Wi-Fi on Xiaomi: what it is and how it works

Xiaomi smartphone owners often notice a new option called “Wi-Fi Calls” in the status bar or mobile network settings, which may raise questions for users accustomed to standard voice communication via a cell tower. VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) technology allows making calls over a wireless Internet connection, bypassing the coverage restrictions of cellular operators.

This is especially true for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, as the MIUI and HyperOS shells have their own networking features. Understanding how this function works will not only improve communication quality, but also save battery power in low signal areas.

In this article, we will explore in detail what lies behind this term, why carriers are implementing this technology and how to properly activate it on your device. You will learn about the nuances of charging and situations where switching to Wi-Fi Calling is the only way to stay connected.

What is VoWiFi Technology and How Does It Work?

The Wi-Fi Calls feature is an implementation of the VoWiFi standard, which transmits voice traffic over the Internet protocol. Unlike popular messengers, where the sound quality depends on the compression algorithms of a particular application, it uses the infrastructure of a cellular operator. Your Xiaomi smartphone at this point works as a mini-station, digitally transmitting voice directly to the provider's servers.

The key advantage is that the process is transparent to the user, so you don't have to open a separate application or alert the person that the call is going through the Internet. On the outside, it's a regular voice call, displayed in the standard caller and call log, and the system makes its own decision about routing the sound based on the current signal level of the cellular network.

⚠️ Attention: Voice quality is directly dependent on the stability and speed of your wireless connection. Public Wi-Fi in shopping malls may cause delays or interruptions.

Technically, the process is as follows: the voice signal is digitized, packaged in IP-It's sent through a router to the network of the operator, and it's converted back into voice and sent to the subscriber, and if the person you're calling is also in Wi-Fi, you can go all the way without the use of traditional cell towers, which reduces the load on the operator's network.

💡

For the best sound quality, make sure your router supports the 5GHz standard and is not too far from your smartphone.

Benefits of using Wi-Fi Calling on Xiaomi smartphones

The main reason for the introduction of this technology is the fight against “dead zones”. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face a situation where excellent catches Wi-Fi indoors, but the cellular network shows 1-2 divisions or disappears altogether. In such cases, Wi-Fi Calling becomes a salvation, allowing you to take important calls without running out on the street or balcony.

Another important aspect is roaming: While abroad, you can connect to a local Wi-Fi network at a hotel or cafe and call Russian numbers at the rates of your home region, as if you were at home, which allows you to save significantly on international communications, avoiding the rates of roaming partners.

• 📶 Improved coverage: the ability to call from basements, bunkers or buildings with thick walls, where the cellular signal simply does not penetrate.
• 💰 Savings in roaming: Incoming and outgoing calls are charged according to your home plan, even if you are in another country.
• 🔋 Energy efficiency: in areas of extremely weak signal, the Xiaomi smartphone stops constantly searching for the network and increasing the transmitter power, which saves battery power.

In addition, the transition between networks is almost imperceptible. If you are out of Wi-Fi coverage during a conversation, a modern smartphone should automatically switch to the cellular network (provided the operator supports eSRVCC technology), without interrupting.

How to enable Wi-Fi calls on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO

Activating the feature on Xiaomi devices doesn’t usually require complex manipulations, but the path to settings may vary slightly depending on the shell version. MIUI The first step is to make sure that your carrier supports this service and it is connected to your service. SIM-card (often a free command is required in the operator's menu).

After confirming support from the provider, proceed to the settings of the smartphone. Open the Settings menu, then select the item SIM-You can select a specific SIM card if you have two, and find the Wi-Fi Calls switch. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be in the Additional settings section inside the SIM card menu.

If you don't find the switch in the specified place, try searching by settings. Type the phrase "Wi-Fi" or "Calls" into the search box, and the system will highlight the desired menu item. On some global versions of firmware for certain regions, this item may be hidden if the operator is not listed on the Xiaomi whitelist.

⚠️ Note: On dual-symbol devices, the function must be activated separately for each SIM-If you plan to use it on both numbers.

After the notification curtain is turned on, a corresponding icon (usually a handset with the symbol Wi-Fi) should appear, indicating that the phone has registered with the operator’s network via the Internet protocol and is ready to make high-quality calls.

Technology comparison: VoLTE, VoWiFi and regular calls

To understand what's going on, it's useful to compare different types of voice communications (2G/3G) They use switching channels that have limited bandwidth and often give a characteristic metallic hue to the voice. LTE) Voice over networks 4G, provide HD-quality and quick dialing.

VoWiFi is a logical extension of VoLTE, but instead of using a radio channel, it uses an Internet connection. Below is a table comparing the key parameters of these technologies for Xiaomi users.

It is important to note that when using VoWiFi, Internet traffic is usually not consumed from your packet tariff, since operators allocate voice traffic to the priority channel. However, this rule applies only when connecting to a home or trusted Wi-Fi. In public places, the operator can take into account traffic, so check the tariff conditions with your provider.

The technology transition happens automatically. If you're talking on Wi-Fi and the signal gets weak, the phone will try to switch to VoLTE. If there's no 4G, then 3G or 2G. The reverse process is also possible, but it requires support from the carrier's base stations.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Despite the convenience, Xiaomi users may encounter a number of problems when using Wi-Fi Calling, the most common of which is the inability to activate the feature, even if the operator claims support. This is often due to the fact that the firmware of the smartphone does not have a profile of a specific operator or the region of the device does not coincide with the region. SIM-map.

Another common problem is an unstable connection: if the router is overloaded or the Internet channel has a high ping (latency), conversations may be interrupted or the voice of the interlocutor will “quake”, in which case the system can forcefully reset a call or switch to the mobile network if the signal allows.

• 🔄 Network Settings Reset: Sometimes it helps to reset network settings to factory values in the Settings menu → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
• 📱 Firmware update: Xiaomi regularly adds support for new operators in updates MIUI, It is important to check the availability of a new version of the software.
• 📞 Check with the operator: make sure that the service is not blocked on the provider side and your tariff plan allows the use of VoWiFi.

Also, it is worth considering that some corporate Wi-Fi networks may block ports necessary for voice traffic. In offices or hotels with authorization via a web page (captive portal), Wi-Fi calls may not work until the device is fully authorized on the network.

Impact on battery and data security

There is a myth that constantly searching for the network and working communication modules through Wi-Fi put the battery down faster. In fact, in conditions of poor cellular coverage, using Wi-Fi Calling saves charge. Xiaomi smartphone does not have to constantly amplify the antenna signal to “reach” to the remote tower, which is the most energy-intensive process.

Voice traffic in VoWiFi technology is encrypted (from the device to the operator’s gateway) using IPSec protocols, which means that even if you are connected to an unsecured network in a cafe, it will be extremely difficult for an attacker to intercept and decrypt your conversation, since the encryption keys are known only to your phone and operator equipment.

⚠️ Note: Despite encryption, avoid making calls over public Wi-Fi networks without any encryption. VPN, Discuss sensitive information because Man-in-the-Middle attacks are possible DNS.

For maximum security, it is recommended to use the “Private DNS” feature in Android settings, which is also available on Xiaomi devices, which will add an additional layer of protection when transmitting requests and help avoid redirecting traffic to fraudulent servers.

💡

Using Wi-Fi Calling is safe and energy efficient, especially in areas with unstable cellular coverage, making it a great alternative to regular calls.

Conclusion and recommendations for use

The Wi-Fi Calls feature on Xiaomi smartphones is a modern communication standard that is gradually replacing outdated technology, providing stable connectivity where regular calls are impossible, and offering sound quality comparable to personal presence.

It is recommended to keep this option on, especially if you are often in buildings with thick walls or regularly travel, this will save you from missed calls and will allow you to always stay in touch.

The technology continues to evolve, and in the future we will see even deeper integration with the smart home and other services of the Xiaomi ecosystem, yet it is one of the most useful but underrated tools in the modern user’s arsenal.