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Many travelers still don't know about VoWiFi technology, even though it's been available for a while. In the age of messengers, it might seem like voice calls aren't needed, but in practice, there are times when you need to call a regular phone number—like a bank, an insurance company, or relatives who don't use messengers. This is where VoWiFi becomes an indispensable tool, helping you avoid huge roaming bills. Let's figure out how it works and how to set it up.
What is VoWiFi and Why Is It Useful for Travelers?
VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi) is a technology that lets you make regular voice calls over a WiFi network, bypassing the standard cellular network and its towers. If your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, you can call any number from anywhere in the world (mobile or landline) as if you were back home, paying your regular home rates. No "international roaming," no astronomical bills. The technology isn't new, but for some reason, many tourists are still surprised: "What do you mean, call over Wi-Fi and not pay for roaming?"
Pitfalls: When VoWiFi Can Cost You
You can't just turn on VoWiFi and forget about it. We almost got burned ourselves once in Turkey: we thought we were calling over Wi-Fi, but the phone switched to the cellular network, and we racked up a couple of thousand rubles. Here are the main risks to be aware of:
- ⚠️ Loss of Wi-Fi connection. If the connection drops (you move away from the router, turn off Wi-Fi), the phone automatically switches to cellular, and the call will continue in roaming.
- ⚠️ Calls to local numbers. For example, if you're in Thailand and use VoWiFi to call a local restaurant from your number, this call will be charged as an international call (from Russia to Thailand) because your operator sees you as being "at home."
- ⚠️ Incorrect settings. On some smartphones, VoWiFi won't activate unless you enable VoLTE. Or your operator hasn't activated the service. Not knowing this, you might make calls that end up being charged as roaming.
- ⚠️ Old SIM card. We ran into this situation with Megafon: we had to change the SIM card to get it working. But swapping the SIM, even without changing the number, risks problems with banks, which are currently blocking and freezing funds left and right (some require an in-person visit to the office for verification).
But if you get everything set up in advance and stay attentive, you won't have any issues. VoWiFi is a real lifesaver.
How to Set Up VoWiFi: Step-by-Step Guide
There's no one-size-fits-all recipe, because each operator and manufacturer has its own quirks. But we've developed a general algorithm through trial and error.
💡 Important Things to Check Before Setup
- Check if your smartphone supports VoWiFi. Most devices from the last 3–4 years do. But if your phone is older, you might run into issues.
- Make sure you have an up-to-date SIM card. If your card is over 3–4 years old, you might need to replace it. But remember: swapping the SIM, even without changing the number, might require a visit to your bank for verification. It's better to do this at home before your trip.
- Some operators need you to contact support to activate the feature on their end. We did this with Megafon: asked them to activate VoWiFi via chat in their app, and within an hour, it was working.
🔧 Setting Up on Your Phone
- Go to Settings → Cellular / Mobile Networks → Wi-Fi Calling. Usually, there's just a toggle switch. Sometimes you need to go into a submenu and select the priority (set it to "Wi-Fi Preferred").
- If the option isn't there, enable VoLTE in the same mobile network settings. On one of our Samsung phones, VoWiFi refused to work without VoLTE.
- Connect to any Wi-Fi network (it doesn't matter if it's password-protected or not), the main thing is to have a stable internet connection on your device.
- Testing: turn on "Airplane Mode," then turn Wi-Fi back on (cellular will be off). Try making a call. If the call goes through, you're all set. If not, try calling in normal mode (without Airplane Mode); the VoWiFi indicator should appear on the screen (usually a phone handset with Wi-Fi waves, or just a Wi-Fi icon appears next to the handset).
- If it doesn't work either way, contact your operator.
Important! In some public Wi-Fi networks, the equipment (routers) may be configured in a way that doesn't allow VoWiFi data to pass through. In that case, there's not much you can do if you don't have access to the equipment settings. But you can try connecting to another Wi-Fi network, or even use a hotspot from another phone that has a local SIM card with data.
We always make a test call in airplane mode before a trip to be sure. And by the way, don't forget that even with VoWiFi working, if you leave the Wi-Fi zone during a call, the call might switch to the cellular network. So if you're having a long conversation, it's better to stay near the router.
Summing Up
VoWiFi is a real way to save on communication costs while traveling. Yes, there are nuances, but they can be sorted out in an hour or two at home. Spend that time once, and then on every trip, you'll be able to call home and your bank at your home rates. We've been doing this for years now, and roaming bills no longer scare us.
So don't be lazy—set up VoWiFi before your next vacation. Let your money be better spent on excursions and good food instead of phone bills. Happy travels ✈️
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