In the era of widespread wireless networks, the ability to make calls via Wi-Fi has become not a luxury, but a necessity. Technology VoWiFi Voice over Wi-Fi (Voice over Wi-Fi) allows you to make voice calls even without a mobile network—all you need is an internet connection. This is especially useful in buildings with poor coverage (basements, offices with thick walls) or in rural areas where the carrier's signal is weak.
However, not all smartphones support this feature. In 2026, the situation improved: most flagships and even budget models received support. Wi-Fi Calling, but there are some nuances. Telecom operators also impose restrictions—for example, MTS or Beeline may require a special SIM card or plan. In this article, we'll look at which iPhone, Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands support Wi-Fi calling, how to set it up, and what to look for when choosing a phone.
What is VoWiFi and how does it work?
Technology Wi-Fi Calling (or VoWiFi) allows voice calls to be transmitted over the internet instead of traditional mobile networks (2G/3G/4G/5G). The main advantage is connection stability in areas with poor coverage. For example, if there is no signal in your office. MegaFon, but there is Wi-Fi, calls will go through without problems.
How does it work technically? When a call is made, the smartphone first attempts to connect via the mobile network. If the signal is weak or absent, the device automatically switches to Wi-Fi (if enabled). The process is transparent for the caller—no additional actions are required. Important: The operator must support VoWiFi, otherwise the function will not work even on a compatible phone..
- 📶 Advantages: Calls in areas without coverage, better sound quality (HD voice), battery saving (no network search).
- ⚠️ Flaws: Dependence on Wi-Fi speed, possible delays when switching between networks, not all operators support.
- 🔒 Safety: data is encrypted according to the protocol
IPSecorSRTP, the risk of wiretapping is minimal.
⚠️ Attention: Some operators (eg. Tele2) may block VoWiFi for corporate plans or require activation via a USSD command. Check your personal account for details.
List of smartphones with Wi-Fi calling support in 2026
The list of compatible devices is constantly expanding, but we've compiled up-to-date information on popular brands. Please note: even if a model supports VoWiFi, the carrier may limit this feature for certain plans or regions.
| Brand | Supported models (2020–2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 12/13/14/15 (all modifications), iPhone 16 (expected) | VoWiFi support with iOS 12+. Setup in Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling. |
| Samsung | Series Galaxy S20/S21/S22/S23/S24, Galaxy A52/A53/A54/A73, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip 3/4/5 | Android 10+ and carrier-supplied firmware are required. On some models, this feature is hidden in the engineering menu. |
| Xiaomi | Redmi Note 11/12/13 Pro, POCO F4/F5, Xiaomi 12/13/14 (all modifications) | Support varies by region. In Russia, manual activation may be required via ##4636##. |
| Pixel 5/6/7/8, Pixel 6a/7a | VoWiFi works out of the box on all operators that support the technology. | |
| Realme/Oppo | Realme GT 2/3/4, Oppo Find X5/X6, Reno 8/9/10 | This feature may not be available in global firmware versions. An update to ColorOS 12+ is required. |
If your model is not listed, check the specifications on the manufacturer's official website. For example, Huawei And Honor VoWiFi support is limited due to sanctions (lack of Google certification).
How to check if your phone supports VoWiFi?
There are several ways to find out if your device is compatible with the technology:
- Check in settings:
- On iPhone:
Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling. - On Android:
Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Advanced → Wi-Fi calling.
- On iPhone:
Dial ##4636##, select Phone information and find the item VoWiFi or IMS Service Status.
Send a USSD request:
- MTS:
*111*52# - Beeline:
*110*180# - Megaphone:
*105*500# - Tele2:
*155*1# - Open
Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling. - Activate the switch
Wi-Fi calling on this iPhone. - In the window that appears, click
Turn on. - Please confirm your emergency address (required for 112 services).
- Go to
Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks. - Select your SIM card (if you have more than one).
- Find the item
Wi-Fi callingorEnhanced Services (IMS). - Enable the feature and confirm the emergency call address.
☑️ Check VoWiFi support
If the function is not in the menu, but the model should support it, try updating the firmware or resetting the network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings).
Step-by-step setup for Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone and Android
The VoWiFi activation process varies depending on your operating system. Let's look at both options.
Setting up on iPhone
Apple has made the process as simple as possible:
If this option is missing, update your iOS or contact your carrier—your plan may not support the feature.
Setting up on Android
On Android, the algorithm varies by manufacturer, but the general scheme is as follows:
What to do if VoWiFi won't turn on?
If the feature is not activated, try:
1. Restart your phone.
2. Insert the SIM card into another slot (for dual-SIM).
3. Update firmware via Settings → Software Update.
4. Contact your operator - activation may be required on their end.
On some devices (eg. Xiaomi or Realme) manual activation may be required IMS via the engineering menu. To do this:
1. Dial ##4636##2. Select "Phone Information"
3. Find "IMS Service Status" and enable "VoWiFi"
Which operators in Russia support VoWiFi?
In 2026, all major Russian operators will offer Wi-Fi Calling, but with reservations:
- 📡 MTS: supports VoWiFi on most tariffs, but requires a SIM card of the format
nano-SIMoreSIM. - 🔵 BeelineAvailable for subscribers with the "All" and "Unlimited" plans. Activation via USSD.
*110*180#. - 🟢 Megaphone: works on all tariffs, but may require a phone firmware update.
- 🟠 Tele2: VoWiFi is only available in regions with 4G+ coverage and for SIM cards issued after 2021.
- 🌐 Yota And Tinkoff Mobile: support is limited - check with your operator.
⚠️ Attention: Operators can change the terms of VoWiFi at any time (for example, making it a paid service or tying it to specific plans). Before setting it up, check the latest information in your personal account.
To find out if this feature is available to you, send a USSD request to your operator (see the section above) or call support. For example, MTS You can check by number 0890, at Beeline — 0611.
Common VoWiFi Problems and Solutions
Even if your phone and operator support it Wi-Fi Calling, failures may occur. Let's look at typical situations and how to resolve them.
- 🔄 Calls don't switch to Wi-Fi:
Check if the feature is enabled
Auto-switchingin the settings. On Samsung this can be calledPrefer Wi-Fi when calling. - 📵 No sound when calling:
Update your phone's firmware or reset network settings. If the problem persists, try disabling Bluetooth—it may interfere with VoWiFi.
- 🔒 Error "Failed to activate":
Contact your operator - your account may be blocked or your SIM card may need to be replaced.
- 🌍 VoWiFi only works abroad:
Some operators (eg. Megaphone) automatically activate the function when roaming. On a home network, manual activation may be required.
If none of the methods helped, try using alternative solutions, such as instant messengers that support voice calls (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber). They are operator-independent, but require the other person to also use the same app.
VoWiFi vs. VoLTE: What's the Difference and Which is Better?
Two technologies are often confused: VoWiFi (Wi-Fi calling) and VoLTE (4G calls). They both improve connection quality, but they work differently:
| Parameter | VoWiFi | VoLTE |
|---|---|---|
| Network type | Wi-Fi (Internet) | 4G/5G (mobile network) |
| Sound quality | HD voice (up to 24 kHz) | HD voice (up to 16 kHz) |
| Coverage area | Any point with Wi-Fi | 4G/5G zones only |
| Energy consumption | Low (no network search) | Average (depending on signal) |
| Operator support | Limited (not all tariffs) | Wider (most modern tariffs) |
Which technology should I choose? Ideally, both features are enabled simultaneously. Then the phone will automatically select the best option:
- In an area with poor 4G coverage, switch to VoWiFi.
- With a stable 5G signal, it will be used VoLTE for better connection speed.
- Your carrier doesn't support VoWiFi for your plan. Check with a USSD command or in your account.
- The phone firmware is outdated. Update the software via
Settings → System Update. - The SIM card is old-style. Replace it with a new one.
nano-SIMoreSIM. - Regional restrictions. Some models (eg. Xiaomi (for China) do not support VoWiFi in Russia.
- Use instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
- Activate the "Virtual SIM" service with some operators (for example, Tinkoff Mobile).
- Use apps like Google Voice (does not work in all countries).
- If your operator supports international VoWiFi roaming, calls will be charged as outgoing calls at your home rate.
- Some operators (eg. Beeline) block VoWiFi while roaming - check the conditions.
- For emergency calls (112) the local network may be used even if VoWiFi is enabled.
- Apple iPad Pro (models with cellular support).
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8/S9 (SIM card required).
- Huawei MatePad Pro (limited support due to lack of Google Mobile Services).
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi calling
My phone supports VoWiFi, but it won't turn on. What's the problem?
There may be several reasons:
Is it possible to make calls over Wi-Fi without a SIM card?
No, VoWiFi requires an active SIM card from a carrier that supports the technology. However, there are workarounds:
Will VoWiFi work abroad?
Yes, but with nuances:
Do Wi-Fi calls affect internet quality?
Minimal. VoWiFi uses about 50–100 kbps for a call, which is comparable to listening to low-quality music. If your Wi-Fi provides at least 10 MbpsYou won't notice any difference. However, when downloading large files simultaneously, you may experience brief voice delays.
Can I use VoWiFi on a tablet?
Yes, if the tablet supports SIM cards and VoWiFi. For example:
The setup is similar to smartphones: Settings → Mobile → Wi-Fi Calling.