WiFi calling allows you to make and receive calls and texts over a WiFi network instead of the cellular network. It can improve call quality and coverage in areas with poor cell reception. However, there are also some downsides to having WiFi calling turned on. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of WiFi calling to help you decide if you should keep it on or turn it off.
What is WiFi Calling?
WiFi calling, also known as Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) or Voice over Wireless LAN (VoWLAN), enables phones to route calls and texts over a WiFi network instead of the cellular network. It works by using WiFi internet to connect calls rather than relying solely on cellular signal.
When WiFi calling is enabled, your phone will automatically switch any calls or texts to WiFi if you have a strong enough WiFi signal. This happens seamlessly, without you having to do anything. As soon as you move out of WiFi range, your phone switches back to the cellular network.
WiFi calling requires support from both your mobile carrier and your phone. Most modern smartphones and major carriers now include support for WiFi calling, although coverage and availability can vary.
Pros of Keeping WiFi Calling On
Here are some of the main benefits of using WiFi calling:
Improved Coverage
One of the biggest advantages of WiFi calling is improved coverage in areas with poor cellular reception. If you often experience dropped calls or poor call quality in certain locations, activating WiFi calling can help significantly. This is because WiFi signals can penetrate buildings and reach places that might lack strong cellular coverage.
WiFi calling ensures you can make and receive calls and texts from anywhere you have access to a WiFi signal. For example, WiFi calling can provide coverage in underground subway stations, in basements, or in rural areas where cellular coverage is spotty.
Better Call Quality
WiFi calling often provides clearer call quality compared to standard cellular calls. This is because calls over WiFi don’t have to contend with the bandwidth limitations and network congestion on cellular networks.
Calls routed over WiFi are digitized and encrypted as voice data packets. This allows for HD Voice quality on supported devices. WiFi calling eliminates background noise and static that you may experience on some cellular calls.
Seamless Transition Between Networks
An advantage of WiFi calling is that it allows for seamless transitioning between WiFi and cellular networks. As you move in and out of WiFi coverage, your calls will be automatically handed off between the two networks without dropping the call.
Your phone intelligently determines the best network connection to use at any given time. You don’t have to manually disable WiFi to switch to cellular or vice versa.
Ability to Text and Use Data
With WiFi calling on, you can send texts over WiFi in addition to making calls. This ensures you can communicate via text even in areas with poor cellular signal. In some cases, you may also be able to use mobile data while on a WiFi calling call, allowing you to browse the web or use apps.
Cost Savings
Using WiFi for calls and texts instead of cellular minutes can help you save money, especially if you are on a limited voice plan. WiFi calling may be free or come at a lower cost than cellular minutes depending on your carrier and plan.
When traveling internationally, WiFi calling can be significantly cheaper than roaming on local cellular networks. It allows you to avoid costly international roaming fees.
Ease of Use
WiFi calling doesn’t require any effort on your part to enable each time you want to use it. Once activated, it happens automatically whenever you are connected to WiFi. This makes it very convenient since you don’t have to manually put your phone in WiFi calling mode.
Cons of Keeping WiFi Calling On
Despite the benefits, there are also some downsides to consider with WiFi calling:
Potential Call Quality Issues
While WiFi calling can improve call quality, it can also potentially degrade quality if you have a poor internet connection. Factors like low bandwidth, network congestion, or interference can negatively impact WiFi call quality.
Calls may sound choppy or break up entirely if the WiFi signal is too weak or inconsistent. In some cases, turning WiFi calling off can improve quality issues.
Battery Drain
Using WiFi calling can drain your phone’s battery life faster than using the cellular network alone. This is because WiFi calling uses more processing power as it encodes your voice into data packets.
The drain may be minimal, but can still impact battery life over time, especially if you use WiFi calling frequently or for long calls.
Emergency Call Issues
WiFi calling relies on an internet connection, so if you lose WiFi connectivity, emergency calls to 911 may fail. While phones will try to route emergency calls over cellular if possible, a weak cellular signal could also impede connecting to 911.
This means emergency calls are potentially less reliable than when using the cellular network only. This downside is worth considering if having consistent emergency calling access is important to you.
Limited Functionality for Some Carriers
The functionality of WiFi calling can vary depending on your mobile carrier. Some carriers limit WiFi calling to only working on your phone, meaning you cannot answer calls on other devices synced to your phone number.
Additionally, a small number of carriers do not support transferring calls seamlessly when moving between WiFi and cellular connections. Functionality differences like these are worth researching for your carrier.
Security Concerns
Using public WiFi for calls introduces potential security risks. Public WiFi is more vulnerable to hacking, data theft, and eavesdropping compared to cellular networks.
For maximum protection, you’ll want to only use password-protected private WiFi networks for WiFi calling. Avoid making calls over open public networks.
When Should You Turn Off WiFi Calling?
Based on the disadvantages above, here are some situations where turning WiFi calling off may be beneficial:
- If you consistently experience call quality problems over WiFi
- If you notice significantly faster battery drain with WiFi calling active
- If you need to ensure reliable access to emergency services
- If you are on an international trip where you have affordable cellular roaming
- If you are primarily using public WiFi networks with security risks
- If you don’t experience cellular coverage issues in your daily locations
In these cases, keeping WiFi calling disabled may be preferable. The cellular network alone may provide better call quality, battery life, security, and emergency call access.
When Should You Keep WiFi Calling On?
Here are some instances where having WiFi calling enabled makes more sense:
- If you have consistent problems with dropped calls or poor reception
- If you regularly spend time in cellular dead zones
- If call quality over WiFi is consistently better for you
- If you want to avoid roaming charges when traveling abroad
- If you need to be able to text or use data during calls
- If you have a limited voice plan and want to minimize costs
Enabling WiFi calling is most beneficial if you experience frequent coverage issues or want to contain costs. As long as you have a reliable WiFi signal available, keeping WiFi calling on will provide the best call experience.
Tips for Optimizing WiFi Calling Performance
To get the most out of WiFi calling and minimize some of the downsides above, consider these tips:
- Connect to 5GHz WiFi instead of 2.4GHz for faster speeds and less interference.
- Make sure you have at least 1-2 bars of WiFi signal strength for optimal connectivity.
- Avoid public WiFi networks that are unsecured or require logins.
- Turn off WiFi calling when making emergency calls if cellular coverage is available.
- Disable WiFi calling when traveling abroad if you have an affordable roaming package.
- Try toggling WiFi calling off if you notice call quality issues to see if cellular is better.
- Turn WiFi calling off when battery life needs to be maximized.
Optimizing your WiFi connection and toggling WiFi calling on and off as needed can help minimize drawbacks and ensure you get the best call experience.
Conclusion
WiFi calling is an incredibly useful feature that can improve coverage issues and call quality – but it also comes with some caveats to consider. Ultimately, whether you should leave WiFi calling on or off depends on your specific needs and scenarios.
If your regular locations have solid cellular signal and you primarily travel domestically, having it turned off may be fine. But if you deal with frequent dead zones or travel internationally, keep it enabled to take advantage of the benefits.
Optimizing your WiFi network, researching your carrier’s functionality, and toggling WiFi calling on and off as needed can help ensure you get the best experience. Evaluate your personal needs and usage patterns to decide if the pros of WiFi calling outweigh the cons for you.