Level 1

26 points

How to force wifi calling to connect?

I live in an area with poor cellular reception - I mostly have 1 or zero bars. I use US Mobile, which supports wifi calling, but much of the time, it does not connect via wifi calling. Instead, it tries to connect via cellular, resulting in me being unable to place or receive calls. I'd say about 30% of the time, I'm connected via wifi calling, which works great when it actually connects.

If I enable airplane mode and try to place a call, I get a message "No Network Connection. Connect to to a wi-fi network or disable airplane mode to place a call." Of course, I am connected to a very good wi-fi network already - that is not the problem. Is there a way to force my iPhone to connect via wi-fi calling instead of cellular?

Posted on Mar 11, 2023 12:29 PM

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26 replies

agoraphonics Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 13, 2023 8:54 AM in response to SixFour391

SixFour391 wrote:

WiFi calling only refers to making calls with other Apple devices.

I don't think that's correct, since when I'm connected via wi-fi calling, I'm able to call anyone, including non-apple users, businesses, etc. Facetime calls are something different altogether - I'm talking about using the phone app to place or receive calls.

SixFour391

Level 4

1,600 points

Mar 13, 2023 9:06 AM in response to agoraphonics

I’ll admit I’m not entirely sure how this system works, but here’s my understanding:

If your iPhone is connected both via Cellular and WiFi, that means DATA can be received either way.

But regular phone calls, must use cell towers to connect to Android phones.

Since iPads and Mac’s don’t have phone lines (they can use cellular data, but not a specific phone line), they must have a way to make calls (FaceTime/FaceTime Audio), using data. This is where WiFi calling comes into place. I guess you can interchange “WiFi Calling” with “Data Calling”.

SixFour391

Level 4

1,600 points

Mar 13, 2023 9:26 AM in response to SixFour391

iPads and Macs are capable of using FaceTime Audio to call Android devices, through data usage, if “WiFi Calling” (Data Calling) is enabled on your iPhone. This means that your iPad and Mac use data, to access your Cellular Account and make calls to any device, including Android phones.

agoraphonics Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 18, 2023 5:29 AM in response to SixFour391

SixFour391 wrote:

if a cellular call is placed (phones use this as their main source), WiFi kicks in to aid with already existing cellular connection, but does not and cannot override it.

Not sure if that's true since I can make phone calls in airplane mode when I'm connected via wi-fi calling.

Mar 18, 2023 6:13 AM in response to agoraphonics

To your initial issue …

… I too have be unable to make WiFi calling work for my backup U.S. Mobile line (VZ network).

Have not seriously pursued as for my application, it’s a seldom-needed “gapfiller” augmenting T-Mo’s sometimes-spotty rural coverage.

agoraphonics Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 22, 2023 12:14 PM in response to Alancito

Alancito wrote:

agoraphonics ~ What model of iPhone is it?...

Settings > General > About > Model Name

And what version of iOS is it running?...

Settings > General > About > Software Version

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iPhone Xs, iOS 16.3.1

Resetting my network settings a second time seems to have helped for now.

Alancito

Level 7

31,246 points

Mar 22, 2023 12:20 PM in response to agoraphonics

agoraphonics wrote: "iPhone Xs, iOS 16.3.1..."

agoraphonics ~ Does your iPhone Xs still have its original battery?

And what's the Maximum Capacity % here?...

Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging

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SixFour391

Level 4

1,600 points

Mar 11, 2023 12:36 PM in response to SixFour391

This link should help you:

Use FaceTime with your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

agoraphonics Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 12, 2023 6:36 AM in response to SixFour391

Thanks but I know how to use FaceTime audio calling. That doesn't help me make or receive calls to/from non-iPhone callers.

Mar 22, 2023 12:25 PM in response to agoraphonics

Thanks for the tip.

I’ll give it a try.

agoraphonics Author

Level 1

26 points

Mar 23, 2023 5:32 AM in response to Alancito

Alancito wrote:

Does your iPhone Xs still have its original battery?

And what's the Maximum Capacity % here?...

Yes, 80%

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How to force wifi calling to connect?