dennisfromhuntsville

Q: My 5C iPhone does not have Wi-Fi Calling under Settings>Phone with IOS 9.3.3

Apple states that Wi-Fi Calling is optional with the 5C and IOS 9 and later. Mine does not show this option under Settings>Phone. Have IOS 9.3.3. Why could this be?

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 7:02 PM

Close

Q: My 5C iPhone does not have Wi-Fi Calling under Settings>Phone with IOS 9.3.3

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Aug 10, 2016 7:08 PM in response to dennisfromhuntsville
    Level 9 (79,523 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 10, 2016 7:08 PM in response to dennisfromhuntsville

    Your cell provider does not have wifi calling.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Aug 10, 2016 7:09 PM in response to dennisfromhuntsville
    Level 9 (57,848 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 10, 2016 7:09 PM in response to dennisfromhuntsville

    According to the technical specifications for the iPhone 5c, it does not support wi-fi calling. iPhone 5c - Technical Specifications  You would also need to be on a cellular provider that supports wi-fi calling, but you would need the iPhone 5s or greater for wi-fi calling.

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Aug 10, 2016 7:20 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 9 (79,523 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 10, 2016 7:20 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    ChrisJ4203 wrote:

    According to the technical specifications for the iPhone 5c, it does not support wi-fi calling.

    Where does it say this?

    The iPhone 5C does support wi-fi calling.

    -> Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling - Apple Support

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Aug 10, 2016 9:10 PM in response to Chris CA
    Level 9 (57,848 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 10, 2016 9:10 PM in response to Chris CA

    The link I provided earlier does not list wi-fi calling under Audio Calling capabilities. That is why I provided the link. It does appear for the iPhone 5s and above.

  • by dennisfromhuntsville,

    dennisfromhuntsville dennisfromhuntsville Aug 11, 2016 8:04 AM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 11, 2016 8:04 AM in response to Chris CA

    I looked at this Apple Link. Near the top under the picture of an iPhone are the words" To use Wi-Fi Calling, you need an iPhone 5C or later on a supported carrier." My carrier is ATT, which does support this feature. This statement is a contradiction of what you mention in the technical specs

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Aug 11, 2016 8:14 AM in response to dennisfromhuntsville
    Level 7 (24,450 points)
    Aug 11, 2016 8:14 AM in response to dennisfromhuntsville

    While technically a device may support the feature, it is up to carriers to support that feature.  AT&T limits wifi calling to iPhone 6, 6s and SE models only.  You can call them and ask about it, but they simply don't make it available on older iPhones even if the older hardware is compatible with the feature.  Their network so their decision what devices they will support the feature with.

  • by dennisfromhuntsville,

    dennisfromhuntsville dennisfromhuntsville Aug 11, 2016 8:25 AM in response to Michael Black
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 11, 2016 8:25 AM in response to Michael Black

    Your answer is helpful but I am still missing something! Are you saying that the 5C hardware with IOS 9.3 will support Wi-Fi Calling if ATT supports it in my area? When I do the steps in Settings to activate the feature, it does not show up on the screen as an option. I don't see how the carrier could control what I see or don't see in the Settings ?

  • by Michael Black,Apple recommended

    Michael Black Michael Black Aug 11, 2016 8:40 AM in response to dennisfromhuntsville
    Level 7 (24,450 points)
    Aug 11, 2016 8:40 AM in response to dennisfromhuntsville

    Of course the carrier has the ability to affect select carrier-controlled settings via over the air updates and such.  They and the settings they've provisioned on your account will, for example, determine if the "Personal HotSpot" setting shows up or not.  Similarly for wifi calling.  They can choose which settings are present and enabled under the "Phone" section as determined by what they enable on your account.

     

    If AT&T decides not to support a carrier-controlled feature on particular hardware, or on someone's specific account, they can indeed control what features settings appear or are useable on your device.

     

    Apple merely makes the hardware and iOS compatible with a feature, but carriers control which features they choose to support on their network, and for which devices and accounts they wish to provide those features to.

  • by dennisfromhuntsville,

    dennisfromhuntsville dennisfromhuntsville Aug 11, 2016 8:42 AM in response to Michael Black
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 11, 2016 8:42 AM in response to Michael Black

    Thanks for helping me understand the issue! I also checked the ATT official links about the topic and it does not appear that they support the 5C with this feature.