Unable To Activate WIFI Calling at this time: Wi-Fi Calling Not Working on Android?

Wi-Fi Calling (aka Voice over Wi-Fi or VoWiFi) is a built-in feature on most of our current smartphones. Wi-Fi Calling lets you make and receive voice calls, texts and video calls over a Wi-Fi network instead of using a cellular network.

Try using Wi-Fi Calling if your cellular network service is weak or unavailable and Wi-Fi is available.

Does Wi-Fi Calling use the data on my plan?

No. Calls and texts made over Wi-Fi to numbers in the US don’t use our cellular network and don’t count against your mobile plan’s data allowance. However, the Wi-Fi network you’re connecting to may charge an access fee.

How much data will a Wi-Fi call use?

Voice calling uses about 1-5 MB of data. A 1-minute video call typically uses from 6-30 MB of data depending on video resolution. The actual data usage of your voice or video call varies.

Is Wi-Fi Calling available on my smartphone?

Most of our current smartphones have a built-in Wi-Fi Calling feature. To check if your smartphone has the feature either:

Go to your smartphone’s settings and search for the Wi-Fi Calling feature.

Visit the how-to simulator for your smartphone to find compatibility.

What do I need to be able to activate Wi-Fi Calling on my phone?

To activate Wi-Fi Calling:

First, your smartphone must be:

1) Android – Either connected to the Verizon network or able to access the Internet through a Wi-Fi connection.

2) iPhone – Connected to the Verizon network.

3) Your smartphone must have HD Voice activated (most older Android™ devices list HD Voice under the Advanced Calling setting).

4) HD Voice is activated by default for our current smartphones. If you have an older smartphone you may need to activate HD Voice manually.

5) Your smartphone must be able to access the Internet through a Wi-Fi connection.

6) You must accept the Wi-Fi Calling Terms & Conditions when they are displayed.

7) You must confirm, update, or enter the US address when it displays (this is where you want emergency personnel to go if you call 911).

8) iOS smartphones must be connected to the Verizon network in the US and can’t turn on Wi-Fi Calling outside of the US.

Can I use Wi-Fi Calling to make international calls?

Yes you can. When an international call is placed over Wi-Fi Calling:

• A voice prompt interrupts the call to remind you that international charges may apply.
• The calling button includes a Wi-Fi icon to indicate that the call will go over Wi-Fi.

You can choose to complete the call or hang up to avoid potential charges.

Note:

• iOS devices: To turn on Wi-Fi Calling your smartphone must be connected to the Verizon network in the US. Wi-Fi Calling can’t be activated after you leave the country.
• You can change the preferred network to Wi-Fi when traveling internationally:
  • Android – Choose preferred voice networks (for some Android devices this is referred to as “Roaming network preference” or “When roaming.” The choices are generally “Cellular preferred” and “Wi-Fi preferred”.)
  • iPhone® – Choose preferred voice networks

“Unable to activate Wi-Fi Calling at this time. Please try again later.”

No matter what I try, I’m unable to activate Wi-Fi calling on my Samsung Galaxy S8.  I’m going to setting -> Connections -> Advanced Calling -> Activate WiFi Calling. This is frustrating because I live in an area with poor cell service.

Here’s what I’ve done so far to trouble shoot:

• Restart the phone
• Clear the phone cache
• Enable all Verizon default apps
• Confirmed HD Voice and Video calling is ON.

After all of these, I still just get a message, “Unable to activate Wi-Fi Calling at this time. Please try again later,” when trying to activate. Please help.

ANSWER:

Before you try out the recommendations below, be sure to check if your device’s software and related apps are updated to the latest version. To update your mobile device’s software, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Software update.

Step 2. Tap on Download and install.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

How to activate the Wi-Fi Calling feature

When you turn on Wi-Fi Calling, you can make calls over your phone’s Wi-Fi network connection. For this feature to work, your phone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network and have an active SIM card inserted.

Note: 

• This feature may not be available depending on the Network Provider.
• This feature is available on selected Mobile Model. Please Refer to your Mobile manual for availability. (To get manual, go to Manual page and search your mobile model)

Step 1. Open the Phone app, and then tap on the More options (the three vertical dots) icon.

Step 2. Select the Settings menu.

Step 3. Find and tap the switch to turn the Wi-Fi Calling feature on.

Alternately, you can also enable Wi-Fi Calling from the Quick settings panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen, and then tap the Wi-Fi Calling icon to turn it on.

Turn on Wi-Fi Calling