Stuck with weak cell signal at home, in the office, or while traveling? Wifi Calling lets your phone place and receive calls and texts over a wireless network, so you can stay connected even when bars are low. It works on most modern iPhone and Android models and is supported by many carriers worldwide. Below, you’ll find clear steps to enable it, how to confirm it’s working, plus simple fixes if the option doesn’t appear.
What is Wifi Calling?
Wifi Calling routes your voice calls and text messages through a Wi‑Fi network instead of a cell tower. The experience feels the same as a normal call—same phone number, same dialer—only the connection travels over the internet. This helps indoors where cellular signals are blocked by walls, basements, or metal roofs. There’s no separate app to manage, and your contacts don’t need to change how they call you. Depending on your carrier plan and location, charges usually mirror your normal voice plan, but always check your plan for details.
Before You Start: Quick Requirements
For Wifi Calling to work, you need a compatible phone, a carrier that supports the feature on your line, and a stable Wi‑Fi connection. Keep your device software updated, since carriers sometimes enable Wifi Calling through system or carrier settings updates. If you use dual SIM or eSIM, make sure the line you want to use supports Wifi Calling. Some regions require you to add or confirm an emergency address for accurate routing of emergency services when calling over Wi‑Fi.
How to Turn on Wifi Calling on iPhone
- Connect your iPhone to Wi‑Fi and ensure you can browse the web.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular (on some versions, this may appear under Mobile Data).
- Tap Wifi Calling.
- Toggle Wifi Calling on This iPhone to On.
- If prompted, read and accept the terms and enter or confirm your emergency address.
- If you use dual SIM/eSIM, repeat for the specific line by selecting the line under Cellular Plans, then enabling Wifi Calling for that line.
On some iOS versions, you can also reach the same screen via Settings > Phone > Wifi Calling. After enabling, you may see “Wi‑Fi” or “Wifi Calling” near your carrier name in the status bar when a Wi‑Fi call is active. If you don’t see the indicator, try placing a call while your phone is connected to Wi‑Fi and cellular signal is weak, or temporarily turn on Airplane Mode and then re-enable Wi‑Fi to force Wi‑Fi Calling (if your carrier supports it).
How to Turn on Wifi Calling on Android Phone
Android menus vary by brand and version, but the Wifi Calling switch is typically in your mobile network or call settings. Try the universal path first:
- Connect to a reliable Wi‑Fi network.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & Internet (or Connections).
- Tap Mobile network or SIMs.
- Select your active SIM line.
- Look for Wifi Calling and switch it On.
- If prompted, accept terms and add or confirm your emergency address.
If you don’t find it in that path, use these common brand-specific routes:
- Samsung: Settings > Connections > Wifi Calling, toggle On. You can also open the Phone app > More (⋮) > Settings > Wifi Calling.
- Google Pixel: Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile network > Wifi Calling, toggle On.
- OnePlus: Settings > Mobile network > SIM settings > Wifi Calling, toggle On.
- Motorola/Xiaomi/Oppo/Vivo: Settings > SIM & network (or Mobile network) > choose SIM > Wifi Calling.
When active, many Android phones show a small handset-with-wifi icon or display “Wi‑Fi calling” in the status bar or dialer. As with iPhone, you can test by placing a call while on Wi‑Fi with weak cellular reception, or by using Airplane Mode with Wi‑Fi enabled if your carrier allows Wi‑Fi calling without cellular.
How to Know It’s Working
Once enabled, keep your phone connected to Wi‑Fi. Your device will automatically prioritize a Wi-Fi connection for calls if it detects a superior signal. To confirm this, check for a “Wi-Fi” or “Wi-Fi calling” indicator on your status bar or during the call. Audio quality should be clear and stable; if calls sound choppy, move closer to your router or switch to a less congested network band (for example, 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz).
Troubleshooting if the Option Is Missing or Calls Don’t Use Wi‑Fi
If Wifi Calling doesn’t appear, first confirm your carrier and plan support it for your specific device model and region. Update your device software and, on iPhone, go to Settings > General > About to trigger any available Carrier Settings Update. Restart your phone after enabling the toggle, as some carriers require a fresh registration.
If the toggle is present but calls still use cellular, ensure Wi‑Fi is strong and stable. Many phones prefer cellular when the signal is good; Wifi Calling usually takes over when Wi‑Fi is better or when cellular is poor. To test, use Airplane Mode to disable cellular, then turn Wi‑Fi back on and place a call. If calls fail in Airplane Mode, your carrier may require cellular to be available for call setup, or Wifi Calling may not be active on your line yet.
For dual SIM users, make sure Wifi Calling is enabled on the line you’re calling from. In your dialer, confirm the active SIM for outgoing calls or set the preferred SIM in settings. If your router blocks voice traffic, enable QoS for VoIP or try a different Wi‑Fi network. As a last step, contact your carrier to verify provisioning, roaming rules, or regional restrictions.
Also Read: How to Text Without Wi-Fi or Cell Service on Google Pixel
Safety, Costs, and Limitations
Emergency calling over Wi‑Fi may behave differently than over cellular. You may be asked to provide an emergency address, and location accuracy can vary if you’re away from that address. If possible, place emergency calls over a strong cellular connection or ensure your registered address is current.
Most carriers treat Wifi Calling like regular voice minutes and texts, but international calling and roaming policies can differ. If you’re abroad, some carriers restrict Wifi Calling or bill it differently. Review your plan details to avoid surprises, especially for international calls and messages.
Quick Wrap-Up
Enabling Wifi Calling is straightforward: switch it on in your phone’s cellular or call settings, confirm your emergency address if required, and keep a solid Wi‑Fi connection. With it active, your iPhone or Android phone can deliver clearer calls where cell signal struggles, using the Wi‑Fi you already have. If the option is missing or unreliable, update your software, verify carrier support, and test with Airplane Mode plus Wi‑Fi to confirm it’s working.
