How to Enable Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi Calling is disabled by default on iPhones, so you need to turn it on to use it. Here’s how:
How to Use iPhone Wi-Fi Calling
When the feature is turned on, using it is easy:
How to Fix Problems with Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi Calling technology isn’t perfect. Here’s how to solve some of the most common problems people experience:
Can’t connect to Wi-Fi: Review problem-solving steps to fix a grayed-out Wi-Fi connection or troubleshoot when an iPhone won’t connect to Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi Calling is disabled: In the Settings app, the Wi-Fi Calling toggle switch may be grayed out. If it is, reset the network settings (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings), turn on Airplane Mode, then turn on Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi calls drop: If you’re in an area that has a Wi-Fi network and a weak cellular signal, sometimes Wi-Fi calls will fail. If the phone connects to the cellular network instead of to Wi-Fi, turn on Airplane Mode to prevent the phone from connecting to cellular. Then, connect to Wi-Fi. Error message: If an error message tells you to contact your phone carrier, wait two minutes and turn on the feature again. If that doesn’t work, restart the iPhone. If that doesn’t work, contact your phone company.
Wi-Fi Calling Requirements
To use Wi-Fi Calling on the iPhone, you must have:
AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile phone service in the U.S. Verizon customers with HD Voice calling can also use the feature. If you’re in another country, check this list from Apple of what carriers support which features. iPhone 5C or newer models. iOS 9 or higher installed on the iPhone. iOS 8.0 offers support for T-Mobile, iOS 8.3 adds Sprint, and iOS 9 adds AT&T. Access to a Wi-Fi network.
What Is Wi-Fi Calling?
Wi-Fi Calling is a feature of iOS 8 and up that allows phone calls to be made using Wi-Fi networks instead of through a service provider’s cellular towers. Wi-Fi Calling allows the calls to work like Voice over IP technology, which treats a voice call like any other data sent over a computer network. Wi-Fi Calling is most useful for people in rural locations or buildings made of certain materials who don’t get good cell reception at their homes or businesses. In these places, getting better reception is impossible until phone companies install new cell towers nearby. Without those towers, customers’ only choices are to either switch phone companies or go without cell phone service in those important locations.
