2 a couple of days ago, just noticed today that my calls go through LTE! Also verified provisioning with the 4636 menu.

I’m on Partner (Israel), and it was never enabled before, or even showed the option in network settings.

Fingers crossed it stays! Next stop: VoWIFI, 5G!
Source

01:40 pm (IST): It seems that the recent Google update has made 5G available for Pixel 6 users in India.

04:24 pm (IST): If your Pixel 6 is still missing VoLTE, here’s a guide to enable it. (Via)

02:34 pm (IST): Google is now reportedly (1, 2) expanding VoLTE/5G support for Pixel phones in more countries.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Google Section so be sure to follow them as well.

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