Have you ever been in a room where your phone signal just wouldn’t work? Maybe it’s a basement café, your home, or a certain area that always feels like a dead zone.
It can be frustrating, especially when you need to make an urgent call. Luckily, Wi-Fi calling is a solution that helps in such situations by allowing your Android or iPhone to stay connected even when your cellular network is weak.
Instead of relying on a poor connection, your phone will use a Wi-Fi network to ensure your calls and texts go through without interruptions.
This feature enhances your coverage, giving you reliable service indoors, whether at home or in a coffee shop. With Wi-Fi calling, your phone number stays the same, and you won’t even notice the switch between Wi-Fi and cellular.
Plus, major carriers offer it free, helping you save on your monthly bills. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in an area with little to no service, this simple trick can be a game-changer.
Let’s explore how to turn on and enable this feature for smooth, uninterrupted phone calls and messages.
How to Use Wi-Fi Calling- The Short Answer
What is Wi-Fi Calling?
Ever been in an area where your cell signal is playing hide and seek? With WiFi calling, your phone automatically switches to a WiFi network, letting you make and receive calls and texts without relying on a weak cellular connection.
This feature is built into most smartphones and works just like a regular calling app, ensuring no hiccups in your chatting or texting.
Instead of struggling with poor reception, your phone stays connected, keeping conversations smooth.
How Does Wi-Fi Calling Work?
Wi-Fi calling lets you make calls and send texts using a Wi-Fi network instead of relying on a cellular signal.
This is useful when you’re in a place with weak cell reception but have access to a strong internet connection. It works using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, similar to apps like WhatsApp and Skype.
Unlike Voice over LTE (VoLTE), which uses your mobile data, Wi-Fi calling routes your calls through the Wi-Fi you’re connected to, ensuring better call quality and uninterrupted communication.
Here’s How Wi-Fi Calling Works Step by Step:
- Device Compatibility: Your smartphone must support Wi-Fi calling and be enabled for it.
- Network Connection: You need a stable Wi-Fi network to make and receive calls.
- Carrier Support: Your service provider must offer Wi-Fi calling as part of its features.
- Call Routing: When you dial a number, your call goes through your carrier’s servers using Wi-Fi instead of a cellular tower.
- Seamless Transition: If your Wi-Fi signal drops, your phone may switch to a cellular network without cutting the call.
VoIP & Wi-Fi Calling: What is the difference?
VoIP and Wi-Fi calling both let you make calls over the internet, but they work differently.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the backbone of many apps like Skype, WhatsApp, and Google Meet, converting voice signals into digital data. Businesses often use VoIP services like JustCall, RingCentral, and Vonage for communication.
Wi-Fi calling, on the other hand, is built into smartphones and works directly with carriers.
You don’t need an extra app—just enable Wi-Fi calling in your settings, and your phone will automatically switch to internet-based calls when needed.
If your network provider doesn’t support it, you can still use a VoIP service to stay connected.
Pros & Cons of WiFi calling
What are the Benefits of WiFi Calling?
Wi-Fi Calling allows you to stay connected in more places, ensuring you don’t miss important calls or texts, even when cell service is unavailable.
- Stay Connected in More Places: With Wi-Fi, you can make calls, take calls, and send & receive texts from places like the corner of a back office, deep in the subway station, or in rural areas where cell service is difficult to find.
- Transition Seamlessly Without Dropping Calls or Missing Texts: As you move between areas with strong cellular connectivity and dead zones, Wi-Fi Calling will automatically kick in, preventing dropped calls or missed texts while you’re on the move in your home, office, or even through public transportation.
- Emergency Services Can Still Locate You When you Dial 911: When setting up Wi-Fi Calling, you’ll input an e911 address, which allows emergency services to locate you. Remember, if your phone moves to a new location, updating the e911 address ensures 911 can still reach you and provide quick assistance.
What are the Cons of WiFi calling?
While Wi-Fi Calling is helpful, there are some drawbacks to consider before using it.
- Insufficient Bandwidth on WiFi: If you’re in hotels, airports, universities, or stadiums, the WiFi connection might lag due to too many people using the same network. This can affect the quality of your calls.
- Not All Devices Support Calling Via WiFi: To use Wi-Fi Calling, you need a smartphone. It’s available on most recent Android phones and iPhones, but make sure to check your phone’s connectivity by searching for the feature in Settings or asking your carrier.
How Do I Turn On Wifi Calling?
How to Enable WiFi Calling On iPhone
To get started with Wi-Fi Calling on your iPhone, follow these simple steps:
- Open Settings and tap Phone to access Wi-Fi Calling.
- Switch the Wi-Fi Calling on the slider to the right to enable the feature.
- Select Enable to activate Wi-Fi Calling. For a more detailed guide, refer to this article for troubleshooting tips on iOS.
How to Activate Android WiFi Calling
To enable Wi-Fi Calling on your Android phone, follow these steps:
- Swipe up on your phone to access all your apps.
- Go to Settings, then tap on Network & Internet, followed by Mobile Network, and select Advanced.
- Look for the switch next to Wi-Fi Calling and turn it on.
- If you can’t find the option, simply search for “WiFi calling” on your phone to locate the correct menu. For more help, check out our guide for activating and troubleshooting Wi-Fi Calling on Android.
When Can I Call Someone Using Wi-Fi Instead of a Cellular Call?
You can make Wi-Fi calls when your cellular network is weak or unavailable, ensuring seamless communication without interruptions.
- Poor Signal: Ideal for basements, buildings with thick walls, or remote rural locations.
- Travel Abroad: Avoid roaming charges by making calls as if you were in your home country.
- Save Data: Use Wi-Fi calling instead of spending cellular data or limited voice minutes.
If your phone and carrier support it, just enable Wi-Fi calling in settings. Once active, your device will switch automatically, letting you call even in areas with poor reception.
How Do I Know if I’m Using a Wi-Fi call?
- Status Bar Icon: Look for a Wi-Fi symbol or the words “Wi-Fi Call” near the signal strength indicator.
- Call Screen: During a call, your phone may show “Wi-Fi calling” to indicate the connection type.
- Settings Verification: Go to the Wi-Fi calling section in your phone’s settings to check if it’s enabled.
Your phone model and operating system determine where these indicators appear. If your cellular signal is weak or unavailable, your phone will likely switch to Wi-Fi calling.
Familiarizing yourself with these specific device indicators ensures you always know when you’re making a Wi-Fi call.
Can I Choose What Type of Call I’m Making?
- Enable or Disable Wi-Fi Calling: Turn it on or off in your phone’s settings based on your needs.
- Set Call Preference: Decide whether to prioritize Wi-Fi or stick to a cellular network for calls.
- Use Airplane Mode: Activate it, then reactivate Wi-Fi to force calls over a Wi-Fi connection.
- Manual Network Selection: Switch modes to avoid cellular service and use only available Wi-Fi services.
Most smartphones give you control over how calls are placed. If a suitable network is available, your device will prefer Wi-Fi for better quality.
Adjust these settings based on your needs and circumstances to make the best use of both Wi-Fi calling and cellular service.
Is Wi-Fi Calling Free?
Wi-Fi Calling itself does not use mobile data, so it’s not like using third-party calling apps.
However, some carriers may count Wi-Fi calls toward your talk and text allotment, so it’s not entirely free. Check with your carrier to see how they treat Wi-Fi calls in terms of minutes.
Check Your Android Phone’s Compatibility
To use Wi-Fi calling, ensure your Android phone supports it. Follow these steps:
- Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network.
- Go to Settings, then tap Connections or Wireless and Network Settings.
- Look for the Wi-Fi calling option in More or More Networks.
- If you see the option, your phone is Wi-Fi calling ready.
- If not, check with your carrier for compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I use data when calling via WiFi?
When making calls using Wi-Fi, you won’t use the mobile data from your phone plan, but your Wi-Fi network’s data will be used. It’s like any other app that connects through your Wi-Fi.
What if my phone doesn’t support it?
If your phone or carrier doesn’t support Wi-Fi calling, you can still use third-party apps like Skype, Google Hangout, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber to make calls and send texts over Wi-Fi.
How fast does my WiFi connection need to be?
For Wi-Fi calling, your WiFi connection needs at least 1 Mbps to make calls, though it can still work with slower speeds like 80Kbps. The faster the bandwidth, the better your connection and call quality will be.
Is it bad to leave WiFi calling on all the time?
Leaving Wi-Fi on all the time is generally safe, but it may not be ideal if you’re on a public WiFi network with a weak signal. At places like a cafe or hotel, the signal strength may vary, affecting your call quality. However, at home, it can help ensure the best signal.
Does WiFi calling switch automatically?
Yes, when Wi-Fi calling is enabled, if your Wi-Fi connection drops, the call will automatically switch to your carrier’s cellular network. This happens seamlessly, using VoLTE (Voice over LTE) if it’s available and turned on, ensuring that your call continues without interruption.
Is there totally free Wi-Fi calling?
Yes, Wi-Fi calling can be totally free, but it depends on your carrier and device. Some providers offer free Wi-Fi calling, while others may have restrictions or require a data plan. Keep in mind that you need a good Wi-Fi connection for it to work well.
Final Remarks
Wi-Fi calling is a great feature to have if you’re looking to improve your call quality and avoid dead zones at home. With Wi-Fi calling, you can rely on your internet connection to make calls, especially when you’re out of range of cellular networks. If your phone and carrier support it, enabling Wi-Fi calling will help you stay connected without any extra costs. It’s definitely worth trying, and it can be a game-changer for iPhone users or anyone who struggles with poor cell service.
That’s all! You can also check out How to Delete a Facebook Account Without Password (3 Easy Methods) and How to See Recently Viewed Accounts On Instagram 2025
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