Last updated by Christian Robinette
If you've got an eligible device, then you may be able to take advantage of Wi-Fi calling. Here we'll answer some common questions.
1. What is it?
Wi-Fi calling allows you to make and receive calls using a Wi-Fi network. This comes in handy when you're in places where you don't normally get service but do have access to a Wi-Fi network. Plus, unlike other VOIP (voice over IP) calling services, it uses your existing phone number.
2. Am I billed for Wi-Fi calling?
Yes. Wi-Fi calls and texts are billed at the same rate as regular calling and text messaging.
3. How do I know if I have it?
Your device will have the setting or app on it if your phone supports it:
GSM
- iOS - iPhone 5c and higher running iOS 10 and up.
- Android - Check your Mobile Networks settings for a Wi-Fi calling setting.
- Windows - Check for Wi-Fi Calling in the list of apps.
- BlackBerry - Currently Wi-Fi calling is only supported for the BlackBerry Q10 and Z10.
CDMA
- iOS - iPhone 5c and higher
- Android - Only some devices offer it. Check your device settings on your Ting account for the option.
4. How do I enable Wi-Fi calling?
Log into your Ting account online and go to Device settings. Find the device you want to enable Wi-Fi calling for and click the edit icon in the Minutes section.
NOTE: The Can use Wi-Fi calling setting appears in the control panel and can be set to Enabled for all GSM devices including ones for which Wi-Fi calling is not actually supported. Refer to FAQ #3 and your device to know if your device can make Wi-Fi calls. For CDMA subscriptions the Wi-Fi calling option will only be available for supported devices.
5. How do I set it up?
All you have to do is enable it on your phone and set your preferences. Once enabled, whenever you have access to a Wi-Fi network, your phone can switch to Wi-Fi calling depending on your preferences.
Click the links below to see where the Wi-Fi calling settings are for your device:
6. How do I use it?
Once you've got Wi-Fi calling enabled and preferences simply enable it and set your preferences for how you'd like your phone to treat Wi-Fi calling.
7. Do the people I'm calling need to have Wi-Fi calling too?
Not at all. Neither people calling you nor the people you call need to have Wi-Fi calling in order for you to use it.
8. Can I use it when I'm traveling?
Yes, you may use Wi-Fi calling while traveling. International calling must be enabled in Device Settings for the phone you plan to use. International roaming rates apply.
9. How do I set up my E911 address?
At this time Android devices can only use the Service Address we have on file. In the future, we plan to have a way for you to update this information in your account.
For iOS 10 compatible devices you will be forced to manually enter an E911 address when you enable Wi-Fi calling on your Ting iOS device.
10. Is my phone VoLTE compatible?
Select GSM devices are compatible with VoLTE technology on Ting. If your phone has 700Mhz and LTE band 12 frequencies, it is eligible to use VoLTE. What are frequencies?
iPhone 6 and up on our CDMA network have the ability to use this as well.
Isabel,
Number 3 needs updating. The option has been in Device Settings on the dashboard for quite some time.
When will wifi calling be supported on iOS devices? Thx.
Is there any way to know if a device supports WiFi calling before buying it? Is there a list of device models that have it built-in?
Here's a list http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/wi-fi-calling.html
I would like to know when ting will support wifi calling on the IOS devices. T-mobile supports wifi calling now so we should be able to use our iphone 6 to do wifi calling. Now with IOS 8.3 wifi calling is full supported.
If T-Mobile supports it, it should work. Have you tried enabling it in your dashboard device settings? Sometimes it takes several minutes for the change to propagate on the network.
I have an iPhone 6 plus. I used wifi calling when I was with T-Mobile. My device settings on ting.com has wifi calling enabled. But, I don't see an option on the phone to turn wifi calling on. It was there for me to turn on or off when I was on T-Mobile. I think Ting needs to do something on their side to enable wifi calling on the GSM devices.
Thanks V Rao Vasireddy. I think this is something that has to be enable by the carrier. I also have it enable on the device settings webpage on ting but it does not show up on my phones. I have two Iphone 6 on ting and the option is not there. Since ting uses t-mobile for their GSM service they should enable that option.
Why does T-mobile say the Galaxy S5 supports WiFi calling but my Ting dashboard shows the option as DISABLED?
The option is disabled by default for all devices. Enable it and wait about 15 minutes for the changes to propagate across the network.
Enable it on the device I presume?
Sorry I was not clear. Ting allows users to manage their accounts & device settings through a web portal.
Go to https://ting.com/account/devices and select your device.
You can clock Edit and change settings. I cannot give you more exact instructions right now because their portal appears to be broken.
It wakes a while for changes to get distributed across the GSM network.
Thansk Bruce, not a newbie here. I wasn't sure which side to enable first (portal or device) and then wait. I get it now.
I would like to bring my own unlocked Nexus 6 to Ting using T-mobile network. This phone is never used with T-mobile. My question is whether it can be used for wifi calling? This is important to me because there is no T-mobile signal in my house.
The rumor is that , Wi-Fi calling is not yet ready for the Nexus 6.
See http://www.vcpost.com/articles/67225/20150515/nexus-6-wifi-calling-update-here-s-what-will-missing-t-mobile.htm
Just to confirm what Bruce said (thanks, Bruce!), Wi-Fi calling is not currently supported for the Nexus 6.
WiFi calling is now supported on the Nexus 6 if you have received the 5.1.1 update. Build number is LYZ28E
Does anyone know if the Samsung Galaxy S4 will ever allow Wi-fi calling? It seems not to be on the list even though the 3 and 5 are...
It should work, according to this link. https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-5864
Wifi Calling as part of your cell account should be free unlimited as it dosen't use the network. It would be revolutionary and it would be a major selling point for ting.
dave,
Ting is all about transparency, with no hidden fees. Carriers offering "free" Wi-Fi calling or mobile minutes (or "unlimited" data), just hide those charges in their higher fees for everyone.
Wi-Fi calls still need to traverse the partner's (T-Mobile's) network, so Ting is charged for those calls.Ting, in turn, counts those minutes against the rate buckets.
Even with paying for Wi-Fi calls, the vast majority of users save money with Ting.
Those who cannot save money with Ting are not part of Ting's target market.
Bruce, if those calls are using the user's wifi how is this going or traverse to tmobiles network as you say. Its a voip system. This should be no different than google hangouts calls. You can have cellular off and wifi calling still working.
I have an unlocked iphone 6 on ting no wifi calling. Works on tmo but not on ting. If you get it to work on your let us know.
So is Ting blocking Google Voice and Hangouts? Because I can't seem to get those services working.
I don't need/want a "real" phone. My calls are über minimal and just about always when I'm in good Wifi.
I hate that I spent $270 on a phone that won't do this (which I couldn't have known until the phone was paid for, shipped, and arrived).
Hangouts Dialer works fine for me on my GS5
Lori,
Those services are not blocked. This thread relates to the native Wi-Fi calling, like that provided by T-Mobile.
Hangouts just uses data and Google Voice. It should work fine.
Bruce,
I have Google Voice on my iPhone (through Verizon, contract ending) and it all works just fine.
I installed Google Voice (and hangouts and dialer) on my OnePlus One and it still uses my Ting minutes/messages instead of WiFi.
Why-oh-WHY would I go through the trouble to have three extra apps if it's going to use my minutes/messages anyway and ignore the WiFi?
I went through the help screens. I don't have the option that the screens say I should.
I'm beyond frustrated and have been trying to get this working for days. Now, I'm up against a trip out of town on the very last day of my Verizon contract and I've had to tell family and friends that they probably won't be able to reach me by phone/text.
So clearly, I don't have the "native WiFi calling" you describe, but I do want to be able to use "WiFi calling" on a GSM phone and that's what lead me to this thread.
Lori - I use Hangouts to make calls over WiFi and I am not charged Ting minutes/data, so it does work and it is not blocked. I mostly use it to make calls. To receive calls through Hangouts, you need to turn on the option in Hangouts to ring Hangouts when receiving an incoming call made to your Google voice number. If you have Google voice calls you Ting number and you answer it, then you will be charged Ting minutes.
The Hangouts dialer uses the Internet + Google Voice to connect your call.
Ting GSM Wi-Fi calling uses the Internet + partner (T-Mobile) network to connect the call. T-Mobile charges Ting, so Ting charges us as users.
T-Mobile hides their "free" Wi-Fi calling expenses by charging higher rates. Ting aims to be as transparent as possible on charges.
I think Lori needs to call or chat with Ting support for further assistance. As a user, I do not have the information to help.
If Ting GSM Wi-Fi calling get charged as regular minutes, why not just use your own minutes?