How to set up calls via MTS Wi-Fi: A complete guide

The modern pace of life dictates its own conditions, and a stable connection is becoming a critical component of comfort. The situation when the cellular signal drops in the middle of an apartment, and a call is dropped mid-sentence, is familiar to many subscribers of major operators, including MTS. Fortunately, technology has advanced, and now high-quality voice communication doesn't require a full signal on your smartphone screen; simply access to your home internet is sufficient.

The technology we will be discussing is known as Voice over Wi-Fi Or, more colloquially, Wi-Fi calling. MTS, like other market leaders, is actively implementing and supporting this feature, allowing users to make and receive calls in areas where regular cellular networks are unavailable or unreliable. This solution is ideal for owners of apartments with thick walls, basements, or country houses where operator towers are located far away.

In this article, we'll cover all aspects of connecting to this service in detail. You'll learn how to activate the feature on various devices, what hidden settings exist, and what to do if voice calls aren't working despite an active internet connection. We'll also cover connection quality, pricing, and equipment compatibility to give you a complete picture of how to use this useful service.

⚠️ Please note: The terms of service and the list of supported phone models may be updated by the operator. Before performing advanced setup, we recommend checking the latest information in your personal account or on the official MTS website.

What is Wi-Fi calling and how does it work?

The technology is based on the principle of transmitting voice traffic via the Internet protocol, bypassing traditional GSM or 3G/4G cellular communication channels. When you activate Wi-Fi CallingWhen connected to Wi-Fi, your smartphone switches voice calls to digital format. For the person on the other end of the line, this process is completely transparent—they simply hear your voice and notice no difference.

The main advantage is that the connection is established through the nearest access point, whether it's a home router or a public network at a cafe. MTS uses secure tunnels for data transfer, guaranteeing the privacy of the conversation. The sound quality often surpasses standard, especially when using the HD Voice codec, which is supported by modern smartphones.

It is important to understand that for the function to work, the phone must support the technology IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem). Most modern devices released in the last three to four years already have the necessary hardware and software. However, even with a compatible device, manual service activation by the operator is sometimes required.

From a technical point of view, the process looks like this:

• 📱 The smartphone detects an available Wi-Fi network and checks its stability.
• 🔒 The device establishes a secure connection with the MTS operator's servers.
• 📞 When dialing a number, the call is routed through the Internet, not through the base station.
• 🔄 If you leave the Wi-Fi coverage area during a call, the call can seamlessly switch to the cellular network (with VoLTE support).

This technology is especially useful in densely populated areas where cell towers are overloaded, but home internet remains stable. This helps avoid busy signals and connection drops during peak hours.

Checking device and tariff compatibility

Before setting up, make sure your equipment and plan support Wi-Fi calling. MTS is constantly expanding its list of compatible devices, but the basic requirements remain the same. First and foremost, your smartphone must be operator-certified and support the necessary protocols.

MTS subscribers also need to ensure that 4G (LTE) is activated on their SIM card, as VoWiFi often works in conjunction with this technology. If you have a very old SIM card, issued many years ago, you may need to replace it at a mobile phone store, although in most cases, the update is automatic.

Below is a table to help you determine basic compatibility of popular brands:

It's worth noting that even if a phone model is on the supported list, its firmware must be up-to-date. Manufacturers often add carrier support through software updates. Therefore, if you don't find the settings you need, first check for system updates.

⚠️ Note: Some custom ROMs or modified versions of Android may not have the security certificates required for VoWiFi to work. In such cases, the feature may not be available.

Also, make sure your tariff plan isn't an archive or corporate plan with special restrictions. In rare cases, business tariffs require separate approval from a manager to activate additional communication services.

Activating the service on the MTS operator's side

Even if your phone is fully operational, the service may be disabled by your carrier. MTS offers several convenient ways to activate the "Wi-Fi Calling" feature. The easiest and fastest option is to use a USSD command, which works even if your phone doesn't have internet access but has a cellular signal.

To activate, enter the command on your phone keypad *111*866# and press the call button. Once your request is processed, you'll receive an SMS notification confirming successful service activation. If the command doesn't work, it may have changed for your region, in which case you should use your personal account.

Alternative activation methods include:

• 📲 Using the "My MTS" mobile application in the services section.
• 💻 Personal account on the operator's official website via a browser.
• 📞 Call the support service on the short number 0890.
• 💬 Chat with the bot in messengers or on the website.

After activating the service with your carrier, changes may take effect within a few minutes. During this time, it's recommended to reboot your smartphone so it can re-register with the network and receive the updated profile settings.

⚠️ Note: The service may be free to activate, but the call rate depends on your primary plan. Check the terms and conditions of your plan.

Setting up Wi-Fi calling on Android

Android smartphone owners need to perform a series of steps in the settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the model (Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor), but the steps remain the same. It's important to find the section responsible for connections or mobile network.

Typically the path to the setting looks like this: go to Settings → Connections → Mobile networkHere you should see a switch labeled "Wi-Fi Calling." If you don't see this option right away, try going to the "SIM Card Settings" menu or searching for "Wi-Fi" in the settings.

To ensure successful setup, please complete the following checklist:

In some cases, such as on Xiaomi or Huawei devices, additional activation may be required via the engineering menu or a dedicated operator app, although MTS strives to minimize such complications. If the standard method doesn't work, try downloading the MTS Connect app or a similar one, which can automatically register the necessary profiles.

It's also important to select the correct operating mode. The function settings typically offer three options:

1. Wi-Fi preferred: The phone will always try to use Wi-Fi for calls if a network is available.
2. Wi-Fi only: the cellular network will not be used for calls at all (airplane mode with Wi-Fi enabled).
3. Cellular network only: the function is disabled, calls go through towers.

For most users, the first option is optimal, providing a balance between quality and affordability.

What should I do if the Wi-Fi Calling option is not in the menu?

If you're sure your phone supports the feature but don't see the option in the menu, try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth. This won't delete your personal data, but it will reset your network settings to factory defaults, which can often help unlock hidden carrier options.

Instructions for iPhone (iOS) owners

Apple devices are renowned for their unified settings system, so the process of enabling Wi-Fi calling on iPhone is as standardized as possible. MTS officially supports this feature on iPhones starting with certain versions of iOS, so you shouldn't encounter any issues.

To activate the feature, open Settings and go to the section Cellular communications. Find the item Wi-Fi calling and toggle the switch to the on position. The system may request confirmation of your address for emergency services—this is a standard procedure required by law, as the operator determines your location differently when calling over the internet.

Once enabled, an icon may appear in the status bar next to the operator name. Wi-Fi or an inscription MTS Wi-FiThis indicates that the phone is ready to make internet calls. If the icon doesn't appear, try turning Airplane Mode off and on again.

iPhone owners should also pay attention to the following points:

• 🍏 Make sure that the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature does not block important calls, although this is indirectly related to Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 Update iOS to the latest available version via Main → Software Update.
• 📶 Check if VoLTE is enabled in the same cellular settings, as these technologies often work in tandem.

Troubleshooting and diagnostics

Despite the ease of setup, users may encounter a number of issues. The most common is that the phone fails to switch to Wi-Fi for calls, even when the feature is enabled. This can be caused by a weak wireless signal or router settings.

Often, the problem lies in the router's security protocols. Make sure your router isn't using outdated or experimental encryption settings. Another possible interference could be the "Wi-Fi Assist" feature (on iPhone) or "Switch to Mobile Network" (on Android), which automatically disables Wi-Fi when the internet connection is poor, interrupting the call setup process.

The main causes of failures and how to fix them:

• 🚫 Registration error: Try deleting the Wi-Fi network profile and reconnecting using the password.
• ⏳ Connection delay: Sometimes it takes up to 2 minutes for the phone to register with the Wi-Fi Calling network after turning on the screen.
• 🔄 Application conflict: Third-party calling apps (Viber, WhatsApp) do not affect system calls, but may create the illusion of connection problems.

If all else fails, perform a full network reset. This is a drastic but effective method that clears all cached connection data and forces the phone to reacquaint itself with the MTS network.

⚠️ Note: Resetting network settings will delete saved Wi-Fi network passwords and Bluetooth device settings. Write down passwords for important networks beforehand.

Tariffs and connection quality

One of the main concerns for subscribers is how these calls are charged. MTS markets this service as a free option. This means that minutes spent on Wi-Fi calls are deducted from your basic tariff plan, just like regular calls.

If you have unlimited minutes, your Wi-Fi calls will also be unlimited. However, if you're roaming (abroad), the situation may be completely different. When roaming internationally, incoming and outgoing Wi-Fi calls may be charged as calls from your home network, which is significantly cheaper than standard roaming, but you should check the terms for each country individually.

Connection quality directly depends on the speed and stability of your internet connection. For a comfortable HD conversation, a minimum one-way speed of 100 kbps is recommended, but for added redundancy and stability, a connection speed of at least 1 Mbps is recommended.

Factors affecting quality:

• 📉 Latency (Ping): High latency may cause you to interrupt your interlocutor.
• 📦 Packet loss: causes a "robotic" voice effect or missing words.
• 🏠 Channel load: If someone online is actively downloading files or watching 4K video, call quality may degrade.

Do you charge for Wi-Fi calls when roaming?

In most cases, when traveling abroad, Wi-Fi calls are charged as incoming and outgoing calls from your home network (Russia), unless you've changed your roaming settings. This can lead to significant savings. However, always check the terms of your specific plan before traveling, as rules may change.

Does making calls use up internet traffic?

Technically, voice traffic is transmitted over the internet, but MTS doesn't charge this traffic like regular internet traffic (megabytes aren't deducted). It's counted as a voice minute. So, you don't need to worry about using up your package's gigabytes.

Is it possible to make calls via Wi-Fi if the SIM card is blocked?

No. To authenticate with the operator's network and establish a secure tunnel, the SIM card must be active and have a positive balance (or authorized credit), even if the call itself is made over the internet. Without registration with the operator's network, the service will not work.

Does the feature work if the phone is in Airplane mode?

Yes, if you manually enable Wi-Fi after activating Airplane mode. In this case, the phone will use Wi-Fi exclusively for all connections, including voice calls, completely ignoring cell towers.