Vodafone Idea, now Vi, has extended its WiFi calling services to select Apple handsets. The telco rolled out the VoWiFi services earlier this year. VoWiFi or Voice over WiFi, as the name suggests, enables users to make calls where there is low or negligible network. However, users will require a WiFi connection for the calls to go through successfully. To enable the service all customers require is a 4G SIM and a compatible handset that supports VoWiFi calling.
Earlier this year, Vi has started the re-farming process to make 4G available throughout India and is following up with VoWiFi services in 4G-equipped circles. As of now, WiFi calling is available in select circles including Maharashtra and Goa, Kolkata, Gujarat, Delhi, and Mumbai.
The iPhones which now support Vi’s Vo WiFi are iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max are the iPhone handsets above 6s.
Before enabling the feature in phone settings, users may need to enable VoLTE on their SIM profiles. Once the VoLTE is enabled, users need to go to SIM Card and Networks, look for their 4G SIM and then head over to Make Calls using WiFi and turn it on.
Vi supports Wi-Fi calling in handsets from Oppo, OnePlus, Realme, Xiaomi, and Samsung. Earlier in February, the telco had shared the compatible devices or smartphones for WiFI calling, they are — RedmiNote 7 Pro, Redmi8A Dual, Oneplus Nord, Oneplus 8T, Oneplus 8, Oneplus 8Pro, Redmi9, Redmi9 Power, Redmi9A, Redmi9i, RedmiK20 Pro, RedmiNote 7, RedmiNote 8 Pro, RedmiY3, Redmi7A, Redmi9 Prime. It has also extended support to select Realme handsets. The development was first noted by Only Tech.
Vi experienced a delay in rolling out WiFi calling services in India due to the merger of Vodafone and Idea, and finally introduced the service this year. Airtel launched VoWiFI in December 2019. Soon after Airtel, Jio started rolling out VoWiFi in January 2020. Most recent devices support the feature. BSNL also gives the feature of internet calling through its Wings app, however, it is not the same as VoWiFi.
