HTC 10 Wi-Fi Calling not enabled (T-Mobile) [Fixed]

Updated: 2019.01.08

I am a long time HTC user, and still own an HTC 10 (a bit old for today’s’ standards). Upgraded to Oreo earlier this year, and lost a very nice feature; Wi-Fi Calling.

Wi-Fi calling helps on lowering costs when traveling overseas, as while on Wi-Fi, any calls to the US or received, do not incur any additional costs. It also allows to send/receive text messages when there is no service due to location (like inside basements).

I searched trying to find out how to solve the issue and found no answers. I had the option available and I ensured it was enabled, but had no luck. I also checked for power settings on Wi-Fi Calling to ensure that they are not optimized, but had no different experience.

A couple of days ago I decided to try a SIM card from a different provider. Used it for a few minutes, and then swapped it with my T-Mobile SIM. I realized that the Wi-FI calling icon fired up. I thought it was a glitch, but after 2 days of normal operation (e.g. going out and using LTE, then back to Wi-Fi), I still see the Wi-Fi calling service active.

Seems that the solution is to switch to a SIM card from a different operator, using it for a few minutes, and then inserting the T-Mobile SIM back. Of course, turning off the smartphone before ejecting and inserting the SIM cards.

Wi-Fi Calling is back!

Update:

Every 3 to 4 weeks, the Wi-Fi calling feature gets disabled. I am yet to discover why is this happening. The only way to revert the situation, is by swapping in a non T-Mobile SIM card, and then rebooting. 

USB Tethering [HTC G2]

After ensuring that WiFi calling worked properly I went ahead and researched about USB tethering for my G2. I have tried PDA Net before, but I wanted to use a “native” solution provided by T-Mobile. It is really easy.

USB Tethering

  1. You are likely to need drivers, so download it from here and decompress into a folder.
  2. Use the USB cable that came with your phone to connect your phone to your computer.
  3. On the Android phone, press Home, press Menu, and touch Settings to open the Settings application.
  4. Touch Wireless & networks > Tethering & portable hotspot.
  5. Check USB tethering.
  6. When asked for drivers, point the the one you just downloaded.
  7. You should be able to connect to the internet at this point.

If your phone is connected to the Internet through WiFi, the tethered computer will use your phone as a gateway, using wireless internet instead of the available HSPA+ network. This is good for computers that do not have a wireless connection and not able to connect to the internet.

Speed Tests:

Tethering using 3G Network (No HSPA+ available)

Tethering using 3G Network (No HSPA+ available)

Tethering using Wi-Fi and local Internet Service Provider

Tethering using Wi-Fi and local Internet Service Provider