Many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face a situation where the Wi-Fi Calling function starts to work incorrectly or interferes with the normal connection. Often users notice that the phone does not switch from the Internet to the cellular network during a conversation, or people complain of echoes and interruptions, in which case it becomes necessary to forcefully turn off this option in the system settings.
The problem is relevant not only for old models, but also for the latest devices based on the MIUI Operators can react differently to VoWiFi activation, which leads to conflicts in the work. SIM-Understanding how to manage this setting will help you avoid lost calls and improve the quality of communication in general.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can deactivate calls over a wireless network, where to look for the right switches in the menu, how to proceed if the standard path is hidden by the operator, and what hidden methods are available for setting up through the engineering menu, and this guide will help you regain full control of your device’s telephony.
What is Wi-Fi Calling and Why You Should Turn It Off
VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) technology allows voice calls to be transmitted over an Internet connection rather than through a standard cellular carrier channel, which is useful in areas of poor reception, such as basements or outside the city where the base station signal is weak but there is an available router. However, in stable 4G/LTE coverage, this feature is often redundant.
The main reason users are looking to remove this option is instability: a smartphone may get stuck on a weak Wi-Fi signal instead of switching to a better mobile Internet, which leads to communication interruptions when leaving the router’s coverage area, and some tariff plans may not support free calls over the Internet, which leads to unexpected costs.
⚠️ Note: If you turn off Wi-Fi Calling, calls in areas of total no cellular connection (jamming, deep basements) may become impossible, even if you have an Internet connection.
Also worth noting is the impact on device autonomy: Constant search and retention of a connection for voice packets can drain the battery faster, especially if the Wi-Fi signal is unstable. For most users in the city, having an active cellular network makes VoWiFi redundant.
Standard way to disable through settings SIM-map
The easiest and safest method of deactivation is found in the main settings menu of the phone. Xiaomi interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. SIM-map.
To start, open the Settings app and find the partition that connects. It's usually called "SIM-maps and mobile networks. "" This is where all the key telephony settings are concentrated. If you have a dual-sim phone, the settings are tailored to each card.
Inside the menu, select the desired one. SIM-Next, scroll down to "Wi-Fi Calls" or "Wi-Fi Calls." The switch must be active (blue or green). Click on it to change state to "Switched off".
- 📱 Open Settings on the main screen.
- 📡 Go to section. SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- 🔢 Choose a specific one. SIM-card (1 or 2).
- 🚫 Find the call point via Wi-Fi and turn it off.
After doing this, the status bar will disappear the phone icon with the Wi-Fi symbol, which means that the system will no longer attempt to route voice calls over the wireless network, and the device will now use only the resources of the cellular operator.
☑️ Verification of deactivation of the function
If there is no item in the menu: search through the search for settings
Sometimes, a carrier or regional firmware hides direct access to VoWiFi management, in which case the standard path may not be available, but there is built-in search in the MIUI and HyperOS shell that allows you to find hidden features.
To use this method, open the main settings menu and at the top of the screen, click on the magnifying glass or input field. Enter the query "Wi-Fi" or "Calls." The system will give you a list of all relevant parameters. If the function is supported by your device, it should appear in the results list.
Click on the item you find, and you'll be taken to the activation menu you want, which is faster than manually wandering through sections, and if the search didn't work, it means that the function is either completely blocked by the operator or not in the firmware.
| Method of searching | Search query | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Direct search | Wi-Fi Calling | Direct transition to switch |
| Search by word | Calls. | List of all telephony settings |
| Code search | VoWiFi | Technical parameter (rarely) |
Using search is a great way to save time. Don't ignore this tool, as it often lets you get to the settings that developers have hidden in the depths of the menu. This is especially true for newer versions of Android, where the menu structure often changes.
Why can the item disappear after the update?
Use of the Engineering Menu for Advanced Users
If standard methods fail, you can turn to the engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the system, designed to test equipment and adjust the radio module, and be careful: changing unknown parameters can lead to unstable phone operation.
To enter the menu, open the Phone app and type a special code. For most Xiaomi devices, it is ##4636##. Once you enter the last digit, the Check menu will open. Select Phone Information.
In the list that opens, look for options related to VoWiFi or IMS. You can force modem-level technology support to turn off, find the "Turn off Wi-Fi Calling" line or similar one, and set the value in "Disable."
⚠️ Warning: Do not change other settings in the engineering menu, such as network type or frequency, if you are not sure of your actions.
When you change the settings, you should restart the device, so that the new network profile is used correctly, and if the Wi-Fi Calling icon is gone after the reboot, then the manipulation was successful.
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Before entering the engineering menu, write down or take a picture of the original values of all the parameters, which will allow you to return everything as it was if something goes wrong.
Resetting network settings as a radical solution
In situations where the function is incorrect, glitchy or impossible to disable by standard methods, a complete reset of network settings helps, which will return all connection settings to factory values by removing stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings.
To reset, go to Connect and Share or Advanced Settings, and find Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Networks and Bluetooth, and the system will warn you that all stored data will be deleted. Confirm the action.
Once rebooted, the phone will be as new as connectivity, you'll have to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords, but this often solves the problem of VoWiFi sticking, and once turned on, the phone will re-register on the carrier's network, and it's likely that the Wi-Fi call function will be turned off or configured correctly by default.
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → Connection and sharing.
- 🗑️ Select Wi-Fi, Mobile Networks and Bluetooth Reset.
- ✅ Confirm the operation and wait for the reboot.
- 🔑 Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
This method is especially effective if you have recently changed. SIM-The old profiles could conflict with the new settings, causing software errors in the communication module.
Comparison of quality of communication: Wi-Fi vs. Mobile network
Understanding the difference between technologies helps make the right decision: the mobile network (GSM/3G/4G/5G) gives priority to voice calls, operators guarantee the quality of voice transmission, and even at low Internet speeds, the call will pass.
Wi-Fi Calling depends on the quality of your home router and the congestion of your channel. If someone watches 4K video or downloads files, the sound quality can plummet, and when you move from room to room, your phone can lose Wi-Fi signal, which will cause the call to break, while the mobile network would cover that space.
But there's a caveat: in buildings with thick walls, the mobile signal may not be able to pass at all, and in those cases, Wi-Fi Calling is the only way out, but if you have stable 4G, turning it off often makes the connection more predictable and reliable.
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Disabling Wi-Fi Calling increases the stability of calls in motion and prevents sudden switching between networks, but deprives communication in the areas of the “jammers” of the cellular signal.