What’s Wi-Fi calling and how can you get it on your mobile plan?

What is Wi-Fi calling?

Which providers support Wi-Fi calling in Australia?

Around 34 out of 48 mobile providers in our database offer Wi-Fi calling on their plans so it's choices galore:

What is the difference between Wi-Fi calling and normal calling?

Normal calling involves making a call over a mobile network, while Wi-Fi calling is where you call via the internet using a Wi-Fi connection.

This means that in areas where your mobile network signal is weak and you have access to Wi-Fi, you could be better off using Wi-Fi calling than making a regular phone call.

How do I turn on Wi-Fi calling?

Depending on the device you use, there are different ways to turn on Wi-Fi calling.

Wi-Fi calling on Android

If you have an Android phone, you can turn on Wi-Fi calling by going into your phone app and pressing the 'more' button, or the 3 dots in the top right. From there, go to settings.

Depending on what version of Android you have, from here you'll either need to tap calls and then Wi-Fi calling, or you may be able to tap a switch to turn on Wi-Fi calling directly after hitting settings.

The following are some of the Android devices that support Wi-Fi calling in Australia on the 3 major networks:

• Samsung Galaxy S6 and later (Telstra only supports from S7)
• Samsung Galaxy A5 and later (Optus is A30 and later, Telstra doesn't list the A series)
• Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and later
• Google Pixel 3 and later (on Telstra it's Pixel 2 and later)

Other Android phones by Oppo, LG, Huawei, HTC, Motorola and more might also be supported depending on your provider, so check directly with them.

Wi-Fi calling on iPhone

To turn on Wi-Fi calling on your iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling.

If Wi-Fi calling is available, you'll see "Wi-Fi" in the status bar while viewing the Control Centre. Then your calls will use Wi-Fi calling.

The following Apple devices allow Wi-Fi calling in Australia via the 3 main telcos:

• iPhone 6 and up
• Watch 3 and later (except for Optus)

Does Wi-Fi calling cost money?

No, Wi-Fi calling won't cost you any money as providers don't charge additional fees for using the feature.

If you're on a pay-as-you-go plan, charges may apply. Most other plans include unlimited national calls and texts, so this usually isn't a concern.

Is Wi-Fi calling the best option I have?

If you're in a mobile blackspot or there's an outage from your telco's end, then Wi-Fi calling is useful as long as you have a strong internet connection.

If not, it could be just as susceptible to dropouts as a mobile network connection.

Frequently asked questions

• Is Wi-Fi calling free to use internationally?

  Only limited providers allow you to call and use Wi-Fi calling internationally, such as Telstra and Belong Mobile. Even then, you can only make and receive calls back to Australia, as well as receive calls from Australia at no additional charge.

  You can't use Wi-Fi calling overseas with Optus and Vodafone.

  It's best to check with your provider as to what costs are associated with anything to do with making calls internationally as charges can be quite high.

• Can I receive normal calls using Wi-Fi calling?

  Yes, you can receive normal calls using Wi-Fi calling.

• Is Wi-Fi calling the same as WhatsApp?

  Wi-Fi calling is not quite the same as Whatsapp. While using WhatsApp allows you to make calls over a Wi-Fi connection, you need to do so in the app itself. Wi-Fi calling, meanwhile allows you to make calls like you normally would on your phone, where you can use your contacts list for example as normal.

• Does Wi-Fi calling drain your phone's battery?

  There is a possibility that Wi-Fi calling may drain your phone's battery faster than making traditional calls, but the difference is usually not that noticeable. Any issues might have more to do with your model of phone and operating system than Wi-Fi calling itself.

Written by

Mark Neilsen

Utilities writer

Mark Neilsen is a writer at Finder, specialising in streaming, broadband and mobile. He looks for deals on all those services and keeps you abreast of any changes to see what's worth it for you. He has over 20 years' experience in print and digital media and while at Finder, Mark’s expertise has been featured in Yahoo Finance, The New Daily, Ad News, Tech Guide and news.com.au. In his time at Finder he has done over 300 articles on streaming, mobile and broadband. In his time away from Finder he is trying to get through the watchlists of the 11 streaming services he is currently subscribed to. See full bio

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Co-written by

Mariam Gabaji

Editor I Tech and utilities expert

Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with 12+ years of experience as a journalist. She's committed to helping households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine. See full bio

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Mariam has written 305 Finder guides across topics including:

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