VoLTE Implementation For Google Pixel 3a/3a XL

arubislander

@atarilinux I think the patched kernel came with the newer Android version.

Eric H

@atarilinux
I believe it would be better to use the new port based on android 12 / halium 12 instead of the one based on halium 9.
According to source code, VoLTE is already enabled on this new port.
Therefore, you just need to install Android 12 on your phone, build this new port on your desktop/laptop (or gitlab-ci), install it on your phone, and test if it works.

https://gitlab.com/ubports/porting/community-ports/android12/google-pixel-3a

atarilinux

@Eric-H @arubislander

Thanks everyone! This is great news! Sounds like all that is needed is testing once this is installed? If so, I'll just need to know what logs to look at and report back any information. Anything I report back will be US specific since that is where I am located.

I'm assuming the instructions on how to perform this setup are in the KB. It shouldn't be anything different than the normal way to install Ubuntu Touch on the Google Pixel 3a, right?

Eric H

@atarilinux
i checked the files in the UBports installer, and it seems that the new port is not (yet ?) supported.
You will need to install the .img files using fastboot/fastbootD.
However, I'm not sure where you can find these .img files or if they even exist. In the worst case, you may need to rebuild them.
I also suggest asking in the Telegram group for the Pixel 3a, as they might have useful insights.
https://t.me/ubports_pixel3a

ikoz

@Eric-H You don't have to build them, they are already built: https://gitlab.com/ubports/porting/community-ports/android12/google-pixel-3a/google-sargo/-/pipelines.

Eric H

@ikoz
true.
The .img files seems a bit outdated.
Not sure the VoLTE/binder qti plugin was stable 8 months ago.
But yes they can be flashed and tested.

ikoz

@Eric-H There hasn't been any commit since then, if you want to re-build with a newer rootfs, without doing it on your computer, fork the repository and trigger the pipeline. I don't think it will work, if it did then the developer wouldn't say he gave up on it.
(I don't have the device myself, just explaining the procedure for anyone wanting to test the images.)

Nocflounder

@atarilinux hi mate, i can join you in testing the pixel 3a xl with Halium 12 for the VOLTE if you want. I am in Australia and i have just ordered the phone which should arrive in a few days.please note i am not a programming expert so should be a ground (ish) up experience for me as well.

atarilinux

@ikoz @Eric-H
Thanks for the information. I might be missing something here. Is the image ready to be tested? Does anything need to be built? Maybe we are unsure and need to get more information from the developer? Just looking at the next path to take.

I have the device and can test but would probably need a step by step on how to get this image on the phone. Currently, it is running Ubuntu Touch. I have a Debian Linux laptop that can be used to assist with anything extra that may be needed in getting the image on the phone.

Secondly, once the image is installed, I would need to know what to look at to provide any error messages that may show up. Again, I appreciate all the help with this!

atarilinux

@Nocflounder

Thanks for the assist! Much appreciated! I have some programming and data experience, but not in this realm. Ubuntu Touch is new to me, but I find it fascinating. I'm currently trying to learn what I can, but I'm sure it will be a long journey. Also, I just want to thank Australia for Bluey. My daughter loves it. Hahaha

Eric H

Hi @atarilinux
It is better to rebuild the images and it is easy.
This can be done is two step.
First step, fork the repository on gilab :

sign in/up to gitlab.com on your desktop
go to the new port repository : https://gitlab.com/ubports/porting/community-ports/android12/google-pixel-3a/google-sargo
click on fork button
click on fork project (keep the public visibility)

Nocflounder

Haha bluey is nice isn't it

Nocflounder

@Eric-H Thanks, will sargo fork work for bonito automatically?

Eric H

Hi @Nocflounder
I’m not 100% sure. It’s better to ask the developer of the new port in the Pixel 3a Telegram group.

Eric H

@Nocflounder
Correction: acccording to the source code, yes, bonito is supported by the new android 12 port.

https://gitlab.com/ubports/porting/community-ports/android12/google-pixel-3a/google-sargo/-/blob/main/overlay/system/etc/deviceinfo/devices/halium.yaml#L21

Nocflounder

@Eric-H thanks for the answer

atarilinux

@Nocflounder

It is. Hahaha

atarilinux

@Eric-H @Nocflounder

Thanks! I will need bonito as well! Good to hear it is supported! Also, thanks for the information on Gitlab!

atarilinux

@Eric-H @Nocflounder @AppLee
The project has been forked on GitLab. Here is the link:
https://gitlab.com/atarilinux/ubports-ubuntu-touch-google-sargo-volte

Now how do I get it from here to the phone to begin testing? Would that be this:
https://docs.ubports.com/en/latest/porting/build_and_boot/index.html

Or...has this already been done?

I have the newest Ubports-installer on my Debian Linux computer. Thanks!

Eric H

@atarilinux
Now that the project has been forked, you can proceed to step 2.
In the new fork, in the left menu, go to Build->Pipelines

click on new pipeline button.
confirm.
Wait - the build process might take several tens of minutes.
.img files can be downloaded from the devel-flashable artifact

Next steps (make sure your phone bootloader is unlocked) :

on your phone flash stock android 12 ROM - use exactly the same version used by the developer.
flash the downloaded .img files with fastboot/fasbootD
test and report