Android Wi-Fi calling lets you make calls over a Wi-Fi connection instead of your mobile network, but only if your carrier supports it and you switch it on. On Pixel and other Android phones using Google's Phone app, go to Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, your carrier SIM, then Wi-Fi calling; on a Samsung Galaxy, it's in Quick settings or the Phone app's settings.
Here's the catch. If the Wi-Fi calling option isn't there at all, Google's Phone app Help says your carrier doesn't support the feature, so there's nothing to fix on the phone. And even when it's on, your phone can quietly switch it off: if it detects Wi-Fi calling problems, it turns the feature off until the problem's fixed, and if the issue stays, you get a notification saying Wi-Fi calling has been turned off entirely. You may then need to restart the phone or contact your carrier to get it back.
What Wi-Fi calling needs
| Requirement, as of October 2026 | Source |
|---|---|
| A carrier that supports Wi-Fi calling, because not all do | Google Phone app Help |
| Android 6.0 and up for some of the steps | Google Phone app Help |
| A connection to a Wi-Fi network | Samsung support |
| An active SIM card in the phone | Samsung support |
| Wi-Fi calling enabled by your network provider | Samsung support |
Google adds a line worth reading before you rely on it: you may incur extra charges for calls over Wi-Fi, so check with your mobile service provider. On some carriers, you can use Wi-Fi calling without a service, and if you're having trouble with regular calls and your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling, your phone will send you a notification suggesting you turn it on.
Turn on Wi-Fi calling on Pixel and other Android phones
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network and internet, then SIMs.
- Tap your carrier SIM, then Wi-Fi calling.
- Turn Wi-Fi calling on.
Once it's set up, you make a call over Wi-Fi just like any other call. When you're connected, you'll see Internet Call or Wi-Fi calling on the notification screen. When you're not on Wi-Fi, calls go through your mobile carrier, if you have one.
Turn on Wi-Fi calling on a Samsung Galaxy
Samsung's support pages, as of October 2026, give two ways in:
| Route | Steps |
|---|---|
| Quick settings panel | Swipe down twice from the top of the screen, then tap the Wi-Fi Calling icon |
| Phone app | Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot More options icon, tap Settings, then the Wi-Fi Calling switch |
If you don't see these options, Samsung says to contact your network provider to check that Wi-Fi Calling is available on your network and activated for your device. To turn it off again, tap the same switch.
In the same Phone app settings, tap Wi-Fi Calling to choose a preference. Mobile network preferred uses your mobile network for calls and falls back to Wi-Fi if the network's unavailable. Wi-Fi preferred does the opposite, using Wi-Fi first and the mobile network if Wi-Fi drops.
The emergency address prompt
When you switch Wi-Fi Calling on, a Galaxy phone may show a pop-up asking for your emergency contact information. Samsung's advice is to review it, enter what's requested and tap Save. You can update it later from the Wi-Fi Calling settings, under Emergency Location Information or Update Current Emergency Address. Don't skip it to get through setup faster. It takes a minute, and if your details change, you know exactly where to update them.
Fixing Android Wi-Fi calling
Start with the basics Samsung lists. Wi-Fi calling needs a strong Wi-Fi connection, so swipe down to Quick settings and check the Wi-Fi icon is on. Then check your network supports Wi-Fi Calling for your device and that it's activated on your account. If that doesn't sort it, your network provider is the next call.
Google's Pixel help for Wi-Fi problems, some of which works only on Android 8.1 and up, adds a quick order of checks:
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is on, then turn it off and on again to reconnect.
- Make sure Airplane mode is off, then turn it on and off again.
- Press the power button for a few seconds and tap Restart.
- Try the same Wi-Fi network on another device, like a laptop. If that works, the problem's most likely your phone.
- Try your phone on another Wi-Fi network. If it connects there, the problem's most likely the network.
- If you're connected but have no internet, the problem's most likely the internet connection itself.
Google's mobile connectivity checklist for Pixel goes further, with steps to check Wi-Fi calling, check VoLTE settings and, as a later option, reset all network settings. If you're in the US on a Pixel 11 phone, Settings, Device health and support has Call diagnostics and Wi-Fi diagnostics that can auto-detect and potentially fix issues, plus a Connectivity health view, as of October 2026. When you're back online, check for a system update, because Google says updates can bring fixes.
If a single app is misbehaving rather than your calls, that's a different job, and my guide on clearing cache on Android is the place to start.
My verdict on Wi-Fi calling
Turn it on if your carrier supports it, especially if you spend time where your mobile signal isn't available, which is the situation Samsung says it's built for. Check the option exists first, because if it's missing, no amount of fiddling will help. Fill in the emergency address on a Galaxy, and if calls suddenly stop going over Wi-Fi, look for that turned-off notification before anything else. And if you need to keep a record of an important call, here's how recording a phone call on Android works, including who gets told.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I find Wi-Fi calling on my Android phone?
If the Wi-Fi calling option isn't in your settings, your carrier doesn't support the feature. Check with your carrier.
Why does Wi-Fi calling keep turning off?
If your phone detects Wi-Fi calling issues, it turns the feature off until the problem is fixed. Restart the phone or contact your carrier to re-activate it.
Does Wi-Fi calling cost extra on Android?
It can. Google says you may incur additional charges for calls over Wi-Fi, so check with your mobile service provider.
How do I know a call is using Wi-Fi?
When you're connected, you'll see Internet Call or Wi-Fi calling on the notification screen.
What is Wi-Fi preferred on a Samsung phone?
Wi-Fi preferred uses your Wi-Fi network for calls, and switches to the mobile network if Wi-Fi is unavailable.
