Google blocks Android hack that let Pixel users enable VoLTE anywhere
11 hours ago
- #VoLTE
- #Android Security
- #Google Pixel
- Google's October 2025 update patched a loophole in the Pixel IMS app, which allowed enabling VoLTE and VoWiFi on imported Pixel phones in unsupported regions.
- The loophole was designated as a high-severity vulnerability (CVE-2025-48617) but wasn't included in the immediate security bulletin due to Google's Risk-Based Update System.
- A new workaround has been discovered to enable VoLTE, but VoWiFi requires rooting the device or waiting for Google to expand official carrier support.
- VoLTE and VoWiFi are crucial for voice calls as carriers phase out 2G and 3G networks, but many carriers restrict these features to devices they sell or test.
- The Pixel IMS app exploited a testing loophole using Shizuku to override carrier configurations, but Google has now blocked this method.
- Rooting to enable VoWiFi can disable some Gemini-powered features and complicate the use of Google Wallet.