Disabling Wi-Fi Calls on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Nuances

Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) calls on Xiaomi smartphones are a useful feature that allows you to maintain communication even with a weak mobile signal. However, not all users like it: someone faces problems with sound, someone notices increased battery consumption, and some simply prefer traditional calls through the operator’s network. If you fall into this category, this article will help you figure out how to completely or selectively turn off VoWiFi on your device.

It’s important to understand that the process of disabling can vary depending on the version of MIUI, smartphone model, and even firmware. We’ll look at the universal methods that work on most devices (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra), and also look at specific cases — for example, when the option is gray or missing from the menu.

Before you make any changes, make sure your smartphone is updated to the latest version of MIUI. In older firmware (such as MIUI 11 and below), the settings interface may be significantly different, and some options may not be at all. If you use custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the process can be radically different, which we will also mention separately.

Why users want to turn off VoWiFi on Xiaomi

At first glance, Wi-Fi calls seem like the perfect solution: a stable signal, battery savings (compared to finding a mobile network in the basement), no interruptions, but in practice, many face a number of problems:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: Despite promises of savings, some users note that when VoWiFi is active, the smartphone discharges faster due to the constant maintenance of two connections (Wi-Fi). + mobile).
• 🎤 Poor sound quality: echoes, interruptions, metallic tones of voice are frequent complaints, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks with high load.
• 🔄 Automatic switching: A smartphone can randomly switch from VoWiFi to VoLTE and back, leading to call interruptions.
• 🚫 Incompatibility with carriers: some mobile operators (especially regional ones) do not support VoWiFi or require additional activation, which creates confusion.
• 🛡️ Security: When connected to unsecured Wi-Fi networks, calls can be vulnerable to eavesdropping (although this is unlikely with modern encryption protocols).

And then there's the category of users who fundamentally distrust Internet voice technologies (including VoIP) because of potential delays or habit. If you're in one of these groups, turning off VoWiFi can improve your smartphone experience.

Method 1: Disable VoWiFi through basic settings

The simplest and most versatile method is to deactivate the function in the settings menu. It works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12 and later.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (or mobile networks on some models).
3. Choose yours. SIM-card (if two of them).
4. Find Wi-Fi Calls (can be called VoWiFi or Wi-Fi Calling).
5. Move the slider to the off position.

If the Wi-Fi Calls item is missing or inactive (grey), it may mean:

• 📶 Your mobile operator does not support VoWiFi (e.g. Tele2 in some regions).
• 📱 You have an outdated version installed. MIUI (firmware update).
• 🔧 The function is hidden in the engineering menu (more about this in the next section).

Once disabled, it is recommended to restart the device, as some settings apply only after the reboot.To make sure the function is indeed deactivated, call another number and check the indicator in the status bar: the Wi-Fi Calling icon (usually looks like a wave tube) should disappear.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can try turning off VoWiFi via the Engineering Mode, which is suitable for advanced users, as careless actions can disrupt network operation. On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13T), changing the parameters in the engineering menu leads to resetting the mobile network settings.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##4636## Some firmware may require: #869434##
2. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Wi-Fi Calling block.
4. Click on the drop-down menu and select Disable or Off.
5. Save the changes and restart the smartphone.

If VoWiFi continues to work after these steps, check:

• 🔄 Have you reset your settings after rebooting (some firmware automatically returns default values).
• 📋 Does your operator block the disabling of the function at the level? SIM-cards (relevant for MTS and Beeline in corporate tariffs).

Method 3: Disconnection through USSD-operator

Some mobile operators allow you to manage VoWiFi directly through the Internet. USSD-This is true if the settings on the smartphone are blocked or missing. Below are commands for popular Russian operators:

If, after sending, USSD-VoWiFi commands continue to work, contact the operator through the official application or call for support. In some cases, manual shutdown of the service by the provider is required, especially if you are using a virtual service. SIM (eSIM) or corporate tariff.

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Before shipment USSD-Check balance commands – some operators charge a fee to change settings (usually 1-3 ruble).

Problems after VoWiFi shutdown and their solutions

Most cases of VoWiFi deactivation go unchecked, but sometimes users face unexpected problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

• 📵 The mobile network signal has disappeared: after turning off VoWiFi, the smartphone may lose communication with the operator. → SIM-map → Select your network and manually select your operator (not "Automatically").
• 🔄 Calls are interrupted: if you're in a low-cost area, a VoWiFi shutdown can cause a break, in which case, try to turn on Flight Mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off.
• 📱 Settings are not saved: on some firmware (for example, MIUI 13.0.4 for Redmi Note 11) VoWiFi is automatically enabled after restarting. → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting mobile network settings.
• 🔋 The battery runs out faster: paradoxically, after turning off VoWiFi, some users notice an increase in charge consumption, which is due to the fact that the smartphone is more actively looking for a mobile signal.

If none of the methods worked, it is worth considering alternative options:

• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) where VoWiFi can be turned off at the core level.
• 📴 Use of the second slot SIM-VoWiFi-free cards (if you have a dual-SIM device).
• 📡 Enforcement of use 3G (In Settings → Mobile network → Choose the preferred network type 3G), Automatically disable VoLTE and VoWiFi.

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If after the shutdown of VoWiFi mobile Internet disappeared, check APN-your operator settings. They're often reset when you change the network settings.

VoWiFi on custom firmware: features of disconnection

If you use informal firmware (like LineageOS, HavocOS or ArrowOS), the process of turning off VoWiFi can be radically different. In most custom builds, the function is managed not through MIUI, but through standard Android settings or additional modules.

Here's what we need to do:

1. Open Settings → Networks and the Internet → Mobile network.
2. Find Improved Services (or Enhanced 4G LTE Mode)
3. Turn off the Wi-Fi Calling or VoWiFi option.
4. If there is no item, check for the IMS module in the kernel settings (root access is required).

On firmware like Pixel Experience, VoWiFi can be integrated into Google Phone (a standard phone app).

1. Open the phone → Settings → Calls.
2. Select Wi-Fi Calls and deactivate the slider.

If you use root rights, you can completely delete the system files that are responsible for VoWiFi.

1. Install a file manager with root access (such as Root Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/.
3. Delete or rename files: ImsService.apk WfcService.apk
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files may result in loss of communication or cyclical reboot.Before making changes, back up via TWRP Or OrangeFox.

VoWiFi Alternatives: What to Use Instead of Wi-Fi Calls

If you've turned off VoWiFi but still want to make Internet calls, consider alternative solutions that are independent of a mobile operator and often offer better connectivity.

For corporate users, the best choice is SIP-It's a telephony service that allows you to connect to an office PBX and call internal numbers without using a mobile network, and the main advantage is stability and security, because traffic goes through secure channels of the company.

If you want to save your phone history in the standard Phone app, you can use Google Voice (available in some regions), which allows you to make calls over the Internet, but the calls are displayed in the log as normal.

FAQ: Frequent questions about VoWiFi on Xiaomi