The estimated reading time for this post is 3 minutes
Imagine never having to worry about whether you have a cell phone signal. If your fondest wish is to make and receive phone calls without being near a cell phone tower, your wish may be granted with Wi-Fi Calling.
Some people base important decisions on the location of cell phone towers, such as where to live and which carrier to use. If you can’t get a cell phone signal at home or work, well that can cause big problems.
But those days may be over. With Wi-Fi Calling you don’t have to worry how many bars your phone’s antenna shows. Wi-Fi Calling can solve your cell phone reception issues, plus give more benefits.
Take a few minutes now to set up Wi-Fi Calling on your cell phone to get better reception, make free calls when you’re out of the country, and preserve your cell phone minutes.
What Is Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi Calling is when your phone uses Wi-Fi instead of a cell signal for phone calls. By enabling this feature on your phone you’ll be able to make and receive calls whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi, whether or not you have a cell phone signal.
You could be a thousand miles away from a cell phone tower, but so long as your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network you can make and receive calls.
Why You Want Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi Calling can have major advantages. With Wi-Fi Calling you can make and receive calls using your cell phone number over Wi-Fi, without using an app. You can make and receive calls across devices (iPhone <=> Android) and carriers.
Better Reception
Wi-Fi Calling lets you make and receive calls when you are away from a cell phone tower, so long as your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. No more need to worry about being in the middle of nowhere, inside a building, or in other areas with no coverage. Stay connected to a Wi-Fi network and your phone will work as a phone.
Making Calls from Other Countries
Some carriers also allow free Wi-Fi Calling back to your home country when you’re traveling internationally. Before you leave your home country, check with your carrier whether Wi-Fi calls back home are free, and which countries are covered.
Note that most carriers still do charge for international Wi-Fi calls made from your home country to another country.
Saving Your Minutes
If your cell phone plan has a monthly limit on minutes, see whether Wi-Fi Calling minutes count against that limit. Some carriers do not count Wi-Fi Calling minutes towards your monthly plan.
How to Set Up Wi-Fi Calling
iPhone
Wi-Fi Calling works on iPhone 5c and later.
To set up Wi-Fi Calling, go to: Settings => Phone and look for Wi-Fi Calling.
Tap that to see Wi-Fi Calling on This Phone.
Turn on Wi-Fi Calling to enable the feature. You may have to enter an emergency address and/or confirm by tapping Enable.
If you don’t see Wi-Fi Calling as an option, make sure your carrier offers the feature and your phone has been updated to the latest version of iOS, the iPhone’s operating system.
For a list of carriers offering Wi-Fi Calling, see the Apple Wi-Fi Calling Carrier Support page and choose your region of the world.
Android
Some Android phones offer Wi-Fi Calling, depending on the phones and the carriers. Be sure to check with your carrier’s website to see whether Wi-Fi Calling is available and which models support this feature. The carrier’s website should also show how to enable Wi-Fi Calling for available phones.
If you’re shopping for a new Android phone and Wi-Fi Calling is important to you, be sure it’s available on the phone and carrier you choose.
Other Helpful Links
Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
Sprint information page about Wi-Fi Calling
Your Thoughts
Did you know about Wi-Fi Calling? Have you enabled Wi-Fi Calling for your phone? What is the biggest advantage of Wi-Fi Calling for you?
Robin Khokhar says
Very Nice, Using the wifi signal for making calls is really cool. Your post has helped me to learn some of the new things.
Thanks for sharing.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Robin, Yes, Wi-Fi Calling can solve a lot of problems, especially in places where you have poor reception. I hope you enjoy using this feature, Robin.
Judy says
Just set-up Wi-Fi calling. My signal is so low at my house. Hope this helps. Thanks.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Judy, Yes, Wi-Fi Calling is especially useful in places where your cell phone signal is low. I hope Wi-Fi Calling is the answer for you!
Ravi Chahar says
Hey Carolyn,
The pain of getting the low signal is unbearable. Sometimes I feel like changing the carrier. But, you know all are the same.
I am glad to know about wi-fi calling. But I don’t see any option on my iPhone. Maybe I should check it again.
Thanks for letting us know about it.
Hope to use it soon.
Enjoy the day.
~Ravi
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Ravi, Yes, activating Wi-Fi Calling is easier than switching carriers. How great that we can now get reception anywhere we have a Wi-Fi connection.
If you don’t see Wi-Fi Calling as an option on your iPhone, check to make sure you have the latest iOS operating system, make sure your iPhone is a 5c or later, and make sure your carrier offers the feature. I hope you get it sorted, Ravi!
Kovacs Istvan says
Sadly it’s not so common in Europe :\
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hello Kovacs, Wi-Fi Calling has recently come to the US for many phones and carriers. I hope it becomes more popular in Europe soon.
Carriers have good reason to adopt Wi-Fi Calling. They can free up their cell towers and network when their customers use Wi-Fi calling. You could even try reaching out to your carrier to request the feature, especially if your carrier offers Wi-Fi Calling in other countries.
Good luck, Kovacs. I hope you get access to Wi-Fi Calling soon!
Raymond Roshan says
It is really awesome blog, for the information of WI-fii calling and itis really helpful for me.thank you.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Raymond, I’m very glad you found this article helpful. I hope you find Wi-Fi Calling to be helpful to you too. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.