How to Use Wi-Fi Calling for Calls and Texts Without Cellular Service – CNET

Even though wireless carriers often tout their beefy nationwide 5G networks, outages can and do happen. AT&T’s recent outage was widespread enough that the carrier advised its customers to make use of Wi-Fi calling as a backup — which is a feature that Verizon and AT&T both offer to their subscribers.

Despite the name, Wi-Fi calling also includes texting and video calls, effectively extending your mobile phone carrier services through the use of your home internet connection. In addition to the iPhone and Android smartphones, many basic flip phones also now include Wi-Fi calling support, making it a broadly accessible feature. Even SMS and MMS texts can be sent and received over Wi-Fi when this is set up.

Read more: The Perils of Having a Smartphone As Your Main Means of Connection

Wi-Fi calling also doesn’t even need to be a fallback just for an emergency. If your home internet connection is fast enough, your phone may default to using Wi-Fi for your phone service and swap to a cellular connection when your network is no longer in reach. This is particularly handy if you live or travel somewhere with spotty reception. On a recent vacation I took in California, the hotel that I stayed at in a mountainous area recommended that guests use their Wi-Fi network for their phones as most major carriers had very limited reception.

These Wi-Fi calling services provided by your carrier are in addition to any other chat or calling apps that may already be available on your phone. For instance when on Wi-Fi while using an iPhone, you can also make use of FaceTime calling and iMessage texting with other iPhone users. Over on Android, you can still use Google Meet calling and RCS texting from Google Messages while using Wi-Fi — the latter of which will also be supported by the iPhone sometime this year. And regardless of your preferred phone, any other calling apps you have installed like WhatsApp, Skype and similar will also work while connected to Wi-Fi.

Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on Android

The exact steps for turning on Wi-Fi calling from an Android phone will vary depending on your device, but broadly speaking you can also turn the feature on from the device’s settings app.

After opening Settings, tap Connections. This option might be labeled Network & Internet. If you see a Wi-Fi Calling option, tap it. You might have to first tap Mobile Network before seeing it. You can also opt to use the Settings menu’s search box to find “Wi-Fi Calling.”

If your device supports the feature, you’ll then be able to turn the Wi-Fi Calling option on.

Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on a basic phone

Basic phones that work on 4G networks often also include Wi-Fi calling, although steps will vary based on the phone you are using. However, broadly speaking you should be able to find the option from your phone’s settings menu. In the case of the Kazuna eTalk flip phone sold by Verizon, for instance, you’ll use the navigation pad to select Tools & Settings, then Call settings and Wi-Fi Calling to set up.