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What Is WiFi Calling And How Can You Use It?

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WiFi calling is a new technology in the telecommunications space where the need to make calls via a cellular network would no longer be necessary. Even if you have low network signals and a strong WiFi network, you will be able to make calls through that same cellular network.

- Updated: 14th Feb 2023, 14:14 IST
  • 1
    How does WiFi calling work and what are its charges?
  • 2
    How to use WiFi calling on your phone?
    • How to use WiFi calling on your device in India?

There is a new terminology in the telecommunications sector apart from calling, which is Wi-Fi calling. Now, this term is very new so we understand that a majority of people might not have come across it. However, it is worth knowing what Wi-Fi calling means. As it is the future of calling and an amazing feature too. So, what exactly is WiFi calling?

So if this is the first time you have heard of WiFi calling, it is a way to talk and text on the smartphone from locations where it is difficult to reach a strong cellular phone signal. Think of a scenario where you have a great WiFi network but poor cell reception. This is where it is most useful.

With Wi-fi calling, you can place and receive calls over a wireless internet connection instead of using a cellular signal. This means that in places such as indoors where you have a strong WiFi network but your cell signals are low for some reason, you can still make calls. This service is compatible with most Android and iOS devices with almost similar user experience to any other phone call.

Also read: Get Set Go: Best Travel Apps On Android

Apart from the convenience, making calls over a strong Wi-Fi network will also improve its quality. This means that call drops and such incidents will be a thing of the past. This service is easy to set up and can save minutes on cellular subscriptions. Or avoid the requirement for the contract altogether, in presence of an active Wi-Fi network.

How does WiFi calling work and what are its charges?

In Wi-Fi calling calls are made over VoIP protocol. Which stands for Voice over the Internet rather than VoLTE which is Voice over LTE network. It works similarly to other VoIP applications such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger but with slight differences. It works by transmitting cellular data packets as Wi-Fi VoIP via a Wi-Fi connection across the internet. Now from the internet, the data goes to the cellular network and then back to the answering party. However, the smartphone must support the new feature for it to work.

Talking about its advantages, it is also worth noting that you have to pay no additional charges for this service. It works exactly like your normal calls made over a cellular network. And the tariff that applies to those calls will be applied to these WiFi calls too.

Also read: How To Upgrade To Windows 11 For Free!

Another advantage of it is that on VoLTE, cellular providers used to make calls via your LTE network, using data from your monthly allowance. With WiFi calling, that data will be used from your WiFi. Which means you don’t have to worry about LTE data being spent.

How to use WiFi calling on your phone?

As we have mentioned above, it is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and you just have to enable the option- to call via WiFi. Once the feature is on, you can make calls via WiFi when the signals are not available and it will happen automatically. 

To enable it on an iOS device, you will have to follow the steps mentioned below:

What-is-WIFi-calling-and-how-can-you-use-it-ios-guide
Credits: Xfinity
  1. Go to Settings on your iPhone and click on the Mobile Data section.
  2. Here, you will see a WiFi calling option if your network supports the same.
  3. Lastly, enable the “Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone” option and the feature will be ready to use.

To enable it on your Android device, follow the steps given below:

What-is-WIFi-calling-and-how-can-you-use-it-android-guide
Credits: Xfinity
  1. Go to Settings on your Android device, tap on Network & Internet and then click on Wi-Fi Preferences > Advanced. (Or there might be a direct option for Advanced Calling, it depends on the Android Skin your device is using) 
  2. Then, you will see the Wi-Fi calling option. Turn the feature on and Wi-Fi calling will be ready to use.

Also read: How To Free Up Storage On Your Android Device

How to use WiFi calling on your device in India?

You would be curious to know how you can use WiFi calling in India. Thus, it is worth noting that Airtel and Jio have already enabled WiFi calling country-wide which means that you can take advantage of making calls over WiFi on your Android or iOS device. If you are using any of these networks and have a compatible device, WiFi calling will be active by default and automatically too.

However, there are a limited number of devices that currently support both Airtel and Jio networks. At the moment, Airtel supports Apple iPhones ranging from the iPhone 11 series to the iPhone SE.

On the Android side of things, the network supports the latest OnePlus devices which include the OnePlus 7 series and the OnePlus 6 series. Xiaomi devices such as Poco F1, Redmi K20 series and Redmi Note 7 series support the Wi-Fi calling feature too. Furthermore, the feature is also compatible with most Samsung devices too.

Also read: WhatsApp Will No Longer Support These Devices

On the other hand, Jio supports almost all devices from Samsung, Vivo, Mobistar, Tecno, latest Xiaomi devices such as the Redmi K20 series and Poco F1. Jio also supports some devices from Infinix, Motorola, Coolpad and the Google Pixel 3 series. Also, most of the iPhones till the iPhone SE are part of the list.

Note that Jio currently does not officially support OnePlus devices while some reports mention that WiFi calling over the Jio network on OnePlus devices works just fine. Both Airtel and Jio have also said that they are working on support for more Android and iPhones to add to the list.

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Highlights of the Story

  • WiFi calling lets you make calls over a strong WiFi network.
  • It supports both Android and iOS devices and the user experience is similar to any other phone call.
  • Wi-Fi Calling is free of cost and easy to set up.

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