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What is Wi-Fi calling?

Make the most of this handy feature, which is probably already built into your phone plan.

What you need to know

  • Wi-Fi calling is a feature available on most newer smartphones.
  • It uses a Wi-Fi connection to let you make calls rather than your usual mobile network.
  • Wi-Fi calling is not available from all mobile providers in Australia, so if you would like access to it, make sure you check before you sign up to a new provider.

Compare mobile plans with Wi-Fi calling

1 - 6 of 51
Name Product Data Price Apply Price
TPG Large
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$15/mth for the first 6 months, then $30/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
TPG Large
Prepaid
$15/mth for the first 6 months, then $30/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G network
45GB
$15
per month
Go to site
View details
-50%
  • $15/mth for the first 6 months, then $30/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
45 GB
Data
$15
per month
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$5/mth for the first 6 months, then $15/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
Postpaid
$5/mth for the first 6 months, then $15/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
Exclusive
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/3G network
5GB
$5
per month
Go to site
View details
Exclusive
  • $5/mth for the first 6 months, then $15/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
5 GB
Data
$5
per month
felix Subscription Unlimited
SubscriptionNo lock-in contract
$20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth with code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
felix Subscription Unlimited
Subscription
$20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth with code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
Finder Award
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G/3G network
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$20
per month
Go to site
View details
GREEN COMPANY
  • $20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth with code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$20
per month
TPG Small
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$10/mth for the first 6 months, then $20/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
TPG Small
Prepaid
$10/mth for the first 6 months, then $20/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G network
12GB
$10
per month
Go to site
View details
-50%
  • $10/mth for the first 6 months, then $20/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
12 GB
Data
$10
per month
Dodo $25
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
50GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 25GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
Dodo $25
Postpaid
50GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 25GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/3G network
50GB
No excess data charges
$25
per month
Go to site
View details
  • 50GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 25GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 27.2.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50 GB
Data
$25
per month
TPG Medium
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
TPG Medium
Prepaid
$12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G network
25GB
$12.50
per month
Go to site
View details
-50%
  • $12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
25 GB
Data
$12.50
per month
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What is Wi-Fi calling?

Wi-Fi calling is a feature available on certain smartphones and networks that let you make and receive calls over a wireless internet connection instead of your regular mobile network.

It's ideal for situations when you're on strong Wi-Fi, but have weak phone network signals.

The Wi-Fi calling feature is available on the following phones:

  • iPhone 6 and newer
  • Apple Watch 3 and newer
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 and newer (except with Telstra, where it's S7 and newer)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and newer
  • Phones in some Samsung A and J series
  • Google Pixel 3 and newer (unless you're with Telstra, then you can use Pixel 2 and newer)

Some other Android phones could potentially also offer Wi-Fi, but it varies and changes between telcos.

Which telcos offer Wi-Fi calling in Australia?

The following mobile providers currently offer Wi-Fi calling on their plans:

What's the difference between Wi-Fi calling, regular calling and VoLTE?

There are 3 ways to make a mobile phone call in Australia, and you've probably never noticed the difference.

Signal range icon

When you make a regular mobile phone call, your phone will connect to the 3G, 4G or 5G network and make a good old-fashioned phone call with no internet involved.

Fixed wireless icon

VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution) uses your phone's 4G data connection to make a phone call, rather than the default 3G network. It's similar to how a phone service on the NBN uses the internet to make a call.
Signal range icon

Wi-Fi calling just uses your home or office Wi-Fi to make the call instead of a mobile network or VoLTE. It barely uses any data. If you stayed on the phone without hanging up for an entire month, you might use around 30GB (but you're probably not going to do that).

How can I set up Wi-Fi calling on my phone?

It depends on which model phone you have, but generally speaking, you just follow these steps on the iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Select phone
  3. Look for the "Wi-Fi calling" toggle switch
  4. Toggle the switch to on
  5. Go about your business as normal, trusting that your phone will pick the best option for you.

This is the process for Samsung:

  1. Open the phone app
  2. Tap the 3 dots in the top-right corner
  3. Tap settings
  4. Tap Wi-Fi calling
  5. Toggle the switch to turn on Wi-Fi calling
  6. You now have Wi-Fi calling

Alternatively, just open your settings or system preferences app and search for Wi-Fi calling. This should take you to the right section.

Telstra Wi-Fi calling

Telstra has enabled Wi-Fi calling on all plans, both prepaid and postpaid. All you need to do is activate the feature on your eligible device and you're good to go.

1 - 3 of 9
Name Product Features Data Price
  • $52/mth for the first 6 months, then $62/mth. Use code XMASONLINE. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 19.12.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50GB
Full speed data
Slowed to 1.5Mbps after full speed data used up
$52
per month
50GB
Full speed data
Slowed to 1.5Mbps after full speed data used up

$52
per month
View details
  • $62/mth for the first 6 months, then $72/mth. Use code XMASONLINE. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 19.12.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
180GB
Full speed data
Slowed to 1.5Mbps after full speed data used up
$62
per month
180GB
Full speed data
Slowed to 1.5Mbps after full speed data used up

$62
per month
View details
  • $85/mth for the first 6 months, then $95/mth. Use code XMASONLINE. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 19.12.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
300GB
Full speed data
Slowed to 1.5Mbps after full speed data used up
$85
per month
300GB
Full speed data
Slowed to 1.5Mbps after full speed data used up

$85
per month
View details
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Optus Wi-Fi calling

Optus Wi-Fi calling is also available across prepaid and postpaid. All you need to do is activate it on your eligible device, connect to a robust Wi-Fi network, and you're all set.

1 - 3 of 6
Name Product Features Data Price
  • 5GB for $12 on the first 3 recharges, normally 3GB for $12. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
5 GB
Data
$12
per 7 days expiry
5 GB
Data

$12
per 7 days expiry
View details
  • Summer deal: 40GB for $35 for the first 6 recharges, then 20GB thereafter. New services only. T&Cs apply. Ends 3.3.24, activate by 12.3.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40 GB
Data
$35
per 28 days expiry
40 GB
Data

$35
per 28 days expiry
View details
  • Summer deal: 60GB for $45 for the first 6 recharges, then 30GB thereafter. New services only. T&Cs apply. Ends 3.3.24, activate by 12.3.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
60 GB
Data
$45
per 28 days expiry
60 GB
Data

$45
per 28 days expiry
View details
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Optus has switched on Wi-Fi calling support for all MVNOs, so it's also available on these plans from the smaller providers using its network:

Vodafone Wi-Fi calling

Vodafone also allows Wi-Fi calling across the board as long as you have a compatible device.

1 - 3 of 11
Name Product Features Data Price
  • $60/mth when you stay connected with the plan, instead of $65/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 14.12.23
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
300GB
Data
$60
per month
300GB
Data
Slowed to 2Mbps after full speed data used up

$60
per month
Go to site
View details
  • 240GB for $150 for the first recharge, then 240GB for $250/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 29.1.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
240 GB
Data
$150
per 365 days expiry
240 GB
Data
Slowed to 1.5Mbps after full speed data used up

$150
per 365 days expiry
View details
  • 140GB/recharge for the first recharge, then 80GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 15.2.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
140 GB
Data
$150
per 185 days expiry
80GB
Data
Slowed to 1.5Mbps after full speed data used up

$150
per 185 days expiry
View details
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Is it a good idea to use Wi-Fi calling?

Absolutely. But it's not something you need to think about once you've turned it on. Your phone will usually be able to determine which is the strongest network to make the call, so you don't need to do anything extra.

If you're in a building with spotty reception and great Wi-Fi, it just makes sense to take advantage of the better network.

It doesn't cost any extra and the person on the other end of the line won't be able to tell.

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