Having trouble picking up with your mobile network? If you are connected to a WiFi network even with a weak signal, you can have clear voice communication. We explain how to activate this option on your smartphone.
No 3G or 4G mobile network? Is the quality of communication poor or insufficient around you (mainly in the white zone)? We have all experienced this mess at least once. Rest assured, if you have Wi-Fi nearby, it is possible to overcome this problem. If your phone is compatible, just activate the VoWiFi function.
What is VoWiFi?
VoWiFi is a technology for making phone calls over a Wi-Fi connection. This avoids having to go through a cellular antenna: practical for those who live in an area where the traditional network is weak. It can be used abroad and VoWiFi also improves call setup time and quality. It is therefore very practical to call in video in HD. Be careful though, this quality remains indexed to that of the Wi-Fi network you will be using.
Note that a Skype or WhatsApp call uses more data than a VoWiFi call. Also, one can call to a landline or a phone using VoWiFi, while third-party app-based voice calling does not work that way.
Do not confuse VoWiFi with VoLTE. The latter is based on the 4G or 5G network, naturally less stable than a home Wi-Fi network.
Last important information: calls you make using Wi-Fi are treated as calls made on your operator’s mobile network. No additional pricing is therefore to be expected.
How do I activate the VoWifi option on my smartphone?
First of all, you should know that not all smartphones are necessarily compatible with this feature. Worse still, whether or not VoWiFi is activated on your smartphone actually depends on your operator. So be sure to check if your smartphone is compatible beforehand.
Fortunately, all operators are now up to date, even Free, which was one of the last not to benefit its customers. This is also the case for intermediate mobile plans from NVMOs (a virtual mobile telephone operator) such as NRJ Mobile, Cdiscount Mobile or Auchan Télécom, which use the cellular networks of incumbent operators.
To enable this option on an Android smartphone, open the Phone app, then tap the icon More options (or the 3 vertical dots) and select the menu Settings. Finally, find and press the button to activate the function ofwifi call. You have the possibility to prefer calls via mobile network (cellular) if these are available.
Once enabled, you should end up with a top icon indicating Wi-Fi calling is enabled.
VoWiFi is also available on iPhone, you have to go to Settings then Cellular data and activate the option Wi-Fi calling.
If the VoWiFi or “Wi-Fi Calling” feature is activated on your smartphone and you cannot pick up the mobile network, all you have to do is connect to an available Wi-Fi network nearby to be able to make your calls.
Note also that even if you are in an area covered by a Wi-Fi network, VoWiFi only starts if an SSID has already been saved on your smartphone. It won’t automatically connect to networks it doesn’t know about.
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