EUR555,17
Google Pixel 8
256 GB, Obsidian, 6.20", SIM + eSIM, 5G
Question about Google Pixel 8
Does anyone else have the problem that VoLTE is lost after upgrading to Android16? I read online that this happens in unsupported countries with imported Pixels, is CH now also on this list?
I found this:
The fact is: With the update to Android 16 (or already starting with security updates at the end of 2025), Google has closed the technical gap that was used by apps such as "Pixel IMS" to enable VoLTE in regions that are not officially supported.
Here are the details on the situation in Switzerland and the technical background:
Current status: Switzerland and VoLTE
Official support: Switzerland is not one of the primary "Supported Countries" for Google Pixel devices (such as Germany or the USA). Although Pixels are sold in Switzerland, there is often no official certification for all Swiss mobile phone providers (Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt) regarding VoLTE and 5G.
Android 16 restrictions: In Android 16, the overrideConfig function for shell access (used by tools such as Shizuku/Pixel IMS) has been blocked. The system no longer accepts these manual overrides of provider profiles permanently.
Causes for the disappearance of VoLTE
Missing carrier configuration: Google does not provide suitable IMS profiles for Swiss providers in the Android image, as the devices are not officially certified for these networks.
Workaround patch: The previous workaround via Shizuku only works to a limited extent under Android 16. Even if activation is successful, it is often deleted again after a restart (non-persistent), as the system resets the configuration to the default (deactivated) when booting.
Known problems & workarounds
Pixel IMS crashes: Many users report that the app on Android 16 crashes immediately or has no effect when trying to toggle VoLTE.
Manual reset: In some cases, resetting the network settings helps, but only if the provider happens to recognise the device as compatible, which is rarely the case with "unsupported" status.
Developer solutions: New methods are being worked on platforms such as GitHub (e.g. pixel-volte-patch project), but these often require root rights or have to be reactivated manually via wireless debugging after each restart.
To summarise: Yes, Switzerland is affected, as it is still considered by Google to be a region in which full hardware certification for IMS services (VoLTE/VoWiFi) is not guaranteed. The Android 16 update has blocked the most common ways to enforce this.
Should I check if there are currently working Community scripts for Android 16 for your specific Swiss provider (e.g. Swisscom or Sunrise)?
The fact is: With the update to Android 16 (or already starting with security updates at the end of 2025), Google has closed the technical gap that was used by apps such as "Pixel IMS" to enable VoLTE in regions that are not officially supported.
Here are the details on the situation in Switzerland and the technical background:
Current status: Switzerland and VoLTE
Official support: Switzerland is not one of the primary "Supported Countries" for Google Pixel devices (such as Germany or the USA). Although Pixels are sold in Switzerland, there is often no official certification for all Swiss mobile phone providers (Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt) regarding VoLTE and 5G.
Android 16 restrictions: In Android 16, the overrideConfig function for shell access (used by tools such as Shizuku/Pixel IMS) has been blocked. The system no longer accepts these manual overrides of provider profiles permanently.
Causes for the disappearance of VoLTE
Missing carrier configuration: Google does not provide suitable IMS profiles for Swiss providers in the Android image, as the devices are not officially certified for these networks.
Workaround patch: The previous workaround via Shizuku only works to a limited extent under Android 16. Even if activation is successful, it is often deleted again after a restart (non-persistent), as the system resets the configuration to the default (deactivated) when booting.
Known problems & workarounds
Pixel IMS crashes: Many users report that the app on Android 16 crashes immediately or has no effect when trying to toggle VoLTE.
Manual reset: In some cases, resetting the network settings helps, but only if the provider happens to recognise the device as compatible, which is rarely the case with "unsupported" status.
Developer solutions: New methods are being worked on platforms such as GitHub (e.g. pixel-volte-patch project), but these often require root rights or have to be reactivated manually via wireless debugging after each restart.
To summarise: Yes, Switzerland is affected, as it is still considered by Google to be a region in which full hardware certification for IMS services (VoLTE/VoWiFi) is not guaranteed. The Android 16 update has blocked the most common ways to enforce this.
Should I check if there are currently working Community scripts for Android 16 for your specific Swiss provider (e.g. Swisscom or Sunrise)?
If you cannot find the switch for VoLTE or 4G calls in the settings, it is most likely activated by default and cannot be switched off. Here are the reasons why:
1) Mobile carrier defaults: Since most major telecoms providers around the world have already switched off their older 2G and 3G networks, voice calls must be made over the 4G LTE network (or 5G).
2) Hidden settings: To prevent users from accidentally disabling their ability to make calls, mobile providers often instruct smartphone software to hide the VoLTE switch completely.
If you can make normal calls with your Pixel 8 while connected to an LTE network, VoLTE will work perfectly in the background.
1) Mobile carrier defaults: Since most major telecoms providers around the world have already switched off their older 2G and 3G networks, voice calls must be made over the 4G LTE network (or 5G).
2) Hidden settings: To prevent users from accidentally disabling their ability to make calls, mobile providers often instruct smartphone software to hide the VoLTE switch completely.
If you can make normal calls with your Pixel 8 while connected to an LTE network, VoLTE will work perfectly in the background.