Wi-Fi calling technology (VoWiFi) allows you to make calls over the Internet even when you donβt have a mobile network. This is especially true in areas with poor 4G/5G coverage β for example, in basements, in remote areas or outside the city. Xiaomi smartphones support this feature, but its activation is not always obvious: in some firmware, the option is hidden in deep settings, and in others requires manual APN configuration.
In this article, weβll look at all the ways you can turn on VoWiFi on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from official methods to workarounds for unsupported carriers. Youβll also learn how to check the functionality, which models are guaranteed to be compatible with the technology, and what to do if Wi-Fi calls donβt work. Importantly, at some mobile carrier rates, VoWiFi may be charged as an outgoing call at a tariff, not as Internet traffic β check with your provider.
What is VoWiFi and why is it needed in Xiaomi?
VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) is a communication standard that allows voice calls to be made over a wireless network instead of traditional mobile networks (GSM/4G). Technology uses the protocol IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem, which is integrated into modern network operators.
Main advantages:
- πΆ Stable connection in areas with weak mobile network signal (for example, in subways, basements or remote areas).
- π° Traffic savings β calls do not consume mobile Internet (unless the operator charges them separately).
- π Smooth transition between Wi-Fi and mobile network during conversation (if the network supports eSRVCC).
- π International calls at home rates (if the operator supports VoWiFi roaming).
On Xiaomi smartphones, the feature is available starting with the firmware MIUI 11 and above, but its availability depends on:
- π± Device models (list of supported - in the next section).
- π‘ Telecom operator (not all providers support VoWiFi in Russia and CIS).
- π§ Versions of firmware (on custom firmware may not work).
β οΈ Note: If your carrier does not support VoWiFi, turning the feature on in the settings will not work - calls will pass through the mobile network.
List of Xiaomi models with VoWiFi support
Not all Xiaomi smartphones support Wi-Fi calls. Below is a table with current models (2026), which are guaranteed to be compatible with the technology provided the updated firmware.
| Series | Supported models | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/14 | 13, 13 Pro, 13 Ultra, 13 Lite, 14, 14 Pro, 14 Ultra | Support for VoWiFi and VoLTE out of the box |
| Redmi Note 12 | Note 12 Pro+, Note 12 Pro, Note 12, Note 12S | Requires an upgrade to MIUI 14+ |
| POCO F5/F4 | F5, F5 Pro, F4 GT, F4 | POCO X5 Pro may not work without manually configuring APN |
| Xiaomi 12 | 12, 12 Pro, 12X, 12 Lite | 12 Lite may have problems with some operators |
| Redmi 10/11 | Redmi 11 Prime, Redmi Note 11 Pro+, Redmi 10 (2022) | Support depends on regional firmware |
If your model isnβt on the list, it doesnβt mean VoWiFi isnβt working, for example, some Redmi 9 or POCO M4 Pro devices may support the function after manually enabled via the engineering menu (see the alternatives section for more on this).
The official way to enable VoWiFi on Xiaomi
If your smartphone and carrier support the technology, you can activate Wi-Fi calls through standard settings. MIUI 12β14:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to the SIM cards and mobile networks section.
- Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
- Slip on the call point over Wi-Fi (or VoWiFi).
- Activate the switch in the "On" position.
- Confirm the activation if a reboot request appears.
Once activated, the status bar (top right corner of the screen) should show an icon called "VoWiFi" or "Wi-Fi Calling." If it's not, check your Internet connection or restart your device.
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network|Make sure that SIM-card activated|Update the firmware to the latest version|Check your carrierβs VoWiFi support-->
β οΈ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware may not have Wi-Fi call option, even if the device supports the technology. In this case, try alternative methods in the next section.
Alternative ways to enable VoWiFi
If you don't have VoWiFi in your settings, try one of these methods. They're suitable for devices where the feature is hidden or disabled by default.
Method 1: Engineering menu (for advanced users)
This method requires caution β wrong actions can disrupt the network.
- Open the phone app and dial the combination: ##4636###
- In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
- Scroll down to the Wi-Fi Calling section.
- In the drop-down menu, select Enable (or Included).
- Save the changes and restart the smartphone.
Method 2: Manually add APN for VoWiFi
Some operators (such as MegaFon or Beeline) require special APN settings to work with VoWiFi.
- Go to Settings β SIM cards and mobile networks β [Your SIM] β Access Points (APN).
- Click Add and enter your operator's settings, for example, for MTS:
- Save the settings and restart the device.
APN settings for other operators
Method 3: Update the firmware through Fastboot
If your device is old (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro), but theoretically supports VoWiFi, try upgrading to the latest version of the firmware via the Mi Flash Tool.
π‘
Before changing your APN settings or firmware, back up your data via Settings β About Phone β Backup. This will help you recover contacts and messages when you crash.
Xiaomi VoWiFi Problems and Their Solutions
Even after turning on VoWiFi, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| VoWiFi icon doesn't appear | The operator does not support the technology | Check the list of supported operators or contact support |
| Calls are disrupted when switching from Wi-Fi to mobile network | No support for eSRVCC | Turn off VoWiFi or only use in areas with stable Wi-Fi |
| It is impossible to enable the option in the settings | Outdated firmware or regional restrictions | Update MIUI or install global firmware |
| The interviewee can't hear the voice. | Problems with HD Voice codec | Turn off VoLTE in the settings SIM-map |
If none of the methods worked, try resetting your network settings:
- Go to Settings β SIM cards and mobile networks β Reset network settings.
- Confirm the reset and restart the device.
- Turn on VoWiFi again.
π‘
If VoWiFi is not working after all the manipulations, most likely the problem is on the operator's side.
How to check if VoWiFi is working on your Xiaomi
To make sure that calls actually go through Wi-Fi, follow the following steps:
- Connect to the Wi-Fi network and turn off mobile data.
- Call another number (for example, the city phone).
- During the call, pay attention to:
You can also use network diagnostic applications like NetMonster or Network Cell Info Lite, which show which channel (Wi-Fi or LTE) voice traffic is going through.
VoWiFi vs VoLTE: Whatβs the difference and whatβs better
Many people confuse VoWiFi and VoLTE, but these are two different technologies:
- πΆ VoLTE (Voice over LTE) β call-in 4G-network operator, requires network support and special tariff.
- πΆ VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) β Internet calls (Wi-Fi or mobile data) works even without coverage. 4G.
The main differences:
| Criteria | VoLTE | VoWiFi |
|---|---|---|
| Requires 4G coverage | Yes. | No (works over Wi-Fi) |
| Quality of communication in the subway / basement | Bad. | Good (if there's Wi-Fi) |
| Battery consumption | Medium. | Low (when using Wi-Fi) |
| Support for operators in Russia | Widely (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon) | Limited (depending on the tariff) |
The ideal is when both technologies are on at the same time, in which case the smartphone automatically selects the best communication channel. β SIM cards. β Challenge Wi-Fi/VoLTE.