Wi-Fi Calling
 

Anyone use "wi-fi calling" feature on an iPhone while in Europe? Not a third party app, like Skype, WhatsApp, etc. But, the built in feature.

Pros, cons? Rates? Advice?

It’s independent of Europe; it’s a function of iOS on your iPhone. If your wi-if signal is strong enough, it will support Wi-Fi calling, and this will be indicated to you with the words “Wi-Fi” next to your normal wifi reception indicator.

There are no additional rates, nothing to do with AT&T. It’s an Apple thing. I’ve had it on forever, use it frequently. Some of the hotel wifi sucks, and the strength of the signal does not support Wi-Fi calling.

When Wi-Fi calling works, it’s great. It allows me to call landlines back in the states like a regular phone. Then the wifi drops, then I start back over.

No reason not to turn that feature of your phone on IMO.

Calling the states, if your phone is established in the states, is free, right?

But, if you are in Europe(for example) and you call a Europe(for example) phone number while using Wi-Fi calling...Are there not int'l call charges involved?

Do you receive SMS(not iMessage) text messages? And, can you send SMS text messages?

Good point. If I’m calling an intl number, the normal charges would apply. I see what you were asking. The Wi-Fi calling only lets me use my phone normally as I would on LTE in the states. If I called Europe from Memphis, I would get charged for it.

But I can be in a hotel overseas and use my phone normally.

BREAK BREAK

I also occasionally use the AT&T Passport portion of my plan. Which allows me to use my phone on LTE/4G overseas for an additional $10/24-hr period. Turn on the cell signal, walk around Milan/Paris etc. I only do that if I’m going exploring and would like to use the maps, call the wife, etc. All data/calls for the Passport are just the normal monthly accumulation for my bill...the only extra charge is the $10 for that 24 hr period.

Wifi calling is basically us cell (most places worldwide) to us free. If you call international (non us) numbers, you wll be charged just like you were in the us making an international call.

WiFi calling is also country specific, that country has to have an agreement with your phone carrier, AT&T.
There are a couple countries where it is not available.
But where allowed, works great for no $$.

And on the passport thing with AT&T, same thing as WiFi calling, has to be available in the country.
Last time I was in Dubai, it was not available.

Been using it in Europe all week, can call any 9 digit phone number (family, FedEx, etc) to the USA. Works great in South America too.

Concur...Dubai is not on the AT&T compatible country list.

And, what about SMS text messages? Are you able to send/receive them while on Wi-Fi calling?

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.