The Google Pixel series is known for its use of Android technology to power a best-in-class user experience, as well as its cutting-edge camera technology (which gets better with every generation) and seamless pairing with other Google products. The most recent Google Pixel models also come with security safeguards that ensure your data is protected as you browse the internet, send texts, and more.

Google smartphones have come a long way since the introduction of the Google Pixel (1st Generation) in October 2016. Since then, the Google Pixel phone selection has grown. And their features too  – such as Google Pixel VoLTE roaming service.

With Android 13, Google enabled “VoLTE roaming for many U.S. and global carriers” on the Pixel 6a. All other first-party phones got this support with the June update.

In 2021, carriers in the U.S. announced they would phase out their 3G networks. As a result, some devices that don’t support Voice over LTE (VoLTE) or VoLTE roaming may lose voice calling services, including calls to 911, or connectivity when the 3G networks are shut down, Google wrote.

Original 6/17: A “June 2022 software update” enabled VoLTE roaming on Pixel phones for the many US and global carriers. As such, “many” of Google’s devices — Pixel 3a to 6 Pro — can roam stateside with VoLTE if it’s supported by carriers, which is the key thing to check for on a case-by-case basis. The full update list is as follows:

That update is presumably the June security patch, which explains why the Pixel 3a and 3a XL got an update — still on the May patch and not the final one — alongside all other phones at the start of this month.

However, if you’re using an older Google device like the 2016 Pixel, Pixel 2, or 3, Google says “you will experience issues on your home network and we recommend you upgrade to a device that has VoLTE enabled for your carrier.”

Devices without VoLTE roaming support will not be able to roam on other LTE US networks.  Contact your carrier for information about whether VoLTE or VoLTE roaming is supported for your device, Google advises.

Meanwhile, “international customers who are roaming in the U.S. and on a device without VoLTE roaming support” will similarly “lose connectivity and/or voice calling capabilities while on affected carrier networks in the U.S.”

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