How to turn on a Wi-Fi call on Xiaomi: the full guide

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are equipped with advanced communication technologies, but owners often face situations where the cellular signal in the room becomes unstable or completely absent. In such cases, Voice over Wi-Fi technology, which allows you to make voice calls and send SMS over the Internet connection, bypassing the operator’s standard towers, is especially relevant for residents of thick-walled houses, basements and remote areas where mobile coverage leaves much to be desired.

Activating this option can dramatically change the quality of your communication, providing crystal clear sound where short horns used to buzz. Although many users find this process difficult, it is implemented in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, if you know where to look for the right switches. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of the setting, possible problems and ways to solve them.

It is worth noting that for the successful operation of the technology, not only support from your Xiaomi smartphone is necessary, but also the appropriate settings on the mobile operator side. Not all plans and SIM cards automatically support this protocol, so before you start setting up, it is recommended to check the information with your provider. 2026-2026 years.

VoWiFi Technology: Principle of operation and advantages

The technology, known as VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), is a standard for transmitting voice traffic over wireless access networks. Unlike popular instant messengers that use their own servers to transmit sound, VoWiFi integrates directly into a standard phone book and call interface. This means that you don’t have to open a separate application, look for a contact on a friend list, or wait for a response from a third-party service — you just dial the number as you normally would.

The main advantage is the stability of the connection in areas of poor reception. 4G/LTE While it can barely catch and can barely get through the wall, a router in the next room will provide a confident signal, and the sound quality in such conditions often exceeds standard voice calls, as a wider data channel is used. In addition, when switching between Wi-Fi and the mobile network (if the operator supports the handover function), the conversation is not interrupted.

It’s important to understand that traffic consumed during a call is usually charged according to the terms of your main plan, not as Internet traffic. Many carriers in 2026 already included this option in basic service packages without requiring an additional fee. However, it’s worth remembering about energy consumption: constantly finding and retaining a Wi-Fi connection for voice calls can slightly increase battery consumption.

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VoWiFi allows you to use a standard phone number and call interface over the Internet without requiring you to install additional applications.

Verification of device and operator compatibility

Before you start setting up your smartphone menu, make sure your hardware and SIM card are ready to work with the new protocol. Not all Xiaomi models, even recently released, have unlocked software-level functionality for all regions, and it is also critical that your mobile operator provides this service and activates it on your side.

The first step is to check the firmware version. Outdated software may not contain the necessary drivers or network profile settings. Go to Settings → About your phone and make sure your system is updated to the current version of MIUI or HyperOS. Manufacturers often add support for new network standards with security and system updates.

Next, you should check the status of the service with the operator. This can be done through the personal application of your mobile provider or by sending a special service. USSD-The table below shows examples of popular operators and methods of verification, but the data may change, so it is better to search for relevant information on the official website.

If your carrier confirms support but the feature doesn't work, it may be necessary to replace the SIM card with a newer one issued after 2026.Older cards may not have the necessary security profiles to encrypt voice traffic over the Internet.In-cabin replacement is usually free and takes a few minutes.

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Sometimes, to activate the service, you need to restart the smartphone after the operator confirms the connection of the service on its side.

Step-by-step activation of the function in Xiaomi settings

The process of enabling calls via Wi-Fi on Xiaomi smartphones is quite logical, but the path to the desired switch may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell. SIM-And let's take a Step-by-step, so you don't miss anything.

First, open the main settings menu of your device. SIM-If you have a dual-sim phone, select the SIM card you want to activate the feature for. Note that you can turn on VoWiFi independently for each SIM card, as long as both are supported by the operator.

Within the menu of your selected SIM card, look for a item that may be called Wi-Fi Calling, Wi-Fi Calling, or Wi-Fi Calling. In some regions, this item may be hidden under the sub-menu of Additional Settings or Advanced Settings. Once you find the switch, move it to the active position. If the system requests confirmation or alerts you to send location data to emergency services, agree to the terms.

Once activated, a status bar (where network and battery signals are displayed) should show a special icon, usually a phone handset with a Wi-Fi symbol next to it or the words "Wi-Fi Call", the appearance of this indicator indicates that the smartphone is ready to make calls over the wireless network. If the icon does not appear immediately, try turning on and off flight mode.

⚠️ Note: If the icon doesn’t appear and calls don’t go through after the feature is turned on, make sure you’re connected to the exact Wi-Fi network that has Internet access.

Set network priorities and modes of operation

Once the basic function is successfully activated, the user can fine-tune the behavior of the smartphone. Android and the MIUI shell allow you to choose the preferred type of network for making calls. This is especially useful in situations where the Wi-Fi signal is weak, but the mobile network is running the stable.

The Wi-Fi Calls menu often has a choice of modes of operation, the first option being "WI-Fi Preferred," in which the smartphone will always try to use the wireless network to make calls, even if the cellular signal is good enough, ideal for offices or apartments with poor coverage but excellent Internet.

The second option is Wi-Fi Only. The second option is not to use a mobile network for voice calls, which can be useful if you are roaming and want to avoid accidental connections to local towers, or if you want to completely unload the cellular radio module to save energy. The third option is "Mobile Network Preferably", which uses Wi-Fi only as a backup channel.

• 📶 Wi-Fi preferred: Best choice for home and office with weak cellular signal.
• 📱 Wi-Fi only: For roaming situations or complete isolation from cell towers.
• 🔄 Automatic: The smartphone decides which channel of sound quality is better at the moment.

Also, consider the emergency address settings, because a Wi-Fi call can be made from anywhere in the world, it is important for operators and rescue services to know your location, and the settings often ask you to enter or confirm the address that will be transmitted when you call emergency services (for example, 112 or 911).

Solving common problems and errors

Despite the technology's fine-tuning, users may encounter various difficulties in setting up or operating. One of the most common problems is the lack of the "Wi-Fi Calls" menu item itself. If you've checked compatibility and updates but no item, your region in your smartphone settings may not support this feature for your carrier.

In this case, you can try to change the region in your phone settings. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Region and select the country where your carrier officially supports VoWiFi (for example, if you are in Russia, try to choose another country of presence of the operator, if it is an international network, or just wait for profile updates).

Another common mistake is that you can't sign up for a VoWiFi server, which often happens if the SIM card doesn't activate a service or the tariff expires, and the router's settings can also be problematic: Some router models have an “Attack Protection” feature or strict firewall settings that block the device. SIP-Protocols used for voice communication.

⚠️ Note: When using Mesh systems or Wi-Fi repeaters, switching between network nodes during a conversation can result in a short-term interruption of sound or a complete connection break, since IP-device address may change.

If the sound during the conversation is intermittent or has an echo, try turning off the function. HD-It is also worth checking whether the network is congested with other devices that consume a lot of traffic, such as TVs. 4K game console.

The Impact of VoWiFi on Autonomy and Security

Using an Internet channel for voice communication imposes certain requirements on the resources of a smartphone. Wi-Fi module, operating in continuous transmission of voice packets, consumes energy. Although modern Xiaomi processors are quite energy efficient, in conditions of very weak Wi-Fi signal (when the phone is constantly trying to hold communication), battery consumption can increase by 10-15% during the day of active use.

From a security perspective, VoWiFi technology is more secure than conventional technology. GSM-Voice traffic is end-to-end encrypted between your device and the operator's gateway, making it extremely difficult for attackers to intercept a conversation, but the risks remain at the Wi-Fi level: Using open, password-free networks in cafes or airports is not recommended for confidential negotiations.

For maximum security, it is recommended to use public networks. VPN-connection, although some carriers may block VoWiFi when active VPN-tunnel due to the change IP-In the home, where the network is protected by protocol. WPA3 or WPA2, risks are minimal.

• 🔋 Power consumption: Higher only at very weak Wi-Fi signal.
• 🔒 Encryption: Traffic protected by operator security standards.
• 🌐 Public Networks: Not recommended for important conversations without VPN.

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Using VoWiFi is safe for normal conversations, but requires caution when connecting to open access points in public places.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)