The mobile phone industry has spent billions of dollars in recent years to improve network coverage. Despite this, there are still areas of the United States where coverage is spotty, at best. Luckily, most carriers now offer Wi-Fi calling, which gives you the ability to call or message from almost anywhere there's a Wi-Fi connection. So, how does Wi-Fi calling work?

What Is Wi-Fi Calling?

man using wifi connection on phone

We all know how frustrating limited cell service can be. This is where Wi-Fi Calling comes to the rescue. Wi-Fi Calling allows you to make regular calls using your standard or custom contact list using a Wi-Fi connection instead of a cell signal. Additionally, Wi-Fi Calling can switch to 4G calling (depending on your device and plan) if you lose your Wi-Fi connection at any point. So, if you ever find yourself in a cellular dead zone or your coverage is weak, you can give Wi-Fi calling a try.

Wi-Fi Calling also doesn't require any special log-in or application. Better still, it's a free service now being offered by many American carriers when placing calls or sending texts to numbers in the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico. International rates still apply for international numbers, however.

Your first experience with Wi-Fi Calling might have come from a third-party provider, such as Zoom, Skype, or WhatsApp. The relatively recent introduction of carrier-based Wi-Fi Calling has coincided with the growing popularity of Wi-Fi hotspots. With the increasing use of Wi-Fi calling, most mobile phone carriers have made the move to offer Wi-Fi calling to avoid getting left behind.

While these third-party apps are certainly a solid option, should they be chosen over your mobile carrier?

Using Wi-Fi Calling Through Your Carrier

There are some distinct advantages of using Wi-Fi Calling via your carrier instead of a third-party provider. For one, you can use your phone's dial pad and contacts list just as you would when making a cellular call, saving you time and confusion.

Plus, there's a seamless transition between cellular and Wi-Fi Calling. When your phone loses its signal, the device automatically switches, requiring no additional input. So, by enabling Wi-Fi Calling on your device, you'll never have to worry about losing cell service if you're connected to a nearby router.

But is Wi-Fi calling commonly supported, and, if so, by which carriers and devices?

Wi-Fi Calling Carrier and Device Support

In the U.S., the top three carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) all support Wi-Fi Calling, as do many others, including Virgin Mobile USA, Cricket, Metro PCS, Simple Mobile, and Vodafone U.S.

Another important thing to note is that any new smartphone you now buy will most certainly support Wi-Fi calling, but it pays to make sure your carrier does too. The iPhone 5c and all later models support Wi-Fi calling, as well as the majority of Samsung phones released after 2017. Simply check your desired device's specifications before deciding if you want to use Wi-Fi calling on your next phone.

So, we now know how useful Wi-Fi Calling can be, but what does it cost?

Is Wi-Fi Calling Free?

You should note that the minutes you use while Wi-Fi calling will still count towards the minutes included in your provider plan when using your carrier. It's important to remember that Wi-Fi calling using your mobile carrier isn't the same as using Skype or WhatsApp to make calls. In such cases, Wi-Fi calling is treated the same as a standard call, and therefore any used minutes are taken into account.

International and premium call rates still apply when you use Wi-Fi calling through your carrier, too, so be aware of this before making any long calls to numbers that fall within either of these two categories.

How to Enable Wi-Fi Calling

Woman smiling while talking on the phone

The process of enabling Wi-Fi calling differs depending on the device and operating system you're using.

How to Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on iOS

To turn on Wi-Fi Calling on your iOS device, head to Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling. On this screen, activate "Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone" to activate the feature. On iOS devices, Wi-Fi Calling is turned off by default, so you'll need to turn it on manually to use it.

On this same screen, you may be asked to review or update your emergency address for 911 purposes. You can add your address so that responders can find you in the case of an emergency. You'll also be given the option to use Wi-Fi calling when possible while roaming on the same page, which you can activate if this is what you'd prefer.

How to Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on Android

Setting up Wi-Fi Calling on Android-based devices will differ depending on the device and carrier being used. In most cases, you'll find the Wi-Fi calling option in your phone's wireless and networking setting under the "More" or "More Networks" option.

Once you locate the setting for Wi-Fi Calling on your Android device, you can then go ahead and enable it to make your over-the-phone communications that much easier. It's also pretty easy to know whether you're using Wi-Fi calling at any given moment.

How to Know If You're Using Wi-Fi Calling

Once you've enabled Wi-Fi Calling, your phone will determine the best times to use it, based on the condition of the cellular service in your area.

at&t wi-fi calling

The top four U.S. carriers use the following signs on your phone to alert you when calls go through Wi-Fi:

AT&T

  • For iPhone: The words "AT&T Wi-Fi" will appear next to the Wi-Fi icon in the status bar.
  • For Android: You'll see a plus (+) sign next to the Wi-Fi icon in the status bar.

T-Mobile

  • For iPhone: "T-Mobile Wi-Fi" will appear on the status bar.
  • For Android: Look for the Wi-Fi Calling icon at the top of your phone's screen.

Verizon

  • For iPhone: The words "VZW Wi-Fi" appear in your status bar.
  • For Android: You'll see a Wi-Fi Calling icon appear at the top of your device.

If you're using another carrier aside from the three listed above, you'll be able to easily find out how to identify the use of Wi-Fi calling by performing a quick internet search. Wi-Fi calling is now so common that most U.S. carriers offer it, so the relevant information you need should be easy to get a hold of.

But is Wi-Fi calling only available on smartphones, or do tablets support it, too?

Using Wi-Fi Calling on Tablets

If your carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling on iCloud-connected devices, you can make and receive Wi-Fi calls on other devices, too, including iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.

After enabling Wi-Fi Calling on your iPhone 5c or later, head to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices. Toggle "Allow Calls on Other Devices" to the "on" position. Under the "Allow Calls On" section on this same screen, you'll see your iCloud-connected devices. Please be sure to toggle these to the "on" position.

You may see a message about Wi-Fi Calling show up on your iCloud-connected devices. There will be directions provided in this case which you can follow if you wish to do this.

Wi-Fi Calling Is A Useful and Convenient Way to Communicate

Thanks to the now-widespread availability of Wi-Fi Calling, spotty cellular networks are no longer a concern. As long as you have access to a Wi-Fi network, you're ready to go. Just be sure your carrier and phone support the feature, as this is not always the case. If, however, they do, you'll be able to enjoy the reliability and seamlessness of Wi-Fi calling whether you're at home or on the go.