How to Enable Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone

Most major cellular carrier networks support a feature known as Wi-Fi Calling, and now you can enable wi-fi calling on the iPhone as well.

For the unfamiliar, Wi-Fi calling essentially uses an available wireless network for phone calls to improve the connection quality, rather than relying entirely on the cellular network. The result is generally cleaner and crisper sounding call quality, similar to the difference audibly observed through other Voice Over IP services like Skype and FaceTime Audio.

Another significant perk to wi-fi calling is that you’ll be able to make and receive phone calls even if your iPhone is in an area where you otherwise wouldn’t have cellular service, assuming the area or region does have wi-fi. This is a really common scenario in many cities and buildings, and this is really where wi-fi calling is at its best.

Wi-Fi calling is available now on most new iPhone models with most cellular carriers, though some devices may need to be running the latest version of iOS to have access to the feature.

Enabling Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone

Assuming your iPhone and cellular provider supports wi-fi calling, here’s how to enable this feature:

1. Open the Settings app and go to “Phone”
2. Tap on “Wi-Fi Calling” and toggle the switch for “Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone” to enable the feature
3. Read the confirmation dialog and tap on ‘Enable” to enable wi-fi calling, you’ll then be brought to a few pages of terms and conditions and important details* about the wi-fi calling feature dependent on your cellular provider, agree to the terms to continue enabling the feature

Once enabled the Wi-Fi calling button will be green.

You’ll want to be sure to review the emergency information, because if you were to dial emergency services from a location with wi-fi calling, it’s the information that is relayed to the responder. This is important and not something to overlook or ignore, and also shows the potential downside to the wi-fi calling feature, since the set address doesn’t change with your location, whereas a typical cellular signal can be triangulated for a general idea. If you decide this is not appropriate for your situation, you can always turn wi-fi calling back off again.

Once Wi-Fi Calling is active and you join a wi-fi network with the iPhone, you should see the cellular carrier data change in the upper left corner of iPhone to demonstrate the feature has been enabled and is active. This looks like AT&T Wi-Fi, Sprint Wi-Fi, Verizon Wi-Fi, T-Mobile Wi-Fi, and so on (for those who may be wondering, the numbers next to the carrier name are the cellular signal strength as shown from Field Test Mode, which can replace the usual signal dot indicators if you’d like).

As mentioned before, wi-fi calling is really most helpful if your cellular connection service is poor, but you have a wi-fi network to connect to. This can help to eliminate the no-signal zones that are often found in office buildings and parts of a town where some obstruction blocks a clear cellular signal.

* All cellular providers will relay some important information to the user when enabling wi-fi calling. Perhaps the most important element pertains to emergency services and the requirement of setting an emergency address. For AT&T, the entire notification for enabling wi-fi calling is as follows:

“Important Information

Using Wi-Fi Calling. Wi-Fi Calling allows you to communicate through calls and text messages over an existing Wi-Fi network. To use Wi-Fi Calling, your device must be set up for AT&T HD voice, and you must have access to the Internet through your device’s Wi-Fi connection. Your device will only route calls and texts over Wi-Fi Calling when cellular coverage is limited or unavailable (for example, in some indoor locations where it is difficult for a strong wireless signal to reach or when your device is in airplane mode with Wi-Fi enabled). If you lose your Internet connection during a voice call with Wi-Fi Calling, your call will disconnect unless you are also within AT&T HD Voice coverage. You can disable Wi-Fi Calling by toggling it off in your device settings menu.

You can use Wi-Fi Calling for voice calls within the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands at no additional charge. However, if you have a capped or pay-per-use text messaging plan, your text messages sent through Wi-Fi Calling will be billed at standard messaging rates in accordance with your messaging plan. If you make international long distance voice calls using Wi-Fi Calling, you will be charged international rates consistent with your applicable rate plan or optional international long distance calling package that you have purchased. For a list of AT&T international long distance calling rates and packages, please visit att.com/worldconnect. You cannot use Wi-Fi Calling outside of the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands. Due to technical limitations, Wi-Fi Calling cannot be used to initiate calls to 211, 311, 511, and 811.

TTY Limitations for 911 Calls. Due to technical limitations, Wi-Fi Calling cannot be used with TTY devices and will not support 911 calls over TTY devices. Persons with communications disabilities can still reach 911 services by either (1) calling 911 directly using a TTY over the cellular network or a landline telephone, or (2) sending a text message to 911 directly (in areas where text-to-911 is available) using a wireless device over the cellular network, or (3) using relay services to place a TTY or captioned telephone service (CTS) call over the cellular network or a landline telephone, or (4) using relay services to place a IP Relay or IP CTS call over a cellular data or other IP network.

911 Call Routing. If you make a 911 call using Wi-Fi Calling, we will attempt to route your call to the emergency response center for your location using automatic location information obtained from your device and the existing Wi-Fi network. If we are unable to route your call using automatic location information, we will use the Emergency Address stored in the Wi-Fi Calling settings on your device. During initial activation of Wi-Fi Calling your current billing address will be shown as the Emergency Address. You can change your Wi-Fi Calling Emergency Address during activation or at any time after activation by selecting “Update Emergency Address” in the Wi-Fi Calling menu on your device. Your Emergency Address cannot be a P.O. Box. 911 service may be limited by comparison to traditional E911 service, delayed or unavailable if we are unable to locate you using automatic location information and you use Wi-Fi Calling at a location different from the Emergency Address you stored in your device. To ensure proper routing of emergency calls please keep your Wi-Fi Calling Emergency Address up to date. If you lose your Internet connection during a Wi-Fi Calling 911 call, your call will be disconnected even if you are also in AT&T HD Voice coverage. To print a warning label as a reminder of these 911 limitations press-hold, copy and print the following text on a label that can be affixed to your device:

Emergency service from this device using Wi-Fi Calling may be limited in comparison to traditional 911 service.

By selecting “Continue” below, you acknowledge that you have received and understand the foregoing limitations regarding the ability to place 911 calls using Wi-Fi Calling, and you further agree that if you dial 911 on this device using Wi-Fi Calling, AT&T may treat the automatic location information transmitted by your device as your temporarily updated Wi-Fi Calling Emergency Address.”

Other cellular providers will have a similar notification, be sure to read and understand the limitations and details before using the wi-fi calling service on any network.