WIFI Calling (VoWIFI)

When you are abroad, you may want to be able to receive calls or at least receive your voicemails. The WIFI calling feature (or Voice over WIFI / VoWIFI) is perfect for this. It allows you to make receive calls and SMS and this WITHOUT ROAMING FEES.

The principle is simple: Calls and text messages go through the Internet rather than through the mobile phone provider.

I’m not talking about applications like Messenger or WhatsApp. These only work via the internet, so via WIFI when you’re connected to them.

This feature is also useful for having coverage in places where the signal is poor (basement, isolated chalet). All it takes is a compatible phone, a provider that supports the feature and WIFI internet access.

All calls are considered to be made from home, so a “local” call could actually become a long distance. (Ex: I am in France and I call France via WIFI calls) In any case, it is cheaper than roaming.

When the WIFI Calling service is active, the following actions are counted as if you were at home, regardless of the country you are in:

  • Receiving calls
  • Making calls within your local calling area (i.e. Quebec)
  • Send or receive text messages (SMS) or multimedia messages (MMS)

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Validate that your device is compatible
  2. Check with your mobile provider to ensure they support this feature and that your travel destination country is eligible.
  3. Register your device for the feature BEFORE YOUR TRIP
Devices compatible with WIFI Calling

Here is a list of compatible devices. Other models may also be compatible, the list is not exclusive.

Apple
  • iPhone 6s 6s Plus
  • iPhone 7 7 Plus
  • iPhone 8 8 Plus
  • iPhone 11, 11 mini, 11 Pro 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone SE (1st, 2nd 3rd generation)
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone XS XS Max
Google
  • Pixel 4, 4a, 4a 5G 4 XL
  • Pixel 5
  • Pixel 6, 6a 6 Pro
  • Pixel 7, 7a 7 Pro
  • Pixel 8 8 Pro
Huawei
  • Mate 20 Pro
  • P40 P40 Pro
  • P30 P30 Pro
LG
  • G7 One
  • K41S
  • Velvet
Motorola
  • Motorola Edge (2023)
  • Moto E (2020)
  • Moto E6
  • Moto G Power (2021)
  • Moto G Stylus
  • Moto G 5G 5G (2023)
  • Moto G Stylus 5G (2022 2023)
  • Moto G7, Play
  • Moto G Play (2023 2024)
  • Moto G Pure
  • Moto Z4
  • Moto Razr+ (2023)
  • One 5G Ace
  • One Hyper
Nokia
  • Nokia 3.4
Samsung
  • Galaxy A8
  • Galaxy A10e
  • Galaxy A12
  • Galaxy A14 5G
  • Galaxy A15 5G
  • Galaxy A20
  • Galaxy A21
  • Galaxy A32
  • Galaxy A32 5G
  • Galaxy A5 (2017)
  • Galaxy A50
  • Galaxy A51
  • Galaxy A52
  • Galaxy A52 5G
  • Galaxy A53 5G
  • Galaxy A54 5G
  • Galaxy A70
  • Galaxy A71
  • Galaxy J3 Prime (2017)
  • Galaxy J3 Top (2018)
  • Galaxy Note 8, 9, 10+ 20 Ultra
  • Galaxy S7 S7 Edge
  • Galaxy S8 S8+
  • Galaxy S9 S9+
  • Galaxy S10, S10+ S10e
  • Galaxy S20 5G, S20 FE, S20 FE 5G, S20 Ultra 5G, S20+ 5G
  • Galaxy S21 5G, S21 Ultra 5G, S21+ 5G S21 FE 5G
  • Galaxy S22, S22+ S22 Ultra
  • Galaxy S23, S23 FE, S23 Ultra S23+
  • Galaxy S24, S24+ S24 Ultra
  • Galaxy XCover6 Pro
  • Galaxy Z Flip, Z Flip 5G
  • Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
  • Galaxy Z Flip4
  • Galaxy Z Flip5
  • Galaxy Z Fold2 Z Fold2 5G
  • Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
  • Galaxy Z Fold4
  • Galaxy Z Fold5

How to enable WIFI Calling

Note : Depending on your device model, the procedure may vary slightly.
iPhone
  1. In Settings, select Phone
  2. Select Wi-Fi Calling
  3. Activate the function by turning the button green

If necessary, see Make a call using Wi-Fi Calling (Apple)

Samsung
  1. Open the Phone app and tap the three dots in the top right corner to see more options
  2. Select Settings
  3. Press the button next to Wi-Fi Calling to activate the function

If necessary, see Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on your Galaxy phone (Samsung)

Others (Android)
  1. Go to Settings and select Network Internet or Mobile Networks
  2. Depending on the model, select Mobile data, Mobile network or SIM cards
  3. Select Wi-Fi Calling
  4. Press the button at the top to activate or deactivate the function

If necessary, consult your device manual.

My personal trick to ensure I’m NOT ROAMING is to put my device in airplane mode and turn on WIFI before making my calls while traveling.

#cellular #wificalling #mobile