What Is Wi-Fi Calling and How Does It Work?
What is WiFi Calling and how does it work? Learn how to make calls over WiFi, its benefits, costs, setup and common issues in the UK.
10/5/20267 min read
If you have ever struggled with poor mobile signal at home, in an office, or in a rural area, you may have heard of Wi-Fi Calling. But what is WiFi Calling, and how can your phone make calls when there is little or no mobile signal?
Wi-Fi Calling allows compatible mobile phones to make and receive calls and, on supported devices, text messages using a Wi-Fi connection instead of relying entirely on the mobile network. This makes it particularly useful in places where your mobile signal is weak but your Wi-Fi connection is reliable.
In this guide, we explain what is WiFi Calling, how it works, its benefits, how to enable it, whether it costs money, and what to do if Wi-Fi Calling is not working.
What Is WiFi Calling?
Wi-Fi Calling is a mobile phone feature that allows you to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi internet connection. Instead of your phone connecting to a nearby mobile mast for the call, it uses your Wi-Fi connection to connect with your mobile network.
It is also known as Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) or Voice over Wi-Fi.
You do not normally need a separate app to make Wi-Fi phone calls. When the feature is supported by your phone and mobile network, you can use your normal phone app and your existing mobile number.
This means you can make calls over WiFi in places where your mobile signal is poor or unavailable, as long as you have a suitable Wi-Fi connection.
What Does WiFi Calling Mean on Your Phone?
it means your phone can use a Wi-Fi connection to provide mobile calling services.
For example, imagine you are at home and your phone only has one bar of mobile signal. Normally, this could result in dropped calls or difficulty connecting.
If Wi-Fi Calling is supported and enabled, your phone can use your home Wi-Fi connection instead.
Depending on your phone and network, you may see a Wi-Fi Calling icon or a network indicator showing that the feature is active.
Wi-Fi Calling can therefore be particularly useful in homes, offices, basements, hotels and other buildings where walls or location can weaken mobile reception.
How Does WiFi Calling Work?
The process is relatively simple from the user's perspective.
Your phone connects to a Wi-Fi network.
Wi-Fi Calling is enabled on your compatible device.
Your phone uses the Wi-Fi connection to connect to your mobile network.
You make or receive a call using your normal phone app.
Your mobile network handles the call through the Wi-Fi connection.
You are still using your normal mobile number and mobile service. The main difference is that the call connection is carried through Wi-Fi rather than relying on a conventional mobile signal.
Some networks can also move a call between Wi-Fi and their mobile network when the relevant conditions and technologies are supported. For example, EE says a call can switch to 4G Calling when you move out of Wi-Fi coverage.
What Is WiFi Calling on My Phone Used For?
The biggest benefit is improved connectivity in areas where mobile reception is weak.
For example, Wi-Fi Calling can help if:
Your home has poor mobile reception.
You work inside a building with thick walls.
You are in a basement or other low-signal location.
You live in an area with limited mobile coverage.
Your phone shows little or no mobile signal but has a reliable Wi-Fi connection.
Wi-Fi Calling can be particularly useful when mobile network coverage is weak at home, at work, or in rural areas.
O2, EE and Vodafone all describe Wi-Fi Calling as a way to make or receive calls where mobile coverage is poor or unavailable, although exact availability depends on the network, tariff and compatible device.
Benefits of WiFi Calling
1. Make Calls Without Strong Mobile Signal
One of the main reasons to use Wi-Fi Calling is that you can make calls where mobile reception is poor, provided you have a suitable Wi-Fi connection.
This can make a significant difference if your home or workplace has unreliable indoor coverage.
2. Use Your Existing Phone Number
Wi-Fi Calling generally works through your existing mobile service rather than requiring a separate calling application.
You can normally make calls using your standard phone app and mobile number.
3. No Separate Calling App
With supported services, there is no need to use WhatsApp, Skype or another internet calling application simply to make a normal mobile call.
4. Useful in Low-Signal Areas
Wi-Fi Calling can provide another way to stay connected in locations where mobile coverage is weak.
5. Works With Compatible Mobile Plans
Major UK networks offer Wi-Fi Calling on supported devices and plans. However, availability and supported features can vary between providers.
Does WiFi Calling Use Mobile Data?
Normally, Wi-Fi Calling does not use your phone's mobile data allowance. Instead, the call uses the Wi-Fi internet connection.
For example, EE states that Wi-Fi Calling does not use your mobile data allowance, although it does use a small amount of data from the Wi-Fi connection itself. EE estimates that a 30-minute Wi-Fi call uses around 10MB of Wi-Fi data.
This distinction is important.
If you are connected to your home broadband, the call uses that internet connection. If you are connected to a metered or paid Wi-Fi service, the Wi-Fi provider's terms may apply.
Does WiFi Calling Cost Money?
For many UK mobile customers, there is no separate charge simply for using the Wi-Fi Calling feature. Instead, calls and texts are generally treated according to your existing mobile tariff.
For example, EE says calls and texts made using Wi-Fi Calling use the customer's normal allowances and standard rates. O2 similarly states that Wi-Fi Calling is charged according to the existing mobile tariff rather than through an additional Wi-Fi Calling subscription.
However, your exact terms depend on your mobile network and plan, so it is worth checking your provider before assuming the service is completely free.
Is WiFi Calling Free?
In most cases, is WiFi Calling free is really a question about whether your network adds an additional fee.
Major UK providers generally do not charge an additional fee for the Wi-Fi Calling feature itself. However, your normal call or text charges may still apply depending on your tariff.
You should also remember that the Wi-Fi connection itself may have its own costs, particularly when using paid public Wi-Fi or a metered internet connection.
If you're choosing between a SIM-only deal and Pay As You Go, it’s worth comparing the included allowances and network features before deciding.
How to Turn On WiFi Calling
If your phone and network support the feature, how to turn on WiFi Calling is usually straightforward.
First, connect your phone to a working Wi-Fi network. Then open your phone's settings and look for Wi-Fi Calling or the relevant mobile network settings.
The exact steps vary between iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and other Android devices.
In general, the process involves:
Connect to Wi-Fi.
Open your phone's Settings.
Find the Mobile Network, Phone or Connections section.
Look for Wi-Fi Calling.
Turn the feature on.
Follow any instructions from your network.
Some networks may enable the WiFi Calling service automatically when you have a compatible device, SIM and software. O2, for example, says Wi-Fi Calling should usually be enabled automatically on compatible 4G or 5G handsets with a good Wi-Fi connection.
How to Enable WiFi Calling on Your Phone
If it is supported, make sure your phone software is up to date and connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network.
If the option is missing from your settings, your device, SIM, software or mobile plan may not support the feature.
The exact setup can differ between providers, so checking your network's device support guide is the safest approach.
Why Is WiFi Calling Not Working?
First, make sure your phone is actually connected to the internet through Wi-Fi. A Wi-Fi connection without working internet access may not be sufficient.
Next, check that Wi-Fi Calling is enabled and that your phone and mobile plan support it.
You should also try:
Restarting your phone.
Turning Wi-Fi off and back on.
Checking for software updates.
Moving closer to your Wi-Fi router.
Testing another Wi-Fi network.
Checking whether your mobile provider has an outage.
Confirming that Wi-Fi Calling is supported on your specific device.
Poor Wi-Fi quality can also affect call performance. EE notes that weak Wi-Fi coverage, limited bandwidth and heavy internet use can contribute to poor audio quality or dropped calls.
Is WiFi Calling Secure?
Wi-Fi Calling is provided through your mobile network rather than being the same as making an ordinary internet call through an unrelated app. However, the security and implementation can vary depending on the network and service.
As with any internet connection, you should avoid relying on unknown or untrusted Wi-Fi networks when possible. A secure, private Wi-Fi connection is generally preferable to an unfamiliar public network.
Does WiFi Calling Drain Battery?
Wi-Fi Calling itself does not automatically mean your phone will experience a major battery drain. However, your phone is still maintaining a Wi-Fi connection and processing the call, so battery usage will depend on your device, Wi-Fi quality and other activity happening in the background.
A weak Wi-Fi connection can also make your phone work harder to maintain connectivity.
If battery life is a concern, keeping your phone connected to a strong and stable Wi-Fi network can help avoid unnecessary connection problems.
FAQs
What is WiFi Calling?
It is a mobile feature that allows compatible phones to make and receive calls using a Wi-Fi connection instead of relying entirely on a mobile signal. It can be particularly useful when mobile reception is weak or unavailable.
How does WiFi Calling work?
Your phone connects to a Wi-Fi network and uses that internet connection to connect with your mobile network. You can then make and receive calls using your normal phone app and mobile number.
Can I make calls without mobile signal?
Yes, Wi-Fi Calling can allow you to make calls without a strong mobile signal if your phone, SIM and network support the feature and you have a working Wi-Fi connection.
Does WiFi Calling use mobile data?
No, Wi-Fi Calling normally uses your Wi-Fi internet connection rather than your mobile data allowance. However, it does consume a small amount of data from the Wi-Fi connection.
Is WiFi Calling free in the UK?
Most major UK providers do not charge an additional fee specifically for Wi-Fi Calling, but calls and texts can still be charged according to your normal mobile tariff. Always check your provider's current terms.
Why is WiFi Calling not working?
Check that Wi-Fi is connected and working, Wi-Fi Calling is enabled, and your phone and mobile plan support the feature. Restarting your phone, updating its software or trying a stronger Wi-Fi connection may also help.
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