How to enable Wi-Fi calling on Android

Wi-Fi Calling allows your Android phone to use the best connection in your home for phone calls and text messages. You’ll get higher quality audio and it’s perfect if you live in a dead zone. Let’s turn on Wi-Fi calling.

How to activate Wi-Fi calling on Android

Wi-Fi calling can usually be enabled by going into the settings of the “Phone” app and turning it on. However, with some carriers, you need to turn on Wi-Fi calling with your app. We will share some examples below.

On Samsung Galaxy devices, go to the default “Phone” app and tap on the three-dot icon in the middle right. Select “Settings” and turn on “Wi-Fi Calling” if it isn’t already.

With the “Phone by Google” app, which can be made the default dialer, tap on the three-dot menu icon on the top right corner and select “Settings”. Then go to Calls/Calling Accounts > Wi-Fi Calling > turn it on. You may need to select your SIM card first.

Google Fi is a carrier that allows you to enable Wi-Fi calling through its app (on non-Pixel devices). To do this, open the Google Fi app and select “Wi-Fi Calling” under the “Account” tab. That will take you to the screen to activate it.

Depending on your Android phone and carrier, this process may look different. You can also search for “Wi-Fi Calling” in the Settings app to see if the option is available there.

How to use Wi-Fi calling

Good news: Using Wi-Fi Calling is exactly the same as making and receiving regular phone calls. Once activated, you don’t have to do anything else. If you’re connected to a strong Wi-Fi network, your phone will automatically use Wi-Fi calling as the preferred method.

You can usually look for a Wi-Fi icon to see if Wi-Fi calling is being used. The icon can appear on the call screen and in the recent calls list, as shown below in the “Phone by Google” application.

If you leave the Wi-Fi network, the call will automatically switch to 5G, LTE, or the next best connection. You may notice a slight hiccup in the call, but it’s generally pretty smooth. You can turn off Wi-Fi calling on Android if you’re having trouble with your phone staying connected to Wi-Fi.

What is Wi-Fi Calling on Android?

Wi-Fi calling is exactly what it sounds like: phone calls are made over Wi-Fi instead of your phone’s cellular connection. While this has been a feature found in Android for many years, it’s still something many people don’t know exists.

The beauty of Wi-Fi calling is that it essentially works without you having to think about a thing. Once enabled, your Android phone will automatically use Wi-Fi calling if it’s connected to a strong Wi-Fi network and switch to cellular when needed without interrupting the call.

There was a time when not all cell carriers and Android phones supported Wi-Fi calling, but that’s no longer the case. AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and most other carriers, including MVNOs like Mint Mobile and Google Fi, now support the feature.

RELATED: What is Wi-Fi calling and should you use it?

Is Wi-Fi calling free?

Wi-Fi calling may count toward your plan’s talk and text allowance, but it doesn’t use cellular data.

Unfortunately, some carriers treat Wi-Fi calls the same as standard calls. It’s not the same as using third-party calling apps like Google Meet or Skype. Check with your provider to see if Wi-Fi calling counts toward your minutes.

Wi-Fi calling it’s not use the data allocated to your plan. In this way, Wi-Fi calls are treated in the same way as third-party applications. Anything you do on your smartphone that uses Wi-Fi doesn’t use mobile data, and that includes Wi-Fi calling.

Wi-Fi calling is a great service, and definitely something you should enable if your carrier and phone support it. You’ll get higher quality, more reliable calls, and you’ll be able to eliminate any dead zones in your home. If you have iPhone users in your house, they can also enable Wi-Fi calling.