A comprehensive guide to Wi-Fi Calling

Learn what Wi-Fi Calling is, how to make calls using Wi-Fi Calling, and how to activate it on iPhones and Android devices.

Info at a glance

What is Wi-Fi Calling?

Wi-Fi Calling—also known as VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi)—lets you talk and text over an active Wi-Fi® connection. You can turn Wi-Fi Calling on or off in your phone's settings. With Wi-Fi Calling, you can call, text, and use Visual Voicemail over Wi-Fi, just as you would on the cellular network.

Why use Wi-Fi Calling?

Wi-Fi Calling is often used when a cellular signal is weak or unavailable. Still, there are other convenient uses for the technology, like free calling while traveling internationally and a backup service during cellular outages. If you want to learn more about Wi-Fi Calling, keep on reading.

Is Wi-Fi Calling the same as VoIP? 

Wi-Fi Calling and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) both use internet for making calls, but they’re not the same.

There are two types of calls over VoIP:

  1. Wireless VoIP: This is any call or text (SMS) message you make over Wi-Fi on a mobile device (cell phone or tablet) through a designated app. This includes apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Skype, Zoom, and Google Hangouts. For the call to go through, the person getting the call needs the same app.
  2. Landline VoIP: This service requires a physical internet connection, usually with an Ethernet cable linking a VoIP device (like an IP phone or a phone adapter) to a modem or router. For the call to be successful, the internet needs to be wired and steady, and a dedicated app is not used. Homes with a fixed spot for calls often use landline VoIP.

Carrier-based Wi-Fi Calling is a specific kind of VoIP:

This type of communication lets your phone use Wi-Fi to make and get calls or send and get text (SMS) messages, just like when using your cell network. You, or the person receiving the call or text, don’t need to download a specific app for the call to go through—just call using your smartphone's phone number, built-in dialer, and messaging apps.

What type of voice service is best for me?

Choosing the right service depends on many things, including your preferences and lifestyle. You may want to consider switching between the different services based on who, why, and how you’re making the call.

Let’s review the main advantages of each service:

1. Carrier-based Wi-Fi Calling vs. cellular or landline services:

  • Backup service: Wi-Fi Calling is a great plan B for when the main mobile or landline networks go down. You can set up Wi-Fi Calling to switch automatically from the landline or cellular network to Wi-Fi, without loosing the call.
  • Better coverage: Calls over Wi-Fi come in handy in areas with weak or no cell signal and a good Wi-Fi connection.
  • Flexibility and mobility: If your cell phone supports Wi-Fi Calling, you can make and get calls from just about anywhere.
  • Easy access to contacts and no third-party apps needed: Wi-Fi Calling service is a feature integrated into your mobile device. This means it can access your phone book, and the person on the receiving side doesn’t need to manually download an extra app.
  • Save money: Carrier-based Wi-Fi calls let you call without using up any of your plan minutes. You’ll want do use this feature to avoid paying for the pricier unlimited plan. It can also come in handy if you have a cheaper plan with capped minutes, as it can help you avoid using up your minutes too quickly. It’s most handy for families with multiple mobile devices. 


2. Wi-Fi Calling Landline vs. VoIP service:

  • Stable connection: Landline VoIP uses a wired internet connection. This reduces the chance of your calls ubruptly ending or experiencing interferences and speech lag when there’s unstable Wi-Fi service around.
  • Extra features: Landline VoIP comes built-in with several advanced features. This includes voicemail, call forwarding, call recording, video conferencing, and screen sharing.
  • Flexibility and mobility: You can set up the landline VoIP to forward calls to your cell phone when you’re on the go.

 
3. Wi-Fi Calling vs. wireless VoIP apps:

  • Web interface: Apps like Messenger have a web interface which enables you to use it on your computer. 
  • Extremely secure: Apps like WhatsApp and Viber use end-to-end encryption, ensuring your data is safe and private.
  • Free calls, no cellular plan needed: All VoIP apps offer free domestic and international calls over Wi-Fi. However, some apps allow free calls only between users who have downloaded the app. 
  • Additional features: Most VoIP apps have additional features, giving you an enhanced call experience. These added-value features include video calling, screen sharing, group calls, and text messaging. Some apps let you alternate your video call background, have your calls recorded, and even allow you to have calls transcribed.

What are the disadvantages of Wi-Fi Calling?

If you sometimes experience a weak cellular signal or want to avoid paying hefty phone bills while traveling abroad, Wi-Fi Calling would be a great option for you. However, you may want to consider some of the downsides, too.

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Reliance on Wi-Fi

Unstable or weak Wi-Fi causes poor-quality calls, speech lag, and dropped calls. Call quality also reduces as more devices share a Wi-Fi network, consuming bandwidth.

Potential for data overuse

If your home internet plan has a data cap, frequently using Wi-Fi Calling may use up the data faster, making you reach that limit sooner than you desire.

Feature support limitations

Although not too common, you may be surprised to hear that some smartphones, cellular carriers, or Wi-Fi networks don’t support Wi-Fi Calling.

Location accuracy

When you call over Wi-Fi, your location isn't as accurate as when using the cell network. This could make it hard to pinpoint your location in times of emergencies.

Is Wi-Fi Calling free for both domestic and international calls?

The great news is that Wi-Fi Calling is free if you’re making a domestic call (as long as you do it over a local Wi-Fi connection; otherwise, it’ll eat away your data). But when using Wi-Fi Calling without VoIP apps abroad (even if you roam over Wi-Fi), you’ll likely get a bill in the mail as carriers usually charge for it.

If you want to make free international calls, we recommend using international calling apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Zoom, etc. Remember to connect to the local Wi-Fi, and not use mobile data for free VoIP calls. However, keep in mind that VoIP apps usually provide free calls or texts between users (both users must have the app downloaded on their device) or may have additional limits.

For international Wi-Fi Calling with AT&T, the charges depend on where the call originates from and where it’s received.

Let’s review the different aspects that affect the charges:

1. When you call an international number from within the U.S., you’re charged based on these factors:

  • If you have an international long-distance package in the first place, and the call destination is a country included in your plan.
  • If your domestic voice plan has reduced international calling rates and the call destination is a country included in your plan.
  • If you don’t have either, your cell carrier will likely charge you the pay-per-use rates for international long distance, even if you use Wi-Fi Calling.
     

2. When you call from outside the U.S., you’re charged based on the destination and type of number you’re calling out to:

  • When you call a U.S. number located in the U.S., the call is free. But keep in mind that some countries don’t support Wi-Fi Calling, so it’s important to research this in advance.
  • When you call an international number located outside of the U.S., your carrier will charge you based on the same restrictions as those while calling internationally from within the U.S.

Learn more about how to use your cell phone internationally.

How do I turn Wi-Fi Calling on and off?

You may be surprised that cell phones don’t have Wi-Fi Calling turned on by default, which means you need to activate it. Keep in mind that the exact steps to turn on Wi-Fi Calling will differ depending on:

  1. Whether you have an Android or iPhone device
  2. Your phone model
  3. The version of the operating system installed
     

It’s also important to check if your carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling in the first place, as not all carriers do.

Follow these steps to enable Wi-FI Calling on your cell phone:

• Wi-Fi Calling for iPhone:

  1. Go to the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.
  3. Tap on Wi-Fi Calling.
  4. Toggle the Wi-Fi Calling to the On position (it should turn green).
  5. A screen may pop up asking for your emergency address. This is used for 911 calls. Fill in the information as needed and hit Done.
     

• Wi-Fi Calling for Android:

  1. Open the Phone app (where you dial out from).
  2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon at the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Look for Wi-Fi Calling and toggle the switch to the On position.
  5. Similar to the iPhone, you may need to provide your emergency address.

Follow these steps for disabling Wi-Fi Calling for both iPhone and Android:

  • If you have an Android device, switch off airplane mode in your status bar.
  • If you are an Apple user, you’ll need to turn your cellular data back on through their settings menu.

Remember, you can set up Wi-Fi Calling as your default way of placing a call on your cell phone. Alternatively, you can set it up to automatically switch to Wi-Fi Calling if you lose the phone signal.

Learn more about setting up Wi-Fi Calling on your device

If both cellular and Wi-Fi are available, can I make the phone use only Wi-Fi?

When you turn on Wi-Fi Calling, your device constantly searches for the best voice service available. This means the call will switch back and forth between the cellular and Wi-Fi networks as one becomes stronger than the other.

The bouncing between both services can cause your call to drop, especially if you’re in a place where both networks are available and stable. To avoid this, you can force your phone to use your preferred type of network. Either turn off Wi-Fi Calling to use the cellular network or turn on airplane mode to force your device to use Wi-Fi Calling only.

How do I know if Wi-Fi Calling is working?

Wondering how to make sure Wi-Fi Calling is working on your device? Follow these tips:

  • Check your carrier's requirements: Some carriers require enabling certain settings, owning a particular type of phone, or having a specific plan for the Wi-Fi Calling to work.
  • Check your cell phone's settings: Double check the Settings menu on your cell phone to see if Wi-Fi Calling is turned on.
  • Check your status bar: An icon or text usually will appear in your phone's status bar at the top of the screen once the Wi-Fi Calling is in use.
  • Test your service: The ultimate way to verify Wi-Fi Calling is working is to put it to the test. Set your cell phone to airplane mode, turn on Wi-Fi, and try calling or texting. If it goes through, you’ll know Wi-Fi Calling is working.

Remember, calls and texts over Wi-Fi rely on a strong and stable internet connection. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak or the network is slow or congested, your calls and texts might not go through, even if Wi-Fi Calling is working fine.