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Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL - Free VOLTE Bonus Update

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Google released a free bonus update for Pixel 3 and 3XL owners today. Enables Pixel 3s to use VOLTE Roaming (voice over LTE), meaning that they won't get turned into phones that suddenly drop calls as you move from one carrier LTE zone into another as 3G is being disconnected across most carriers. (AT&T turned off 3G in February; TMobile turns it off July 1; Verizon turns it off December 31 2022). On some phones/carriers you will get the update prompt (or you can do an update check manually via Settings>System); on many other phones you won't get it (yet?). In my own case, I did not get the update notification across any of my six Pixel 3s, and as of this writing I still do not see it even when I use the manual update check on my remaining 4 un-upgraded Pixel 3s. Previous to this update, I would regularly get dropped calls or calls that simply never registered; and this is in heavily covered Los Angeles.

1. [https://android.gadgethacks.com/h...-0189128/] Enable Developer Mode & Enable OEM Unlocking
3. [https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb Install Google WinUSB driver
4. [https://flash.android.com/ Use Google's Flash Tool via Browser to flash your device to Build SP1A.210812.016.C2, (Global, Standard Pixel 3/XLs) or 12.0.0 (SP1A.210812.016.B2, Jun 2022, Telstra, Optus, Vodafone AU)

Continue enjoying your Pixel 3 into the post-3G future.

ETA: Yes, this IS for Pixel 3 and 3xl. Yes, this will allow your phone to use VOLTE on ATT and TMobile. Yes, this is an official build direct from Google, and the flash tool is also from Google. Yes, I have done it myself and it is pretty nice, as the alternative was to trade them in for OP Nord 200s [t-mobile.com]. The process took 5 minutes to enable developer mode, enable usb debugging, and enable oem unlocking; 5 minutes install Google WinUSB driver; 2 minutes to unlock via Fastboot; 5 minutes to install C2 build via Android Flash Tool.

https://www.androidpolice.com/the...st-update/
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Created 06-28-2022 at 09:56 PM by duenor
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Joined Aug 2008
Gonna Rep You A New One
> bubble2 9,464 Posts
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Slimeyface
06-28-2022 at 10:18 PM.
06-28-2022 at 10:18 PM.
Excellent info! Thanks!
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FreeBand Taliban
> bubble2 8,543 Posts
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new33
06-28-2022 at 10:34 PM.
06-28-2022 at 10:34 PM.
3a too ?
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FreeBand Taliban
> bubble2 8,543 Posts
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new33
06-28-2022 at 10:39 PM.
06-28-2022 at 10:39 PM.
Quote from new33 :
3a too ?

Nvm 3a and 3a XL get one last update and Volte
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Joined Aug 2014
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> bubble2 804 Posts
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z256joey
06-28-2022 at 10:42 PM.
06-28-2022 at 10:42 PM.
I just checked the two Pixel 3s I have, both of them have VOLTE installed and active. Both are on AT&T. Apparently I don't need this?
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Joined May 2004
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,538 Posts
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Firebird
06-28-2022 at 11:03 PM.
06-28-2022 at 11:03 PM.
Quote from new33 :
Nvm 3a and 3a XL get one last update and Volte
When does the 3a and 3a XL users get it?
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Joined Aug 2014
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> bubble2 881 Posts
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jo55jo
06-28-2022 at 11:10 PM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank jo55jo

06-28-2022 at 11:10 PM.
Installed the update on my old 3XL yesterday. You do not have to do anything special.

Just go to Settings->System-->System Update and click "Check for update". Voila!
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Joined Aug 2007
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> bubble2 141 Posts
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tctmp
06-28-2022 at 11:18 PM.
06-28-2022 at 11:18 PM.
Exactly, why do people need to use the side loader as OP described? That's not safe if the copy is compromised. Just use the built in update mechanism that pixel phones have.
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Last edited by tctmp June 28, 2022 at 11:21 PM.

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> bubble2 13 Posts
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floydcohen
06-29-2022 at 12:45 AM.
06-29-2022 at 12:45 AM.
Quote from tctmp :
Exactly, why do people need to use the side loader as OP described? That's not safe if the copy is compromised. Just use the built in update mechanism that pixel phones have.
For some phones, OTA updates never trigger. Example, my pixel 3 has never gotten past the Oct 5, 2021 update.
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Joined Jun 2007
FreeBand Taliban
> bubble2 8,543 Posts
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new33
06-29-2022 at 12:48 AM.
06-29-2022 at 12:48 AM.
Quote from Firebird :
When does the 3a and 3a XL users get it?

In the June update

https://www.androidcentral.com/ph...te-support
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> bubble2 3,884 Posts
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Original Poster
duenor
06-29-2022 at 01:34 AM.
06-29-2022 at 01:34 AM.
Quote from floydcohen :
For some phones, OTA updates never trigger. Example, my pixel 3 has never gotten past the Oct 5, 2021 update.

Yes that was my experience. Probably eventually might get it, or not. The flash tool is direct from Google so about as safe as you can get.

none of my six pixel 3 triggered the c2 update as of this writing
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Joined Dec 2011
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> bubble2 1,679 Posts
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david61983
06-29-2022 at 04:30 AM.
06-29-2022 at 04:30 AM.
I thought these were 4GLTE phones?
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> bubble2 2,385 Posts
coffeeduck
06-29-2022 at 04:37 AM.
06-29-2022 at 04:37 AM.
Quote from floydcohen :
For some phones, OTA updates never trigger. Example, my pixel 3 has never gotten past the Oct 5, 2021 update.

Agreed but word of caution for people: OTA update may be disabled for a number of reasons - if your device is locked and has custom software, updating may break it. If you have root and upgrade, you could lose root and data. In ideal circumstances, default version of Android using OTA update is fine, but there's a lot of custom variations out there these days.....

tl;dr before updating, check online to see if anyone has had issues after updating. Check your model in settings. Probably better to wait a few weeks for results lol
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Joined Nov 2011
SD rocks!
> bubble2 702 Posts
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louiemingione
06-29-2022 at 04:41 AM.
06-29-2022 at 04:41 AM.
I'm on Verizon which is not ending 3G until December. Is there any rush to do this now? Won't this update still be available? Who knows if my Pixel 3 is going to make it until December anyway.
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> bubble2 518 Posts
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OrGoN3
06-29-2022 at 04:44 AM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank OrGoN3

06-29-2022 at 04:44 AM.
Edit: okay. After reading the original article, the info in OP is just wrong. Firstly, this update is for Pixel 3a's and newer, and NOT for the regular Pixel 3.

Second, VoLTE already exists on all of these phones. What this update brings is VoLTE Roaming.

That is all.

Last edit: Google also rolled this out for regular Pixel 3. Since I'm on Verizon with a bootloader locked Pixel, I'll have to hope Verizon supports this update.

I see others mentioning an update after the October update. What was it? My phone says last updated October, but I know there was a small update after that didn't change when last updated. Currently on C1.
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Last edited by OrGoN3 June 29, 2022 at 05:02 AM.
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