Q: Wifi calling not available using 5c with AT&T
I see in this article that wifi calling can work on models 5c and later. AT&T tells me that they are not blocking this feature.
What might prevent this option from appearing? Might it be possible that my particular phone doesn't support wifi calling for some reason, as suggested by the AT&T representative?
AT&T chat transcript:
| Mauricio : Is your phone up to date |
Dan : Yes. Even has yesterday's update. 9.3.5, I think |
| Mauricio : I see |
| Mauricio : If the phone options doesn't show wifi calling , we can't make it work |
| Mauricio : I was reading the apple's article |
| Mauricio : The option should be there |
Dan : That's what I thought. Maybe AT&T is preventing it from appearing? |
| Mauricio : Ohh not at all Dan |
| Mauricio : We can't modify the phone options |
| Mauricio : If that were possible , you will see the option and when trying to turn it on you will an A&TT message |
Dan : I saw on an att website that support is granted to iPhone 6 and up. It didn't say not the 5c, but that seems to be the case. |
| Mauricio : I am sure that newer models has the option available from factory, in fact I had a iphone 6 and the option was there from factory default |
| Mauricio : I didn't have to do contact anybody to activate it |
| Mauricio : In this case it might be possible that your phone doesn't support wifi calling for some reason |
| Mauricio : This is a free service and we don't restrict it |
Dan : That may be. Thanks for your assistance. |
iPhone 5c, iOS 9.3.5
Posted on Sep 1, 2016 8:03 AM
You're AT&T rep was clueless. AT&T has, since the inception of wifi calling, only supported it on iPhone 6 and newer iPhones (so 6, 6s and SE only at this time). They have never supported or enabled it for iPhones older than the iPhone 6.
So while the iPhone 5c as a device supports the feature, AT&T has never supported it on that device. They are able to pick and choose which devices they enable the feature with on their network. And yes, they most certainly can alter the device settings for certain carrier features like wifi calling and hotspot tethering. Unless they enable the feature on your account for your device, it will not appear in your Phone settings.
Posted on Sep 1, 2016 11:40 AM