When you use Wi-Fi talking, your voice calls and text messages go over Wi-Fi instead of a cell network. Wi-Fi calling is great when cell phone service isn’t available or isn’t stable, and voice calls over Wi-Fi networks are usually better quality than calls over cell networks.
Wi-Fi talking is a cool little trick that can make your life a lot easier if your home or office doesn’t have great cell service. Here is how to use Wi-Fi talking and everything you need to know about it.
Using Wi-Fi to make phone calls
As the name suggests, Wi-Fi talking, also known as VoWiFi (short for Voice over Wi-Fi), lets you text or call people over Wi-Fi.
Making calls over Wi-Fi and the web is not a new thing. We’ve been able to text or call people over the internet for years with apps and services like Skype and WhatsApp. But the only thing that sets Wi-Fi talking apart from these apps is the way they connect over the last mile. There are no changes to anything else. Your phone doesn’t use the cell service to make or receive calls from the carrier’s network; instead, it uses Wi-Fi. The phone app, text messaging app, and list of friends you use now are still the same. Everything works without a hitch.
Once you turn on Wi-Fi talking on your phone, it will use that instead of your cell service when it’s not available or limited. Wi-Fi sends all of your calls and texts over the internet. Depending on the company, your phone may even let you make calls over Wi-Fi when you are in an area with good cell service and connected to a Wi-Fi network. It helps companies make their networks less crowded so they can give you better voice service.
If you leave Wi-Fi range, though, calls and texts will go back to the cell network. All of this goes quickly, and you shouldn’t have any dropped calls or other problems after the switch.
Why Would You Want It?
Using the Wi-Fi Calling option on your phone can help you in many ways. The best thing about it is that it lets you make or receive calls even when network service is weak or nonexistent. So it can help if you live or work in a place where cell service is bad outside or inside.
One more great thing about Wi-Fi calling is that you just need to turn it on. You can make calls and send texts just like you would on a cell phone network. The feature is already built into the phone’s dialer, so you don’t need to download anything extra. You can also see all of your friends, even if they are using Wi-Fi calling.
On top of that, the speech quality is better than when you call on a cell phone with limited service. Also, talking over Wi-Fi doesn’t use that much data. That’s about 1MB per minute for a speaking call. You shouldn’t have to think about data charges as long as you have a good internet plan and don’t talk for hours on end.
To put it simply, Wi-Fi calling makes sense. It’s helpful in many ways and most likely won’t cost you anything.
What do you need to make a Wi-Fi call?
To use Wi-Fi calling, you need three main things: a Wi-Fi connection that works, a smartphone that works with Wi-Fi calling, and a carrier that allows Wi-Fi calling. For clear voice calls, a faster internet link is always better, but 1Mbps is enough for good call quality.
A few years ago, Wi-Fi talking was only available on a few high-end phones. Now, most phones can do it. There’s a good chance that your smartphone supports Wi-Fi talking if you bought it after 2018. But not all providers let all smartphones make Wi-Fi calls. Because of this, you should ask your service provider if Wi-Fi calling works on your phone. The company that made your phone can also tell you if it works with your carrier and allow Wi-Fi calls.
Support for Wi-Fi talking from carriers has grown a lot over the last few years, just like support for devices. The feature is supported by all three major US carriers as of 2022: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. It is also supported by a number of smaller carriers and MVNOs, including C-Spire, Cricket, Mint Mobile, Spectrum, Simple Mobile, and US Cellular.
How to Enable Wi-Fi Calling
It’s pretty easy to set up Wi-Fi talking on your phone. Check the “Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone” box in Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling if you have an iPhone.
You can usually turn on Wi-Fi talking on an Android phone by going to the Phone app, then Settings, then Calls, and finally Wi-Fi talking. The steps may be a little different on phones made by different companies.
To make Wi-Fi calls work, you may also need to give your emergency location information in the US. When you use Wi-Fi talking to call 911, you have to make sure that emergency services know where you are so they can get to you. For Wi-Fi calling to work with some carriers, the HD Voice and VoLTE functions must also be turned on.
For more information on how to set up Wi-Fi calling on an Android or iPhone, read our tips. But if you don’t see the Wi-Fi calling option on your phone, it could be because your carrier doesn’t allow it or because the software needs to be updated. For the best experience, make sure that the software on your phone is always up to date.
When Wi-Fi calling is turned on, the notice screen will show “Wi-Fi” next to your carrier’s name. Instead, VoWiFi may show up next to the network bars on some Android phones to let you know that Wi-Fi talking is on.
Do you have to pay to make calls over Wi-Fi?
Most of the time, Wi-Fi talking doesn’t cost extra. A call made over Wi-Fi will cost the same as a call made through a cell phone service. For texts it’s the same thing. But different companies usually have different rules for using Wi-Fi to make calls while travelling abroad. So, before you go, you should call your company and ask if they offer Wi-Fi calling in the country you’ll be visiting and how much it costs. Usually, talking over Wi-Fi while roaming would be the same price or less expensive than calling on a cell phone.
FAQ’s
Q1. What is Wi-Fi calling?
Wi-Fi calling is a feature that allows you to make and receive phone calls, send text messages, and use other communication services over a Wi-Fi network instead of a cellular network.
Q2: How does Wi-Fi calling differ from traditional cellular calling?
Wi-Fi calling uses an internet connection (Wi-Fi) to transmit calls and messages, providing an alternative to traditional cellular networks. It enables communication in areas with weak or no cellular signal but a reliable Wi-Fi connection.
Q3: Which devices support Wi-Fi calling?
Wi-Fi calling is supported on many smartphones, including iPhones, Android devices, and some feature phones. Check with your mobile carrier and device manufacturer to ensure compatibility.
