Have you ever noticed how calls suddenly get interrupted in the subway or basement where the mobile network barely catches? VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) is a technology that allows you to call over Wi-Fi, saving in areas with poor coverage. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, this feature is often hidden in settings or requires additional activation from the operator. In this article, we will examine how to check your modelβs VoWiFi support, configure it in 5 minutes and solve typical problems β from the lack of an option in the menu to the βCannot connectβ error.
Importantly, not all operators in Russia and the CIS support VoWiFi, and some (for example, Tele2) only enable it for certain tariffs. We collected the current data on operators for 2026 and added a compatibility table. If your Xiaomi does not see the VoWiFi option even after all the manipulations, it is likely that the problem is on the side of the SIM card or firmware.
What is VoWiFi and why is it needed in Xiaomi?
VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) is a communication standard that allows voice calls over Wi-Fi networks instead of traditional cell towers.
- πΆ In areas with weak mobile network signal (metro, basements, remote areas).
- π’ In offices and shopping malls where Wi-Fi is more stable than cellular connectivity.
- π Roaming β Some operators allow VoWiFi calls at no extra charge.
- π To save battery power, the phone doesnβt waste energy searching for the network.
Xiaomiβs technology works through the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) protocol, which is integrated into modern versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12).
- β οΈ Not all models support VoWiFi β for example, the budget Redmi 9A or the old Mi A2 lack this feature.
- β οΈ The operator must support the technology and activate it for your number.
- β οΈ On some firmware (especially custom ones), VoWiFi may not work smoothly.
How do you know that VoWiFi works? The status bar next to the network indicator will show you the words VoWiFi, Wi-Fi Calling or the icon of the wave tube, and if it's not there, then the calls are going through the normal cellular network.
Check VoWiFi support for your Xiaomi model
Before you try to turn on VoWiFi, make sure your smartphone supports it. Here is the official list of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models compatible with the technology (data for 2026):
| Series | Supported models | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/14 | 13, 13 Pro, 13 Ultra, 14, 14 Pro | Support out of the box on MIUI 14+ |
| Redmi Note | Note 11 Pro/Pro+, Note 12/12 Pro/12 Pro+, Note 13 | Note 10 and older may require a software update |
| POCO | F5, F5 Pro, X5 Pro, X6 Pro | The POCO X3/X4 is often missing an option. |
| Mi 11/12 | Mi 11, 11 Ultra, 11T Pro, 12, 12 Pro | MIUI 13.0.5+ is required |
If your model is not on the list, check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the documents to the phone.
- Open Settings β About the phone β All the parameters.
- Scroll to the Network or SIM card section.
- If there is a call point over Wi-Fi or VoWiFi, the function is supported.
How to check VoWiFi support through the Engineering Menu?
Attention! On some models (such as the Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro), the VoWiFi option can be hidden even with hardware support, in which case a firmware update or manual activation via ADB will help (we will discuss this below).
Preparation: What to do before turning on VoWiFi
Before activating VoWiFi, follow a few steps to avoid errors:
Check the feature support with your Xiaomi model
Update MIUI to the latest version
Make sure that the SIM- card supports VoWiFi (list of operators below)
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (not public!)
Reboot the phone.-->
Pay special attention to the operator. For 2026, VoWiFi in Russia and the CIS supports:
- π‘ MTS β for subscribers of tariffs "Ultra", "Smart", "Tariff" Activation is automatic.
- π‘ Beeline, All, No Limit, My Beeline, Request for Support.
- π‘ MegaFon β for customers "Everything is possible", "X", "Enable!". VoWiFi is enabled through the personal account.
- π‘ Tele2 is for corporate customers and My Online tariffs only.
- π‘ Yota β VoWiFi support is not available (June 2026).
If your carrier is not on the list or you are not sure of support, contact customer support and check if the service is activated for your number. For example, you can send a USSD- request to MegaFon *105*490# to check the status of VoWiFi.
β οΈ Warning: If you use two SIM- cards, VoWiFi will only work on the one installed in the SIM1 (main) slot.
Step-by-step: how to turn on VoWiFi on Xiaomi
If all conditions are met, proceed to activation. Instructions are suitable for most models on the MIUI 12-14:
- Open Settings and go to SIM cards and mobile networks (or Connections β SIM cards on new versions of MIUI).
- Select the SIM- card you want to activate VoWiFi for (if there are two).
- Find the option "Wi-Fi Calling" (or VoWiFi, Wi-Fi Calling). If it is not, see the section "What to do if VoWiFi options are not in the settings."
- Activate the switch and confirm the switch (operator conditions may be required).
- Wait 1-2 minutes β in the status bar will appear the indicator VoWiFi (the icon of the tube with waves or the inscription).
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global), the path may be different:
Settings β Connections and Sharing β SIM cards β [Select SIM] β Call over Wi-FiIf the VoWiFi indicator does not appear after turning on:
- π Reboot the phone.
- πΆ Reconnect to Wi-Fi.
- π Try making a test call (e.g., to 0999 to check balance).
π‘
If VoWiFi is turned on but calls are not going through, check if your router is blocking them. Open the router settings and allow the UDP 500/4500 (IPSec) protocol for the IP- carrier addresses.
What to do if VoWiFi is not available in your settings
If the menu does not include Wi-Fi Calls, the reasons may be as follows:
- Outdated firmware β Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings β About Phone β System Update.
- Regional restrictions β some firmware (e.g. MIUI China) hides VoWiFi for non-Chinese SIM- cards, the solution is to change the region or install MIUI Global.
- The operator does not support VoWiFi β check the list above or contact support.
- The function is hidden by the manufacturer - activate it via ADB (instruction below).
Activation of VoWiFi via ADB (for advanced users):
- Install ADB Tools on your computer.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings β About Phone β MIUI version β tap 7 times, then go back to Additional β For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell settings put global wifi_calling_enabled 1 settings put global wifi_calling_mode 1
- Reset the device.
β οΈ Warning: Commands ADB can disrupt network performance if entered incorrectly. On Xiaomi models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 12C), after manual activation of VoWiFi, mobile Internet may disappear - in this case, reset the network settings (Settings β SIM cards β Network Reset).
Typical VoWiFi Errors on Xiaomi and Their Solutions
Even after successful activation, users face problems.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "I can't connect to VoWiFi." | Problems with the operator or router | Restart router, check IPSec settings, contact operator support |
| VoWiFi indicator flashes and disappears | Unstable Wi-Fi connection | Connect to 5GHz network or reboot your phone |
| Calls pass, but the interlocutor does not hear | Conflict with audio codec | Enable VoLTE in the settings SIM-map |
| VoWiFi works, but it quickly drains the battery | Background activity of the IMS module | Turn off VoWiFi in roaming (Settings β Mobile Network β Roaming) |
If after all the manipulations VoWiFi has not worked:
- π§ Check if you have ad-blocking apps on your phone (like AdGuard or Blokada) that can block system services IMS.
- π§ Reset network settings: Settings β SIM cards β Reset network settings.
- π§ Install alternative calling software, such as Google Phone (supports VoWiFi on some models).
π‘
If your carrier does not support VoWiFi, but you have stable Wi-Fi, use alternatives: WhatsApp Calling, Telegram VoIP or Skype.
VoWiFi and VoLTE: What is the difference and whether to include both
People often confuse VoWiFi and VoLTE (Voice over LTE) to see how they differ and interact:
- πΆ VoLTE β calls over the 4G- network (no switching to 3G/2G) Only works with good coverage.
- πΆ VoWiFi is Wi-Fi calling, suitable for areas with poor signaling.
At Xiaomi, these technologies complement each other:
- If VoLTE is on and the 4G signal is weak, the phone will automatically switch to VoWiFi (if activated).
- If VoWiFi is turned off and VoLTE is turned on, calls will go through the cellular network, even if Wi-Fi is more stable.
How to turn on VoLTE on Xiaomi:
- Go to Settings β SIM cards and mobile networks.
- Select the SIM- card and activate the VoLTE switch.
- If there is no option, update the firmware or check the operatorβs support.
β οΈ Warning: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11) may experience problems with data transmission during a call while VoLTE and VoWiFi are enabled simultaneously, in which case disable 4G+ in the mobile network settings.