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ISSUE IN CALLING ON PIXEL 8 AFTER INSTALLING QPR3 BETA 2

Comprehensive Guide to Fixing Call Issues on Pixel 8 After Installing Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2

We understand the frustration that arises when a critical function like making or receiving calls stops working after a system update. For Pixel 8 users who have recently installed the Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2, reports of telephony failure have begun to surface. This issue, characterized by the inability to place outgoing calls or receive incoming calls, is a significant disruption to daily communication. Our team has conducted an in-depth analysis of this specific problem affecting the Pixel 8 series. We will provide a detailed examination of the potential causes, ranging from software conflicts to network registration failures, and offer a comprehensive suite of troubleshooting methods designed to restore full cellular functionality.

Understanding the Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 Update and Its Impact on Pixel 8

The Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) builds for Android are substantial updates that introduce new features, interface refinements and critical security patches. Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 is a pre-release software version intended for developers and early adopters. While these builds offer a glimpse into the future of the operating system, they inherently carry risks of instability. The Pixel 8, powered by the Google Tensor G3 chipset, relies heavily on the seamless integration of hardware and software for baseband processing.

When a user installs a beta build like QPR3 Beta 2, the modem firmware is updated alongside the core operating system. In rare instances, this update process can lead to a mismatch between the radio interface layer (RIL) and the cellular modem. This is the primary technical suspect when calls fail on a device like the Pixel 8. We have identified that this specific update may interfere with the VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoNR (Voice over New Radio) protocols, which are essential for making calls over 5G and LTE networks. If the modem fails to handshake correctly with the carrier’s network using these protocols, the device may show signal bars but fail to establish a voice session.

Symptoms of the Calling Failure

Users experiencing this issue on the Pixel 8 typically report the following symptoms immediately after the QPR3 Beta 2 installation:

Immediate Troubleshooting Steps for Pixel 8 Users

Before attempting more drastic measures, we recommend performing a series of structured troubleshooting steps. These steps are designed to force the Pixel 8 to re-establish communication with the carrier network and refresh the software state.

1. The Essential Network Settings Reset

A corrupted APN (Access Point Name) or network profile is a common cause of post-update connectivity issues. We advise performing a network reset, which clears all Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular settings, returning them to default. This does not delete personal data but will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords.

2. Verifying Carrier Service and SIM Status

The QPR3 Beta 2 update can sometimes corrupt the eSIM profile or the SIM card data stored on the device. We must verify if the SIM is being recognized correctly.

3. Toggling Network Modes

The Pixel 8 supports 5G SA (Standalone) and NSA (Non-Standalone) modes. The beta software may be struggling to negotiate the connection type. Forcing the device to LTE can bypass 5G-specific bugs.

  1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.
  2. Select your carrier.
  3. Tap Preferred network type.
  4. Change the setting from “5G (recommended)” to LTE or 4G.
  5. Restart the phone and test calls again.

Advanced Software Solutions to Restore Calling Functionality

If the basic network resets do not resolve the issue, the problem likely resides within the system software or radio firmware. Since this is a beta build, specific software glitches are expected.

1. Clearing the Telephony Cache and Data

The Android Telephony Services framework manages all call functions. Corrupted cache data within this service can prevent the Pixel 8 from placing calls.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select Show system.
  3. Scroll down to find Call Services or Telephony Services.
  4. Go to Storage & cache.
  5. Tap Clear Cache. If that fails, tap Clear Storage (this may reset call logs and settings).
  6. Restart the device.

2. Checking for Carrier Services Updates

Google updates the Carrier Services app independently of the OS to support new features like RCS and VoLTE. A beta OS requires the latest Carrier Services version to function correctly.

  1. Open the Google Play Store.
  2. Search for “Carrier Services.”
  3. If an update is available, install it immediately.
  4. Also, ensure that Google Play System Updates are current by checking Settings > Security & privacy > System updates.

3. Booting into Safe Mode

Third-party applications, particularly dialer apps or call recorders, can conflict with the native Android dialer. Booting into Safe Mode temporarily disables all third-party apps.

  1. Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
  2. Long-press the Power Off option until the “Reboot to safe mode” prompt appears.
  3. Tap OK.
  4. If calls work in Safe Mode, a third-party app is the culprit. You will need to uninstall apps one by one to identify the offender.

The “Radio Crash” Theory and Software Bugs

We have analyzed user reports from various forums, including Reddit communities like r/GooglePixel, and a pattern emerges. The Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 appears to have a specific bug where the radio interface layer (RIL) crashes silently in the background.

This crash often does not trigger a “System Unavailable” error. Instead, it leaves the device in a state where it maintains a data connection (allowing browsing over 5G) but denies the high-priority channel required for voice calls. We suspect this is related to the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) registration failure. The IMS is the architectural framework for delivering IP-based voice and data services.

To check for evidence of this crash:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Developer options. (If Developer Options is not enabled, go to About phone and tap Build number seven times).
  2. Scroll down to Networking.
  3. Look for “Enable VoLTE” and “Enable VoNR”.
  4. If these options are greyed out or uncheckable, it confirms the modem cannot establish the necessary IMS registration.

Downgrading to Android 15: The Definitive Fix

Since QPR3 Beta 2 is pre-release software, the most stable solution is to revert to the latest stable public release of Android. This will resolve the underlying software incompatibility causing the call failure on your Pixel 8.

This method requires a computer and USB cable. It is the cleanest way to downgrade and flashes the latest stable Android 15 build (or stable Android 16 if available) along with the latest factory image.

  1. Backup Your Data: The downgrade process wipes all data from the device. Ensure you back up photos, contacts, and files to Google Drive or a computer.
  2. Enable Developer Options & USB Debugging: On your Pixel 8, go to Settings > System > Developer options and enable USB Debugging.
  3. Use Android Flash Tool:
    • Visit the Android Flash Tool website using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
    • Connect your Pixel 8 to your computer via USB.
    • On your phone, authorize the connection when prompted.
    • Select the latest stable build (usually labeled “Stable” or “Public Release”).
    • Follow the on-screen instructions to wipe data and flash the image.
    • The tool will automatically unlock the bootloader (required for flashing beta/downgrading), flash the image, and re-lock the bootloader (optional but recommended for security).

Method B: Manual OTA Sideload via ADB

If you prefer not to use the Flash Tool, you can manually sideload the stable OTA update.

  1. Download the OTA File: Locate the official OTA zip file for the Pixel 8 (codename shiba) from the Google Developers site or trusted repositories. Ensure it is a stable build, not a beta.
  2. Boot to Recovery Mode:
    • Power off the Pixel 8.
    • Hold Volume Down and Power to boot into the Bootloader.
    • Use volume keys to select “Recovery Mode” and press Power.
    • Once the robot image appears, hold Power and tap Volume Up to enter the recovery menu.
  3. Sideload the Update:
    • Select Apply update from ADB.
    • Connect the phone to your computer.
    • Open a command prompt/terminal on your computer.
    • Type: adb sideload <filename>.zip (replacing the filename with your downloaded OTA file).
  4. Wait for the process to complete, then reboot.

Specific Network Configurations and Carrier Compatibility

In some rare cases, the issue is not strictly the Pixel 8’s software but how the beta interacts with specific carrier configurations. Carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T use different bands and VoLTE provisioning methods.

Verizon Users

Verizon relies heavily on CDMA-less provisioning for Pixel devices. If QPR3 Beta 2 fails to apply the correct carrier config overlay, the phone cannot register on the network. Verizon users often need to ensure their line is provisioned specifically for “Pixel (CDMA-less)” in the backend system. Contacting Verizon support and asking them to re-provision the line for LTE/5G calls can sometimes resolve the issue even while on the beta.

International and Unlocked Models

For users outside the US or with unlocked Pixel 8 models, the APN settings are rarely set automatically after a beta update. You must manually input the APN details. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Access Point Names. If the list is empty or the default does not work, you must contact your carrier for the exact APN string (e.g., fast.t-mobile.com for T-Mobile) and input it manually. Ensure that the MCC and MNC codes match your carrier’s specific identifiers.

Reporting the Bug to Google

As beta testers, it is crucial to report this issue directly to Google. This helps the developers fix the bug before the stable release.

  1. Open the Google Feedback app (usually pre-installed on beta builds).
  2. Include the keyword “Telephony failure” and “QPR3 Beta 2” in the description.
  3. Check the box to include system logs. This provides the engineers with the logcat data necessary to diagnose the RIL crash.
  4. Send the report while the issue is active (i.e., when calls are failing).

Conclusion and Recommendation

We have detailed the technical reasons why calls may fail on the Pixel 8 after installing Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2, centering on modem firmware mismatches, IMS registration failures, and corrupted network profiles. We have provided extensive troubleshooting steps ranging from simple network resets to complex bootloader flashing procedures.

Our final recommendation is as follows: If you rely on your Pixel 8 for essential communication, we strongly advise downgrading to the latest stable Android build immediately using the Android Flash Tool. Beta software is inherently unstable, and “calls” are a critical function that should not be compromised.

For users who wish to remain on the beta for the new features, we recommend performing a factory reset after backing up data, as this often resolves deep-seated file system corruptions that a simple cache clear cannot fix. Ensure Wi-Fi Calling is toggled off and on, and verify that VoLTE is enabled in the SIM settings. We stand by these methods as the most effective solutions for resolving telephony issues on the Pixel 8 platform.

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