October 2025 Pixel update kills ADB-based VoLTE, VoWiFi & Pixel IMS hacks, but there’s a workaround

Update (October 15): The developer of Pixel IMS tool has already rolled out an update that restores the ability to enable VoLTE and VoWiFi on Pixel phones in unsupported regions.

Original article follows: Google’s October 2025 security patch has delivered an unwelcome surprise to Pixel owners who’ve been relying on ADB commands or the popular Pixel IMS app to force-enable VoLTE, VoWiFi, and 5G in unsupported regions.

For years, users in countries where carriers don’t officially support Pixel phones have been overriding carrier configs through shell commands. But after installing the latest builds (e.g., BD3A.251005.003.W3 on the Pixel 10 series or BP3A.251005.004.B1 for the Pixel 7-9 series), those tweaks no longer work, and apps like Pixel IMS now crash immediately.

And this isn’t limited to just one generation.

Pixel 7 through Pixel 10 users are reporting the same breakage

Over on GitHub issue #384, users of the Pixel 10, Pixel 9, Pixel 8, and Pixel 7 line of devices have confirmed that tapping any toggle in Pixel IMS now instantly force-closes the app with a java.lang.SecurityException: overrideConfig cannot be invoked by shell. Interestingly, developers were expecting this block to go live with the December 2025 security update, but it seems Google shipped portions of it early.

According to GrapheneOS developers, who spotted this months ago in their security preview builds, the December 2025 Android security bulletin contains a high-severity patch that disallows carrier overrides from ADB shell entirely. In other words, even outside Pixel phones, this ability is being removed across Android as a whole. With no more shell-level override access, mods like Pixel IMS become unworkable unless developers find deeper bypasses.

To soften the blow for their users, GrapheneOS added built-in toggles at the OS level to persistently force VoLTE, VoWiFi, VoNR, and 5G since many users were already depending on these forced setups. If you’re wondering how Google pushed a December patch in October, it’s because of Android’s new update rhythm:

• Security patches are now mostly quarterly, not monthly.
• OEMs can legally ship those patches up to 3 months early due to the removal of the old binary-only embargo.
• The monthly patches most users see on Pixel devices are now effectively Pixel-exclusive and often include quarterly bulletin content ahead of schedule.

More context on this shift has been shared publicly in GrapheneOS’ security update briefings.

The tested and working Pixel VoLTE workaround

The developer for Shizuku, LSPosed, and other popular tools has released a temporary fix that users say restores VoLTE functionality, at least for now.

Here’s how affected users are getting it working:

1. Download and install the new APK patch.
2. Open Shizuku, go to Authorized Apps, and locate: io.github.vvb2060.ims
3. Grant authorization.
4. In Shizuku, tap the three-dot menu → Stop Shizuku.
5. Restart Shizuku.
6. Head to Settings → SIMs and enable VoLTE from the system menu.

If VoLTE won’t enable on the second SIM, temporarily disable the other SIM, toggle VoLTE on the active SIM, and re-enable the first SIM afterward. On first reboot, VoLTE may turn off. Just enable it once more, and it should persist afterward.

Pixel VoWiFi fix is coming, just not ready yet

There’s good news: the same developer behind the VoLTE patch has reportedly already identified a bypass for Wi-Fi calling. It just needs to be built into Pixel IMS before users can take advantage of it. Until then, VoWiFi remains offline for anyone who previously forced it using ADB or third-party apps.

Should you update or avoid it? Well, if you already updated and need VoLTE ASAP, use the patch above. If you depend on VoWiFi, you may want to wait for the next workaround to drop. And for those who haven’t updated yet, consider delaying until both fixes are confirmed working.

In regions across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America where Pixels aren’t officially supported, users often can’t access 5G, VoLTE, and VoWiFi without these tricks. And for some, this update means losing service indoors or entirely.

And since the security patch that blocks ADB overrides is slated for all Android devices with the December 2025 bulletin, Pixel users are simply the first to feel it.

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