The recent release of Google's own version of Mobile Messenger includes all types of mobile communications while completely replacing Google Talk. Featuring video call supports along with others, Google Hangout app has an exception for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 users. If you are an AT&T user and want to use the app over cellular data, you will end up getting a message which asks you to connect to a WiFi network otherwise you cannot use the app.
According to AT&T's official statement about the matter, the owners of Android devices who have installed the app after the purchase of the device can use it via both the cellular network and WiFi connectivity. However, if an app comes pre-installed on the device - like Google Hangouts as it's replacing the G Talk - then the customer can avail it via WiFi or has to be on the Mobile Share option from AT&T. This way AT&T is actually preventing some of the bandwidth being eaten up.
For video chat apps that come pre-loaded on devices, we offer all OS and device makers the ability for those apps to work over cellular for our customers who are on Mobile Share, Tiered and soon Unlimited plan customers who have LTE devices. It’s up to each OS and device makers to enable their systems to allow pre-loaded video chat apps to work over cellular for our customers on those plans.
But the solution to this restriction is already here - thanks to those awesome devs - for both the rooted and unrooted devices. Following are the two ways to enable video calls on at&t Google Hangout app.
How to enable video calls on AT&T Google Hangout app:
- Go to Google Play store and download SQLight editor and Root Explorer.
- Open the Root Explorer and go to /data/data/com.google.android.gsf/databases/gservices.db.
- Click on it and then click on main.
- Go into "overrides" and from the menu, create a new entry called "gtalk_vc_wifi_only", set "false" as the condition.
- Exit and Reboot your device.
- and... ta da!
Enable video calls on AT&T Google Hangout app - unrooted devices:
- Go to Google Play and download ES File Explorer File Manager - no root permission required.
- Install the app and run it.
- Now go to Menu > Tool > Net Manager and turn on Tethering.
- That’s it!
This method is supposed to work with other carriers too apart from AT&T to to enable hotspot and tethering on carrier branded devices. So try out and let us know!
About the author: Rafia joined Wccftech in 2012 as a tech reporter. She is currently working on stories focusing on people and technologies that are turning Microsoft into a “company to watch” again. She is also responsible for collaborating with tech makers and e-commerce platforms to bring annoying but tempting deals to our readers.
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