Modern smartphones offer a variety of features to improve connection quality, including VoWiFi technology, which allows for wireless calling. However, users often encounter a situation where specific icons or WiFi call buttons, which may obstruct your view or indicate a device malfunction at a particular moment. It's possible to remove these elements, but the approach will depend on your device model and operating system version.
There are various reasons why you might want to disable this feature, from saving battery life to troubleshooting switching between your mobile network and your router. In some cases, your carrier's interface implements its own controls that are difficult to hide using standard methods. Let's take a closer look at why this icon appears and how to disable it.
It's important to understand that the complete disappearance of the button often means that Voice over WiFi technology is no longer available. This can impact connection quality in areas with poor cellular coverage but a strong router signal. Therefore, before deactivate option, it is worth weighing all the pros and cons of disabling this function.
What do the WiFi call icon and buttons mean?
The appearance of a specific indicator on the smartphone screen indicates the activation of the technology Voice over WiFiThis means your phone is currently using the internet to transmit voice traffic, bypassing the cellular carrier's base stations. The button or icon may appear in the status bar, notification shade, or directly in the dialer interface.
Users often confuse this icon with the regular network connection indicator. However, if you see the text "WiFi Calling" or a corresponding icon next to the signal strength, this indicates that calls are being routed through IP protocolTelecom operators are implementing this feature to improve coverage in buildings with thick walls or in basements.
⚠️ Note: On some smartphone models, especially those with custom skins (such as Xiaomi MIUI or Samsung One UI), the icon may appear even with a weak Wi-Fi signal, causing calls to drop. In such cases, it's best to remove it.
The interface may vary depending on the firmware version. In some cases, it's just a small handset icon with a Wi-Fi symbol, while in others, it's a full-fledged button in the quick access menu. Understanding what exactly your screen displays will help you choose the correct disconnection method.
Why you should disable VoWiFi on your smartphone
Despite the obvious advantages of the technology, there are scenarios where it must be forced turn offThe main reason is connection instability. If your router is far away or the channel is congested by neighboring routers, voice quality will be poor, and delays and echo will occur. In this situation, it's best to disable Reliance on WiFi and switch to LTE.
Another reason is battery drain. Constantly monitoring the Wi-Fi signal quality to maintain a voice connection can consume more power than using 4G/5G, especially if the wireless network signal is weak. Also, some older router models don't properly handle voice traffic priority (QoS), causing internet connection drops during calls.
- 📉 Unstable ping: High packet delay results in voice desynchronization.
- 🔋 Energy consumption: Double operation of communication modules accelerates battery discharge.
- 📞 Switching issues: The phone may become stuck on Wi-Fi when leaving the house, losing connection instead of switching to a cell tower.
Furthermore, if you use a corporate VPN or specific security settings, voice traffic may be blocked by a firewall, rendering this feature useless. In this case, it's more logical to simply disable it.
Disabling call buttons on Android
The deactivation process on devices under control Android This may vary depending on the manufacturer. The standard route is usually through the network settings menu. You'll need to find the section responsible for your mobile network or SIM cards, as VoWiFi is tied to these settings, not the Wi-Fi module itself.
On pure Android (Pixel, Motorola) the algorithm is simple: go to Settings, select Network and Internet, then Mobile networkThere will be a switch labeled "Wi-Fi Calling." If you uncheck it (switch it to the "Off" position), the icon will disappear. On Samsung devices, the path may look like this: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi calling.
For Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO owners, the situation is more complicated. In MIUI/HyperOS, this feature is often hidden or renamed. Try searching for "Wi-Fi Calling" in the settings search. If the search returns no results, your carrier may have blocked manual control, and the button will appear automatically when connected to a known network.
☑️ Check Android settings
In some cases, you may need to reset your network settings to clear your Wi-Fi preference for calls. This can be done in the menu. System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settingsThis action will not delete your personal files, but will return your network settings to factory defaults.
iPhone Settings: How to Hide the VoWiFi Icon
In the ecosystem Apple The Calls over WiFi feature has been centralized. To remove the button or icon, you need to change your cellular settings. Open Settings, go to the section Cellular communications and select Wi-Fi callingHere you need to move the switch to the inactive state.
If the icon still appears after disabling it, the issue may be with your carrier profile. Some carriers (e.g., MTS, Beeline, Tele2) can force this feature to be enabled on the network. In this case, your iPhone may display a notification stating that your carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling and prompting you to enable it. Declining the option will remove the button from the interface.
⚠️ Note: On iPhone, disabling this feature also disables the ability to receive calls on other Apple devices (iPad, Mac) if they are linked via the Calls on Other Devices feature.
It's important to check whether Do Not Disturb mode or special sound schemes are enabled, which can visually alter the call status display. While this rarely affects the VoWiFi button itself, a thorough review of your sound and notification settings is a good idea.
Hidden operator settings
Sometimes resetting network settings (Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings) can help. This will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords, but it may also remove the annoying icon if it's caused by a profile conflict.
Specifics of telecom operators and their applications
Often, the source of the problem isn't the phone's settings, but rather the carrier's apps or SIM Toolkit. Carriers can implement their own interfaces for managing services that override the standard Android settings. For example, the "My MTS" or "My Beeline" apps may have permission to manage calls.
Check your carrier's installed apps. If you don't use internet calling, find the "Services" section in the app and disable "Wi-Fi Calling." Sometimes you need to send a USSD code to completely deactivate the service on the network side.
| Operator | Disable code (approximate) | Place in the application | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | *111*177# |
Services → Calls | It may be called "Intercom" |
| Beeline | *110*177# |
Basic → Calls | Check your Beeline WiFi status |
| Tele2 | Personal account | Services → Communications | Often enabled by default |
| Megaphone | *550# |
Services → All services | Setting up "WiFi Calling" |
If the codes don't work (due to tariff plans changing), it's best to log into your personal account on the operator's website. There, in the "Services" or "Plan" section, you can find a detailed description of the enabled options and disable any unnecessary ones. This is guaranteed to remove the button, as the blocking is being done by the network itself.
Troubleshooting interface issues and software bugs
There are situations where the feature is disabled, but a visual artifact (a button or icon) remains on the screen. This is a software bug in the operating system or launcher. First, try a full reboot of the device. This will clear the cache of the system processes responsible for the status bar.
If rebooting doesn't help, check for system updates. Smartphone manufacturers regularly release patches that fix interface display issues. Go to Settings → About the phone → Software updateIt's also worth checking for updates to the Phone app (dialer) in the Google Play or App Store.
In rare cases, a specific theme or third-party launcher can cause the issue. If you've installed custom themes, try switching to the default one. Third-party calling apps (such as Truecaller or Google Dialer) may have their own widget display settings that should be checked separately.
- 🔄 Reboot: A banal but effective method for resetting system processes.
- 📲 Software update: Security patches often fix interface bugs.
- 🎨 Change of topic: The standard interface is less likely to contain layout errors.
If all else fails, you can try resetting all app preferences. This won't delete your data, but it will return app permissions and settings to their default state. Path: Settings → Applications → Three dots (menu) → Reset app preferences.
Does disabling VoWiFi affect call costs?
Wi-Fi calls are typically charged as regular outgoing calls according to your data plan, even when you're abroad (roaming). However, if you disable this feature while abroad, your phone will attempt to use the local cellular network, which may result in increased roaming charges. Always check with your carrier before traveling.
Is it possible to remove the button but keep the function working?
This isn't possible in the default Android and iOS settings: if the feature is active, the indicator should inform the user of the operating mode. Hiding the icon is only possible with root access (on Android) through the system interface files, but this is risky and can lead to unstable phone operation.
Why does the button only appear in certain places?
This is normal behavior. The smartphone automatically activates VoWiFi only when it detects a familiar Wi-Fi network (such as your home network) and simultaneously detects a weak cellular signal. In other areas where the 4G signal is strong, the phone prioritizes the cellular network, and the button disappears.
Is it safe to do banking transactions with WiFi calling enabled?
Voice traffic in VoWiFi technology is encrypted by the operator, making it difficult to eavesdrop on conversations. However, if you're connected to Wi-Fi in a cafe, Man-in-the-Middle attacks are theoretically possible. For important calls that require codes from SMS, it's best to use a mobile network or a trusted home internet connection.
What should I do if there is no sound from the speaker after disconnecting?
This could be a coincidence or a driver issue. Try toggling Airplane Mode on and off. If the issue persists, check if a Bluetooth headset or TV is selected as the audio output device. Resetting network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings) often resolves such conflicts.