How to remove the phone from your router or phone screen: removing the ringer icon

The appearance of a strange telephone handset icon on a smartphone screen or, even more oddly, on a router's indicator panel, often causes confusion among users. This symbol typically indicates that the device is ready to make calls via an internet protocol known as VoLTE or VoWiFiIn some cases, this indicator may be displayed on the router's display if it supports voice communication via a landline port, but most often, it's the interface of a mobile device connected to the home network.

Understanding the nature of this symbol is the first step to eliminating it or setting it up correctly. If the icon is constantly lit, it may mean the feature is enabled by default by your carrier or operating system settings. Android And iOS They handle network priorities differently, switching between a cell tower and home Wi-Fi to ensure better connection quality. Sometimes users want to remove this icon simply for aesthetic reasons, so it doesn't clutter the status bar.

In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the mechanics of voice calls over internet protocols and explain how to manage these settings. We'll cover scenarios where the handset appears on the smartphone screen and situations where the router's indicators can be confusing. It is important to distinguish The phone's software settings and the physical indication on the provider's equipment, as the methods for solving the problem in these cases are radically different.

⚠️ Attention: The menu interfaces of smartphones from different manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, iPhone) may differ. The location of the switches depends on the operating system and user interface version.

The nature of the handset icon and VoWiFi technology

A telephone handset icon, often accompanied by a Wi-Fi symbol or letters HD, indicates the activation of the technology Voice over Wi-FiThis feature allows voice calls to be transmitted over an internet connection rather than traditional cellular data channels. This is especially useful in areas with poor signal strength, where a home router provides a stable connection. Carriers are implementing this technology to reduce the load on base stations and improve subscriber service.

When you see this symbol, your phone prioritizes the Wi-Fi network for incoming and outgoing calls. The system automatically switches between Wi-Fi and mobile networks during a call if you move out of the router's coverage area to avoid connection interruptions. This process is called handover and requires support from your carrier and device. If the Wi-Fi network becomes unstable, the phone may automatically disable this feature, and the icon will disappear.

Technical details of VoWiFi operation

The technology uses IPSec to encrypt voice traffic. The phone creates a secure tunnel to the carrier's server (SBC), which routes the call to the public telephone network. This ensures that your conversation cannot be eavesdropped on via public access points.

There is a misconception that this icon means a missed call or message. In fact, it is an indicator operating mode, rather than an event notification. It informs the user that an alternative data channel is currently being used for voice communication. Disabling this feature may result in calls not connecting in areas with poor signal strength, but the icon will disappear from the status bar.

How to disable the icon on Android smartphones

For owners of devices based on Android There are several ways to remove this indicator. Most often, the setting is located in the mobile networks menu. You need to go to Settings, then select the item Connections or Network and Internet. Next you should find the section Mobile network and find the switch Wi-Fi calling or Wi-Fi Calling.

In some smartphone models, for example, from Xiaomi or HuaweiThe path may vary slightly. Here, you can search for "Wi-Fi calling" in the settings. If the toggle is active, you need to deactivate it. After doing so, the phone will stop using the internet connection for voice calls, and the handset icon will disappear. However, keep in mind that indoor call quality may be reduced if the cellular signal is weak.

If standard methods fail to remove the icon, you can use the hidden engineering settings menu. To do this, enter the combination in the Phone app. ##86583##This command forcibly hides the VoWiFi key for the operator. Attention: Using engineering codes requires caution, as changing other parameters may disrupt the communication module. After entering the command, the message "VoWiFi Carrier check was disabled" should appear at the bottom of the screen.

Another option is to disable it through the Phone app menu itself. Open the standard dialer, tap the three dots in the corner of the screen, and select SettingsIn the list of options, look for the item related to incoming calls or additional services, and uncheck the box next to "Wi-Fi usage." This doesn't require root privileges and is safe for your device.

Removing the icon on iPhone (iOS)

In the ecosystem Apple Wi-Fi calling control has been made more centralized. To remove the handset icon, you need to open Settings and go to the section Cellular communicationsIf you have two SIM cards, select the one for which you want to change the settings. Next, find the item Wi-Fi calling and switch the switch to the inactive state.

Sometimes the icon may remain on the screen even after disabling the feature in the menu. In this case, it is recommended to restart the device. Press and hold the power button and one of the volume buttons, then swipe the power slider. After turning on, the iPhone will re-register with the carrier's network, and the feature status will update. If the issue persists, try turning it on and off again. Airplane mode.

It's worth noting that on some carrier plans, Wi-Fi Calling is forced to be enabled on the server side. In this case, even if you disable the toggle switch in your iPhone settings, you may still see the icon. The only solution in this case is to contact the operator's support service to completely disable the service at the account level. Without this step, the phone will continually try to activate the protocol when connected to a known Wi-Fi network.

The handset icon on the router display

Special attention should be paid to the situation when the telephone receiver lights up directly on the case or display of the router, for example, models ZTE, Huawei or Eltexissued by providers. In this context, the symbol means that the device supports the technology VoIP or IP telephonyThis indicates that a landline phone is connected to one of the LAN ports or the telephone port (RJ-11) on the back panel of the router, or a virtual PBX is configured.

If you haven't connected a landline phone or subscribed to a home phone service from your provider, the illuminated indicator may indicate background device registration. Some providers automatically register the phone configuration when the device is first turned on. To clear this indicator, you need to log in to the router's web interface. The login address is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.

In the router menu, you need to find the section responsible for telephone services. It may be called VoIP, Telephony or SIPWithin this section, find the active profiles and delete them or disable registration. After saving the settings and rebooting the router, the handset indicator on the router body should turn off. This doesn't affect internet service, but it does disable the ability to use a landline phone through this router.

⚠️ Attention: Before deleting VoIP profiles, make sure there is no important landline phone connected to the router that is used by other family members or a security system.

Hidden settings and engineering menu

For advanced users who have failed with standard methods, hidden settings can be accessed through the engineering menu. On Android, this is often accomplished by entering special USSD codes or using terminal apps. For example, the code ##4636## opens the testing menu, where in the section Phone Information you can find the switch Turn off VoWiFi provision. Activating this option prevents the phone from even offering to use Wi-Fi for calls.

It's important to understand that such manipulations may affect the stability of the communication module. If, after these changes, the phone stops detecting the network or experiences problems with incoming calls, you should perform a factory reset of the network settings. This will return all hidden flags to the original state defined by the device manufacturer. Samsung, for example, may require entering a code #27663368# to access specific VoWiFi settings in certain regions.

Using third-party apps from the store Google PlayApps like "Force LTE Only" and similar apps also allow you to control these settings. These apps provide a convenient interface for switching network modes without entering complex codes. However, be careful: granting such apps excessive privileges can create a security vulnerability in your device.

The influence of the telecom operator and tariff plan

The carrier factor shouldn't be ignored. Often, the handset icon appears because Wi-Fi Calling is activated by the carrier and is required for certain plans. In this case, the phone receives a command from the network to register with the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) domain. Even if you disable this feature on your phone, the network may re-initiate the connection the next time you connect.

To fully resolve the issue in such cases, you'll need to call your carrier's contact center. You'll need to ask them to disable the "Wi-Fi Calling" or "VoLTE" service in your profile. After this, you may need to wait anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours for the settings to update at the network level. Only then will the icon stop appearing automatically.

Some virtual network operators (MVNOs) use the infrastructure of large networks and may not provide the ability to disable this feature. In their case, the network settings are even more sensitive. If the handset icon bothers you and you can't disable it, the only solution is to change your SIM card to a different carrier's plan where this feature isn't forced on you by default.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the handset icon affect data usage?

Yes, if the icon is lit, calls are made over the internet. Data is charged according to your mobile data plan or your home Wi-Fi. However, most carriers don't charge VoWiFi/VoLTE data separately; instead, they count minutes as part of your overall plan.

Could this icon drain the battery faster?

In some cases, constantly searching for and maintaining a VoWiFi connection can consume more battery power, especially if the Wi-Fi signal is unstable. If you don't use this feature, disabling it may slightly improve battery life.

Why did the icon appear after a system update?

Operating system updates often reset some settings or enable new features by default. Your carrier may also have updated the profile settings (PRL) on your device to enable VoWiFi support.

Is it dangerous to use Wi-Fi calls in public places?

VoWiFi traffic is encrypted, making it difficult to intercept conversations. However, using open Wi-Fi networks without a VPN always carries potential risks. For maximum security in public places, it's best to use a mobile network.

What should I do if incoming calls disappear after disconnecting?

It's possible there's no cellular service in your area, and calls were only made over Wi-Fi. Turn this feature back on or move to an area with a strong cellular signal.