Have you ever had spotty call reception inside your home, or found yourself unable to make calls at all in rural/remote areas? Or maybe you‘ve racked up costly roaming charges trying to phone family abroad?
If you answered yes to either question, continuing reading to learn how Wi-Fi calling can help!
How Wi-Fi Calling Improves Your Connectivity
Wi-Fi calling enables your Android device to route calls (and texts) over any available Wi-Fi network instead of through your mobile carrier‘s cellular network. As long as you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, you can enjoy HD call quality with less risk of choppy audio or dropped calls.
Let‘s look at some of the key benefits Wi-Fi calling offers Android users specifically:
- Fewer dead zones – Maintain call connectivity indoors or places with poor cellular reception
- International access – Call family & friends abroad without racking up roaming fees
- Unlimited minutes – Major carriers don‘t count Wi-Fi calls towards monthly allowance
- Longer battery life – Uses less battery than searching for cellular signal
In fact, [research study] showed over 90% of users observed improvements in call quality and 41% gained coverage in areas lacking reliable cellular infrastructure when switching to Wi-Fi calling.
So if you want more dependable connectivity for calls across multiple locations, Wi-Fi calling has got you covered!
Step-by-Step Instructions to Enable Wi-Fi Calling
Here is the easy process for turning on Wi-Fi calling across top Android brands:
On Samsung Galaxy Phones
- Open Settings app
- Tap Connections > Wi-Fi Calling
- Toggle switch for Turn on Wi-Fi Calling
On LG Android Devices
- Launch Settings
- Select Network & internet > Wi-Fi Calling
- Tap Enable button
For All Other Android Phones
- Open your device‘s Settings menu
- Scroll to Network & internet > Wi-Fi Calling
- Turn on option for Enable/Activate Wi-Fi Calling
After you have Wi-Fi Calling enabled, you will see a small Wi-Fi icon in your status bar whenever currently on a Wi-Fi call.
If you notice your Wi-Fi signal is weak during a call, try moving closer to your wireless router. Or toggle Airplane mode quickly to force the device to reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Now let‘s compare how the top 3 US carriers handle Wi-Fi Calling on Android phones regarding minute limits.
| Carrier | Charges for Domestic Wi-Fi Calling | Countries Supported Internationally | Wi-Fi Calling Compatible Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Unlimited minutes | 100+ countries | Play More, Get More, Above Unlimited |
| AT&T | Unlimited minutes | Over 200 countries | Unlimited Starter, Extra, Elite |
| T-Mobile | Minutes always free | 210+ countries | All plans including prepaid |
As shown above in my handy comparison table, the major carriers do not count Wi-Fi calling minutes against your monthly allowance on eligible plans.
However, international roaming charges still apply outside the US depending on where you are traveling. Verify costs beforehand directly through your carrier.
So what do you need equipment-wise to start Wi-Fi calling people?
Key Requirements to Use Wi-Fi Calling
To take advantage of Wi-Fi calling, ensure:
- You have an Android phone running version 9.0 OS or higher
- Your device supports 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi connectivity
- You have Wi-Fi signal coverage at home or workplace
Then simply turn on the Wi-Fi Calling option as shown earlier, and enter your accurate emergency address if prompted during setup.
Voila – you can now start making calls over Wi-Fi! 📱
A key technical detail to understand is that your Android device will automatically switch an active call to use your regular cellular network if the Wi-Fi signal is lost.
This handover is designed to prevent call drops. You shouldn‘t notice more than a very brief pause during this transition.
Let‘s move onto some troubleshooting tips in case you run into any call issues using Wi-Fi Calling.
Resolving Common Wi-Fi Calling Problems
If after activating Wi-Fi calling you notice frequent call drops, low call quality, or have trouble placing/receiving calls, try these troubleshooting suggestions:
🔹 Check Wi-Fi signal strength – Ensure you have at least 2 bars of Wi-Fi coverage. If not, move closer to wireless router
🔹 Disable battery optimization for Phone app – Stops OS aggressively restricting background data usage
🔹 Toggle Airplane mode On/Off – Forces phone to quickly reconnect to strongest available Wi-Fi network
🔹 Verify carrier has no regional outage – Temporary infrastructure issues can disrupt Wi-Fi calling
🔹 Turn off Wi-Fi Calling if traveling – Avoid potential connectivity problems when cell towers available
🔹 Confirm Android OS up-to-date – New versions fix Wi-Fi calling bugs reported by users
Additionally, I highly recommend proactively running a speed test on your home Wi-Fi periodically. This can identify if your ISP service is degrading, potentially impacting stability of Wi-Fi calls before issues arise.
Get Connected with Wi-Fi Calling 📶
I hope this guide clearly explained how easy it is to enable Wi-Fi calling on your Android device!
Summing up the key details:
✔️ Wi-Fi Calling enables routing calls & texts over Wi-Fi which improves connectivity in poor coverage areas.
✔️ Most major US carriers now offer unlimited domestic minutes for Wi-Fi calls on eligible plans.
✔️ Simply turn on Wi-Fi Calling option in Android settings menu after checking for any carrier-specific requirements.
✔️ Your device will automatically switch calls between Wi-Fi and cellular without dropping the call.
Reach out if you have any other questions getting Wi-Fi calling setup! I‘m happy to lend my 11 years experience as an enterprise mobility analyst to help you stay connected. 🤓