Modern smartphones offer many functions to improve the quality of communication, and one of these technologies is Wi-Fi Calling. It allows you to make voice calls over a wireless Internet network, which is especially important in areas of poor cellular coverage. However, despite the obvious advantages, many users encounter unstable operation of this option, wanting to return to standard call routing via a SIM card.
The need to deactivate may arise for various reasons: from constant connection dropouts to incompatibility with corporate networks or roaming. The disabling process is not complicated, but the menu interface may vary significantly depending on your device manufacturer and operating system version. In this article we will analyze in detail all the ways to manage this function.
You will learn not only about the standard paths in the settings, but also how to act in non-standard situations when the telecom operator blocks the ability to change parameters. We will look at the nuances for various shells, such as One UI, MIUI i OxygenOSso that you can find a solution specifically for your gadget.
What is VoWiFi technology and why disable it
Technology Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) is a protocol for transmitting voice traffic over an Internet channel. Unlike instant messengers, this feature is integrated directly into the standard Phone app and uses your regular number. The operator sees such a call as a regular one, so charging occurs according to your current plan, even if you are abroad.
Despite the convenience, there are scenarios when Wi-Fi Calling brings more problems than benefits. For example, if your home router is overloaded or has a weak signal in distant rooms, the sound quality may deteriorate dramatically. The interlocutor's voice will become robotic, delays will appear, or the call will be completely interrupted at the most crucial moment.
Another reason for disconnecting is a conflict with the network settings. Some corporate networks or public access points block specific ports required for voice packets to function. As a result, the phone tries to establish a connection, buzzes for a long time, but does not connect subscribers, creating the illusion of problems with the operator.
⚠️ Attention: Before disabling the function, make sure that there is a stable cellular network signal (LTE or 3G) in your current location. If you are in a basement or remote area, turning off Wi-Fi calling may result in a complete loss of connection.
It is also worth considering that switching between networks does not always happen seamlessly. When you leave the Wi-Fi coverage area, the phone should automatically transfer the call to the cell tower (handover technology), but on budget models or when using older firmware, this process can cause the connection to break.
Universal method through the “Phone” application
The fastest and most common method of controlling the Internet calling function is located directly in the dialing interface. The developers Android have brought this option to a prominent place, since it directly affects the operation of the main communication module. This method is relevant for most “clean” versions of the system and devices of the line Google Pixel.
First, open the standard application that you use to make calls. Find the menu button, which usually looks like three vertical dots in the top right corner of the screen. Clicking on this element will open a drop-down list where you need to select the item Settings.
In the menu that opens, look for the section related to accounts or additional services. It may be called differently: "Wi-Fi Calling", "Wi-Fi Calling" or "Internet Calling". The switch next to this item should be active (highlighted in blue or green). Click on it to switch it to inactive state.
If, after switching, the handset icon with the Wi-Fi symbol disappears from the status bar, then the operation was successful. Now all incoming and outgoing calls will be routed exclusively through your operator's cellular network, regardless of whether you are connected to a wireless network or not.
Settings in the "Connections" section of the system menu
In devices from manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei, communication settings are often moved deep into the general system menu. This is done in order to group all parameters related to data and voice transmission into one logical block. Here you can find more detailed network priority settings.
Go to the main Settings of your smartphone. Find the section usually called "Connections", "Network and Internet" or "SIM cards and mobile networks". Inside this section, look for the item Wi-Fi Calling. In some shells, it may be hidden inside the “Advanced Settings” submenu.
After entering the menu, you will see not just a switch, but also options for the behavior of the device. The system may offer a choice of priority: “Prefer mobile network” or “Prefer Wi-Fi network”. To completely disable the function, just select the “Mobile network only” mode or simply deactivate the main toggle switch.
☑️ Check before disabling
It is worth noting that on dual-SIM devices the settings can be applied individually for each card. If you use two SIM cards, be sure to check the function status for both slots to avoid a situation where one line works via the Internet and the other does not.
| Manufacturer | Path to settings | Function name |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Connections → Calls by Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi Calling |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | SIM cards and mobile networks → Calling via Wi-Fi | VoWiFi |
| Google Pixel | Network and Internet → Mobile network | Calling via Wi-Fi |
| OnePlus | Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi settings Calling | Wi-Fi Calling |
Disablement features on Samsung and Xiaomi devices
The Korean giant Samsung uses a shell One UI, which is famous for its deep customization. Here the function is often duplicated in the Quick Access Toolbar widgets. If you don't find the switch in the menu, try pulling down the notification shade twice and looking for the handset and Wi-Fi icon. Clicking on it instantly changes the status of the function.
Devices from Xiaomi with a shell MIUI or HyperOS have their own specifics. Sometimes your telecom operator will automatically hide this item if they believe that the service is not supported in your region. In this case, even if you see the menu, the switch may be grayed out.
To unlock settings on such devices, you sometimes need to change the region in the phone settings. Go to Settings → Advanced settings → Region and select the country where your operator officially supports the technology (for example, India or Germany). After changing the region, the menu item may become active, allowing you to control the function.
⚠️ Attention: Changing the region may affect the operation of some pre-installed applications and advertising services of the system. After setting up the calling function, it is recommended to return to the original region, if possible.
Also on smartphones Xiaomi there is a bug when the function is automatically turned on after a reboot. In this case, it is worth checking for system updates, since in new firmware versions such errors are often corrected by developers.
Problems with roaming and international calls
One of the most common reasons why users want to disable Wi-Fi Callingis being abroad. Although the technology is positioned as a way to save money on roaming, in practice it can lead to unexpected charges. The fact is that not all operators correctly charge such calls when the subscriber is in another country.
If you travel, your phone can automatically connect to a foreign Wi-Fi network in a hotel or cafe. If the feature is active, the call will go over the Internet, but operator billing may interpret this as a roaming call due to changes in network signaling data. This is especially true for countries with strict telecommunications regulations.
To avoid unnecessary expenses, it is strongly recommended to completely deactivate the service before traveling. Do this before departure, while on your home network. Check the status in your operator’s personal account, as sometimes the setting needs to be disabled on the communication service provider’s side.
Risks of using roaming
In some countries, the use of VoWiFi may be legally restricted or require special registration of the device on the local network. Illegal use may result in the local regulator blocking the phone's IMEI.
In addition, when roaming, the phone more often loses the cellular network signal while trying to find an available operator. At such moments, he aggressively tries to use Wi-Fi for calls. If the network is unstable, you risk missing an important call from home, since the call simply will not go through.
What to do if the menu item is missing or inactive
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where there is simply no control point for calls via Wi-Fi in the settings. This does not always mean the phone is broken. Most often, the reason lies in the policy of your cellular operator. The service must be activated on the provider's side before it appears in the smartphone menu.
Check your operator's personal account or call support. Check whether your tariff plan supports the technology Voice over Wi-Fi. If the service is not connected, the smartphone will not display the corresponding settings, since it will not receive the necessary configuration profile over the air (OTA).
Another reason is an outdated version of the software. Manufacturers are adding support for new codecs and communication protocols with security and system updates. If your phone has not been updated for more than a year, it is worth checking for new versions Android in the section About phone → Software update.
In rare cases, resetting the network settings helps. This action will not delete your personal data, photos or applications, but will return all connection settings to factory defaults. To do this, go to Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings.
Before resetting the network settings, write down the passwords for your home and work Wi-Fi networks, since after the procedure the phone will “forget” them and you will have to enter them again.
Alternative solutions and using airplane mode
If you need to temporarily stop making calls via the Internet, but you do not want to change system settings, you can use more radical methods. For example, using airplane mode and then turning on only Wi-Fi. In this case, the cellular module will be disabled, and the phone will not physically be able to make calls via the SIM card, but you will be able to use instant messengers.
However, if your goal is to make the phone call through the cellular network, ignoring Wi-Fi, then the most reliable way is simply not to connect to wireless networks during important conversations. Turn off Wi-Fi in the notification shade before dialing.
There are also third-party network management apps that allow you to create profiles. For example, the “Home” profile can automatically turn off Wi-Fi Calling, and the “Office” profile can turn it on. Such utilities require access rights to system settings and can be useful for advanced users.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces of telecom operators and phone menus are regularly updated. The location of the items may change in new firmware versions. If you do not find the described path, use the search in your phone settings by entering the request “Wi-Fi” or “Calls”.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does disabling Wi-Fi Calling affect the sound quality in regular calls?
No, disabling this function does not degrade the quality of regular calls over the cellular network. On the contrary, if your Wi-Fi signal was weak, the call quality may even improve as the phone switches to a stable carrier tower that supports VoLTE (Voice over LTE), which provides high-definition audio.
Will I pay for Wi-Fi calls as international calls while abroad?
It depends on terms of your tariff. Most modern operators position Wi-Fi Calling as a way to make calls “like at home” even while roaming. However, if you are in a country where the operator does not have partnership agreements, or if the function is not configured correctly, you may be charged. Always check roaming conditions before traveling.
Is it possible to disable the function for only one SIM card on a dual-SIM phone?
Yes, in most modern smartphones that support two SIM cards, the settings Wi-Fi Calling are applied individually for each slot. By going to the SIM card management menu, you can select a specific card and disable the function only for it, leaving the second active.
Why does the Wi-Fi Calling icon appear and disappear by itself?
This behavior usually indicates an unstable connection. The phone constantly scans available networks and, as soon as it finds Wi-Fi with Internet access, tries to register on it for calls. If the Wi-Fi signal is weak or the Internet on the router disappears, the icon disappears. It is recommended to disable the feature if the network is unstable.
Do you need to restart your phone after disabling the feature?
In most cases, the changes take effect instantly. However, if you notice that the phone is still trying to make calls via the Internet or the icon does not disappear, a simple reboot of the device will help apply the new settings correctly and re-register in the operator’s network.