Xiaomi’s current smartphones offer many ways to stay connected, but not everyone is aware of the hidden capabilities of their device. One such feature is VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), which allows voice calls to be made and received over the wireless Internet without cellular towers, an option that becomes critical in places with poor mobile coverage but a stable Wi-Fi router.
Enabling this feature can dramatically change the quality of communication in your home or office, especially if the walls of the building shield the signal of base stations. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate Wi-Fi calls on Redmi and Poco devices, which carriers support this service, and what to do if the desired option is not displayed in the menu.
You’ll learn about the intricacies of customization that are often overlooked, and you’ll also get answers to frequent questions related to billing and sound quality. Using Internet protocol to transmit voice is not just an alternative, but a standard of modern digital communication that’s already available in your pocket.
What is VoWiFi Technology and Why is it Needed?
VoWiFi technology is an extension of the VoLTE standard, allowing voice calls to be transmitted over Wi-Fi networks using the use of the VoLTE standard. IP-To the user, it looks like a regular phone call through a standard dialer, without having to run separate applications like Viber or WhatsApp. The smartphone itself switches to an available wireless network if the cellular signal becomes weak or disappears.
The main advantage is that Wi-Fi calls often have higher sound quality and connect faster in confined spaces. This is especially true for residents of apartment buildings with thick concrete walls or for those who often visit basements and offices with screening. Xiaomi device in the background monitors the signal quality and seamlessly switches the call between networks if necessary.
It is important to understand that this feature requires support from your mobile operator, and VoWiFi only works if your data plan and SIM card are activated to transmit voice over the phone. IP-Without a service confirmation on the provider's side, phone settings won't work.
⚠️ Note: When using VoWiFi, the traffic may not be charged by the operator as voice, but instead go to the account of the Internet packet if you do not have a special option.
Checking the compatibility of the operator and the tariff
Before you start setting up MIUI or HyperOS, you need to make sure that your mobile operator provides VoWiFi service in your region. Major Russian operators have already implemented this technology, but the conditions for its activation may vary. USSD-call-in.
For MTS subscribers, the service is often already active by default on modern tariffs. If not, you can try sending a command *111*926# or activating an option in your personal account. The Beeline operator requires the inclusion of Interphone service or a similar option to access Wi-Fi Calling. The Megaphone also supports the technology, but may require checking the compatibility of the phone model on the official website.
Tele2 offers Wi-Fi calls on most modern smartphones, including the Redmi Note line and Xiaomi flagships. Often just insert a SIM card into a compatible device and the settings will come automatically. However, in rare cases, manual activation is required through the My Tele2 app.
Below is a table with current support statuses and activation methods for the main operators:
| Operator. | Status of support | Method of activation | Tariffing |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | It's working. | Automatically or *111*926# | Like normal minutes. |
| Beeline | It's working. | Personal Account / Application | Like normal minutes. |
| Megaphone | It's working. | Automatically at new tariffs | Like normal minutes. |
| Tele2 | It's working. | Automatic / Settings | Like normal minutes. |
| Yota | Tested. | Depends on the region. | Clarify in the annex |
What if the operator is not on the list?
How to enable calls over Wi-Fi in Xiaomi settings
The process of activating the feature on Xiaomi smartphones is quite simple, but the location of the switch can vary depending on the shell version. MIUI Or HyperOS. In most cases, the settings are in the SIM card menu. To start, open the Settings app and go to the section. SIM-maps and mobile networks.
Select the SIM card you want to activate if you have two. From the menu that opens, find Calls via Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Calling. Put the switch to active position. If that option is missing, your phone may not have received updated carrier profiles yet.
☑️ Pre-insertion check
In some firmware, the path may be different: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Wi-Fi calls. After turning on at the top of the screen, next to the network indicator, a pipe icon with a Wi-Fi symbol or the words VoWiFi may appear. This indicates that the phone is ready to make calls over the Internet.
If you don't find the switch in the specified places, try searching by settings. Type the word "Wi-Fi" or "Calling" into the search bar. The system will tell you where the desired option is hidden. Also make sure you have the latest version of the software installed, since operator support is added regularly.
Hidden settings and engineering menu
Sometimes the standard interface doesn't show the options you want, and then hidden menus come to the rescue. To access the advanced network settings on Xiaomi, you can use the engineering menu codes. Type in the phone book command ##4636#. If the menu opens, select Phone Information.
In this section, you can find additional switches associated with the preferred network type. However, be careful: changing the parameters in the engineering menu without understanding the consequences can lead to unstable communication.
⚠️ Note: Signing into the engineering menu and changing the settings of the radio module is at your own risk. Incorrect settings can temporarily deprive the phone of the ability to catch the network.
A safer way to activate hidden features is to use Google’s Carrier Services app. Make sure it’s updated through the Google Play Store. Sometimes it’s the app that’s responsible for properly displaying the VoWiFi logo and switching modes. You can also try to clear the app’s data through the Apps menu → All Apps → Carrier Services → Memory → Clear.
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If the VoWiFi icon is gone after a system update, try resetting your network settings (Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth), this often returns missing features.
Communication quality problems and their solution
Despite the convenience, users may experience audio quality issues or connection breaks, most often due to the instability of the Wi-Fi channel itself. If the router is overloaded with devices or is far from the smartphone, voice packets can be lost, causing echoes or interruptions, in which case the phone should automatically switch to the mobile network if the Prefer Mobile Network mode is set.
Another reason may be the conflict with VPN-If you're on the service. VPN, It can block the ports that are necessary for the operator to transmit voice traffic. VPN And the antivirus and firewalls on the router sometimes flag VoIP traffic as suspicious.
To diagnose the problem, you can run a test of Internet speed on your device. For stable calls, a speed of at least 1-2 Mbps and low ping is recommended. If the speed is low, try rebooting the router or switching to 5 GHz if your smartphone and router support this standard.
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The quality of calls via Wi-Fi directly depends on the stability of your home Internet and the load of the router channel.
Differences in MIUI and HyperOS Interface
With the release of the new HyperOS shell, some controls were repositioned, while MIUI 14 and earlier often grouped together logically, the new system emphasized minimalism, and the Wi-Fi call switch could move to the Network and Internet section or be curtained by notifications.
Owners of older models like the Redmi Note 9 or Xiaomi Mi 11, which have not yet received an upgrade to HyperOS, should look for settings in the classic SIM card menu.The new flagships of the Xiaomi 14 and 13 Ultra series out of the box have an updated interface where network management has become more flexible.
If you've recently upgraded and can't find the feature, go to a global search for settings. Enter "Wi-Fi calls." The system will open the switch itself, no matter what folder it's now hiding in, and it's the fastest way to navigate the tangled menus of modern smartphones.