@AppLee
Hello all. I'm new here and love all the work you all are doing on Ubuntu Touch. In the United States, the Google Pixel 3a is cheap and readily available. Some of the other phones I've been looking at to run Ubuntu Touch are quite expensive to get in the United States, especially the Fairphone 5. I'd imagine the prices of any phone requiring imports could continue to increase.

Currently, I have been testing with the Google Pixel 3a. Alfred's work on this has been amazing. I'm sure all users of this device will agree! The only thing preventing me from using it as a daily driver is the lack of VoLTE. I'm able to get data over 4G, but I can't get phone calls. Phone calls only occur on 2G. On 4G mode, I can call out, but people can't call in. On 2G mode, I can call out and people can call in. For data priority, I have to switch it to 4G mode. For phone call priority, I have to switch it to 2G mode. 2G is important because I can only receive calls in this mode. The 2G/3G/4G mode won't swap the call down to 2G for me to receive it. I doubt swapping down to 2G is possible, but I could be wrong.

I may need to be pointed in the right direction on how to test. I'm not sure where the project left off and who all may be interested in continuing the development further. However, I want to show my appreciation for all the work done so far and see if this could potentially be taken further by a small group. I know Alfred is incredibly busy and can't dedicate as much time for it. However, for people in the US, the Google Pixel 3a presents a low bar of entry and great accessibility into the world of Ubuntu Touch for those who may want to try it out, learn more, etc.

If any notes can be left and a maybe a direction of where to go with incorporating VoLTE, that would be helpful! I don't know how I can help other than potential testing. I don't know anything about scripting for VoLTE, etc. However, maybe with some notes and research, a group can gather to learn more and help out!

In the worst case scenario that VoLTE won't come to the Google Pixel 3a, another phone recommendation may be needed for users in the US. If there is a phone recommendation that can run VoLTE, 5G, MMS, and Ubuntu Touch 24.04 that is in US, please let me know. I'd like to continue trying to see if I can make Ubuntu Touch a daily driver for me. Again, thanks for all you do!

@wally

Thanks! Yes, that is the main reason why I created this post. I wanted to assist anyone in the United States who may be interested in Ubuntu Touch as a potential daily driver and wanted to test VoLTE capability.

There's some great information in your post. I've been searching for some phones in case we can't get VoLTE working on it, it gets dropped by the carrier, etc. I'd definitely like a workable backup, but finding one that I know has official support has been a bit difficult.

I will keep looking and see what I can find out. If I come across anything, I will post here too!

@mr_growl

Good to know! Thanks so much! The current Ubuntu Touch VoLTE port in development left off on Android 12.1. The current production-ready Ubuntu Touch port (without VoLTE) is based around Android 9. We can certainly use this information as a reference for any new Google Pixel 3a Ubuntu Touch ports!

@ElliotLurie

I think that's the error. The issue was brought up on the QA call. Please see the link below.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox9HLXrOkIg&pp=0gcJCa0JAYcqIYzv

More info on the Ubuntu Touch porting process can be found below.
https://docs.ubports.com/en/latest/porting/introduction/index.html

If the super partition issue can be addressed, I'm assuming the rest will follow as that was the main issue stated on the call. Unfortunately, I'm new to this, so it will take me a while to read up, fiddle with the code, take notes, and make any necessary changes. Any help with this is greatly appreciated!

Some more info on the VoLTE Patch. It looks like it only supports Verizon and Unlocked Google Pixel 3a models in the US. Not sure about international models. Similarly, the patch only enables VoLTE Roaming which has to be allowed by the carrier. The patch was available as an OTA update to Android 12 on June 2022.

https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-3a-june-2022-update/

Additional information on installing and testing the Google Pixel 3a with Android 12 to see if your carrier supports VoLTE Roaming.

https://www.androidinfotech.com/37846-install-google-pixel-3-xl-volte-roaming-support-update/

If VoLTE works for you with Android 12, then we know we can move forward with seeing if we can get this incorporated into Ubuntu Touch. If this does not work for anyone, then we will need to switch to a different device if we want VoLTE. It has already been confirmed that not all carriers support this update. Even though VoLTE roaming is enabled on the phone with the Android update, the carrier will drop the calls down to 2G, even with the Android 12 VoLTE patch. It is important to ensure both the phone and the carrier is supported with VoLTE Roaming capabilities for the Pixel 3a. Even if we get everything to work, we will probably be looking at a much smaller population than all Google Pixel 3a/3a XL Ubuntu Touch users getting VoLTE because of this nuance.

Just checking in to see if anyone is willing to help test to see if we can get VoLTE to work on the Google Pixel 3a with any version of Lineage OS. This will help determine if VoLTE is even remotely possible for the Google Pixel 3a. We will need to look at several carriers. If you try this out, please list the following:

Android Version (We currently think the VoLTE patch is in Android 12.1.)
Lineage OS Version
Phone Version (sargo or bonito)
Phone Carrier
Country

If Lineage OS can detect VoLTE, this can give some hope that we may be able to get VoLTE working in the Google Pixel 3a for Ubuntu Touch.

3G is turned off on all US carriers. VoLTE (4G) does not work for calls or messaging. You won't be able to receive MMS, only SMS. Your phone should function on 2G. This requires a setting change in Ubuntu Touch where you turn off 4G support.

Data should work on 4G, but not calling or MMS.
Data will be slow on 2G, but you can make/receive calls with lower quality sound and some delays. You can also receive SMS text.

Ubuntu Touch currently does not support VoLTE (4G) or higher for the Google Pixel 3a. Similarly, your carrier may or may not allow your Google Pixel 3a on the network. You will need to check with your carrier. If the carrier accepts your phone, only expect 2G calling and SMS. Calling and SMS may have some delays. 3G service is not available in the US. If you need faster data and are not expecting calls, switch to the 4G setting in Ubuntu Touch.

I've tested the Google Pixel 3a in the US with a 5G SIM card.

@Futura

If it doesn't work with Lineage OS, I think one of the following is probably happening:

1. The VoLTE patch for the Google Pixel 3a might not be in the Android image.
2. Lineage OS might not be picking it up.
3. Lineage OS supports VoLTE, but not VoLTE roaming. I read somewhere that the VoLTE patch only allows VoLTE roaming on the Google Pixel 3a.
4. The roaming setting might not be turned on in the Lineage OS settings.
5. The carrier doesn't support VoLTE roaming.
6. The carrier dropped support for the Google Pixel 3a.

I completely understand on the device switching and focusing on the Fairphone 5. No issues or worries there! I'm also on the market for a new phone as I'm certain this device is on borrowed time. I'm still looking to get a Fairphone 5 if I can. However, any progress made on the Google Pixel 3a would be good I think as it seems a number of users were using this phone in the US. So, until I can get a new phone, I'm going to be seeing what I can do with this one. Enjoy the Fairphone 5! I heard it is great with Ubuntu Touch on it!

@Futura @Eric-H

Do you still want to try this? If so, I can kick off Step 2 on GitHub. From my notes, this is what you stated last.

Lineage 19.1
Android 12.1 (September build)
Side load via TWRP, Do not use fastboot

Based on the Q&A Call, I don't know if this is something you still want to try out because of the retro-fitted Super Partition issue and that the installation process is a bit unclear. Based on my reading, I'm assuming this is probably not an issue just to Ubuntu Touch or the Google Pixel 3a, but I could be wrong. I'm assuming this part has already been figured out somewhere and that we would just need to apply a similar fix to the Ubuntu Touch port.

@Eric-H

Thanks! Just trying to think what I can reference from other ports too!

@Eric-H

This looks very interesting and promising! Thanks for sharing! I've added it to my list of devices to look at in case the Google Pixel 3a doesn't get off the ground with VoLTE.

What version of Android does this use? I heard Xiaomi uses a certain type of super partition. I'm wondering if a Xiaomi porter may have already enountered the same issue as what was going on with the Google Pixel 3a's Android 12.1 partitioning. I could be wrong, but reading up on things, some of this sounds similar.

I found something interesting on a super-partition. Maybe this can help with getting the super partition issue for the Google Pixel 3a resolved? I'd need someone more technical in this realm to weigh in.

https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-universal-guide-for-making-your-partitions-inside-super-read-writable-again.4483933/