I’ve been using a Pixel 4 XL for a couple of years on Tracfone with /e/. But something is going wrong where tapping the case causes it to shut off and it won’t restart until a charger is connected for a couple of minutes and the battery is over 60% the whole time. It’s gotten worse and worse and being without a phone isn’t an option, so after looking around I thought the Pixel 8 Pro was a good choice for something that might last a several years and run /e/.
I got the Pixel 8 Pro, installed /e/, installed some apps, I thought I was ready to make the switch and I called Tracfone. But the Pixel 8 wouldn’t connect their mobile network. I bought a SIM card. Nope. I tried doing a full reset, no. Then I went back to last Android 15 factory image and the mobile service worked. Tested it a couple times. After /e/ is installed - No Service.
I tried playing around with some APN settings that I know nothing about. I’ve spent a couple days on this thing and I don’t have phone service, which I really need. Is there any way to make a Pixel 8 Pro with /e/ versions 3.4 or 3.5 work on Tracfone? I have over a year of service paid for, but if some other low-cost service would work, I’d be OK with that, too.
You might read a few threads with the hashtag apn to learn more about previous advice given. Please note however that the APN system changed for AOSP very late 2025, so try to become (a little) aware of the 2026 change. [1]
For APN first step is to know Tracfone’s published APN and try to set them exactly by the technique of Add APN rather than Edit existing APN.
When this is “too difficult” you should “simply” ask for an APN reset. This happens OTA (maybe by a technician rather than the call handler). This may require persuasion, but they are taking your money.
IMS registration
A more advanced concept. Note especially the second part of this advice found in both Pixel 8 Pro husky and Pixel 4XL coral install page:
Warning: Make sure that you can send and receive SMS and place and receive calls (also via WiFi and LTE, if available), otherwise it will not work on /e/OS as well. Additionally, some devices require that VoLTE/VoWiFi be utilized once on stock to provision IMS.
I suggest trying to keep this simple with your carrier to start with … try to deal with APN but also ask if your phone is currently correctly IMS registered with them.
Edited: If Tracphone expresses reservations in your particular case you might consider taking further your experience of rolling back to Stock Android …
Sorry you have effectively tried this, so perhaps a more advanced conversation with the carrier to see if they are prepared to try to identify the difference.
Did it make a change?
If yes will the correct performance now persist to /e/OS if you reinstall? Yes it did.
I do not think that “Rollback to fix IMS” has been recommended on the forum before (and, edit, you have effectively tried this) but please keep us informed as I have a sense that some current similar user problems might stem from this or similar as carriers have at least two different ways of fundamental IMS registration.
Also exist “Tracfone-ATT” | “Tracfone-TMO” | “Tracfone-VZW” if you are taking this further here please can you confirm if you are on the “plain” TracFone and we can rule out these other three. Further room for error, idk, is how Google allow these settings to cascade down Android versions.
I’ve tried a couple of different APN settings and never got anywhere with them. I believe I followed Tracfone’s website, what was in the phone with original firmware when it working, and something suggested by AI.
I tried grabbing screen shots of things when they were working with stock Android 15 from 5/5/2025. Then I reinstalled /e/ OS version 3.2 this time, since there was some mention of VoWiFi not working on some phones with versions 3.4 and 3.5.
When running /e/ and not connecting to mobile service at all, if I do Reset Mobile Network Settings, it deletes any new APN and it shows bars of mobile signal strength, but also No Service. When the bars are showing, Phone Info, IMS Status says IMS Registration: Registered, but everything (Voice over…) is Unavailable. The Preferred Network Type in Phone Info is also GSM/WCDAMA/LTE (PRL). But that was NR/LTE/GSM/WCDMA under stock Android 15. If I try updating it when it has bars but No Service, the bars go and it says IMS is not registered.
The one other thing that stands out to me is that when it’s working with the stock OS, in Phone info, it says Current Network: Home. With the non working /e/ it says Current Network: TFW when IMS is registered and there’s a signal strength (but still no service). but it’s blank when IMS isn’t registered.
I’m wondering if I should just try to find another beat old Pixel 4 XL and see if I can make it work like my old one. I’ve been working on this for days and only getting better at loading OSs. Tracfone support has always been very basic and frustrating and they’ll hang up if the normal things don’t work. Since this is definitely with “strange” software, they will blame it on that and tell me it’s not their issue.
