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Can I disable cellular network and use only Wi-Fi calling?

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Wi-Fi calling is a feature that enables you to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi network instead of using your cellular network. This can be beneficial if you have poor cellular coverage. However, if you want to use Wi-Fi calling exclusively and not receive any calls or SMS from your GSM network, you might be wondering how to disable the cellular network on your phone. So, if you were asking yourself this question: Can I disable cellular network and use only Wi-Fi calling?, the answer is: Yes, you can.

In this blog post, we will explain how to disable the cellular network and use only Wi-Fi calling on Android and iOS devices. We will also cover the benefits and drawbacks of this option, as well as some alternatives that you might want to consider.

How to Disable the Cellular Network and Use Only Wi-Fi Calling on Android

To disable the Cellular Network and use only Wi-Fi calling on Android, you will need to enable Airplane Mode and then turn on Wi-Fi. This will prevent your phone from connecting to any cellular network, but allow you to use Wi-Fi for internet access and Wi-Fi calling.

To enable Airplane Mode, swipe down from the top of your screen and tap on the airplane icon. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane Mode and toggle it on.

To turn on Wi-Fi, swipe down from the top of your screen and tap on the Wi-Fi icon. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and toggle it on.

To enable Wi-Fi calling, you will need to go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and choose your SIM card. Then, tap on Wi-Fi calling and toggle it on. You will also need to set your calling preference, which determines whether your phone will use Wi-Fi or cellular network for calls when both are available. You can choose from:

  • Prefer Wi-Fi: Your phone will always use Wi-Fi for calls when possible, and switch to cellular network only when Wi-Fi is unavailable or poor.
  • Prefer Cellular: Your phone will always use cellular network for calls when possible, and switch to Wi-Fi only when cellular network is unavailable or poor.
  • Never Use Cellular: Your phone will never use cellular network for calls, even when Wi-Fi is unavailable or poor.

Note that not all Android devices support Wi-Fi calling, and the feature may vary depending on your carrier and location. You can check with your carrier if your device and plan are compatible with Wi-Fi calling.

How to Disable the Cellular Network and Use Only Wi-Fi Calling on iOS

To disable the Cellular Network and use only Wi-Fi calling on iOS, you will need to enable Airplane Mode and then turn on Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Calling. This will prevent your phone from connecting to any cellular network, but allow you to use Wi-Fi for internet access and Wi-Fi calling.

To enable Airplane Mode, swipe down from the top right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom edge if you have an iPhone with a Home button) and tap on the airplane icon. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Airplane Mode and toggle it on.

To turn on Wi-Fi, swipe down from the top right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom edge if you have an iPhone with a Home button) and tap on the Wi-Fi icon. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Wi-Fi and toggle it on.

To enable Wi-Fi Calling, you will need to go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling and toggle it on. You will also need to enter or confirm your emergency address, which is used by emergency services if you call 911 over Wi-Fi.

Note that not all iOS devices support Wi-Fi calling, and the feature may vary depending on your carrier and location. You can check with your carrier if your device and plan are compatible with Wi-Fi calling.

Benefits of Disabling the Cellular Network and Using Only Wi-Fi Calling

There are some benefits of disabling the Cellular Network and using only Wi-Fi calling, such as:

  • Saving money: You can reduce or eliminate your phone bill by using only Wi-Fi for calls instead of using your cellular minutes or data. This can be especially useful if you have an unlimited or cheap Wi-Fi plan at home or work.
  • Improving call quality: You can enjoy clearer and more reliable calls over Wi-Fi than over cellular network, especially if you have poor cellular coverage or congestion in your area.
  • Accessing more features: You can use some features that are not available or limited over cellular network, such as HD voice, video calls, group calls, etc.

Drawbacks of Disabling the Cellular Network and Using Only Wi-Fi Calling

There are also some drawbacks of disabling the Cellular Network and using only Wi-Fi calling, such as:

  • Losing connectivity: You will not be able to make or receive calls if there is no available or reliable Wi-Fi network in your area. You will also not be able to use any other services that require cellular network, such as SMS, MMS, mobile data, etc.
  • Draining battery: You may experience faster battery drain on your phone by using Wi-Fi calling, especially if you have a weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal. This is because your phone will constantly search for and switch between Wi-Fi and cellular network, which consumes more power.
  • Facing compatibility issues: You may encounter some compatibility issues with Wi-Fi calling, such as not being able to call or receive calls from certain numbers or devices, not being able to use some features or functions, etc. This is because Wi-Fi calling is not standardized across all carriers and devices, and may have different protocols and specifications.

Alternatives to Disabling the GSM Network and Using Only Wi-Fi Calling

If you are not satisfied with disabling the GSM network and using only Wi-Fi calling, you may want to consider some alternatives, such as:

  • Using a VoIP app: You can use a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) app, such as Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, etc., to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data. These apps are usually free or cheap, and offer more features and flexibility than Wi-Fi calling. However, they may also have some drawbacks, such as requiring both parties to have the same app installed, consuming more data or bandwidth, having lower call quality or security, etc.
  • Using a call forwarding service: You can use a call forwarding service, such as Google Voice, to forward your calls from your phone number to another number or device that has Wi-Fi access. This way, you can still receive calls on your phone number without using your cellular network. However, you may also have some drawbacks, such as paying for the service or the forwarded calls, having a delay or lag in the calls, losing some features or functions, etc.
  • Using a dual SIM phone: You can use a dual SIM phone that supports two SIM cards at the same time. This way, you can use one SIM card for cellular network and another SIM card for Wi-Fi calling. This gives you more options and flexibility to choose the best network for your calls. However, you may also have some drawbacks, such as paying for two SIM cards or plans, having a lower battery life or performance on your phone, having compatibility or configuration issues with dual SIM phones, etc.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have explained how to disable the cellular network and use only Wi-Fi calling on Android and iOS devices. We have also covered the benefits and drawbacks of this option, as well as some alternatives that you might want to consider.

We hope that this post has been informative and helpful for you. If you enjoyed this article about How to disable the Cellular Network and use only Wi-Fi Calling on your phone, please share it on your social media so your friends and other people should know about this smartphone feature. Thank you for reading!