The Pros and Cons of Enabling Wi-Fi Calling on Your Phone
Wi-Fi calling can help users bypass weak cellular signals and improve audio quality, but the feature comes with distinct network and security considerations.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Understanding Wi-Fi Calling and Its Benefits
Wi-Fi calling, also referred to as VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), is a built-in feature designed to improve sound quality on your Android phone or iPhone during calls. When enabled, the technology runs your calls and text messages over an available Wi-Fi connection rather than relying on your carrier's traditional cellular network.
The technical mechanism behind the feature routes your connection through an IPsec tunnel and ePDG connection, functioning similarly to a VPN service. Data is then transmitted to the network of your cellular carrier and forwarded to the receiving device. Because of this architecture, the person on the other end does not need to have Wi-Fi calling enabled for the feature to function successfully.
One of the primary advantages of Wi-Fi calling is its ability to bypass cellular dead zones. Buildings constructed with specific materials—such as metallic coatings, thick concrete, masonry walls, metal beams, or certain window types—can block cellular signals and create dead zones in homes or offices where mobile communication typically fails. Wi-Fi calling allows users to make and receive calls seamlessly in these environments.
Additionally, the feature helps users skip cellular obstructions, tower congestion, and fluctuating signals that normally degrade audio quality on traditional cellular networks. When connected to a strong wireless network, users can experience noticeably better audio quality through HD voice.
The Disadvantages and Limitations of Wi-Fi Calling
Despite its benefits, Wi-Fi calling has notable drawbacks. Because the feature depends entirely on your local wireless network, its performance is only as good as the network powering it. Wi-Fi network congestion can result in lag, choppy audio, or dropped calls.
Certain carriers impose specific requirements for the feature to operate. For instance, T-Mobile requires a minimum of 2 Mbps upload and download speeds for Wi-Fi calling to function properly, while also declining to support Wi-Fi calling over phone hotspots or satellite internet.
Another consideration involves moving out of wireless coverage during an active conversation. While phones are designed to perform a seamless handover from Wi-Fi to cellular networks, this process is not always flawless. A successful handover requires Voice over LTE (VoLTE) to be enabled on the device, as legacy 2G and 3G networks cannot support the transfer. Emergency calls also present an exception, as carriers route 911 calls over Wi-Fi only when no cellular network is available.
Security Considerations and Device Updates
Because Wi-Fi calls travel over the internet, including public networks, they are not completely without risk. Carriers utilize encrypted tunnels between the phone and the network to prevent snoopers from spying on calls, but this protection depends on proper implementation by device chipmakers and carriers.
A 2024 CISPA study revealed security vulnerabilities that put the Wi-Fi calls of roughly 140 million customers globally at risk. However, because those specific flaws have already been patched, keeping your device updated remains the best practice for securing your calls.
How to Set Up Wi-Fi Calling
Before using the feature, users must confirm that their carrier supports Wi-Fi calling. During initial setup, users are typically asked to provide an emergency address. Because Wi-Fi calls do not transmit through traditional cell towers, this address helps emergency services locate callers if 911 is dialed.
iPhone users can activate the feature by navigating to Settings, selecting Cellular, choosing a specific SIM if multiple are used, selecting Wi-Fi Calling, and toggling on the option for the device. For Samsung devices, the path is Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling. On Google Pixel and various other Android devices, users can find the setting under Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Operator SIM > Wi-Fi calling.
Sources
- EngadgetThe pros and cons of enabling Wi-Fi calling
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