What is Wi-Fi Calling?

Have you ever experienced spotty cellular service and haven’t been able to make a call? Has your mobile carrier even had an outage and left you without cell service? Well, Wi-Fi calling can solve that issue – as long as you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can make calls with ease.

Wi-Fi calling allows you to make voice calls via a Wi-Fi network instead of your mobile carrier’s cellular connection. It’s just like making a regular phone call, you’re just doing it over a Wi-Fi connection rather than a cellular one.

Why use Wi-Fi calling?

Wi-Fi calling can come in handy if you’re in an area with weak cellular coverage or if your carrier is experiencing an outage. In this case, you can connect to a Wi-Fi network or hotspot to make your calls.

How does Wi-Fi calling work?

Wi-Fi calling works similarly to other VoIP services, but VoIP services usually refer to the standalone applications that require installation on your device, like Skype or WhatsApp. Wi-Fi calling is automatically available on your phone, you just need to enable it in your device settings.

Once you enable Wi-Fi calling, your phone will route the call through a Wi-Fi network instead of a cellular one if that network is stronger. Your call will function as normal, but when enabled, the Wi-Fi calling feature will be used automatically when your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Advantages and disadvantages of Wi-Fi calling

Useful when your cellular signal is weak
Easy to enable
Calls function as normal

Wi-Fi isn’t available everywhere
Can be unreliable in public spaces with heavy Wi-Fi network use
May still use your mobile data

How to turn on Wi-Fi calling

Apple

Go to settings > Phone > Wi-Fi calling
Toggle the Wi-Fi calling button to turn it on

Android

Open the Phone app
Tap the three-dot button in upper right corner of your screen
Select ‘Settings’
Select ‘Calls’
Select ‘Wi-Fi’ calling
Turn on ‘Use Wi-Fi calling’

If you cannot find the appropriate menu, search ‘Wi-Fi calling’ in your settings app search bar.

Explore mobile carriers and plans at our mobile phone resource hub.

Wi-Fi calling FAQs

How much does Wi-Fi calling cost?

Typically, Wi-Fi calling has no additional costs and is a part of your monthly phone plan. Mobile carriers usually treat Wi-Fi calling the same as any other call, but be sure to check your mobile plan’s international calling guidelines since you could get charged for making calls overseas.

Does Wi-Fi calling use data?

No, Wi-Fi calling routes calls through a Wi-Fi network, which does not use cellular data from your mobile plan.

Can Wi-Fi calling save me money?

Wi-Fi calling does not use your cellular data, just Wi-Fi, so it could end up saving you money.

Written by:

Camryn Smith

Cammy is a writer with Allconnect, growing her broadband industry knowledge for over a year on the internet marketplace. Her expertise lies in home internet and broadband service with a focus on providers, plans… Read more

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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