This is probably a dumb question. T-mobile offers free international wifi calling and also free international data. Maybe the data is too slow in many countries. Is there an app or a way to run the phone's wifi and then use the wifi calling feature? If one has wifi then no point but if one doesn't it would be cool to do.
The cellular voice part of the phone needs network support for the wifi to work seamlessly. However there are many apps like google chat that allow phone calls over wifi. These app services are separate from your cellular and have a different phone number involved. International calling may require you subscribe to the service too.
JeffMD said:
The cellular voice part of the phone needs network support for the wifi to work seamlessly. However there are many apps like google chat that allow phone calls over wifi. These app services are separate from your cellular and have a different phone number involved. International calling may require you subscribe to the service too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile says the wifi calling will work free automatically, well at least that's what I read. I suppose I would need to call them and ask to make sure since it was a 3rd party article reporting on their wifi calling and now good it was. Probably no way to turn on wifi hotspot while at the same time use the wifi calling from the wifi hotspot.
Related
Hello friends,
So I bought an Optimus L90 so that I could talk to my mother who had to go abroad using the Wifi calling feature. This should be simple but it's turned into a nightmare.
I do not have access to the device which of course makes it million times harder so someone else has to do everything for me. This is gonna be painfully slow! Is there an app that could let me control the phone like remote desktop sharing only, the other way around (use PC to access a cellphone?)
So what's the problem you ask? Let me explain.
When we turn on the WiFi calling and try to make a call. The device starts using a local network which basically tells us (in the local language) that you have to use the right area code and what not. Now this doesn't make sense. Why the hell is it hoping on to a local network? If we use a local network, it's gonna cost me an arm and a leg!
So then I asked my brother to use the third option which is:
"Never use Cellular Network:All calls are made over a Wi-Fi network. If there are no available Wi-Fi networks, phone calls will not connect."
In theory this should work by all means BUT, then the phone says "To make calls you have to turn off the airplane mode". The problem here is that the freggin airplane mode is NOT on. So I asked my brother to turn it on and then turn it off to MAKE SURE that it is off. Try the whole thing again and it keeps giving the same error.
So to sum it up.
When using the Wifi Calling Preferred option. It hops on to a local network.
When using the Never use Cellular Network option, it tells us to turn off the airplane mode even though it is not ON to begin with.
What am I missing guys? What the heck am I supposed to do?
I called the T-Mobile technical support department but naturally, there are bunch of idiots who can't even begin to understand a simple problem.
You guys are my last option here. Please, someone help!
My apologies for not having seen this post sooner; otherwise I would have answered it immediately. Wi-Fi calling requires a service provider as it would still use the plan's minutes. The only difference is the signal strength. Instead of relying on the strength of the cellular tower for making the call, it uses the Wi-Fi's router strength to determine how strong a connection it will have.
The only way to make a Wi-Fi call without the use of a mobile service provider would be by using an app such as Skype or Google Voice which still cost pre-paid minutes through those services.
You could browse the app market to see if any offer free VoIP service, but it's unlikely there are any that are free, or will not require mobile service.
As the message is being received in another language, I assume there's a different SIM card in the phone. While abroad with my T-mobile card, all the messages I receive are in English. Wi-Fi calling runs through T-mobile, and I suspect it's not working because of that.
As for the other options, Xanscorp is correct. Your best bet is Skype or Google Voice/Hangouts dialer. I believe calls to the US made through Google are free, however, but it will cost a few cents per minute (varies on the country) to dial anywhere else.
I was wondering how wifi calling is going to work with the Nexus 6. Tmobile said that wifi calling is coming to the Nexus 6 early 2015 via an OTA update. Will the Nexus 6 from the play store also be able to receive this update and be able to use wifi calling?
raazman said:
I was wondering how wifi calling is going to work with the Nexus 6. Tmobile said that wifi calling is coming to the Nexus 6 early 2015 via an OTA update. Will the Nexus 6 from the play store also be able to receive this update and be able to use wifi calling?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since all the US carriers will have the same SKU, it's literally the exact same phone for all carriers. So there's no way they can tell where you purchased it, all the OTAs will be handled by Google.
What's likely happening is that Google is still finishing up the code for a generic wifi calling API (a lot of code is likely shared with VoLTE if I had to take a guess). When it detects a T-mobile SIM it will setup T-mobile's variant of wifi calling. Same for Sprint and any other carrier that rolls out wifi calling. So even if you aren't using T-mobile you'll get support for their wifi calling when that OTA is released. It just won't be activated unless you have a T-mobile SIM inserted.
It's going to be a similar case to support VoLTE on different carriers, since as of right now each implementation is incompatible with the others. It would be smart for Google to make a generic API for this so it's quicker/easier to add support for new carriers.
Ingenium13 said:
Since all the US carriers will have the same SKU, it's literally the exact same phone for all carriers. So there's no way they can tell where you purchased it, all the OTAs will be handled by Google.
What's likely happening is that Google is still finishing up the code for a generic wifi calling API (a lot of code is likely shared with VoLTE if I had to take a guess). When it detects a T-mobile SIM it will setup T-mobile's variant of wifi calling. Same for Sprint and any other carrier that rolls out wifi calling. So even if you aren't using T-mobile you'll get support for their wifi calling when that OTA is released. It just won't be activated unless you have a T-mobile SIM inserted.
It's going to be a similar case to support VoLTE on different carriers, since as of right now each implementation is incompatible with the others. It would be smart for Google to make a generic API for this so it's quicker/easier to add support for new carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, that sounds pretty simple. Thanks!
On a separate note, I wonder if once it is enabled, if someone would be able to modify the N6 so it can bypass the WiFi calls going against your minutes, like how you can get around WiFi Hotspot checker on the N5 by editing the Database file. It probably isn't even possible on WiFi calls, but we do have some pretty smart people around these forums, so I'll stay hopeful for a bit. I have the $30 "unlimited data" plan with 100 minutes. Would be nice if I could bypass that 100 minutes by using WiFi calling somehow.
charesa39 said:
On a separate note, I wonder if once it is enabled, if someone would be able to modify the N6 so it can bypass the WiFi calls going against your minutes, like how you can get around WiFi Hotspot checker on the N5. It probably isn't even possible on WiFi calls, but we do have some pretty smart people around these forums, so I'll stay hopeful for a bit. I have the $30 "unlimited data" plan with 100 minutes. Would be nice if I could bypass that 100 minutes by using WiFi calling somehow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on sprint and will get my N6 when it come out. I'm hoping they do the same for sprint as well for WiFi calling support. I know that on sprint they don't count against ur minutes or text... And sprint has unlimited LTE ...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
charesa39 said:
On a separate note, I wonder if once it is enabled, if someone would be able to modify the N6 so it can bypass the WiFi calls going against your minutes, like how you can get around WiFi Hotspot checker on the N5 by editing the Database file. It probably isn't even possible on WiFi calls, but we do have some pretty smart people around these forums, so I'll stay hopeful for a bit. I have the $30 "unlimited data" plan with 100 minutes. Would be nice if I could bypass that 100 minutes by using WiFi calling somehow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you use hangouts to call?
raazman said:
Why don't you use hangouts to call?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently do on my N5. However, the quality is usually dependent on who I'm calling and where they are. It's rarely a problem on my end since I have really fast data connections at home and virtually anywhere I go. For example, my parents' WiFi router is in a bedroom at the opposite end of the house from where the living room is. So when I call them, even though I have a strong WiFi signal, their's isn't very good, so the call quality diminishes a bit. It would be great if I could use my WiFi signal and call their actual cell phone number (or house phone) so their is no drop in quality, without eating into my minutes.
Sprint has WiFi calling on some models already also so it's probably close to the same for all
charesa39 said:
I currently do on my N5. However, the quality is usually dependent on who I'm calling and where they are. It's rarely a problem on my end since I have really fast data connections at home and virtually anywhere I go. For example, my parents' WiFi router is in a bedroom at the opposite end of the house from where the living room is. So when I call them, even though I have a strong WiFi signal, their's isn't very good, so the call quality diminishes a bit. It would be great if I could use my WiFi signal and call their actual cell phone number (or house phone) so their is no drop in quality, without eating into my minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use hangouts to place a call over Wi-Fi to their cell phones?
joshua.justice said:
Use hangouts to place a call over Wi-Fi to their cell phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you have to have a Google Voice number for that, which you have to pay for? The whole thing would be not having to pay anything more than what I'm paying now. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hurting for minutes, but it would be nice to have free WiFi calling/minutes available if necessary.
charesa39 said:
Don't you have to have a Google Voice number for that, which you have to pay for? The whole thing would be not having to pay anything more than what I'm paying now. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hurting for minutes, but it would be nice to have free WiFi calling/minutes available if necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's free in the USA to call to landline.
Edit: https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/3187125?hl=en
raazman said:
It's free in the USA to call to landline.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WHAT?!?!?! I feel like my whole life has been a lie!!! Haha! But in all seriousness, I thought that was only for people with Google Voice numbers. But after doing a quick Google search, it looks like you only need a GV number to RECEIVE said calls. Wow. I feel so dumb right about now. Thanks for enlightening me, guys!
Hi, I know most of you guys are aware that the Moto X doesn't support T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling natively. What are some workarounds you may have to use Wi-Fi calling? I need this feature since my service is abysmal at home. Are there any suggestions? My theory is using Hangouts Dialer, but there's not much of a hand off like native Wi-Fi calling for me.
Someone on Google+ asked this same question on the T-Mobile page and the answer was no, that there are no plans to get the moto X on Wi-Fi calling at this time, but to keep checking or some BS like that.
T-Mobile does offer a signal booster, not the Wi-Fi router for Wi-Fi calling, but a cellular booster. You might want to call and look into that.
For the mean time, there is free "wifi calling" service like Google voice now know as hangouts. There are others but that is the best one i can recommend to use for the mean time.
There's word that T-Mobile is working with Google to get wifi-calling on the nexus phone(s), but I wouldn't hold my breathe. You're best alternative is like the above poster suggested and use google voice for calling.
Whenever I make a phone call, the phone (Stock, rooted) pops up a warning saying that "Mobile Data Not Available" and "Mobile data is unavailable while on this call. Apps like email, Internet and social networking will work if you connect to Wi-Fi."
I'm fully aware of the limitations on the phone hardware, and I don't need to be reminded of it every single time... and then have to click a stupid button to make it go away, particularly when I am driving. Is there a way to disable this stupid popup? I can certainly get into system files (since I'm rooted)... just need to know what to do.
Please keep in mind, this is different from the warning some users have complained about which pops up a similar warning when they disable mobile data... this is a different popup that happens with phone calls.
Thanks in advance!
so you don't have VoLTE?
ChazzMatt said:
so you don't have VoLTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never turned it on because coverage is spotty at my house. I wish it would be VoWIFI, then I'd be all over it... I assume it doesn't work that way, correct?
It's warning you the phone is dropping down to CDMA for a phone call, which can't handle data and voice simultaneously.
VoLTE can. So, if it's giving you that warning, you are probably on stock ROM?
If you used VoLTE, it would not give you that warning.
I'm also assuming custom ROMs don't have that warning, but I'm not sure -- since I don't use Verizon and I always have simultaneous data/voice.
schwinn8 said:
Never turned it on because coverage is spotty at my house. I wish it would be VoWIFI, then I'd be all over it... I assume it doesn't work that way, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. If you want to make VoIP calls with WiFi, your best bet is downloading the google hangouts dialer. You'll be able to make calls over wifi free to US numbers, and you can even make it so it will show up as your number on their caller ID. The only drawback is that you can't receive calls over WiFi using this app.
But to answer your question, just turn on advanced calling. Even if it doesn't work due to your lack of signal, it shouldn't hurt anything, and it will get rid of that message.
Yeah, I know what the warning is about., I just don't need to hear about it every time I make a call... so I wanted to disable the popup. I figure if the ROM cookers have seen it, they can point me to where it is and I can remove it.
My concern with adding Advanced Calling is that, as I've heard, it's not able to transfer off VoLTE into a regular calling mode. In other words, if you're on VoLTE, you have to stay on it or else you'll lose the call... is this no longer true? If so, then I'd consider turning it on... but I can't afford to drop calls during a drive (I'm now working in sales, after all!)
Related: I saw a some info about Wifi calling, which is available on some newer phones... I know VZ doesn't let us do this on our phones (for whatever reason) but I wonder if we can enable this feature on our phones via a custom ROM or some manually added modules?
schwinn8 said:
Yeah, I know what the warning is about., I just don't need to hear about it every time I make a call... so I wanted to disable the popup. I figure if the ROM cookers have seen it, they can point me to where it is and I can remove it.
My concern with adding Advanced Calling is that, as I've heard, it's not able to transfer off VoLTE into a regular calling mode. In other words, if you're on VoLTE, you have to stay on it or else you'll lose the call... is this no longer true? If so, then I'd consider turning it on... but I can't afford to drop calls during a drive (I'm now working in sales, after all!)
Related: I saw a some info about Wifi calling, which is available on some newer phones... I know VZ doesn't let us do this on our phones (for whatever reason) but I wonder if we can enable this feature on our phones via a custom ROM or some manually added modules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlikely since we haven't even figured out how to get VoLTE onto custom ROMs. Plus, Wi-Fi Calling wouldn't be as easy as enabling something. Even if we could somehow enable it, Verizon would need to allow it on their side.
iiWoodstocK said:
Unlikely since we haven't even figured out how to get VoLTE onto custom ROMs. Plus, Wi-Fi Calling wouldn't be as easy as enabling something. Even if we could somehow enable it, Verizon would need to allow it on their side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is also why I can't Wi-Fi calling. AT&T has it for premium AT&T branded phones (mine is not) and for their postpaid/contract customers (I am on AT&T in-house prepaid GoPhone). So, only AT&T can give me Wi-Fi calling, not a custom ROM.
I have a house that gets no cell signal (from any provider, I think), and I just found out ATT hasnt enabled wifi calling on the Z3 play (I think). The house has broadband internet, just no cell signal.
Has anyone successfully used WiFi calling, and with what provider?
Also, are there any other options besides expensive microcell tower boxes? ( Microcells seem like a bad option because the family uses several different cell companies)
Thanks in advance.
Republic uses wifi calling through their app. I use at work where i have no wifi signal.
T-Mobile WiFi calling works.
Yes t-mo is the way to go.
Can anyone confirm wifi-calling is working on Verizon?
grenva said:
Can anyone confirm wifi-calling is working on Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont find a way with Verizon
T-MOBILE has WI-fi calling.
Sprint does for sure. their Wi-Fi calling takes it a step further, in that when transitioning or leaving Wi-Fi, while on a call, it is a seamless transition. (ie. The call does not drop connection, because it is always connected )