Wi-Fi calling lets your phone automatically switch to Wi-Fi when cell service is bad so you can make or take calls. Wi-Fi calls and texts are sent through the Wi-Fi network that your Android phone is connected to instead of your carrier’s cellular network. In this article, you will learn how to make Wi-Fi Calling work to make a voice call.
What is Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi calling is just like regular calling on your phone, except that your carrier sends the call over an available Wi-Fi network instead of its cellular network. When you make a call, your phone chooses the best network (cellular or Wi-Fi) for you automatically. You don’t have to do anything.
Voice over IP (VoIP) apps like Wi-Fi Calling work the same way. But it is different in a few key ways that make it stand out.
Wi-Fi Calling doesn’t require any apps.
You don’t need any special apps like FaceTime, Skype, Whatsapp, Viper, etc., to make and receive calls or send and receive messages. Wi-Fi calls work just like regular calls; you can use your phone’s dial pad or messaging app to make them.
The person you want to call or text also doesn’t need any special apps.
Since Wi-Fi calls and texts are eventually sent over a cellular network (after going through your Wi-Fi), the person or number you are calling will get the call on their phone, just like if you made a regular call. They also don’t need any special apps on their phone.
It looks like calls and texts came from your number.
People who call or text you will see that they are from your number. This is helpful for services like two-factor authentication (2FA) and account registrations that don’t accept VoIP numbers.
You can call both regular phone numbers and toll-free numbers.
With Wi-Fi Calling, you can talk to more than just other cell phone users. You’ll be able to call landline numbers, customer service lines, and 911 emergency dispatch the same way you can with a cell phone.
How does it Work?
On VoLTE, your phone turns your voice into data packets and sends them upstream using LTE. The same thing happens on Wi-Fi with your phone. The data packets go through different streams, but they all end up at the core data network, which sends the information back to the recipient.
How to Activate Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi calling only works if both your phone and your carrier can handle it. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, which are the three biggest U.S. carriers, all support Wi-Fi calling, but you should double-check if you use another carrier. And most Android phones made in the last few years have the ability to make calls over Wi-Fi.
But Android phones don’t have Wi-Fi calling turned on by default. Here is how to make Wi-Fi calling work on your Android phone:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three dots to bring up the menu, then tap Settings.
- Tap Wi-Fi Calling, where you can turn the feature on or off. Or, you might have to choose “Calls” before you see the option to turn on the feature.
You can use Wi-Fi calling without service on some carriers.
If your carrier doesn’t offer Wi-Fi calling, you can still do so through a voice-over IP service.
Wi-Fi Calling Costs
Wi-Fi calling doesn’t cost anything extra, but depending on your cell phone plan, you may be charged for calls. Because Wi-Fi calls are handled the same way as cell phone calls from the U.S., Your Wi-Fi calls will be charged the same rates and fees as your regular cell phone calls. This includes taking minutes from your monthly allotment if you don’t have an unlimited plan and charging for calls to international numbers.
So, Wi-Fi calling is great for people who are traveling abroad because there are usually no roaming or international fees for calling or texting back home. And with many plans, you can call Canada and Mexico for free. Keep in mind, though, that if you call an international number from your U.S.-based smartphone, you will be charged an international rate based on your international calling plan. And Wi-Fi calling isn’t available in China, Cuba, or North Korea, among other places.
Final Words
Most of the time, Wi-Fi calls are included in your regular voice plan and count as regular calls. If you only have a certain number of minutes, Wi-Fi calls will likely use up some of them. They shouldn’t cost you anything extra, but you should double-check because carriers don’t always handle them the same way. If your carrier charges for Wi-Fi calling, you should switch to a better one.
One thing to keep in mind is that any charges you get for long-distance or international voice calls are likely to apply to Wi-Fi calls as well. And not every country lets you use Wi-Fi calling. Try using the voice or video call feature in internet-protocol messaging apps like WhatsApp, Google Duo, Telegram, Signal, SnapChat, and FaceTime instead. You won’t have to pay anything.
Carriers tell your phone exactly when to switch to Wi-Fi calling, but this isn’t always the case. If your signal is just strong enough that Wi-Fi calling doesn’t work but not good enough for clear calls, you can force it to work by turning on Airplane Mode and then turning Wi-Fi back on. Just don’t forget to turn off Airplane Mode after the call.