Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones come with many advanced features, including Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi), which allows voice calls over Wi-Fi, which is especially true in areas where there are poor cellular reception, but despite the obvious benefits, many users are faced with the need to turn off this option due to unstable work or a desire to save traffic.
In some cases, VoWiFi’s active feature can interfere with instant messengers or cause problems switching between networks. You may notice that during a conversation, the Internet connection becomes unstable or disappears altogether, which is why the question of how to turn off VoWiFi on Xiaomi becomes very relevant for owners of devices of this brand.
The deactivation process does not require root rights or technical expertise, but it is enough to know where the switch is hidden in the interface of the MIUI shell or HyperOS. In this article, we will discuss all available methods in detail, including standard settings and deeper system tools.
What is VoWiFi and why turn it off
Voice over Wi-Fi is a voice-over technology that transmits Internet protocol traffic, similar to messengers, but at the carrier level, which provides high-quality audio and allows you to stay connected even in basements or remote homes where cell tower signal is weak, but not all users need this feature in a constant mode.
It is often the case that a smartphone prioritizes a Wi-Fi network for calls, even if the cellular signal is stable, which can lead to delays in dialing or unexpected connection breaks when switching between rooms, and some operators may charge such calls differently, which becomes noticeable only at the end of the billing period.
- 📶 Unstable connection: The phone often loses network when moving from Wi-Fi to cellular.
- 🔋 Increased energy consumption: Continuous search and retention of VoWiFi connections can land the battery faster.
- 📞 Number Define Problems: In rare cases, the feature may conflict with Caller's definition services ID.
It is important to understand that disabling this feature will not affect the ability to use the Internet over Wi-Fi. You will still be able to sit on social networks and watch videos, but voice calls will go exclusively through the cellular network. GSM/LTE. This often solves problems with “lost” sound during a conversation.
Disable VoWiFi through standard settings
The easiest and safest way to deactivate the feature is to use the smartphone’s built-in menu. In the latest versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells, developers have put this option prominently so that users can easily manage it, you do not need to install third-party apps or use complex codes.
First, make sure that yours is yours. SIM-The card supports this technology and the service is activated from the operator. If you want to just temporarily remove the icon or prohibit calls over Wi-Fi, follow the algorithm below. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same.
☑️ Pre-switch check
Go to Settings for your device, then select Wi-Fi or Connect and Sharing, depending on the system version. SIM-maps and mobile networks, allowing you to manage the function more flexibly for each SIM card separately.
Find a line called Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Calling. The switch must be active (blue or green). Click on it to put it inactive. The system may request confirmation of action, as this will affect the way you make the calls.
| The way is on the menu | Option name | Default status | Action. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings -> SIM-map | Wi-Fi calls | Included. | Turn it off. |
| Settings -> Connections | Wi-Fi Calling | Included. | Turn it off. |
| Phone -> Settings | Call accounts | Actively. | Delete the account |
| Settings -> Additional | Special facilities | Inactively. | Check it out. |
When the switch is turned off, the status bar will disappear with the corresponding icon (usually a handset with a Wi-Fi symbol) and all incoming and outgoing calls will be processed through the operator’s cellular network, even if the Wi-Fi module is active.
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If you can't find the switch in the menu, maybe your carrier hasn't passed the settings profile on to your phone. Try restarting the device.
Use of the Engineering Menu for Advanced Users
If the standard path is not working or the menu item is missing, you can use the engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the Android system, designed to test hardware and adjust network settings, and be careful: changing unknown parameters can lead to malfunctioning of the communication module.
To log into the engineering menu on Xiaomi and Redmi devices, a special code is used in the Phone app. Open the dial and enter the combination ##4636##. If the code is entered correctly, a hidden test menu will open.
In the list that opens, select Phone Information. Scroll down to the network settings block. There may not be an explicit VoWiFi switch, but you can try changing your preferred network type, which will indirectly disable the feature.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change settings in sections that you do not know the value of, which may result in loss of signal or resetting network settings to factory locations.
Some firmware versions have a separate VoWiFi Provisioning menu, so if you see one, go to it and select Disable or Deactivate, and then be sure to restart your smartphone so that the changes take effect.
If the code doesn’t work or the menu is empty, it could mean that the manufacturer has blocked access to these features for your region, in which case only software methods or waiting for a firmware update from developers remain.
What if the code doesn't work?
Disconnection via Mi Router app and operator settings
Sometimes VoWiFi settings come with a carrier profile, in which case the function management can be hidden deeper or require interaction with the operator's application. Xiaomi devices have a built-in Security app and Operator Services that can control network functions.
Check your mobile operator's app if installed. In the services section, you can often find management of additional options, including VoWiFi. Disabling the service on the operator's server side is guaranteed to remove the feature from the phone, even if the switch remains active in the smartphone settings.
You should also look at the access point settings. Go to Settings -> Wi-Fi Access Point -> Access point settings. Although this applies to Internet distribution, sometimes you see settings that affect the priority of networks for voice calls.
- 📲 Go to the operator's application (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2).
- 🔍 Find the "Services" or "Contact Settings" section".
- ❌ Disable the service "Calls over Wi-Fi" or "VoWiFi".
After the service is disabled on the operator side, it is recommended to turn on the air mode for 10 seconds, and then turn it off.This will force the phone to re-register on the network and get an updated settings profile in which the function will be deactivated.
Problems and conflicts after the shutdown
Once you turn off VoWiFi, you can have some nuances about how your device works, especially in places where there's poor cellular coverage, where the phone used to switch to Wi-Fi and let you talk, now you can lose all communication.
Another possible problem is that the phone has a longer connection time, because it no longer uses the Internet channel to initiate a call, it takes longer to find the free frequency on the cellular network, which is normal and not a malfunction.
⚠️ Warning: If after disabling the function, the sound in the speaker has disappeared or the microphone has stopped working, check whether the Do Not Disturb mode or third-party stub applications are activated.
In rare cases, users are faced with the fact that the icon HD In the status bar, it disappears with VoWiFi, which means that the phone has switched to standard voice quality. HD-sound over the cellular network, you need to make sure that VoLTE support is enabled.
If you notice that the battery is running out faster, check the power usage statistics. Sometimes the background processes associated with trying to reconnect to VoWiFi (if the disconnection went wrong) can consume resources, in which case a complete reset of the network settings will help.
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Disabling VoWiFi returns cellular network priority to calls, which increases connection stability in motion but can impair communication in buildings with thick walls.
Resetting network settings as a radical method
If none of these methods helped to remove the function or it turns on itself, you can reset the network settings, which will return all the connection parameters (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile Internet) to factory values, removing possible software errors.
To perform the reset, go to Settings -> Connection and Sharing -> Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. The system will warn you that all saved Wi-Fi passwords will be deleted. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
Once turned on, the phone will be as new as network settings, you will need to re-enter passwords from Wi-Fi networks, VoWiFi should be disabled or no longer intrusively offered, as the operator profile will be rebooted.
The way to discharge:
Settings -> Connection and Sharing ->
Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth ->
Resetting settingsThis method is especially effective if you have recently changed. SIM-map or updated with one version MIUI Residual configuration files may conflict with new settings, and reset solves this problem.