How to turn off VoWiFi on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run MIUI and HyperOS shells, come with many advanced features to improve communication quality. One of them is VoWiFi, which allows voice calls over Wi-Fi wireless networks where cellular signal is absent or too weak. Despite the obvious advantages in areas of poor coverage, this option does not always work correctly or simply does not need a user who prefers standard calls.

Often, device owners are faced with a situation where a phone icon labeled Wi-Fi appears spontaneously in the status bar, and the quality of the conversation decreases, or calls stop coming. In such cases, it becomes necessary to forcibly deactivate this service. The process of disconnecting can vary depending on the firmware version and the carrier, but the basic algorithms remain unchanged for most models.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can manage Voice over Wi-Fi, where to look for hidden switches in the system menu, how to use engineering codes to access advanced settings, and what to do if the operator imposes this service. Understanding the nuances of network protocols will help you avoid communication problems at a critical time.

What is VoWiFi and why turn it off

VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) is a standard for transmitting voice traffic over the Internet protocol using a wireless LAN. Unlike popular messengers, this feature is integrated into the standard smartphone “ringer” and does not require the installation of additional applications. For a subscriber, the process looks transparent: he dials the number as usual, but the signal is transmitted through a router rather than the carrier’s base station.

Despite the convenience, there are good reasons to opt out of this option: First, not all carriers maintain stable technology, which leads to connection breaks when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile network. Second, on some data plans, minutes spent over Wi-Fi may be charged separately or not included in the package if a special option is not connected.

⚠️ Note: If you are abroad, VoWiFi enabled can lead to unexpected costs.Some operators consider Wi-Fi calls as coming/out of a home network, but others may interpret this as data roaming. Always check with your provider before traveling.

Another problem is the intrusiveness of the function: Redmi and Poco smartphones often automatically activate this mode when connecting to known networks, even if the user did not want to. This can create a false impression of having a connection when in fact the Internet channel is overloaded and the call will not take place.

Disable VoWiFi via the standard settings menu

The easiest and safest way to deactivate voice over Wi-Fi is to use the operating system’s standard interface. In current versions of Xiaomi shells, developers have put this switch prominently so that users can control it without unnecessary difficulties.

First, you need to go to the main settings menu of your device, find the section that connects to cellular networks «SIM-Maps and mobile networks" or simply "Mobile Networks" -- you'll need to select a specific menu within this menu. SIM-card, if the smartphone has two of them, as the settings are applied individually for each slot.

Next, you'll find a item called "Wi-Fi Calls" or "Wi-Fi Calls." Next to it, you'll have a switchboard. Put it inactive. If you're using the older version of MIUI, the path might look different: Settings → Additional → Wi-Fi Calls. Once you turn off the status bar icon, it'll disappear and the phone will switch to using the standard cellular network for voice.

Importantly, after making the changes, it is recommended to restart the device, which is necessary to ensure that the network module is fully re-registered in the operator’s network with updated parameters. Without rebooting, the phone may try to use cached Wi-Fi availability data for calls for a while.

Use of the Engineering Menu for Advanced Users

If the standard switch is missing or not working correctly, you can use the hidden engineering menu, which provides access to deep settings of the modem and radio module. Be careful: changing unknown parameters in this menu can lead to unstable communication, so follow the instructions carefully.

To enter the engineering menu, open the Phone app and type a special code. For most Xiaomi devices with MediaTek and Qualcomm processors, the combination ##4636## is suitable. After entering the last digit, the menu should open automatically. If the code did not work, your firmware may have blocked access to this partition and additional utilities will be required.

In the list that opens, select Phone Information. Scroll down to "Install preferred network type." You can see your current mode of operation. While there may not be a direct VoWiFi switch, resetting your network settings or selecting "LTE Only" mode (test only) can temporarily disable all additional services, including Wi-Fi Calling.

⚠️ Attention: Regime «LTE Only" or «5G Only" in the engineering menu disables the ability to receive normal incoming calls if the operator does not support VoLTE technology. Use this mode only for testing and do not leave it on permanently, otherwise you will be left without communication.

You can also find the "IMS Status" or "VoWiFi Switch" section in the engineering menu, and if there are, you can force them to Disable, which is more reliable than switching in settings, because it prevents the function from running at the modem software level.

Settings through the application of the operator

Often, the feature is disabled on the smartphone itself, but continues to be activated by the carrier. Large providers can remotely turn on the VoWiFi service on the network side, and the phone, seeing the availability of the network, automatically picks up, in which case you need to manage the service through the tools of the operator.

Most operators (the Big Four and virtual operators) provide the ability to manage services through personal accounts in mobile applications or on sites. You need to log in to your personal account, find the “Services” or “Contact Settings” section, and disable the “Wi-Fi Calls” option, which will prevent networks from transmitting voice traffic over the Internet even if the phone tries to do so.

The alternative method is the use of USSD-Each operator has its own set of codes for managing services, for example, you can use commands like *111*service# to turn off. The exact combination of characters is best checked on your operator’s official website or with support, as the codes change frequently and depend on the region.

If none of these methods work and the icon keeps popping up, your default plan may turn on the feature without the option to shut down, in which case the only solution is to change the tariff or contact support to request that the service be disabled at the subscriber profile level.

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Before you call in support of the operator, take a screenshot of the phone settings, where you can see that the function is turned off, and this proof will help solve the problem faster if the operator claims that the problem is on your side.

Comparison of disconnection methods and their effectiveness

The choice of deactivation method depends on your specific situation: phone model, firmware version and operator policy. Below is a table that will help you compare the effectiveness of different methods and understand which one is right for you at the moment.

As you can see from the table, the standard settings menu is the safest and most efficient way for the average user. The engineering menu gives full control, but requires caution. Using the operator's personal account is only effective if the problem lies on the provider's side, not in the smartphone settings.

It’s also worth mentioning the network reset method. It’s along the Settings path → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This step brings all network settings back to factory values, which often helps if a software failure has accumulated in the system that interferes with the correct management of VoWiFi.

Possible problems after disconnection and their solution

Once you turn off the feature, there may be unforeseen situations, such as in areas where cellular communication is completely absent (basements, remote suburban areas), the phone will stop receiving calls at all, since the mechanism of switching to Wi-Fi will be blocked, which is a normal behavior that should be remembered when in such places.

Another common problem is that the HD or 4G/5G icon disappears after manipulating the engineering menu, which suggests that you accidentally disabled not only VoWiFi, but also VoLTE. To return to the original state, you need to re-enter mobile network settings and enable LTE Calls, or perform a full network reset, as described above.

⚠️ Note: If after the shutdown of VoWiFi lost the Internet SIM-map, check the settings of the access point (APN). Sometimes resetting or changing network priorities can knock down mobile internet settings. Restore them by selecting the "Restore by Default" option in the access point settings.

In rare cases, Xiaomi smartphones have a bug where the VoWiFi icon disappears from the menu, but the function continues to work. You can check this by turning on flight mode and leaving only Wi-Fi. If the call passes, the function is active. In this case, only a complete flashing of the device or contacting the service center for resetting partition will help.`modem.

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Disabling VoWiFi solves communication quality problems in areas of poor Wi-Fi signal, but deprives you of the ability to call where there is no cellular network coverage, but there is Internet.