3G Shutdown: IMS APN Fix for Android VoLTE

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99.9% of the time things turn up as expected. Still, there are still those 0.01% cases when nothing goes as planned and you need a plan B to save the day.

This is exactly what we’re talking about in this article. Since the 3G shutdown is around the corner, it means you need your phone to operate through the newer and faster 4G/LTE network. This can only be achieved by using Voice over LTE (VoLTE), which is also known as Enhanced 4G LTE, or HD calling. Although most newish Android devices will easily connect through the LTE network as soon as the VoLTE feature is enabled on the device, there are a few models that will need a little push to make this happen. Yeap, those 0.01%!

If you’ve noticed that your phone is not using VoLTE even after you have enabled the feature under your device’s settings as explained here, then we recommend you follow these steps:

Samsung Phones

Go to Settings
Select Connections
Tap Mobile Networks
Tap Access Point Names

Motorola Phones

Go to Settings
Select Network & Internet
Tap on Mobile Network
Tap on Advanced
Tap Access Point Names

LG Phones

Go to Settings
Select Network & Internet
Tap on Mobile Network
Tap Access Point Names

Google Pixel

Go to Settings
Select Network & Internet
Tap on Mobile Network
Tap Access Point Names (or Advanced, then APN)

How do I manually activate VoLTE using APN settings?

After locating the APN settings menu for your phone, you will need to reset the Access Point Names by clicking on the Menu button (3 dots) and check if there are any APNs set by default.

First look for the T-Mobile APN (fast.t-mobile.com) and if you have it, make sure it’s selected. No need to edit it, just make sure it’s checked.

Then add a brand new APN to your list with the following information:

- Name: ims
- APN: ims
- APN type: ims

The rest of the fields do not need to be filled out or modified at all, just leave them with their default values. Then, make sure to save this new APN.

Once back on the main APN menu, verify that your new IMS APN is showing on the list but it should NOT be selected. We still want the default T-Mobile APN to be selected.

Now restart your phone and test out your Tello services.

What if I don’t have the default T-Mobile APN showing?

If the default T-Mobile APN (fast.t-mobile.com) was not showing on your APN list to begin with, you will need to manually add our Tello APN with the following values:

Name: Tello
APN: wholesale
Proxy: (leave blank)
Port: 8080
Username & Password: (leave blank)
Server: (leave blank)
MMSC: http://wholesale.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc
MMS Proxy: (leave blank)
MMS Port: (leave blank)
MNC: 240
Authentication Type: (leave blank)
APN Type: default,supl,mms
Protocol: IPv4/IPv6
MCC: 310

Leave all the rest of the fields not mentioned with their default values and SAVE this new APN.

Then, add a second APN for IMS by following the steps outlined above.

After adding the IMS APN, make sure the Tello APN is still the one selected and restart your phone.

If all goes well, one of the scenarios mentioned above will help get the VoLTE activated on your phone and you will be good to go!

Sadly, there are a few phones that will still not enable their VoLTE capabilities even after following the steps in this article. If that is your case, you will need to upgrade your phone to a newer model to avoid service interruption.

If you still need help, just email us from the Contact page in your online account but ensure you provide us with the make and model of your phone as well as the IMEI 💡