A couple of hours ago, I posted a blogpost about how AT&T is blocking Google Hangout video chat on their cellular network and that the only way you can actually enjoy face-to-face chats with your contacts is when you are connected to the internet via Wi-Fi. The good news is that it is now possible for you to bypass this restriction and make your call through a simple rooting technique of your Android smartphone or tablet. If you are an AT&T customer and wish to be able to hang out with those you love on Android, read on to see the instructions. I just learnt that the first update of Google Hangout is already rolling out (version 1.0.1.678536 from version 1.0.0.675749) but it does not address this issue.
How to Bypass AT&T Restriction
This process requires root, but that is easy to get. If the Google Hangout video chat is so important to you and cannot wait for Google and AT&T to work something out, then you can follow it. If you are using an iPhone or iOS device, then you shouldn’t have any problems using the Google Hangout video chat feature.
**Doing away with restrictions of AT&T on Google Hangout video chat feature is easy and anyone can do it, but note that any process that involves accessing protected segments of your phone storage and this always carries some risk. TDG will not be responsible for any unexpected behavior or damage to your device.
First, go to All Things Root page on AndroidForums.com to see the specific ways to root your device if it is not rooted yet. After checking it, you can then follow these simple instructions (all thanks to Mark Dobson).
1. Go to Google Play Store and download and install SQLight editor
2. Head back to Google Play Store and download Root Explorer
3. Start Root Explorer and navigate to the directory /data/data/com.google.android.gsf/databases/. Find the file gservices.db and click on or tap it.
4. Tap or click on ‘Main’.
5. Scroll down and find ‘gtalk_vc_wifi_only’. Select this item and hold.
6. Tap and hold ‘Edit Record’ then change its value from ‘True’ to ‘False’
7. Reboot your device.
This is not the first time AT&T is putting such a restriction on a video chat feature. Awhile back when Apple introduced the FaceTime chat feature, AT&T had restrictions on it too but it was eventually lifted. This too will be lifted, but we cannot tell when, if ever, this will happen. Follow this simple hack bypass and enjoy hanging out with your Google friend on Android, anywhere.
Source: Mark Dobson via PHAndroid
