For those who don’t know, Wi-Fi calling is the process of making phone calls using the Wi-Fi connection from your Wi-Fi enabled devices such as a smartphone or tablet without any additional calling charges (unless your provider has additional charges set for the Wi-Fi usage.) Users can make and receive phone calls using the Wi-Fi networks to and from the selected areas free of charge. They will be still charged for international calls. Sprint is such a service that allows Wi-Fi calling, which we are going to discuss in this article.
Even if the Wi-Fi calling is not primarily considered as the most reliable way to communicate, it is still very useful when there is no cellular connection available in certain areas or in certain conditions. So, as a last resort, you can depend on Sprint’s Wi-Fi calls to make and receive phone calls in emergency situations. You may also avoid calling charges by utilizing the effectiveness of Wi-Fi calling. These calls will not count against any limits on your Sprint plan. So you can enjoy your Wi-Fi calls without worrying about the additional charges.
Sprint Wi-Fi calling features
- Call anyone from anywhere if a Wi-Fi connection is available
- Send messages from any location
- Enhanced coverage in even remote areas
- Wi-Fi Calling calls do not count against the actual Sprint plan
How to activate Sprint Wi-Fi calling feature?
You can activate Wi-Fi calling on your mobile device following the steps based on your device operating system.
Steps for iOS
- Go to iOS settings.
- Tap on Phone.
- Go to Wi-Fi calling.
- Enable the feature.
Steps for Android
On Android devices, turning on the Wi-Fi calling feature can be a little tricky as different versions come with different interfaces. Here are some of the most usual ways of reaching the desired settings.
- Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling
- Settings > Connections > Voice Networks > Wi-Fi Calling
- Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi Calling
If you cannot find it in any of the above sections, just do a search on your Settings “Wi-Fi Calling.”
How to deactivate Sprint Wi-Fi calling?
At any point in time, if you feel like you no longer need the Sprint Wi-Fi calling feature, you can disable it just by navigating to your device settings and then to the Wi-Fi calling settings. Just undo the steps you did to activate the service.
Supported devices
For the Sprint users, Wi-Fi calling is supported on almost all android smartphones as well as iOS devices. If your Android device supports Wi-Fi calling, you can see an option called Wi-Fi calling in your device settings. For iOS devices, Wi-Fi calling is available on iPhone 5C and newer models. It is also supported on other selected Apple Devices that have iCloud support.
Can you send messages over Sprint Wi-Fi?
Apart from their regular Wi-Fi phone calls, you can also send and receive text messages over your Wi-Fi connection if you are a Sprint user. MMS (multimedia messages) are also supported in selected devices in Wi-Fi mode. However, selected models may need cellular coverage in order to send and receive MMS.
Few things you should know about the Sprint Wi-Fi calling feature
As the Wi-Fi calling feature uses Wi-Fi to make phone calls, you should have a strong Wi-Fi connection to enjoy uninterrupted calls. Unlike the regular cellular phone calls, you do not have to be in the coverage of any mobile network to make phone calls using your Wi-Fi. All you have to do is being in a city that supports the Sprint Wi-Fi calling, and have a supported device. Once you have both of these things, you are good to make Wi-Fi calls.
To know whether your phone call is placed over the cellular network or Wi-Fi, you can simply look at the status bar of your smartphone. If the call is being placed using the Wi-Fi calling feature, you will see an icon which is a combination of the call and Wi-Fi icons. So if you see this icon in your phone’s status bar. That means your call is being placed from your Wi-Fi network. If you are using an iOS device, the notification bar will display “Sprint Wi-Fi Call” which tells you the status of your Wi-Fi call.
- If you are using an android device launched before 2016, the Wi-Fi calling will not be available when your device is in Airplane Mode.
- For other Android devices, Wi-Fi calling will be available even when your device is in Airplane Mode.
- For iOS users, Wi-Fi calling will be available on all the devices even if the phone is in Airplane Mode.
Using the Wi-Fi calling service provided by Sprint, you can also place emergency calls, such as the 911 calls. The service will first attempt to place your call over a wireless carrier network. If the process doesn’t work within 20 seconds, the call will be placed over the Wi-Fi. When you are placing a call using the Wi-Fi, make sure that you are ready to provide the precise location. The feature will be only available in selected locations in the United States.
On selected devices, there is also a future that allows in-call handover between Wi-Fi and wireless networks. Make sure that your device is updated to the latest version for this feature to be available. Also, make sure that the VOLTE toggle is enabled on your android device in Settings > Connections or Network and Internet > Voice Networks. This feature is available on devices such as iPhone 6, 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy series S7, Note series Note 8 and newer, J series J3 Emerge, J3 Achieve, J3 Perx, J7 Refine, A series A6, A50, A20, A10e (and newer), LG G Series (G6 and newer), Stylo Series (Stylo 3 and newer), V Series (V20 and newer), Tribute Series (Dynasty, Empire, Royal), X charge, K30, Motorola Z Series Z2 Force, Z3 Play, HTC U11, Google Pixel series Pixel 3 / Pixel 3 XL and newer, and OnePlus 7 Pro 5G.
Wi-Fi calling does not count against the cellular plan of your Sprint plan. It is only applicable to the US, The Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rica numbers. For international calls, the regular rates may apply. So, when trying to place a call to the international numbers, be aware that the regular calling charges may apply. So, that’s all you want to know about the Sprint Wi-Fi calling feature.