Sorry, missed that in your other post. As far as I understand it, the SMS messaging has nothing to do with the Wi-Fi calling feature. Totally separate. I’ve never had a problem SMS messaging on most hotel WiFi’s...but sometimes the wifi signal simply doesn’t trigger the “W-Fi” indicator in the upper left of the phone’s home screen...either because the wi-if just sucks, or because the country I’m in may not have a drug deal with AT&T.

I just leave the Wi-Fi calling ON in the Settings for the phone...and take what I can get when I’m on the road. But that Wi-Fi setting doesn’t change anything with my phone bill...it just occasionally allows me to use the phone normally (as if I was in CONUS with a cell signal) when I’m cooped up on hotel wi-fi somewhere. Might be worth noting that when I’m in CONUS with ****ty cell signal, this wifi calling feature has allowed my phone to still make normal calls. So it’s not just limited to overseas.

Also when I’m out of the country, I leave phone in airplane mode and then use WiFi calling so I don’t screw it up.

So when the phone is still in airplane mode, you can still use wi-fi calling?

I am just trying to make sure I don't screw this up and get a huge phone bill.

Yep...it’s all based on WiFi. I also mostly leave my phone in airplane mode overseas, and use WiFi calling when the WiFi gods decide my phone will show the “WiFi” on the home screen.

I’m not into marketing, but as Sprint user I get free data roaming almost everywhere in the world. I believe T-Mobile does as well. It’s advertised as up to 3G but is usually better. In fact, it is often better than hotel WiFi in places like Germany. If your cellular provider still charges extra for international data plans, it might be worth sniffing around for another provider. I basically have the same cellular service i have at home anywhere in the world for no extra cost.

And if you cycle your Sprint phone off and on after landing it will ask you if you want hi speed data for $5 a day.

Yes, if your phone and provider support wifi calling, you can text for free. It will show up as your actual phone number when you send messages.

Thanks. I didn’t know that. The free data seems sufficient for most things but it’s always good to have a backup.

For ATT, make sure WiFi Assist is OFF. It switches to cellular if the WiFi signal drops off. Had a large charge in Taipei calling home when the WiFi signal dropped off in the hotel.


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Not if phone is in airplane mode. I’ve had dropped calls, but never the phone to spontaneously come out of airplane mode.