How to Set Up Wi-Fi Calling on an iPhone

You need to make a call on your iPhone, but if you're in a dead zone where cell reception is weak or unavailable, this could get difficult. Still, you're not out of luck if you have access to a nearby Wi-Fi network.

Thanks to a feature called Wi-Fi Calling, you can make and receive audio calls, FaceTime video calls, and iMessage texts through your Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi Calling is especially helpful if you need to call emergency services and can't get a good cellular signal (similar to Apple's Emergency SOS feature), but it's also valuable if you don't want to chew up your mobile data when making phone calls.

To take advantage of Wi-Fi Calling, you need an iPhone 5c or later, and your carrier must support the feature. In the US, Wi-Fi Calling is supported by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. To check the status of other US and international carriers, visit Apple’s support page on Wireless carrier support and features for iPhone.

Enable Wi-Fi Calling

Before you can use Wi-Fi Calling, you must first turn it on. Go to Settings > Phone [or Cellular] > Wi-Fi Calling, then enable Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone. A message explains what information is sent to your carrier when you enable Wi-Fi Calling. Tap Enable to activate the feature.

To help you avoid data costs when you’re roaming beyond your coverage area, some carriers offer an option to use Wi-Fi while roaming. If your carrier does, you can enable Prefer Wi-Fi While Roaming. In this case, phone calls may use Wi-Fi when you’re roaming and there’s a choice between the available cellular network and the local Wi-Fi network.

The first time you enable Wi-Fi Calling, a screen prompts you to enter your address so you can make emergency calls. You must then agree to the terms and conditions, then tap Continue or Save at the bottom of the screen. Your address is confirmed, and Wi-Fi Calling is enabled.

If you ever change your address and need to update the one you entered here, tap the Update Emergency Address link on the Wi-Fi Calling settings screen and enter your new address details.

To confirm that Wi-Fi Calling is turned on, look for the words Wi-Fi after your phone’s carrier name. This information can be found on the home screen on phones prior to the iPhone X and in Control Center on the iPhone X and later phones. To display Control Center on the iPhone X and later, swipe down from the upper right top of the screen.

Make or Receive a Wi-Fi Call

The next time you need to make a call, and a cellular connection isn’t available, your phone will use the nearest Wi-Fi network. When your phone receives a call with no cellular connection available, Wi-Fi Calling will allow you to answer the call if you're on a Wi-Fi network.

Enable Wi-Fi Calling on Additional Devices

Just as you can extend regular calls to other devices, you can extend Wi-Fi Calling to your iPad (iOS 9 or later), Mac (2012 model or later; 10.11 El Capitan or higher), and Apple Watch (watchOS 2 or later). Your iPhone doesn't need to be on the same network or even turned on for you to make calls on these devices, but your carrier must support Wi-Fi Calling on iCloud-connected devices.

If your carrier is on board with this option, go back to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling on your iPhone and turn on Add Wi-Fi Calling For Other Devices. The first time you do this, you'll get an explanation on how Wi-Fi Calling works on other devices and how to make emergency calls from other devices. Agree to the terms and conditions, then tap Continue.

Head back to Settings > Phone [or Cellular] and choose Calls on Other Devices. You should see all your Apple iCloud-enabled devices listed, including any iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch you have connected. This tells you which of your devices can make and receive calls through the Wi-Fi calling option. Turn on the switch for any devices for which you want to allow calls.

For any device that you have enabled for Wi-Fi calling, a message should pop up on the screen to tell you that your phone number can now be used to make and receive calls using Wi-Fi. Tap Turn On to enable the feature on the device. The first time you do this, you will also need to tap Enable on a subsequent message.

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Another message may pop up asking for confirmation that you want to make and receive Wi-Fi calls using your mobile number on this device. If you get this notification, you will be prompted to enter the displayed confirmation code on your iPhone to proceed.

Make or Receive a Call on an iPad or Mac

To use Wi-Fi Calling on your iPad or Mac, make sure you're signed into iCloud and FaceTime with the same Apple account that you use on your iPhone. You can now place a call from different apps, including FaceTime, Contacts, Mail, Messages, or Safari, using only a Wi-Fi connection.

And the next time you receive a call while on a Wi-Fi network, you can pick up on your iPad or Mac.

Make and Receive a Call on an Apple Watch

To make calls on an Apple Watch using Wi-Fi Calling, open the Phone app on your watch, tap Favorites, Recents, or Contacts, and then select a number to call. Alternatively, tap Keypad and type a number to dial. For a contact, tap the Phone icon and then choose FaceTime Audio or a specific phone number.

If you receive a call to your Apple Watch, you pick it up by tapping the green phone icon. While on the call, tap the ellipsis icon if you wish to change the audio source from your watch to your earbuds.

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