The problem of unstable cellular signal indoors is familiar to every modern smartphone owner. This issue is especially pressing for residents of high-rise buildings or houses with thick walls, where even 4G networks often struggle to cope. In such situations, technology comes to the rescue. VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), which allows you to make voice calls over your home Wi-Fi network.
Device owners Honor, using the operator's services MTS, can activate this feature absolutely free. This not only solves the problem of "dead zones" inside the apartment but also ensures high-quality sound, comparable to HD. Unlike popular messaging apps, Wi-Fi calls are made from your main number and are charged according to the terms of your basic plan, making them effectively free as long as you have included minutes.
Activating the service doesn't require any complicated steps or a visit to a mobile phone store. All necessary settings can be configured in just a few minutes, directly from your smartphone's menu. The main thing is to ensure that your device and plan support voice over internet protocol (VOIP).
VoWiFi Technology: How It Works and Its Benefits
Technology VoWiFi is a standard for transmitting voice traffic over Wi-Fi networks using the IP protocol. Essentially, your smartphone Honor uses the Internet channel as a bridge to connect to the operator's network MTSTo the subscriber, it looks like a regular call, but the signal goes through the router, not the base station.
The key difference from calls in messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram) is the transparency of the process for the other person. They don't need internet access or a special app. They'll see your regular number and answer the call in the standard way. Moreover, Call minutes are charged according to your MTS tariff plan, not based on traffic megabytes., which makes using VoWiFi cost-effective.
This technology is particularly useful in dense urban environments, where radio waves have difficulty penetrating concrete floors. Connection stability in this case depends solely on the quality of your home Wi-Fi network.
⚠️ Please note: Connection quality directly depends on internet speed. If the router is overloaded or the Wi-Fi signal is weak, audio quality may deteriorate, even if the cellular network is technically available.
For the technology to work, support from three components is required: the telecom operator, the smartphone, and the device firmware. Honor is actively introducing VoWiFi support into its new models, and MTS provides the server infrastructure to handle such calls.
Checking the compatibility of your Honor smartphone and MTS plan
Before you begin setting up, you need to make sure your equipment and plan are ready to work with VoWiFi. Not all models Honor, especially those released several years ago, have built-in software support for this feature. It's also important to have the corresponding option enabled on the SIM card.
Operator MTS MTS provides this service free of charge for most modern tariff plans, including the "Tarifische," "Smart," and "Ultra" lines. However, on some older archived tariffs, this feature may be unavailable or require an additional option. You can check the status through the personal "My MTS" app.
When it comes to smartphones, VoWiFi support depends not only on the brand, but also on the operating system version. MagicOS or AndroidManufacturers often add carrier support through software updates, so keeping the firmware up-to-date is critical.
To check compatibility, follow these steps:
- 📱 Make sure the model Honor is included in the list of supported devices (usually these are models of the Magic, MagicOS, Honor 50/70/90 series and newer).
- 📶 Check if the "Wi-Fi Calling" service is activated in your operator's personal account.
- 🔄 Make sure your phone has the latest system update.
If, after checking all the conditions, the function does not appear automatically, manual activation via the engineering menu or resetting the network settings may be required, which will be discussed in the following sections.
Step-by-step instructions: enabling Wi-Fi calling
Activating the function on smartphones Honor With Android-based firmware and the MagicOS shell, this is usually done through the standard settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the OS version, but the logic remains the same.
First you need to go to the section Settings. Next, select the item Mobile network or Network and InternetIn the list that opens, look for the option Wi-Fi Calling (or "Wi-Fi Calling"). Toggle the slider to the active position.
In some firmware versions Honor The path may look different. For example: Settings → Wireless & networks → Wi-Fi callingIf you can't find this option, try searching for "Wi-Fi" in your settings.
☑️ VoWiFi Activation Checklist
After enabling the function, a special telephone handset icon or inscription should appear in the status bar next to the Wi-Fi indicator. VoWiFiThis indicates that the phone is ready to make calls over the Internet.
⚠️ Note: When you first turn on your phone, you may be asked to confirm your address for emergency services. This is a standard procedure for registering your location for 112/911 services, which uses your IP address.
It's important to note that you don't need to turn off your mobile network to make a call. The smartphone automatically prioritizes the connection: if good Wi-Fi is available, it uses it; if not, it switches to the cellular network without disconnecting the call (provided VoLTE technology is supported).
Setting network priorities and operating modes
After activating the basic function, the system will prompt you to select your preferred operating mode. This is an important step, as it determines the behavior of your Honor In areas with poor reception, there are usually two main options available.
The first mode is - "Wi-Fi preferred"In this case, the phone will always try to use Wi-Fi for calls, even if the cellular signal is strong. This is ideal for areas with poor cellular coverage.
The second mode is - Mobile network preferredHere, priority is given to the SIM card. MTS, and Wi-Fi is used only when the cellular signal is absent or too weak. This helps conserve battery life, as the Wi-Fi module constantly consumes power while the screen is on.
You can select the mode in the same menu where the feature is enabled. Simply click "Preferences" or "Network Mode" and select the desired option from the list.
Impact of Airplane Mode on VoWiFi
If you enable airplane mode and then activate Wi-Fi, calls will be made exclusively over the internet, as the cellular radio is disabled by software. This is useful for saving battery power when roaming.
Please note that when switching between Wi-Fi and a mobile network during a call, there may be a short delay or change in sound quality. Technology Handover (seamless transition) is not supported by all models and depends on the quality of the operator's network.
Comparison Chart: VoWiFi vs. Regular Calls
To better understand the differences and benefits of this new technology, let's compare the key parameters of traditional voice calls and Wi-Fi calls. This will help you decide whether it's worth keeping the feature enabled all the time.
| Parameter | Regular call (GSM/4G) | Calling via Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) |
|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | Depends on the tower's workload | High (HD Voice), noise-free |
| Consumption of minutes | At the operator's rate | At the operator's rate (often free) |
| Coverage area | Where does MTS network work? | Anywhere there is Wi-Fi |
| Traffic consumption | Not consumed | Minimum (not charged) |
As the table shows, the main advantage of VoWiFi is its stability and sound quality, as well as the ability to stay connected in places where regular calls are unavailable. Data usage is minimal and is often not charged by the operator if used with home internet.
However, if your home internet connection has limits or is slow, this may impact connection quality. Unlike a cellular network, where connection quality is regulated by the carrier, here you are at the mercy of your provider.
Diagnosing problems and troubleshooting errors
Despite the simplicity of setup, users may encounter issues: the icon doesn't appear, calls don't connect, or even drop calls. In such cases, troubleshooting is necessary. Often, the problem lies in the network settings cache.
The first thing you need to do is reset your network settings. Go to Settings → System & updates → Reset → Reset network settingsThis action will not delete your personal data, but will reset your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile network settings to factory defaults.
The second step is to check for updates. Go to Settings → System and updates → Software update. Operators MTS and manufacturer Honor They regularly release patches that add profiles for new operators.
- 🔌 Restart your router and smartphone—this solves 80% of connection problems.
- ✈️ Toggle Airplane Mode on and off to force your device to re-register with the network.
- 📲 Make sure roaming services aren't blocked in the "My MTS" app (sometimes VoWiFi is blocked by this flag).
If the icon VoWiFi If the light is on but calls are not going through, check if your antivirus or firewall on the router is blocking the SIP protocols used to transmit voice.
⚠️ Note: When resetting network settings, you'll need to re-enter passwords for all saved Wi-Fi networks. Be prepared to do this to avoid losing your internet connection.
It's also worth checking whether power saving mode is enabled, as it may limit background network activity. For stable VoWiFi operation, it's recommended to disable strict power saving mode.
The Impact of VoWiFi on Battery Life and Security
Using Wi-Fi for calls affects your smartphone's power consumption. HonorWhen voice transmission is active, the Wi-Fi module operates under constant load, which can lead to faster battery drain compared to when idle in 4G mode.
However, if you're in an area with poor cellular reception, your phone constantly boosts the signal, searching for a network, which drains battery even faster than Wi-Fi. Therefore, in such conditions, VoWiFi actually helps conserve battery life.
Security is also an important issue. Voice transmission over Wi-Fi is encrypted by the operator. MTS The same as regular calls. Data is protected by security protocols, and interception of conversations is more difficult than in open messaging apps, as traffic goes through the operator's secure channels.
However, it is not recommended to make calls over public, unsecured Wi-Fi networks in cafes or airports. Such networks are theoretically susceptible to a Man-in-the-Middle attack.
For maximum safety:
- 🔒 Use only trusted home networks with WPA2/WPA3 encryption.
- 🚫 Avoid making calls over public Wi-Fi without using a VPN (even though VoWiFi itself is already encrypted).
- 📱 Stay up-to-date with Android/MagicOS security updates.
The myth about traffic consumption
Many people worry that a call will eat up their entire internet connection. In reality, a minute of HD call consumes approximately 0.5-1 MB of data. An hour-long call will consume no more than 60 MB.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are charges for Wi-Fi calls in roaming charges?
This depends on your plan. Typically, Wi-Fi calls are charged as normal incoming and outgoing calls in your home region, even if you're abroad. This means incoming calls are free, and outgoing calls may be free if you have a minute package. However, check with your carrier, as roaming rules may change.
Why did the VoWiFi icon disappear after reboot?
It's possible your phone didn't have time to register with the Wi-Fi network before the phone service loaded. Try turning Wi-Fi on and off manually. If that doesn't help, check if a firmware update has reset your network preferences.
Is it possible to make calls via Wi-Fi if the SIM card is blocked?
No. VoWiFi requires an active SIM card. MTS with a positive balance or authorized credit. The technology uses a SIM card for authorization in the operator's network.
Does VoWiFi work if I turn off mobile data?
Yes, it works. Voice calls over Wi-Fi don't require an active mobile data plan (LTE/4G data). All you need is a working Wi-Fi module and a SIM card registered with the alarm network.
Do all Honor models support this feature?
No, support depends on the year of manufacture and regional version of the device. Global versions often have built-in support, while Chinese versions (CN) may require flashing the firmware or changing the region for the option to appear in the menu.