How to Turn off Wi-Fi Calling on An Android Phone

Wi-Fi calling is a feature that allows you to make and receive phone calls over a Wi-Fi connection instead of using your mobile network. This can be a useful feature in areas with weak cellular coverage or when traveling abroad. However, there may be instances where you want to turn off Wi-Fi calling on your Android phone. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why you might need to turn off Wi-Fi calling and provide detailed instructions on how to do it.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Turn off Wi-Fi Calling

While Wi-Fi calling can be beneficial in many situations, there are a few reasons why you might want to turn it off:

1. Battery Life: Using Wi-Fi calling constantly can drain your phone’s battery faster than using cellular calling. If you are not in a situation where you need the Wi-Fi calling feature, turning it off can help conserve battery life.

2. Call Quality: While Wi-Fi calling generally provides good call quality, there may be instances where the Wi-Fi connection is not stable or slow. In such cases, turning off Wi-Fi calling and relying on your cellular network may result in better call quality.

3. Data Usage: Making calls over Wi-Fi may consume data from your internet service provider. If you have a limited data plan or are using a Wi-Fi connection with a data cap, turning off Wi-Fi calling can help prevent unnecessary data usage.

Method 1. How to Turn off Wi-Fi Calling via Phone Settings

To turn off Wi-Fi calling on your Android phone through phone settings, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Scroll down and tap on "Wi-Fi & Network" or a similar option depending on your device.
3. Look for "Wi-Fi Calling" or a similar option and tap on it.
4. Toggle the switch to turn off Wi-Fi calling.
5. Confirm your selection if prompted.

Pros Cons
1. Easy and straightforward process to deactivating Wi-Fi calling. 1. May require navigating through different settings based on the device model.
2. No additional apps or tools required. 2. Settings and options may vary across different Android versions and device manufacturers.
3. Can quickly disable Wi-Fi calling without affecting other phone functionalities.

Method 2. How to Turn off Wi-Fi Calling via Phone Dialer

Alternatively, you can also turn off Wi-Fi calling on your Android phone using the phone dialer. Here’s how:

1. Open the phone dialer on your Android phone.
2. Dial "*#*#869434#*#*" or "*#*#943458#*#*" depending on your device.
3. A hidden menu will appear on your screen.
4. Scroll down and find "Wi-Fi Calling" or a similar option.
5. Tap on it, and select the option to turn off Wi-Fi calling.

Pros Cons
1. Allows you to quickly access the hidden menu for Wi-Fi calling settings. 1. Requires typing specific codes into the phone dialer, which may be unfamiliar to some users.
2. Provides a straightforward method to disable Wi-Fi calling. 2. The hidden menu may not be available on all Android devices or versions.

Method 3. How to Turn off Wi-Fi Calling via Phone App

Some Android phones have their own phone app that allows you to disable Wi-Fi calling. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Phone app on your Android phone.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon usually located on the top-right corner.
3. Look for "Settings" or a similar option and tap on it.
4. Find "Wi-Fi Calling" or a similar option in the settings menu.
5. Toggle the switch to turn off Wi-Fi calling.

Pros Cons
1. Convenient method as it can be done directly from the phone app. 1. Availability of this option depends on the phone app installed on your device.
2. No need to navigate through various settings menus.
3. Can quickly enable or disable Wi-Fi calling with just a few taps.

Method 4. How to Turn off Wi-Fi Calling via Carrier Settings

If Wi-Fi calling is enabled through your carrier, you may need to disable it by accessing your carrier settings. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Scroll down and tap on "Network & Internet" or a similar option.
3. Look for "Mobile Network" or a similar option and tap on it.
4. Find "Advanced" or "Carrier" settings and tap on it.
5. Look for "Wi-Fi Calling" or a similar option and toggle the switch to turn it off.

Pros Cons
1. Specific instructions depending on the carrier are usually provided. 1. May require navigating through different settings based on the carrier.
2. Can be the only method to disable Wi-Fi calling if it is carrier-specific. 2. Settings and options may vary across different carriers.

What to Do If You Can’t Turn off Wi-Fi Calling

If you find that you are unable to turn off Wi-Fi calling using the methods mentioned above, here are a few possible fixes:

1. Restart Your Phone: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve minor software issues. Turn off your phone, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on to see if the Wi-Fi calling option can be deactivated.

2. Update Software: Ensure that your Android phone is running the latest software version. Check for any available system updates in the Settings app, and if there are any, install them. Updating the software can fix bugs and compatibility issues.

3. Contact Your Carrier: If the Wi-Fi calling option remains enabled despite attempting different methods, reaching out to your carrier’s customer support may help. They can provide specific guidance or troubleshooting steps tailored to your device and carrier settings.

Bonus Tips

Here are some bonus tips related to turning off Wi-Fi calling on an Android phone:

1. Check Data Usage: If you are concerned about data consumption, regularly monitor your data usage through the settings on your Android phone. This will help you keep track of any unexpected data usage.

2. Test Call Quality: Whenever you turn off Wi-Fi calling, it’s a good idea to make a test call to ensure that the call quality is satisfactory without using Wi-Fi. This will help you evaluate if the cellular network provides reliable coverage in your area.

3. Consider Call Forwarding: If you need to keep your Wi-Fi calling enabled but want to receive calls through your cellular network, you can set up call forwarding. This way, calls made to your regular phone number will be forwarded to your mobile network.

5 FAQs

Q1: Can I turn off Wi-Fi calling temporarily?

A1: Yes, you can easily enable or disable Wi-Fi calling at any time as per your convenience. Simply follow the instructions for turning off Wi-Fi calling mentioned in this blog post.

Q2: Will turning off Wi-Fi calling affect my regular cell phone calling?

A2: No, turning off Wi-Fi calling will not affect your regular cell phone calling. You will still be able to make and receive calls through your cellular network.

Q3: Can I turn off Wi-Fi calling on any Android phone?

A3: Yes, Wi-Fi calling can be turned off on most Android phones. However, the exact location of the Wi-Fi calling option may vary depending on the phone’s manufacturer and Android version.

Q4: Will turning off Wi-Fi calling impact my ability to send and receive text messages?

A4: No, turning off Wi-Fi calling only affects voice calls. Your ability to send and receive text messages will remain unaffected.

Q5: Should I keep Wi-Fi calling enabled all the time?

A5: Whether you should keep Wi-Fi calling enabled all the time depends on your specific circumstances. If you frequently face weak cellular coverage or travel internationally, Wi-Fi calling can be beneficial. Otherwise, turning it off when not needed can help conserve battery life and prevent unnecessary data usage.

Final Thoughts

Turning off Wi-Fi calling on an Android phone is a straightforward process that can be done through various methods, including phone settings, phone dialer, phone app, or carrier settings. If you encounter any difficulties, you can try restarting your phone, updating the software, or contacting your carrier for assistance. Remember to test call quality after disabling Wi-Fi calling and keep an eye on your data usage. Wi-Fi calling can be a useful feature, but it’s important to evaluate whether it is necessary in your specific circumstances.