Wi-Fi calling explained: The ultimate 2025 guide to better calls

Dropped calls, fuzzy audio and dead zones. Few things are more frustrating when you’re simply trying to have a conversation. Even with powerful 4G and 5G networks, you may still struggle with inconsistent signal strength in everyday places such as offices, basements and rural areas. Fortunately, most modern smartphones include a built-in feature that solves these issues instantly and it’s known as Wi-Fi calling.

If you’ve ever wondered what it is, how it works or why your phone suddenly delivers crystal-clear calls in places where mobile service normally disappears, this guide has everything you need.

What is Wi-Fi Calling?

Wi-Fi calling is a modern communication feature that allows you to make and receive phone calls using a wireless internet connection instead of relying solely on a mobile network. This is especially useful in areas with weak cellular signals, such as basements, garages or buildings with thick walls like the typical Maltese house of character. With Wi-Fi calling, your phone uses your home or public network to deliver crisp, high-quality voice calls with minimal interruptions.

How Wi-Fi calling works behind the scenes

When you place a call using Wi-Fi, your voice is converted into small packets of digital data that travel over the internet to your carrier’s servers. There, they’re reassembled and delivered to the recipient’s device. This process relies on technologies like IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) to maintain stable conversations.

Although the technology is sophisticated, the experience feels identical to a regular phone call. The only real difference you may notice is far better voice quality when cellular networks are weak.

Wi-fi calling vs cellular calling – key differences

Both feel similar in practice, but they rely on very different technologies. Understanding these differences helps you choose the best option for any situation.

Speed, latency & voice quality

Cellular networks use radio towers to transmit voice signals. When your connection is weak, audio may sound choppy, delayed or distorted. As mentioned earlier, Wi-Fi calling uses your internet connection, which often delivers clearer voice quality with lower latency.

Coverage & reliability breakdown

Cellular coverage depends on your proximity to towers and obstacles like buildings. In contrast, Wi-Fi calling works wherever you have a good internet connection, making it especially reliable indoors.

In short:

• Use wifi calling when indoors.
• Use cellular calling when you have strong LTE or 5G coverage.

Advantages of using Wi-Fi Calling

If your cellular bars often drop to one or zero, Wi-Fi calling becomes a lifesaver. Here are some other benefits:

Seamless indoor connectivity

Thick walls, metal structures and underground spaces often block cellular signals, but Wi-Fi calling bypasses those obstacles, offering smoother and uninterrupted communication.

No extra apps and seamless switching

Unlike third-party solutions, Wi-Fi calling is built directly into your smartphone. No downloads, no accounts, no learning curves. And if you start a call on cellular and walk into a Wi-Fi area, your call can automatically transition and vice-versa without hanging up.

In particular, you’ll appreciate Wi-Fi calling most in situations like:

• Basements with patchy cellular reception
• Office buildings where signal can’t sneak past reinforced walls
• Rural areas where towers are few and far between
• Airports, hotels and cafés with plentiful Wi-Fi

Basically, anywhere there’s Wi-Fi, there’s a way to stay connected.

Potential drawbacks of Wi-Fi calling

Despite its benefits, Wi-Fi calling does have a few limitations:

• Internet dependency issues: if your connection is slow, overloaded or unstable, your call quality may drop. A weak router signal can also affect clarity.
• Compatibility challenges across devices: older phones might not offer Wi-Fi calling.

How to enable Wi- Fi calling on any device

Turning on Wi-Fi calling takes just a few taps. Here’s what you need to do depending on your device:

• Android: open Settings, tap Connections or Network & Internet, select Wi-Fi Calling and toggle the feature ON
• iPhone: go to Settings, tap Phone, select Wi-Fi Calling and enable Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone

In addition, you should also consider improving your router performance. More specifically, make sure that your 5 GHz band is enabled, your internet speed is at least 5–10 Mbps, QOS (Quality of Service) is turned on and your router is placed in an open area, away from thick walls.

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi calling problems

Even with a strong connection, you may experience occasional problems. Here’s how to fix them:

Dropped calls

• Restart your router
• Forget and reconnect your Wi-Fi network
• Switch to the 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz

Poor voice quality

• Often caused by a slow or congested internet connection. Try:
• Disconnecting unused devices
• Moving closer to the router
• Updating your router firmware

Wi-Fi calling not showing up

If the option is missing:

• Update your device OS (Operating System)
• Enable VoLTE (sometimes required)

Common myths busted

Wi-Fi calling has collected a handful of myths over time. First up, the idea that it drains your battery, when in reality, the opposite is true. When your phone struggles to maintain a weak cellular signal, it uses more power so switching to a stable Wi-Fi connection helps conserve battery life. Another common misunderstanding is that your call will drop the moment your phone switches between Wi-Fi and cellular. Modern devices handle these transitions seamlessly in the background, so you can wander from your kitchen to your backyard without interruption. And then there’s the myth that you need lightning-fast, top-tier internet for Wi-Fi calling to work. False. Any stable, everyday Wi-Fi connection works perfectly well.

Wi-Fi calling has quickly become an essential tool for anyone seeking reliable, high-quality communication. By routing calls over your wireless internet connection, Wi-Fi calling improves clarity, reduces costs and keeps you connected wherever you go. And as technology evolves, especially with the growing integration of 5G, Wi-Fi calling will only become more powerful and seamless.

Find out more about Wi-Fi calling and unlock clearer conversations everywhere you go.