Tech Reference

How to use Wi-Fi calling and make phone calls even without a cell signal

Written by William Antonelli and Melanie Weir
woman on train looking at phone headphones
Wi-Fi calling can come in handy when you're traveling. Peter Muller/Getty Images
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If you've had a cellphone for a long time, you've probably heard of  Wi-Fi calling. Wi-Fi calling is a great feature that helps you make quality phone calls even when your cell reception is weak.

Here's what you should know about Wi-Fi calling, including how to set it up on your phone.

How to turn on Wi-Fi calling

The exact way to turn on Wi-Fi calls on your phone will depend on what phone you have. Here's how to enable Wi-Fi calling on your iPhone or Android.

On an iPhone

1. Open your phone's Settings app and tap the Cellular option to open your cellular network menu.

2. Find the Wi-Fi Calling option and tap it.

What is Wi Fi calling 2
Open the "Wi-Fi Calling" menu.  Melanie Weir/Business Insider
What is Wi Fi calling 3
Tap the switch so it toggles to the right.  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

3. Toggle the Wi-Fi Calling switch to the left, so it turns green.

What is Wi Fi calling 4.PNG
Tap "Enable" in the pop-up menu.  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

4. A pop-up will appear, giving you more details about the sort of information that gets sent to your cell phone carrier when you enable Wi-Fi calling. Read to make sure you're okay with the terms, then tap Enable.

What is Wi Fi calling 5
Confirm your address using the form given.  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

5. Another pop-up will appear, asking you to confirm your address — this is so if you call 911 with Wi-Fi, emergency services will know your location. The appearance of this pop-up may change slightly based on your cellular carrier. Confirm your address, then tap Next.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions from your carrier to finish setting up Wi-Fi calling on your device.

On Android

1. Open your phone's dialer — the screen where you type in phone numbers — and tap the three dots in the top-right corner.

2. Select Settings.

The Dialer app on an Android phone, with the Settings option highlighted.
Open your dialer app's settings.  William Antonelli/Insider

3. In the menu that appears, tap Wi-Fi calling and then tap the switch next to it so it flips to the right.

4. You'll be asked to confirm that you want to enable Wi-Fi calls, and then you'll have to enter your address — this is so if you call 911 with Wi-Fi, emergency services will know your location.

Once you've done both, Wi-Fi calling will be enabled.

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WillAntonelli
William Antonelli
ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
  • Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
  • Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
  • Disinformation
EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.
Melanie Weir
Melanie Weir is a freelance author for Insider, mainly focusing on the Tech Reference section, but occasionally contributing to Lifestyle and Entertainment topics as well. She is also a freelance writer for ScreenRant, and is the Lead Weekend News Editor at TheThings.com. In her spare time she writes plays for both stage and screen. She can be reached at melanie.weir1008@gmail.com, or through LinkedIn.