Database Info

Traveling outside the US -- WiFi Calling ??

Hey guys.
My co-worker has a G2X has well. He'll be traveling to Spain at the end of this month. Would there be a way to use Wifi calling without incurring charges?
From the T-Mobile Cust. Service rep told us we'd need to have the phone on airplane mode ON & Data Roaming Off. If we have the airplane mode ON the Wifi Calling app doesn't let us turn on Wifi Calling. So what can he do not to get any sort of bill increase while he's over there?

Having airplane mode ON obviously will disable wifi calling since it disables EVERYTHING (radio, bt, wifi, etc.).
Log onto wifi, enable wifi calling, place your call. It works overseas like it does here domestically.

GideonX said:
Having airplane mode ON obviously will disable wifi calling since it disables EVERYTHING (radio, bt, wifi, etc.).
Log onto wifi, enable wifi calling, place your call. It works overseas like it does here domestically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if I enable Airplane Mode ON, then I can still go right after and enable Wifi and surf the web with Wifi. It even still shows Airplane Mode as being ON. The thing is that Wifi Calling doesn't like airplane mode on. Err. So What do I need to disable in order not to see any insane charges of the phone roaming onto cell towers, 2G, 3G, 4G, etc?

flexnix said:
Well, if I enable Airplane Mode ON, then I can still go right after and enable Wifi and surf the web with Wifi. It even still shows Airplane Mode as being ON. The thing is that Wifi Calling doesn't like airplane mode on. Err. So What do I need to disable in order not to see any insane charges of the phone roaming onto cell towers, 2G, 3G, 4G, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turn data roaming off. I use the wifi calling feature from China quite a bit and to avoid crazy bills make sure data roaming stays off and only use the phone when connected to wifi.

jlevy73 said:
Turn data roaming off. I use the wifi calling feature from China quite a bit and to avoid crazy bills make sure data roaming stays off and only use the phone when connected to wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow this ^^^ and you are golden.

If Data Roaming is turned off, and I go to Canada, will I get an extra charge for incoming text messages?

I used to use Wi-Fi Calling internationally all the time on my G2. In order for it to activate, it has to register on a cell network first. So if you're roaming, you still need to allow the phone to pick up and show connected to the foreign cell network. Then when you activate Wi-Fi calling it disables the cell connection. Make sure you turn Wi-Fi Calling off before disconnecting from Wi-Fi. Otherwise it gets stuck and you won't be able to turn it off and get your cell signal back until you connect to a Wi-Fi signal again.
Some warnings. When first connecting to the foreign carrier's network, make sure the data connections on the phone are disabled. Otherwise the phone will automatically start syncing and T-Mobile's data roaming fees are outlandish. My G2 always disabled the cell signal when Wi-Fi Calling was enabled. I used the G2X once overseas and, because the cell signal indicator still showed active, I wasn't sure that everything I was doing was over Wi-Fi. Have your friend watch for this.

Not entirely true regarding cell network connection.
I've used wifi calling in datacenters with zero cell reception. It registers and enables without needing to connect to anything first.

Very helpful, I'll just disable mobile data all together once I am out of the US!

So data roaming being turned off will solved that. Ok. How about text messages? Will they not come in until he enables Wifi calling or if they come in he'll be charged an insane amount.

flexnix said:
So data roaming being turned off will solved that. Ok. How about text messages? Will they not come in until he enables Wifi calling or if they come in he'll be charged an insane amount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a messaging bundle or plan, international messages you receive will be pulled from your bundle. (quote from T-Mobile's website)

So basically, if I have unlimited international texting, and I receive texts while in Canada, I'm good?

Problem is that wifi calling is sensitive to having good wifi signal and it is easy to drop wifi calling without noticing it. And you could be making texts or calls on international roaming rates and not know it.
So, can you turn off cell service some how? Not just data, but voice too? And not airplane mode, because that disables wifi calling. So is there a way to turn off just cell service?

wildcard said:
Problem is that wifi calling is sensitive to having good wifi signal and it is easy to drop wifi calling without noticing it. And you could be making texts or calls on international roaming rates and not know it.
So, can you turn off cell service some how? Not just data, but voice too? And not airplane mode, because that disables wifi calling. So is there a way to turn off just cell service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just completely uncheck roaming and International roaming. Was in the carribean and I never connected to a network.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda app-developers app

redmonke255 said:
Just completely uncheck roaming and International roaming. Was in the carribean and I never connected to a network.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
However, that only works for data roaming? You will still connect to a voice network no matter what. Is there a way to not connect to a roaming voice network?

wildcard said:
However, that only works for data roaming? You will still connect to a voice network no matter what. Is there a way to not connect to a roaming voice network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't connect to one. Under network providers, select only yours. Don't let it choose automatically.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Data - wifi or cell signal when both available?

Does the idol automatically use wifi when it's available for data? I just got a sim card and activated using BYO Wireless (T-Mobile).
My old Tracfone phone had an option where you could turn off cell data and use wifi only.

Yes and no..the priority is wifi but the cell radio is still used to receive sms's and other cell phone specific notifications...when you make a call while on wifi it's still using the cell radio not wifi for the call. You however have to have wifi on and the hotspot "saved"...if you want the phone to automatically grab any available hotspot when in an area look for an app like "wefi".

Some people make things so complicated.
The simple and best answer is yes, Wifi always takes priority over mobile data if the phone is connected to a wifi signal. This is standard on all phones as far as I know.

I realize it uses cell signal for messages and calls but will it use WiFi for surfing the web and email?

Thanks shodan. I posted before your reply..

Wifi Calling on Moto G3

I have a T-Mobile connection. I wanted to enable Wifi Calling since the network service of T Mobile is very poor. How can I do that? I am able to turn on wifi calling by activating the hidden switch, but it doesnt turn ON the feature and while revisiting the setting it again shows OFF.

goofup14 said:
I have a T-Mobile connection. I wanted to enable Wifi Calling since the network service of T Mobile is very poor. How can I do that? I am able to turn on wifi calling by activating the hidden switch, but it doesnt turn ON the feature and while revisiting the setting it again shows OFF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am honestly not sure, as i've never tried wifi calling on this phone.
if you dont get it working, i can tell you that if you have tmobile service you can visit tmobile store and ask for a "cellspot". it will use your home internet to produce a usable LTE/cellular signal that acts just like a normal tower. if i remember correctly it was a $25 deposit on the device and that was it.

goofup14 said:
I have a T-Mobile connection. I wanted to enable Wifi Calling since the network service of T Mobile is very poor. How can I do that? I am able to turn on wifi calling by activating the hidden switch, but it doesnt turn ON the feature and while revisiting the setting it again shows OFF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You, I, and a whole lot of other people have this issue with the Moto-g. There are a bunch of threads around the web about this. I used wifi calling with my old phone (LG Optimus) on T-Mobile / MetroPCS and I loved it, especially when I'm out of the country, but the (hidden) WiFi calling setting on the g3 won't stay enabled, even though MetroPCS says I still have the service enabled. The consensus seems to be that only phones purchased thru them are allowed to use WiFi calling. I haven't been told this by the company myself, but a lot of folks say they have.
For now, I switch back to my old phone every time I leave the country. I get a foreign SIM for my Moto, and I use my old phone for sending and receiving US calls via WiFi.
HTH

Anyone enabled BT WiFi Calling with Pixel 3?

Has anyone been able to set up WiFi Calling using Pixel 3 on BT network (UK) ?
People report being able to do so with Pixel 1 and Pixel 2, but I just cannot get it working with my Pixel 3.
Anny advice/suggestions please?

Are you pay as you go or pay monthly?
That I'm aware of, Wi-Fi Calling is only available with EE and for pay monthly customers.
I know BT runs on EE network, but assuming it still works (which I'm not sure about), I would imagine they apply the same restrictions.
Anyway, I'm a EE PAYGo customer and still I do have the option to enable Wi-Fi Calling.
But still, I'm not sure it actually works.

Thanks matteventu, I am a monthly contract payer.
BT definitely DO offer wifi calling - but state that it is primarily iPhone and latest Samsung phones that they support.
Many report success with P1 and P2, so hoping P3 will be OK too....

I'm on EE contract and WiFi calling definitely works.

Stea1thmode said:
I'm on EE contract and WiFi calling definitely works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seconding, WiFi calling on EE working no problems.
Btw how do you check you have VoLTE enabled? Is there any visual indicator?

M3th0s said:
Seconding, WiFi calling on EE working no problems.
Btw how do you check you have VoLTE enabled? Is there any visual indicator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just make a phone call. If you see the network switches to 3G/H, then you don't have VoLTE. If during the phone call you still see the 4G/LTE icon, then you have VoLTE.
(Of course, don't be connected to WiFi to make this test call if you also have Wi-Fi calling XD)
The question indeed is: how do I get proof my Wi-Fi calling works?
I know if you enable it in the settings, then if you go in Info on this phone you see that in "mobile network" that it's not connected to LTE/HSPA, but to "IWLAN" - that from I understood stands for Wi-Fi calling.
The question is. I can enable Wi-Fi calling in the settings, and I do see IWLAN as mobile network type for calls (in place of LTE/HSPA) if I'm connected to Wi-Fi. But does this ASSURE me that I'll be using Wi-Fi for calls? Because I am a EE PAYGo customers and according to their info, I am not supposed to be able to use Wi-Fi calling. So, because I have the options it means I am using it, or the option just shows for everybody and if I'm a PAYGo customer even if I have it enablerd, it won't actually work?
Does anybody can think of any test I can do to see if it works?
Thank you!

matteventu said:
Just make a phone call. If you see the network switches to 3G/H, then you don't have VoLTE. If during the phone call you still see the 4G/LTE icon, then you have VoLTE.
(Of course, don't be connected to WiFi to make this test call if you also have Wi-Fi calling XD)
The question indeed is: how do I get proof my Wi-Fi calling works?
I know if you enable it in the settings, then if you go in Info on this phone you see that in "mobile network" that it's not connected to LTE/HSPA, but to "IWLAN" - that from I understood stands for Wi-Fi calling.
The question is. I can enable Wi-Fi calling in the settings, and I do see IWLAN as mobile network type for calls (in place of LTE/HSPA) if I'm connected to Wi-Fi. But does this ASSURE me that I'll be using Wi-Fi for calls? Because I am a EE PAYGo customers and according to their info, I am not supposed to be able to use Wi-Fi calling. So, because I have the options it means I am using it, or the option just shows for everybody and if I'm a PAYGo customer even if I have it enablerd, it won't actually work?
Does anybody can think of any test I can do to see if it works?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip ! Was so used to the volte icon on the s8 that I had no idea how to check .
Allow me to return the favour .
Slide down the notification pane all the way to the bottom and if you have WiFi calling it'll have your network name + WiFi calling next to it .
Screenshot for reference

M3th0s said:
Thanks for the tip ! Was so used to the volte icon on the s8 that I had no idea how to check .
Allow me to return the favour .
Slide down the notification pane all the way to the bottom and if you have WiFi calling it'll have your network name + WiFi calling next to it .
Screenshot for reference
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohhh I see. Then that's why I didn't know if it worked, because I never saw that "EE Wi-Fi Calling" and didn't even know it was supposed to be there with Wi-Fi enabled *and* actually working ?
Thank you, now I'm 100% sure EE stands to their terms lol and I have no Wi-Fi calling as PAYGo customer ?

Finally it works fine. I had to chat with BT Mobile and they had to activate it for me.
Happy Bunny

Question Force disconnection from mobile network on one SIM

I'd like to force my Pixel 7 to disconnect from any mobile network, without using airplane mode. Do you know a way to achieve this?
Reason for asking this: I will travel abroad and use a secondary SIM to provide me with data, while using my primary SIM with voWiFi (or Backup calling). That'd would keep me reachable on my phone number and allow me to make calls/SMS @home at local rates.
The reason for having my primary SIM disconnected from any mobile network is due to the fact that my primary carrier will charge me for calls/SMS depending on the latest place I got connected to a mobile network. They charge roaming fees even when you're using voWiFi in airplane mode! I have tested this already on a previous trip.
One way would be to select a network manually, or a network that I know it won't connect. However, if I turn on and off airplane mode (to take a flight), the phone will connect to the latest network it connected successfully to.
So my strategy is to connect manually to my home network at home, hoping the phone doesn't magically connect to a network. That's why, I'd like to really make sure that the phone can't connect to any mobile network, just to be sure it won't connect to a network while roaming. But only on the primary SIM. For the other SIM I do want to get connected.
For those wondering, my carrier is T-Mobile NL.

Try messing up the apn details on your sim when abroad. That will prevent connection

The issue is that messing with apn won't prevent the phone to register to a roaming network. That alone will tell my carrier where I am and charge roaming fees accordingly...

@jasalta387 Interesting problem for sure. Can you forward your calls to the secondary (travel) sim and use WhatsApp or Signal to call on wifi? Or leave an auto message giving your foreign number. Any time you connect to the primary network you will be charged, no two ways about it on an Android device. I do believe the iPhone has that capability however. Even if you receive a text on the primary you will trigger a roaming charge. Perhaps the only way to avoid that is turning off the sim entirely while traveling. See if they have an inexpensive international plan?

Indeed, iPhone can easily be disconnected from a cellular network by selecting one that doesn't register. That setting sticks even while cycling through airplane mode or a device reboot. On Pixel this is not the case. Pixel will register again, hence my issue.
I know I could rely on 3rd party apps or services or call forwarding. Problem is that I then need to redirect all people who could reach me to them somehow, while using wifi calling is just fine. Even SMS come and go through it. I just need to not make my carrier aware I'm overseas. Hence my question.
I could use a second device that provides me data and keep my phone all the time in airplane mode. This needs that I carry the two devices all the time with the logistics of charging two phones and all of that. I just want to do it all with my Pixel.
I was thinking one thing: I need to go to the US. Is 3G dead there for good? Because then I could tell my Pixel to use 3G and not allow 2G. That'd keep it away from any accidental network registration upon landing.

jasalta387 said:
Indeed, iPhone can easily be disconnected from a cellular network by selecting one that doesn't register. That setting sticks even while cycling through airplane mode or a device reboot. On Pixel this is not the case. Pixel will register again, hence my issue.
I know I could rely on 3rd party apps or services or call forwarding. Problem is that I then need to redirect all people who could reach me to them somehow, while using wifi calling is just fine. Even SMS come and go through it. I just need to not make my carrier aware I'm overseas. Hence my question.
I could use a second device that provides me data and keep my phone all the time in airplane mode. This needs that I carry the two devices all the time with the logistics of charging two phones and all of that. I just want to do it all with my Pixel.
I was thinking one thing: I need to go to the US. Is 3G dead there for good? Because then I could tell my Pixel to use 3G and not allow 2G. That'd keep it away from any accidental network registration upon landing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm intrigued by this and would love to find a solution for you. Oh yeah, 3G is dead across the US from all reports. So I'm trying to parse this scenario, let's see if I get this right. You want to have phone calls come into your primary phone line (Sim 1) but no network connectivity for data, right so far. Also you want SMS to the primary while roaming. The problem is that even if you don't get a phone call or text the connection to the network alone will trigger a billing instance, right so far again?
My daughter has an iPhone and turns off data on the sim but can get phone calls and text. As soon as she does though there is a daily billing charge of $10 because she's outside the US. I also think she can connect to wifi and make calls and text without a carrier network. But I'm not sure about. But that aside, how would you like it to work? Would you like it to connect to the network but not get charged unless you get a call or SMS? Because once a call comes in you're roaming charges will ensue. In airplane mode and strictly wifi there should be no charges but you say they bill you anyway right? Are you sure you didn't get a text or something to trigger the charge? I hope I'm reading this right.

My carrier bills calls and SMS based on the country of the latest connected cellular network. So if I don't connect to any network while I'm abroad my carrier will think I never left the country.
I don't want neither data nor calls/SMS on my primary SIM using cellular while abroad. I can get all calls and SMS via WiFi calling on that primary SIM. To get WiFi calling when I'm abroad I will use the data connection on my secondary SIM or any WiFi network.
Because of the need to get the secondary SIM on, airplane mode doesn't help me. So I need my primary SIM to never to any cellular network while I'm abroad.

jasalta387 said:
My carrier bills calls and SMS based on the country of the latest connected cellular network. So if I don't connect to any network while I'm abroad my carrier will think I never left the country.
I don't want neither data nor calls/SMS on my primary SIM using cellular while abroad. I can get all calls and SMS via WiFi calling on that primary SIM. To get WiFi calling when I'm abroad I will use the data connection on my secondary SIM or any WiFi network.
Because of the need to get the secondary SIM on, airplane mode doesn't help me. So I need my primary SIM to never to any cellular network while I'm abroad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And if you turn off the sim then even WiFi doesn't work on your primary number?

If the SIM is turned off, then you don't get WiFi calling

Try the 4636 menu
Choose the SIM you want from drop down
3 dot menu top right
Disable data connection

jasalta387 said:
If the SIM is turned off, then you don't get WiFi calling
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to adjust the order of airplane mode / network /wifi on-off so as to not allow the sim to connect to the network but still allow wifi on the sim? So for instance, disable the sim, turn on airplane mode, turn on the sim and then enable wifi calling while in airplane mode, turn off airplane mode with data turned off on the sim. I can't believe with no data, calls, sms and only wifi the carrier will charge you roaming. That just doesn't seem right.

bobby janow said:
Is it possible to adjust the order of airplane mode / network /wifi on-off so as to not allow the sim to connect to the network but still allow wifi on the sim? So for instance, disable the sim, turn on airplane mode, turn on the sim and then enable wifi calling while in airplane mode, turn off airplane mode with data turned off on the sim. I can't believe with no data, calls, sms and only wifi the carrier will charge you roaming. That just doesn't seem right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@jasalta387
I don't know if you would follow this suggestion...
But in case you are interested in it, this sounds like something you could pull off automatically with something like MacroDroid or Tasker or some other automation app -- even without being rooted! But I concur, it doesn't make sense that a carrier charge roaming when there would be no data, calls, or sms but only wifi....I'm of the opinion (previously stated somewhere in the thread here) that you might've either misread the bill and/or accidentally "caught" a text or transferred a byte of data and it triggered...

Hey there, I know it sounds harsh that a carrier bills this way. It is verified and discussed in a local forum here (in Dutch) https://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/74880578#74880578
Of course, here there are a few things at play:
1- the carrier wants to have a clear way of communication and support. If you are abroad, those are the prices you pay for. That's it. You know it for sure. They don't want to have to explain how to turn on VoWIFI and explain how to make that working for every phone, or explain to you that you made a call thinking you were on VoWIFI while you weren't. Their approach is crystal clear.
2- the carrier makes some extra income this way. While travelling in the US: for every SMS sent they charge 0.51 EUR, calls placed 1.27 EUR, calls received 0.76 EUR and 2.50 EUR per MB of data. For data, they sell some passes that makes the price more reasonable. Note that unlimited plans for domestic data/calls here start at 25 EUR per month.
3- In The Netherlands (and for pretty much every country in EU) people rely quite a lot on 3rd party apps for calls and texting, especially when you are abroad. WhatsApp is the go-to service, even for domestic communication. People don't even bother using their home carrier when travelling outside of EU. They just remove (or disable) that SIM. So the high cost of roaming is usually left to business users for which companies pay or make better deals with the carriers.
One thing I didn't mention is that in NL, pretty much all carriers limit VoWIFI to Dutch IP addresses. To use VoWIFI you'd need to use a router that tunnels all IP traffic via a VPN that has an exit point in The Netherlands. That's how I conducted my test and verified that all activity using VoWIFI was billed using the same fares as if I was using a roaming cellular network.
I want to try this using a secondary SIM from a Dutch provider, which will give me the Dutch IP address. Backup Calling on my primary SIM will make that SIM to connect to VoWIFI. But to get my home fares, I really need to make sure that my primary SIM doesn't connect to any network while I'm travelling (hence my original request).