Have you ever endured endless buffering on streaming videos or noisy static interrupting phone calls whenever you connect calls in your home? Or maybe your office is situated in the distant corner basement where no cellular signals can reach?
If so, Wi-Fi calling is the solution you’ve been waiting for.
Wi-Fi calling uses your Wi-Fi internet connection to route phone calls, instead of relying on a cellular network. This allows you to make and receive calls over any Wi-Fi access point with solid connectivity.
Enabling this feature on Android devices is quick and easy, opening up new possibilities for staying seamlessly connected wherever you go.
I‘ll walk you through exactly how to turn on Wi-Fi calling via your Android settings in just two simple steps. Read on to learn how!
Why Choose Wi-Fi Calling Over Cellular?
First, how exactly is placing calls over Wi-Fi better than traditional mobile phone connectivity?
Take a look at this brief comparison:
| Wi-Fi Calling | Cellular Calling | |
|---|---|---|
| Call Quality | Crystal clear | Dropped calls/static |
| Indoor Signal Strength | Full bars | Dead zones |
| Unlimited Calling | Often free | Measured minutes |
| Roaming Charges | Low/none | Expensive |
As you can see, Wi-Fi calling offers some solid advantages over standard cellular.
Next let‘s examine how Android-based calling over Wi-Fi actually works on a technical level. This will help you troubleshoot any issues.
Under the Hood: Wi-Fi Calling Mechanics Explained
When Wi-Fi calling is enabled and your device connects to a wireless network, your calls become internet-based. Here are the step-by-step mechanics:
- VoIP Protocol Used: A voice over IP protocol encodes your call into data packets
- Packets Sent Over Internet: Packets travel through the Wi-Fi router to the internet
- Packets Reassemble At Destination: Packets reassemble into a call on the recipient‘s end
If during your call you move out of Wi-Fi range, the phone seamlessly hands over the call to cellular using advanced VoLTE technology.
This handover process usually takes about 5 seconds or less to prevent calls from dropping. Pretty cool right?
Now let‘s get Wi-Fi calling activated on your device!
Step 1: Access Network Settings
On your Android phone:
- Launch the Settings app
- Tap "Network & internet"
- Choose "Mobile network"
Scroll down and toggle Wi-Fi Calling to the "On" position.
Enter your address if prompted for 911 location services.
And that‘s it! Wi-Fi calling is now ready to use.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you don‘t see the Wi-Fi calling option, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Update your Android OS to the latest version
- Check if Wi-Fi calling is supported on your device model
- Contact your cellular carrier to enable the feature
Older Android versions may also have Wi-Fi settings under "Calling" or "Connections".
Now let‘s compare how the major carriers stack up for Wi-Fi calling rates and policies…
Wi-Fi Calling Across Carriers
Availability of Wi-Fi calling and specific plan rates vary quite a bit among the major US carriers:
| Carrier | Domestic Minute Charges | International Charges | Other Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Included | Extra fees | $5 monthly Wi-Fi calling addon required |
| AT&T | Free | Extra fees | |
| T-Mobile | Free | Varies | |
| Sprint | Free | Extra fees | Calling Plus addon required |
So T-Mobile and Sprint generally offer the most affordable Wi-Fi calling options for domestic and international usage.
But read your specific plan‘s fine print carefully to confirm fees. Now let‘s talk security…
Securing Your Wi-Fi Calls
Wi-Fi calls can potentially get intercepted easier than cellular if the network has no password.
Follow these tips to keep conversations private:
- Setup WPA3 encryption on your Wi-Fi router
- Use randomly generated 20+ character passwords
- Avoid public open networks for sensitive call topics
Also turn off Wi-Fi connectivity on any devices not in use to contain vulnerabilities.
Recent exploits like Cyclops Blink or Krack attacks have targeted weaknesses in outdated WEP and WPA protocols. Wi-Fi calling hands your call data directly over to the Wi-Fi network, so a breach could expose conversations.
The good news is WPA3 has extensive improvements making eavesdropping attempts nearly impossible.
Now let‘s talk optimizing connectivity.
Top Tips for Max Wi-Fi Signal
Follow these tips from IEEE wireless experts for best Wi-Fi calling quality throughout your home:
- Position your router centrally to reach all corners
- Keep the router elevated in open space to prevent interference
- Upgrade routers older than 3 years to latest Wi-Fi 6 standard
- Limit nearby Bluetooth, microwave, baby monitors which can all degrade Wi-Fi signals
Also try designating a 5 GHz band solely for Wi-Fi calling to allocate max bandwidth.
If calls still drop, troubleshoot by toggling airplane mode quickly to force reconnection.
Recommended Calling Apps Over Wi-Fi
Beyond standard Wi-Fi calling, also try these top-rated calling apps for maximizing connectivity:
- WhatsApp – Free worldwide calls to any WhatsApp user. Also very secure.
- Google Duo – Video and voice calls in crisp 720p HD quality
- Viber – Allows conference calling with up to 20 people
Chat apps offer more versatility compared to conventional calling, with video chat, messaging and group calling features. They also work independently without cellular carrier involvement.
Wrap Up
I hope this guide has simplified the process of enabling Wi-Fi calling on your Android. Leveraging your Wi-Fi connectivity helps guarantee an uninterrupted calling experience anywhere solid internet access is available.
Wi-Fi calling also provides financial savings over traditional cellular plans. As 5G rollout continues advancing, expect the capabilities to grow even further.
Now you can stay seamlessly connected from basements to office buildings and everywhere in between! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Happy Wi-Fi calling!
