What is Wi-Fi Calling: A Comprehensive Guide to Make Calls Over Wi-Fi

In today’s connected world, staying in touch is more important than ever. But what happens when you find yourself in a location with weak cellular coverage? Enter Wi-Fi Calling, a fantastic feature that allows you to make and receive phone calls over a Wi-Fi network. If you’ve ever wondered “What Is Wifi Calling” and how it can benefit you, especially on your iPhone or other Apple devices, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will delve into everything you need to know about Wi-Fi Calling, from understanding its functionality to setting it up and troubleshooting common issues.

Understanding Wi-Fi Calling: Stay Connected Anywhere

Wi-Fi Calling, also known as Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi), is a technology that enables you to make and receive phone calls using a Wi-Fi network instead of your cellular network. Think of it as a seamless extension of your mobile service. When cellular signal is weak or unavailable – perhaps you’re in a building with thick walls, in a rural area with spotty coverage, or even traveling internationally to avoid roaming charges – Wi-Fi Calling steps in to keep you connected.

How Wi-Fi Calling Works

At its core, Wi-Fi Calling works by transmitting your voice data over a Wi-Fi network, similar to how VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services operate. When you initiate or receive a call, your smartphone intelligently detects the strength of your cellular signal. If it’s weak or non-existent but a stable Wi-Fi connection is available, your phone will automatically route the call over Wi-Fi. This entire process is usually seamless, and you might not even realize you’re using Wi-Fi Calling unless you see the “Wi-Fi” indicator in your status bar.

Benefits of Wi-Fi Calling

Wi-Fi Calling offers several key advantages:

Improved Call Quality in Weak Signal Areas: The most significant benefit is the ability to make clear calls even when cellular reception is poor. Wi-Fi networks often provide a more stable and robust connection for voice calls in these situations.
Expanded Coverage: Effectively extends your mobile coverage to any location with Wi-Fi access, whether it’s your home, office, coffee shop, or even some public transportation.
Cost Savings on International Calls: When traveling abroad, using Wi-Fi Calling can help you avoid hefty international roaming charges. Calls made over Wi-Fi are typically treated as if you were calling from within your home country, depending on your carrier’s policy.
Emergency Calling: In many cases, Wi-Fi Calling supports emergency calls. When cellular service is unavailable but Wi-Fi Calling is active, emergency services can still be reached. It’s important to ensure your emergency address is correctly configured in your Wi-Fi Calling settings for this to function properly.

Setting Up Wi-Fi Calling on Your iPhone

Enabling Wi-Fi Calling on your iPhone is a straightforward process. Here’s how to get started:

Enabling Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone

Open Settings: Tap on the “Settings” app icon on your iPhone home screen.
Go to Phone Settings: Scroll down and tap on “Phone.”
Find Wi-Fi Calling: Look for and tap on “Wi-Fi Calling.”
Toggle Wi-Fi Calling On: Switch the “Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone” toggle to the green “on” position.
Emergency Address: You might be prompted to enter or confirm your address for emergency services. It’s crucial to provide accurate information for emergency responders to locate you if needed.

An iPhone showing the Wi-Fi Calling settings screen. Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone is toggled on.

Once enabled, you’ll typically see “Wi-Fi” displayed in the status bar when you are in Control Center and Wi-Fi Calling is active. This indicates that your calls will now be routed over Wi-Fi when possible.

Adding Devices for Wi-Fi Calling

A handy feature of Wi-Fi Calling within the Apple ecosystem is the ability to use it on other devices like your iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, using your iPhone’s cellular plan. Here’s how to set it up to allow calls on other devices:

Ensure Latest Software: Make sure all your Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch) are updated to the latest software versions.
iPhone Wi-Fi Calling Settings: On your iPhone, navigate to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling.
Enable “Add Wi-Fi Calling For Other Devices”: Turn on the toggle for “Add Wi-Fi Calling For Other Devices.”
Calls on Other Devices: Go back to the previous screen (Phone settings) and tap on “Calls on Other Devices.”
Allow Calls on Other Devices: Ensure “Allow Calls on Other Devices” is turned on. A list of your compatible devices will appear under “Allow Calls On.”
Select Devices: Toggle the switch to “on” for each device you wish to use for Wi-Fi Calling.

Setting up other devices to receive calls from your iPhone:

iPad: On your iPad, go to Settings > FaceTime and turn on “Calls from iPhone.”
Mac: On your Mac, open the FaceTime app, go to FaceTime > Settings (or Preferences) in the menu bar, and then check the box for “Calls From iPhone.”

Wi-Fi Calling is automatically enabled on your Apple Watch when you activate “Allow Calls on Other Devices” on your iPhone.

Using Wi-Fi Calling on Different Apple Devices

With Wi-Fi Calling set up, you can seamlessly make and receive calls on your iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, as long as they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and associated with your Apple ID.

Making Wi-Fi Calls from your iPad

Set up Devices: Ensure you have added your iPad to use with Wi-Fi Calling as described earlier.
Open FaceTime App: Launch the FaceTime app on your iPad.
Enter Contact or Number: Type in a contact name or phone number in the search field.
Initiate Audio Call: Tap on the contact or number, then tap the Audio button (phone icon).

You can also initiate calls directly from other apps like Contacts, Mail, Messages, Safari, and more by tapping on a phone number.

Making Wi-Fi Calls from your Mac

Open FaceTime App: Open the FaceTime application on your Mac.
FaceTime Settings: Go to FaceTime > Settings (or Preferences) from the menu bar.
Enable Calls from iPhone: Check the box next to “Calls from iPhone.”
Make and Receive Calls: You can now make and receive phone calls directly within the FaceTime app on your Mac.

Making Wi-Fi Calls from your Apple Watch

Open Phone App: Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to access the app menu and open the “Phone” app.
Choose Contact: Select a contact from your contacts list.
Tap Phone Button: Tap the phone icon next to the contact.
Select Number or Email: Choose the phone number or email address you wish to call.

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Calling Issues

While Wi-Fi Calling is generally reliable, you might occasionally encounter issues. Here are some common problems and troubleshooting steps:

Wi-Fi Calling Not Activating:
1. Verify Carrier Support: Ensure your mobile carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling. Check their website or contact customer support.
2. Software Updates: Confirm your iPhone and other devices have the latest software updates installed.
3. Restart Devices: Restart your iPhone and any other devices experiencing issues.
4. Wi-Fi Connection: Make sure you are connected to a stable and functioning Wi-Fi network. Some public Wi-Fi networks might restrict Wi-Fi Calling.
5. Toggle Wi-Fi Calling: Turn Wi-Fi Calling off and then back on in your iPhone settings (Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling).
6. Reset Network Settings: As a last resort, you can reset your iPhone’s network settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings). Note that this will reset saved Wi-Fi passwords, so you’ll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network afterward.
Call Quality Issues: If you experience poor call quality, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network if available.

If you continue to have problems with Wi-Fi Calling after trying these steps, it’s best to contact your mobile carrier’s technical support for further assistance.

Conclusion: Embrace the Convenience of Wi-Fi Calling

Wi-Fi Calling is a powerful tool for staying connected in areas with limited cellular coverage. By understanding “what is wifi calling” and how to utilize it on your iPhone and other Apple devices, you can ensure clear communication, expand your coverage, and potentially save on costs. Take advantage of this feature to enhance your mobile experience and never miss an important call, regardless of cellular signal strength.