Setting up calls via Wi-Fi on MTS for Android

The modern pace of life often puts smartphone owners in uncomfortable situations: a quiet office basement, thick walls of a country house, or simply a “dead signal” zone while traveling. At such moments, the usual cellular signal LTE or 3G disappears, making it impossible to make emergency or important calls. Technology Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) is becoming a real salvation, allowing you to use a wireless network for voice communication.

The operator MTS actively implements and supports this function on devices with an operating system Android. This means that as long as you have a stable internet connection, you can make and receive calls just like you would through a regular cell tower. The main advantage is that the tariff is according to the terms of your main voice package, and is not written off as Internet traffic.

However, despite the promised simplicity, the activation process may raise questions among users of different phone models. Interfaces MIUI, One UI, ColorOS and pure Android have their own characteristics of the location of the switches. In this article we will look in detail at how to enable calls via Wi-Fi on MTS, what requirements apply to the equipment and what to do if the desired button does not appear.

Technological fundamentals and device requirements

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your smartphone is physically capable of supporting the technology VoWiFi. Not all older models, even those released a couple of years ago, have the necessary software module. The telecom operator transmits the voice stream in the form of packet data, so not only support for the standard is critical, but also the correct firmware of the device.

The second key factor is the software version. Manufacturers often add support for operator functions in security updates or major updates Android. If you haven't updated your phone in a while, the feature may be hidden or not work correctly. It is also worth checking whether IMEI the device is blocked or whether it is blacklisted by the operator.

For the technology to work successfully, your device must meet the following criteria:

• 📱 The smartphone must support the standard VoWiFi at the hardware level.
• 🔄 The device firmware must be up to date (preferably the latest stable version).
• 📶 The service must be active in the mobile network settings VoLTE (often they are connected).
• 🌐 The Wi-Fi access point must provide a stable connection with a ping no higher than 100 ms.

⚠️ Attention: If you purchased a smartphone imported from abroad through parallel import, make sure that its firmware has a Russian operator profile MTS. In some cases, “gray” devices do not automatically see the operator’s settings.

Activation of the service in your personal account and via USSD

Even if there is a switch in the phone menu, the service must be enabled on the network side. U MTS this option is often enabled by default for modern tariffs, but in some cases manual activation is required. The fastest way to check the status is to use the USSD command.

Dial the code on your phone keyboard *111*659# and press the call button. In response, you will receive an SMS message confirming the connection to the Wi-Fi Calling service. If the service is already active, the system will report this. An alternative way is to use a mobile application My MTS, where function control is included in a convenient graphical interface.

In the application, the path to setting usually looks like this:

1. Open the application My MTS and log in.
2. Go to the section Services or Tariff settings.
3. Find the "Communication" or "Additional" block opportunities."
4. Activate the toggle switch opposite the item Wi-Fi calling.

After activation on the operator’s side, you may need to reboot the smartphone to apply new network profiles. Do not ignore this step, as without it, the phone may continue to try to register only with the cellular network, ignoring available Wi-Fi.

Step-by-step guide for various Android interfaces

The most difficult step is to find the coveted switch in the jungle of system settings. Smartphone manufacturers call this feature differently and hide it in different sections. Below are instructions for the most popular shells.

For owners of smartphones Samsung with a shell One UI the path is usually as follows: go to Settings, select item Connections, then Mobile network. This is where the switch is located Wi-Fi calls. In some models it may be duplicated in the top notification shade.

Users Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco with a shell MIUI or HyperOS you should act differently. Open Settings, go to section SIM cards and mobile networks. Select the desired MTS SIM card and find the item Use Wi-Fi for calls. If the item is not there, try entering the code ##86583## in the dialer - this will forcibly unlock the hidden VoWiFi menu.

On devices with pure Android (series Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia), the logic is simpler: Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → Calls via Wi-Fi. Owners Honor i Huawei need to look for this parameter in the section Wireless networks → More.

After enabling the function, a special one should appear in the phone’s status bar icon. Usually this is an image of a handset with Wi-Fi symbols next to it or an inscription Wi-Fi Call. This is the main indicator that the next call will go through the Internet channel.

Features of tariffing and roaming

One ​​of the most frequently asked questions concerns the cost of such calls. Many users are afraid that minutes will be charged at double rates or as Internet traffic. We hasten to reassure you: when using VoWiFi within Russia, minutes are consumed from your main package of voice minutes of the tariff MTS.

The situation changes dramatically when you are abroad. VoWiFi technology allows you to make calls to Russian numbers at home network rates, even while roaming, provided you are connected to Wi-Fi. This can save significant money, since incoming and outgoing calls to your home region are charged as regular calls, and not as international roaming.

However, there are important nuances that need to be taken into account:

• 🌍 Calls to local numbers in the host country via Wi-Fi will be charged as international.
• 💰 Outgoing calls to Russian numbers from roaming via Wi-Fi are charged at home region tariffs.
• 📵 If the Wi-Fi connection is interrupted during a call, the call may be transferred to the cellular network (Handover), which will lead to charges at roaming tariffs.

⚠️ Attention: Billing conditions in roaming may vary depending on the specific tariff plan. Before traveling, be sure to check the current conditions in the application My MTS or on the official website to avoid unexpected charges.

For calls to emergency services (112, 101, 102), VoWiFi technology also works, but priority is always given to the cellular network if it is available, even with a minimum signal level.

Diagnosis of problems and methods for solving them

Often users are faced with a situation where all the settings are made correctly, but the icon VoWiFi does not appear, and calls continue to go through the cellular network. The first reason may be the poor quality of the Internet connection. The technology is sensitive to packet loss and high ping.

Check the Internet speed on the device from which you plan to call. If the speed is below 1 Mbps or there are severe ping spikes, the phone will automatically turn off Wi-Fi calling in favor of cellular to preserve call quality. Also, the problem may lie in the router settings, for example, in blocking certain ports.

Common reasons for the lack of a function:

• 🚫 Outdated version of the basic modem firmware on the smartphone.
• 🔒 Using corporate or public Wi-Fi networks with a portal authorization.
• 📶 Network mode conflict (try switching the mode from 5G to LTE/4G).
• 🗑️ Network settings failure (resetting network settings will help).

How to reset network settings?

Go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings. This will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords, but often solves problems with registering with the operator's network.

If all else fails, try removing the SIM card, wiping the contacts and inserting it back. In rare cases, a complete re-registration of the network through airplane mode helps: turn it on for 10 seconds and then turn it off.

Comparison of communication quality: VoWiFi versus cellular network

Users are often interested in how much better or worse the sound is when using Wi-Fi. Under ideal conditions, VoWiFi provides high-definition sound (HD Voice), which surpasses the quality of traditional 2G/3G cellular communications and is comparable to good 4G.

However, the stability of the connection directly depends on the congestion of your home network. If someone in the household is downloading heavy files or watching 4K videos at this moment, the quality of voice communication may deteriorate, delays or a “robot” effect may appear. In this regard, the cellular network is more isolated from your home traffic.

Comparative table of characteristics:

Parameter	Calling via Wi-Fi (VoWiFi)	Regular cellular communication (VoLTE)
Coverage area	Depends on the radius of the Wi-Fi router	Depends on the operator's towers
Sound quality	High (with good internet)	Stable high
Work in basements	Excellent	Often absent
Traffic consumption	Minutes of package + some internet	Only minutes package
Autonomy	Higher (less network search)	Standard

Thus, VoWiFi is not a replacement for cellular communications, but a powerful addition to it, allowing you to stay connected where conventional signals are powerless. Proper use of both technologies guarantees you uninterrupted communication in any conditions.

Will I be charged for calls via Wi-Fi if I am away? border?

If you call Russian numbers while roaming but connected to Wi-Fi, minutes are charged at the rates of your home region (as if you were in Russia). Calls to local numbers in the host country will be charged at roaming rates.

Why does the VoWiFi icon disappear when I open YouTube?

This is due to insufficient channel bandwidth. If your Internet channel is narrow, the phone prioritizes video traffic or simply cannot provide a stable stream for a voice call, disabling the function.

Is it possible to make calls via Wi-Fi to MTS from a tablet?

Yes, if the tablet has an MTS SIM card installed, the device supports voice calls and the VoWiFi function in the firmware. Tablets without a SIM card cannot be used for this service.

Does an enabled VPN affect the operation of calls via Wi-Fi?

Yes, it often has a negative effect. VPN encrypts traffic and changes the route, which can lead to the operator’s servers not recognizing the voice packet correctly. It is recommended to disable VPN before important calls.

What to do if the VoWiFi function disappeared after updating Android?

Try resetting your network settings. If it doesn’t help, it’s possible that the configuration path has changed in the new firmware version or the operator has temporarily revoked the certificate for your model. Contact MTS support.