Wi-Fi calling allows you to make and receive calls using a Wi-Fi internet connection in an area without good cellular coverage.
Thanks to Wi-Fi calling, you don’t have to worry about poor cellular coverage inside buildings and remote areas. You can simply connect to an available Wi-Fi network and continue to make and receive calls and text messages.
Wi-Fi calling is a relatively new technology. So there’s lots of confusion and misconceptions surrounding how Wi-Fi calling works.
Some of you might wonder whether Wi-Fi calling require both phones to have a Wi-Fi internet connection.
So in this article, we discuss whether both phones need Wi-Fi for Wi-Fi calling.
Does Wi-Fi Calling Require Both Phones To Use Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi calling doesn’t require both phones to use Wi-Fi. It only requires an internet connection (via Wi-Fi) on the caller who initiates the Wi-Fi call. The phone on the other side doesn’t have to be on a Wi-Fi network.
Wi-Fi calling simply use the internet (via Wi-Fi) to send your voice and text data packets to the cellular carrier’s servers. Those servers then forward those packets to the desired destination via various networks, including regular cellular and landline telephone networks.
So the person who receives the Wi-Fi call doesn’t require Wi-Fi internet. He can even use a landline phone or a GSM feature phone with no internet access.
This is one of the advantages of Wi-Fi calling over regular internet call apps. You can use Wi-Fi calling to call landlines and GSM feature phones, while regular internet call apps can only call to devices connected to the internet.
Can Wi-Fi Calling Work Without A SIM Card?
Wi-Fi calling can’t work without a SIM card. Wi-Fi calling is a service provided by a cellular carrier, so you need a SIM card and an active cellular plan that support Wi-Fi calling.
This is one of the differences between regular internet call apps and Wi-Fi calling. Some internet call apps don’t require a mobile number for the initial registration. So you can use those apps without installing a SIM card on your phone.
On the other hand, Wi-Fi calling is implemented by a cellular carrier. It allows you to use Wi-Fi internet to make and receive calls using your mobile number. When you call someone via Wi-Fi calling, they receive your call as originating from your mobile number.
As you can see, Wi-Fi calling is tightly coupled to your cellular carrier. So you can’t use Wi-Fi calling without a SIM card.
Can Wi-Fi Calling Work On Your Deactivated Phone?
Wi-Fi calling can’t work on a deactivated phone; it requires an active cellular plan.
As we’ve said before, Wi-Fi calling is a feature provided by your cellular carrier. So if your cellular plan is deactivated, you can’t use either regular calling or Wi-Fi calling.
Can You Receive Calls And Text Via Wi-Fi Calling?
You can both send and receive calls and text messages via Wi-Fi calling.
If you don’t have a decent cell signal, you can connect to a Wi-Fi network and enable Wi-Fi calling to receive incoming calls and text messages.
Your carrier will route incoming calls and text messages through their servers to your phone via the internet.
Therefore, you won’t miss any incoming calls or text messages due to poor cellular coverage as long as you enable Wi-Fi calling on your phone and you are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Can You Use Wi-Fi Calling With Both SIMs Of Your Dual SIM Phone?
Generally, both SIMs of a dual SIM phone can support Wi-Fi calling.
Both of your SIMs should be from carriers that support Wi-Fi calling, and your phone should be compatible with Wi-Fi calling.
You can check your dual SIM phone’s Wi-Fi calling compatibility by contacting each of your cellular carriers.
Can You Use Wi-Fi Calling With An eSIM?
You can use Wi-Fi calling with an eSIM just like with a physical SIM. eSIMs are functionally equivalent to physical SIMs and support all the features of physical SIMs.
Conclusion
Wi-Fi calling doesn’t require both phones to use Wi-Fi. Only the caller requires an internet connection (via Wi-Fi); the recipient doesn’t require Wi-Fi internet.
So Wi-Fi calling allows you to call landlines and GSM feature phones which have no internet access. Your carrier will route the Wi-Fi calls you make through their servers to regular cellular and landline telephone networks.
