Is this the video calling which goes through the Messages+ app? If so, Messages+ is being shut down in June 2024 and some of the features were getting disabled back in December 2023.
Hello, camcam2. My apologies to hear of this as we don't want you leave us. Please tell me more. Is the RCS function on the unlocked device greyed out?
-Natasha
It's not even an option on the device. The phone does not have the verizon software or licensing agreement on it. It's basically just the samsung manufacturing settings with no preprogrammed verizon features.
No, not the messenger+ app. I've actually never used that app all the years I've been a customer. It's the regular video calling feature embedded in the contacts/phone book.
The only stuff I've found elsewhere regarding the default Samsung video calling feature is to make sure you have the toggle set to "on" for it to work. Verizon posted the same information here:
https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-306331/
If that's not working, then it is definitely on Verizon. They haven't pushed out the latest Android version to everyone yet from what I've read elsewhere in the forums, nor the One UI version 6.1. There were some delays with Samsung holding back all the updates too for some reason so some Samsung phones have all the updates and others don't. And I'm guessing Verizon doesn't necessarily want to hurry with every software update there is after the AT&T fiasco a few days ago. However, since you bought your phone OEM factory unlocked, maybe it already has the newer software versions on it, and so it's not quite working with Verizon because of that?
On the line with Verizon now. I'm basically being told that there is no way for them to install the Verizon software to an unlocked device that was not purchased through them. I don't have the toggle option mentioned because I don't have the Verizon software on the device. My settings look completely different from the troubleshooting steps Verizon advertises. They don't sale the storage option I need but can't help install their software on the device. I'm basically stuck with the manufactures default features. I'm so frustrated. This is a nightmare.
Hello. We will be glad to help. Please tell us, were you able to use these features with other devices? Are you connected to Wi-Fi when this happens?
~Geo
@vzw_customer_support , the OP said video calling worked just fine on their previous Samsung phone. It's only now that they bought an OEM factory unlocked S24 that they don't have either a toggle or a video camera icon to click upon to enable video calling. Samsung was telling them there's some kind of software update they need to install, but Verizon doesn't have it (yet). With the Android 14 update being delayed for some Samsung users along with the One UI 6.1 update, I'm wondering if your system still has many customers on older software versions?
I completely understand Verizon wanting to be cautious with making sure software updates don't crash the entire network as this famously occurred just last week with AT&T and we customers sure don't want all our devices suddenly having no service either, but any way you can get things moving along a bit more?
I have an S24 Ultra that I purchased from their store and have the same issue.
~Jesse
I have the exact same issues been with verizon almost 20yrs. No one seems to have a clue what I'm talking about through chat phone or in stores. I'm so upset they tried telling me i needed to use a physical simcard and then in the process added my old phone back as a second line which didnt want or ask for and I had to get it removed. I just have 1 phone and wanting it to work properly with all the features I pay over 100$ a month for and no one can help!
@Lilpayasa if your recent model Samsung is a factory unlocked version, it doesn't have video calling built into it at all, so you need to use a 3rd party app (Google Meet is probably already included, since Google apps are preinstalled on pretty much every Android smartphone). Samsung has been moving away from installing their own apps in favor of using 3rd party apps, or in the case of carrier phones, letting the carriers include such features in the carrier software.
Having all your services working is important Lilpayasa. Can you tell us what services are you having issues with?
~Freddy
In short, this is not a hardware issue or some other "problem". I had the same issue when purchasing an S23 Ultra from Best Buy. I was assured everything will work. No it won't. There are carrier specific features that will not work. In your case, the reason the features don't work is because Verizon uses a custom dialer app on their Verizon branded phones. It is a little different that the one on the unlocked model. The only way to resolve is to return or sell the unlocked phone and buy the Verizon one. That is what I did and everything works fine now.
I bought Samsung S24 Ultra Unlocked as Verizon does not offer 1TB version and facing the same issue!
Can't make Video Call while my family still on S22 can make video calls.
Verizon must fix this or we will have to bail out to Xfinity or someone else. Been Verizon customer for decades!
I certainly understand that those features are super important, rsd. Unfortunately, there are several Verizon branded features that do not work on unlocked devices, including;
Can't Verizon allow the unlocked phone users the ability to download needed Verizon Software to fix some of the key features? In this day and age, I don't believe a phone like S24 needs additional chipset to support Verizon and other ISPs.
Fun facts, current day Smart phones have more computing power than Cray 2. So, there should be a way for Verizon to allow us unlocked users to download the needed SW to enable the video calling and other features.
https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2022/11/08/fast-forward-comparing-1980s-supercomputer-to-modern-smartphone
@rsd wrote: Can't Verizon allow the unlocked phone users the ability to download needed Verizon Software to fix some of the key features? In this day and age, I don't believe a phone like S24 needs additional chipset to support Verizon and other ISPs.
I wouldn't be surprised if the reasoning behind using an extra chip for the carrier software is to prevent modifications. There are 3rd party apps which can do video calling if it's not already built into the phone. As for switching carriers, this won't fix the problem of video calling not being built into factory unlocked Samsung phones anymore. This was a decision by Samsung to leave it to carriers or users to get their own apps. A similar thing can happen if you have a carrier phone and get it unlocked to change carriers. The other carrier will have their own features, but they only work if you buy one of their phones.
Going to check with someone using Xfinity as supposedly they support and Xfinity allows one to switch over their phone to Xfinity:Xfinity Mobile supports video calling on Android devices with the Google Meet app, allowing users to make video calls directly to their contacts1. Additionally, Comcast has introduced a two-way, mobile-to-mobile video calling feature to its Xfinity Connect app for iOS and Android devices2. To use this feature, customers must have Xfinity Internet and Xfinity Voice Unlimited, plus an Xfinity username3.
Here is the actual text:In a FaceTime-like move that could bring some additional stickiness to its digital voice service, Comcast has quietly introduced a two-way, mobile-to-mobile video calling feature to its Xfinity Connect app for iOS and Android devices.
The feature lets Xfinity Voice subs make video calls to each other, and it was included in the 6.0 version of the Xfinity Connect app that was released on Aug. 25 simultaneously for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
The latest version tacks on video communications to Xfinity Connect, an app that lets Comcast subs check email and voice mail, receive text messages, and place and answer unlimited voice calls over Wi-Fi using the app’s Voice2Go feature.
Google Meet is probably already installed on your S24 and you can use it with your current service. Otherwise, it's your decision whether or not to port.
I actually did this and it cost me a boatload, I got no discount for trading in the brand new phone in exchange for Verizon model and I still can't get the VM service to work. I pay over $250 for two phones. It is ridiculous and I too am on the verge of changing services.
You have to flash vzw firmware on unlocked phone. There is no chip, all the phones are the same, just different firmware and csc version. Unlocked models are u1 carrier versions are u. Search for the vzw u firmware, must be the same or newer firmware, cannot flash to older version. Most people flash u1 firmware on u phone to eliminate carrier bloat but in this case it will make the unlocked phone act like one bought from verizon with all carrier features, verizon splash screen etc. You can flash any firmware from any carrier and the phone will act like it was bought from the carrier. This dude has a good tutorial. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eqzNKTU9qq0
