Verizon Wi-Fi Calling FAQs

Wi-Fi Calling (aka Voice over Wi-Fi or VoWiFi) is a built-in feature on most of our current smartphones. Wi-Fi Calling lets you make and receive voice calls, texts and video calls over a Wi-Fi network instead of using a cellular network.

Try using Wi-Fi Calling if your cellular network service is weak or unavailable and Wi-Fi is available.

No. Calls and texts made over Wi-Fi to numbers in the US don't use our cellular network and don't count against your mobile plan's data allowance. However, the Wi-Fi network you're connecting to may charge an access fee.

Voice calling uses about 1-5 MB of data. A 1-minute video call typically uses from 6-30 MB of data depending on video resolution. The actual data usage of your voice or video call varies.

Most of our current smartphones have a built-in Wi-Fi Calling feature. To check if your smartphone has the feature either:

• Go to your smartphone's settings and search for the Wi-Fi Calling feature.
• Visit the how-to simulator for your smartphone to find compatibility.

To activate Wi-Fi Calling:

• First, your smartphone must be:
  • Android – Either connected to the Verizon network or able to access the Internet through a Wi-Fi connection.
  • iPhone – Connected to the Verizon network.
• Your smartphone must have HD Voice activated (most older Android™ devices list HD Voice under the Advanced Calling setting).
  • HD Voice is activated by default for our current smartphones. If you have an older smartphone you may need to activate HD Voice manually.
• Your smartphone must be able to access the Internet through a Wi-Fi connection.
• You must accept the Wi-Fi Calling Terms & Conditions when they are displayed.
• You must confirm, update, or enter the US address when it displays (this is where you want emergency personnel to go if you call 911).
• iOS smartphones must be connected to the Verizon network in the US and can't turn on Wi-Fi Calling outside of the US.

Charges for using the built-in Wi-Fi Calling feature for plans with unlimited talk and text:

Here's how to turn Wi-Fi Calling on and off.

First, before you turn on Wi-Fi Calling:

• Your smartphone must be:
  • Android – Either connected to the Verizon network or able to access the Internet through a Wi-Fi connection.
  • iPhone – Connected to the Verizon network.
• Your device must have HD Voice activated.
  • HD Voice is activated by default for our current smartphones. If you have an older smartphone, you may need to activate HD Voice manually (most older Android devices list HD Voice under the Advanced Calling setting).
• You must accept the Wi-Fi Calling Terms and Conditions when they are displayed.
• You must confirm, update or enter the US address when it displays (this is where you want emergency personnel to go if you call 911).

Note: iOS smartphones must be connected to the Verizon network in the US. You can't turn on Wi-Fi Calling outside of the US.

Turning Wi-Fi Calling on and off

How you turn on and off the Wi-Fi Calling feature depends on your phone:

• Android: Go to your smartphone's settings, search for Wi-Fi Calling and turn it on or off (many Android devices list Wi-Fi Calling under Call Settings).
  • Watch the How to Make Wi-Fi Calls video.
• iPhone: Visit how to turn on Wi-Fi Calling on your iPhone for detailed steps.

Yes you can. When an international call is placed over Wi-Fi Calling:

• A voice prompt interrupts the call to remind you that international charges may apply.
• The calling button includes a Wi-Fi icon to indicate that the call will go over Wi-Fi.

You can choose to complete the call or hang up to avoid potential charges.

Note:

• iOS devices: To turn on Wi-Fi Calling your smartphone must be connected to the Verizon network in the US. Wi-Fi Calling can't be activated after you leave the country.
• You can change the preferred network to Wi-Fi when traveling internationally:
  • Android - Choose preferred voice networks (for some Android devices this is referred to as "Roaming network preference" or "When roaming." The choices are generally "Cellular preferred" and "Wi-Fi preferred".)
  • iPhone® - Choose preferred voice networks

To offer voice service over the internet, Verizon is required by the FCC to support 911 calls and collect a registered location to enable the service.

By registering an address, you’re providing information that determines how your 911 call is routed. This information:

• Is provided to emergency services if you’re unable to report your physical location.
• Is also used if you call 911 using Wi-Fi Calling in an area or location where cellular service isn’t available.
• Isn't used for billing or other purposes.

Note: Be sure to update your emergency address whenever you change locations.

Visit these pages to learn how to update your emergency address:

• Change the emergency address on an Android device
• Change the emergency address on iPhone

If a caller isn't at the registered address, the call may not be routed to the closest emergency service provider. Additionally, the wireline internet service provider or network serving the Wi-Fi connection may experience congestion or an outage during the 911 call. This could cause the call to have poor quality or drop completely.

When you're using Wi-Fi Calling, 911 calls always try cellular service first, even when your device is in Airplane Mode or cellular service is off.

If cellular service isn't available and you've set up Wi-Fi Calling, the 911 call routes using the registered address.