What is WiFi Calling?
WiFi Calling (also called VoWiFi, Voice over WiFi) is a built-in phone feature that routes your calls and texts over the internet instead of the cellular network. Your number stays the same, and to whoever calls you there's no difference.
It was made for poor-coverage areas at home, but it works the same abroad: if you have internet, your phone can use your home number as if you never left.
The only must-do: turn on WiFi Calling
With WiFi Calling enabled and your phone connected to a WiFi network (hotel, café, lounge), your calls and texts go over the internet automatically — no roaming charges, at your plan's rate. You don't need to do anything else. You make and receive calls on your home number as usual.
If you want it to work off WiFi too (optional)
When you're out and about with no WiFi, you have two options:
Option A — Maximum savings. Ask your carrier to disable or block your international voice & SMS roaming. With roaming unavailable, your phone routes calls and texts over the internet using your Vuoly eSIM's data (where your phone and carrier allow it). You never pay voice roaming.
Option B — Simplest. Leave your line as is. On WiFi, your calls and texts stay free via WiFi Calling. Off WiFi, your carrier's roaming rates may apply — but for occasional things like a bank SMS, it's usually just a few cents (confirm with your carrier). You keep the option available while saving on data with your Vuoly eSIM.
In both cases, the expensive part of roaming — data — is covered by your Vuoly eSIM at a low price. The only difference between A and B is how your calls/texts are handled when there's no WiFi.
Important: data roaming ≠ voice roaming
Turning "Data Roaming" off on your home line is a good idea: it stops your home line from accidentally using expensive roaming data (you're getting data from Vuoly instead). But turning off data roaming does NOT turn off calls or SMS roaming — those are separate settings. To avoid paying voice/SMS roaming off WiFi, you either rely on WiFi (Option B) or ask your carrier to block voice roaming (Option A).
How to turn off data roaming on your home line:
iPhone: Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data → tap your home line → turn off "Data Roaming."
Android: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → turn off "Data roaming."
⚠️ This is for your home line. On the Vuoly eSIM, "Data Roaming" must stay ON — that's how it connects at your destination.
How to turn on WiFi Calling (do it before you leave)
iPhone:
Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling → turn on "Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone."
Confirm your emergency address (required by regulation).
Dual SIM: Settings → Cellular → your home line → Wi-Fi Calling → enable it for that line.
Android (Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi):
Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Calling (or Phone app → ⋮ → Settings → Calls).
Turn it on and confirm it's enabled for your home line.
💡 Test it at home before traveling: put the phone in airplane mode, turn WiFi back on, and make a test call. If it works at home, it'll work abroad.
Does your carrier support it abroad?
WiFi Calling availability while abroad depends on your carrier — some support it fully, some don't, and some allow it only over WiFi (not over another line's data). Check your carrier's WiFi Calling / VoWiFi policy before you travel, and test it.
If your carrier doesn't support WiFi Calling, you can still call over WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom using your Vuoly eSIM's data. Bank SMS still depends on your carrier.
What your carrier charges
Any texts and minutes you use on your home number are billed by your carrier, not by Vuoly, at whatever rate applies. With your Vuoly eSIM you save on data — the most expensive part of roaming — while keeping your number active to authenticate bank OTP codes and reach emergency contacts.
Troubleshooting
Not working on landing: restart the phone while connected to WiFi; wait 1–2 min and confirm "Wi-Fi Calling" shows in the status bar.
Calls don't come through: make sure WiFi Calling is enabled for your home line and you have internet (WiFi, or your eSIM data).
Bank SMS not arriving: some carriers don't deliver international SMS while roaming. Ask your bank about alternatives (in-app push, email authentication).
Need help setting it up before your trip? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll help in minutes. Get a Vuoly eSIM →