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iOS 8 beta 3 activates WiFi calling feature for U.S. T-Mobile iPhones

Screen Shot 2014-07-07 at 12.41.31 PM

<a href="https://twitter.com/matthewmspace/status/486222893349490688">Image via @matthewmspace</a>

Besides adding performance and user-interface improvements, iOS 8 beta 3 has activated WiFi-calling for iPhones on T-Mobile in the United States. The feature, which was announced in June, brings the ability for T-Mobile customers to make phone calls on iPhones over a WiFi connection instead of a standard 3G or LTE connection. According to people who have used the feature on iOS 8 beta 3, the calls sound far better over WiFi than over cellular. The Setting for enabling WiFi calling is found under the Phone preferences in the Settings iPhone app. As can be seen in the image above, users are required to enter their physical address for emergencies for WiFi calling. This is presumably to assist emergency services for people who call for help over WiFi. Apple also discusses the feature in the iOS 8 beta 3 release notes:

Screen Shot 2014-07-07 at 12.39.04 PM

 

WiFi calling is one of several new Phone-related features in the pipeline for iOS 8. Apple has also completely redesigned the FaceTime application with a simpler look that separates video FaceTime calls from Audio calls. With Continuity and Handoff, users are now able to receive cellular phone calls via iOS Devices like iPads and iPod touches in addition to the Mac. Apple has also been working on support for Voice-over-LTE for future iPhone models. As more carriers support features like WiFi calling, Apple will likely continue building in support for iOS. Sprint is the other U.S. carrier that offers WiFi calling, but iOS does not appear to support that carrier as of yet.

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Comments

  1. Taste_of_Apple - 10 years ago

    This is going to be great for customers of both companies. T-Mobile doesn’t have the best network inside buildings, but once this is released it won’t be as big of a deal as long as you have wi-fi, like at home or at work. I’m definitely going to be happy once iOS 8 is officially released. Really cool feature.

  2. Marklewood at Serenity Lodge - 10 years ago

    You can bet, ATT and Verizon will make us pay for this feature, if/when the allow it.

    • chrisl84 - 10 years ago

      They wont be allowed to charge for that I’m sure…..but they will force people still on grandfathered unlimited data plans to switch to the new “family share everything” plans to enable it.

      • Air Burt - 10 years ago

        Verizon allowed everyone to use FaceTime over LTE when AT&T said you had to be on a tiered plan. I can see it happening this way again. I don’t care cause I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile 3 months ago and couldn’t be happier!

  3. ron837192 - 10 years ago

    I’m curious to hear from people who have tried it out! I’m seriously considering switching to T-Mobile, and WiFi calling is one of my must-have features.

    • Corey Crocker - 10 years ago

      I did the T-Mobile Test Drive program a couple weeks ago and let me tell you that their network is very very impressive. I’m in Atlanta and they have good coverage here. You’d have to check their coverage where you are, but I had good signal down in the basement of my huge building at work. That really impressed me. And they really do have the fastest network of all the networks. I consistently got 30 MBps download. And it even topped out at 60 right around the block from my home. So give them a try.

      • Robert Raw Prokupets - 10 years ago

        Great coverage in the NYC area too, but not good deep inside buildings and wifi calling will fix that problem.

  4. Douglas Brace - 10 years ago

    I wonder want impact Wi-Fi calling will have on bandwidth. Also, what port(s) will it communicate through? A lot of I.T. departments block ports.

  5. garya813 - 10 years ago

    If AT&T doesn’t support this at release, the timing will align, and I’ll jump to TMobile. It overcomes any hesitation I’ve had in the past with their coverage.

  6. Alex Marmon - 10 years ago

    Im not able to find it in the phone settings. Using an iPhone 5 on t-mobile in the US with iOS 8 beta 3 installed. Tried restarting a few times but still not seeing it.

  7. IPhone 4S doesn’t show option to enable Wi-Fi calling on iOS 8 Beta 3

  8. dcj001 - 10 years ago

    I have read that WiFi calling with Sprint on another phone does not subtract from one’s available minutes, or effect the calling plan in any way. If anyone reading this has used WiFi calling through T-Mobile on an iPhone, please reply as to whether or not the same is true for you. Thanks.

  9. Adam Macgill - 10 years ago

    With T-mobile wifi calling – is it possible to use the ‘set up call via iPhone’ function in FaceTime on a mac OS X 10.10 to say answer an incoming VoWiFI call to your iPhone on your mac like you can an incoming normal cellular call.

    • Eric McGovern - 10 years ago

      It is not possible at least with the iPhone 5s. I just attempted it with iOS 8.0. Each toggle (Wi-Fi Calls and iPhone Cellular Calls) gives a warning that turning that feature on will turn the other feature off. I am guessing that something about the antenna setup prevents both from happening at the same time, but I would be interested if the same is the case for the iPhone 6. Anyone?

  10. Darn you T-Mobile. Work better with Google Voice so I can switch to you. Why are you being so dumb about supporting Google Voice?

  11. I’m in Boston, using an iPhone 5, and on T-Mobile LTE (carrier update 16.3). I updated OTA to iOS 8 beta 3 and unfortunately don’t see the wifi calling option In my settings. Did a soft reset several time. Maybe this is only a feature for iPhone 5S? Anyone have any luck enabling wifi calling on their iPhone 5’s?

    • I bought an unlocked iPhone 5s from the Apple store a few weeks ago. I’ve been using it on my AT&T service. I also have an unlimited Simple Choice plan for 80 bucks a month with T-Mobile. The simple SIM swap and I can see the at Wi-Fi calling on my iPhone 5s Running iOS 8 beta 3 on T-Mobile. Glad I got the 5S instead of the 5 or 5C.

      Now to get off the 10 GB AT&T family plan and switch to T-Mo……

      • KennyKen Kent - 10 years ago

        Wifi-Calling should work across ALL iPhones utilizing iOS8 when completed. It is not only limited to the 5S.

      • terje1otnes - 10 years ago

        @KennyKen below – what is the basis for your statement?

  12. thebums66 - 10 years ago

    What am I missing? I thought Voice only FaceTime was the same thing. Is that not available on all platforms? I’m on AT&T and I can do a voice only FaceTime calls. It is incredibly clear. In fact you can pick up just about everything in the background. Maybe I’m just lucky and the other person is on a Wi-Fi connection as well? I’m sure somebody will let me know what I’m missing.

    • Air Burt - 10 years ago

      Wi-Fi Calling has been available for Android devices on T-Mobile and Sprint for awhile now and counts against your minutes like a regular call. FaceTime only works between Apple devices and doesn’t count against your minutes. With iOS 8, Wi-Fi calling will now work between iOS and Android devices. I’d still rather do a FaceTime call since most everyone I know has an iPhone.

    • saykredcow - 10 years ago

      If someone without an iPhone dialed your number you would not get a call on your at&t iPhone unless you had cellular reception. Likewise you could not call that person using facetime. Tmobile users with WiFi calling phones can make and receive phone calls with their regular phone number whether they get cellular reception or not

      • The cross platform reach of WiFi calling is fantastic. Not being chained to the platform (iOS or Android) is awesome. The other cool thing about this is that I can get rid of my freakin’ MCell now too!

  13. Looks like wifi calling requires a 5S (for those that have t-mobile)

  14. Alan Aurmont - 10 years ago

    WARNING: WiFi calling will be exclusive to postpaid accounts. Prepaid accounts will not be supported. Confirmed by several T-mobile CS reps.

    • KennyKen Kent - 10 years ago

      According to the customers reviews from Walmart, some Prepaid Samsung devices such as the Galaxy 3S is capable of wifi-calling despite them being prepaid.

    • Steve Dallas - 10 years ago

      T-Mobile is only has prepaid service.

      • Air Burt - 10 years ago

        No they don’t. Do your research, dummy.

      • KennyKen Kent - 10 years ago

        …and Verizon is stationed at Uranus. Great reception too right?

  15. johnediii (@johnediii) - 10 years ago

    Everybody keeps talking about wifi calling counting against your minutes. Am I the only t-mobile customer with an iPhone that’s on the new Simple Choice plans with unlimited minutes?

    • KennyKen Kent - 10 years ago

      It counts toward your minutes but won’t make a difference on Simple Choice because it is UNLIMITED. Many folks are still on the older plans with 700-1000 minutes simply because it is few bucks cheaper. This is good if you’re not a heavy data user.

    • Nope. I’m right there with you…. (Now) :-)

      • KennyKen Kent - 10 years ago

        Wifi-Calling is for ALL iPhones (4s, 5, 5c, 5s) using iOS8 if you’re with T-Mobile. It is not phone specific but rather carrier specific. Probably limited now because they are still on beta phase testing.

    • johnediii (@johnediii) - 10 years ago

      So, I finally got my company’s Apple Developer Admin to add my iPhone’s UUID to our company developer account so I could install the beta. When I had an HTC One (M8), I could send MMS over wifi as long as I was using HTC’s Messaging app. Anybody heard whether standard SMS and MMS will send over wifi with wifi calling enabled. I tried an MMS this morning and it didn’t seem to go wifi. We’re still in beta so certain features not working is normal. Just wondering about this being added by the final release.

  16. Ok, so from what I’ve read on T-Mobile’s site they will count Wi-Fi calling against your minutes. What I don’t get is why everyone is so excited. Apple released FaceTime Audio with iOS 7, which when on Wi-Fi is completely free. I’m sorry but if my friends don’t have Apple, then they can’t expect me to call them…

    • KennyKen Kent - 10 years ago

      Wrong! with Wifi-Calling, you can call your buddies now if they don’t have an Apple device.

      Facetime
      Pros: Works with both Wifi internet and Cellular data (if using iOS7 and above).
      Con(s): although free – but only IF they are using an Apple device.

      Wifi-Calling:
      Pros: you can call anyone with a U.S. number for free – with or without an Apple device.
      Double Pro: Not only that, Wifi-Calling also helps when you are inside a building when there is zero cell signal. Turn on Wifi, then enable ‘Wifi-Calling’, you get FULL 5 Bars of signal!
      Triple Pro: So if your friends/family doesn’t have an iPhone or iPad, that’s when Wifi-Calling comes handy.
      Quadruple Pro:
      So with the iPhone, you get TWO options. That’s better than any Android or Windows Device with only wifi-calling. You can now contact almost anyone for free especially traveling abroad, no matter where you are in the world.
      Con(s): only works when ‘Wifi’ is turned on.

      Super Pro:
      T-Mobile count towards minutes? Yes, but their Simple Choice Plan is unlimited calls/texts with FREE data roaming. It cost virtually nothing other than your monthly service.

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        Okay. I’m a T-Mobile Customer Service Representative. Here’s the deal with the new update. Wi-Fi calling is free, and does not deduct from your minutes. Every single one of our customers technically have unlimited minutes at this point in time since updates back in April. So there’s that. The Wi-Fi calling feature is ONLY available on the iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S and the new iPhone 6. Other iPhones will not be able to use the feature (for the time being). You can call ANYONE with a U.S number with any phone, anywhere in the world, how every, using Wi-Fi calling abroad and to international numbers will incur a charge of $.20 per minute as long as you’re on the Simple Choice Plans.

        So there’s your knowledge.

      • Alan Aurmont - 10 years ago

        @jamesgreen49

        James, will free WiFi calling be available on this plan as well ($30 for unlimited text + 100 minutes + 5GB data)?

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        @Alan Aurmont I’m assuming that is a PREPAID account, so yes, it will deduct from your 100 minutes. It’s still free, but it will charge you $.10 per minute for any minutes OVER the 100 allowance your plan is allotted.

      • Alan Aurmont - 10 years ago

        @jamesgreen49

        James, this is not considered free then since it uses up my minutes. On what plans would it not deduct from my minutes?

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        It would be considered “Free” because we do not charge for the feature. Because the plan would charge you either way if you went over the 100 minutes.

        However, you can switch to ANY unlimited talk plan with prepaid and you will not be charged. You could go to the $45 plan that would give you unlimited talk and text with only 2GB of capped data, so once you go over it completely shuts it off.

      • Alan Aurmont - 10 years ago

        In your original post, you said “it does not deduct from your minutes.”

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        Indeed, and the reason behind that is because for POSTPAID accounts (not prepaid) everyone is already allowed unlimited minutes, so deductions on plan minutes are a thing of the past.

        Prepaid is not my department, and they have complete different policies, so they WILL deduct from your minutes, unless, you have an unlimited minutes plan.

      • Alan Aurmont - 10 years ago

        I had no idea that all postpaid accounts had unlimited minutes. Thanks for all the replies.

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        Anything for a T-Mobile customer! Have a great day!

      • Air Burt - 10 years ago

        James, the wording of your comments is going to cause a lot of confusion.

        Wi-Fi Calling DOES deduct from your minutes, regardless of what plan you have! It’s foolish to say that everyone has unlimited minutes because even you should know that that’s not true. Those on older, limited minutes T-Mobile postpaid (as well as prepaid) plans will see this deduct from their monthly allotment. Even those with unlimited minutes will see Wi-Fi Calling minutes being billed under the minutes section of their bill.

        Your assumption that everyone has unlimited minutes does nothing to answer the question. Maybe just point people to the support site next time?
        http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9997

      • KennyKen Kent - 10 years ago

        Yep! It WILL count towards your minutes. This is not good if you’re on a limited plan, but for those with Unlimited Talk/Texts, it doesn’t matter. Like I mentioned, with the newer iPhones 5c/s now you have two choices with either Wi-Fi Calling or Facetime: if you really don’t want this to count towards your minutes then use Apple Facetime ‘Voice’ – that is if the other end is using an Apple device. If the other end is a non-Apple device (w/ T-Mobile) then Wi-Fi Calls would be good. Keep on mind, these features are only useful for two purposes:
        1) Traveling abroad and calling home
        2) Wi-Fi Calling is good for places with weak cell signal or inside a building with little to no reception BUT you must have Wifi signal. With ‘Facetime’ you can use either Wifi or Cell Data if they are strong enough and the latter won’t count towards your minutes (correct me if I’m wrong).

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        I can see where the confusion is, however, you’re not seeing the point. Even if you’re on a “Limited Minute” rate plan, you still get an unlimited amount of minutes. The question at had is “Will I get overages if I got over my limited minute plan?” And that answer is no.

        It does “deduct” from your minutes, but everyone has unlimited if you’re on a postpaid account. That’s what I’m trying to point out.

      • Air Burt - 10 years ago

        So you’re one of the idiotic, misinformed reps. Please take some notes and use them:

        1. If your plan has a limited number of minutes (like the guy above who has the 100 minute prepaid plan), Wi-Fi Calling will absolutely deduct from it. If you go over your allotment, you WILL be charged overages according to your plan. Wi-Fi Calling cannot get around this since it is counting against your minutes.

        2. Not everyone with a postpaid account has unlimited minutes! You simply can’t be dumb enough to be believe that. The new Simple Choice plans are unlimited, but not all older plans are. Your point is simply ignorant.

        Please read your own employer’s support documents before you confuse people further with your conjecture.

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        Wow. I appreciate you being an adult about the discussion.

        First off, do you work for T-Mobile? Do you sit through the new trainings? Do you really have the information that I do?

        No. So please, before you go off and think you’re some genius who understands everything, think again. I’m pretty sure I know a lot more about t-mobile and its policies than you do.

        But I appreciate your time in trying.

      • Air Burt - 10 years ago

        How exactly do you know I don’t work for T-Mobile? That’s right, you don’t.

        You clearly don’t understand this fully. Go through your training again and look at that support document. Also, use some common sense; that’s what’s typically missing from the customer service industry. Either give me some verifiable facts (like the link I provided) or man up and admit you weren’t trained properly.

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        And PLEASE. If you don’t believe me, I suggest calling in to Customer Care and asking a rep. They will tell you the same thing.

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        Haha. I don’t, but if you did, you would realize that starting on May 1st, 2014, that t-mobile no longer charges you overages for going over your LIMITED minute plans and LIMITED texting plans.

        Simply put, if you use your wi-Fi calling, yes, it deducts from your minutes (like I said before) but, you will NOT get charged for going over that allotted amount.

      • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

        Here’s your proof since you think I’m making this up lol. http://support.t-mobile.com/community/billing/blog/2014/05/23/t-mobile-abolishes-the-dreaded-overage-fees

      • KennyKen Kent - 10 years ago

        Jamesgreen49, I know there isn’t overage for ‘data use’ but please explain the two differences here, especially the first one…say if I have 700 minutes/mo and if I went over and talked 800 minutes, are you saying they won’t charge for the extra 100 minutes??? Then why switch to the more expensive unlimited plan? I’ll just squeeze the most out of it every month. But please explain what would happen if one exceeds over their limited minutes. Let’s not get this mixed up with data but stay on talk/text topic.

        “Will T-Mobile continue to charge pay-per-use fees?
        If you don’t have talk, messaging, or data buckets on your plan, you’ll be charged pay-per-use fees for using those services. These services may be included in the rate plan or added as an optional feature.”

        “What happens if I go over my talk or text limit? Or if I go over my data limit?
        If your plan gives you a limited number of minutes or text messages, you’ll no longer see overage charges on your monthly bill after April 30, 2014. And if you go over your allocated amount of data, you can still use data, but it will be at a reduced data speed. You won’t be charged overage fees, and you’ll return to your regular data speed at the beginning of your next billing cycle.”

        “You can always consider upgrading your data allotment, or add On Demand Data Passes, in order to get more high-speed data.”

    • jamesgreen49 - 10 years ago

      You’re right! You will not be charged. I promise you that.

      We do not charge if you go over your limited minute plan or limited text plan.

  17. reppster - 10 years ago

    I have beta 3 and T-Mobile but don’t have wifi calling, could this be because my iPhone is AT&T unlocked to T-Mobile?

  18. I just updated to beta 3 and the wifi calling is working great! Just talk to my friend from work and no service reading on the phone! Yes I have t-mobile love it… paying half of what I was paying on version and I get more!

  19. Steve Shapiro - 10 years ago

    I hear what you all are saying about Wi-Fi calling counting against minutes and I always thought thats how it worked. I went on live chat a few days ago and asked the question to a CSR informing them that I only have 100 minutes. The assured me that wifi calling on the iphone would not count against my 100 minutes… they even knew I was prepaid.
    Take it for what it’s worth however because it seems to contradict what everyone else is saying. I specifically re-asked the question after their answer and they once again confirmed, no minutes used.

    • KennyKen Kent - 10 years ago

      Wifi-Calling will count against your minutes. There are a good batch of untrained, ill-informed idiocy from T-Mobile. I’ve been with them for 10 years and I know all the ins and outs of what and how T-Mobile works.
      Read here on paragraph ‘How are calls and messages over Wi-Fi Calling billed?’:
      http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9997

      and here:
      https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/44261?tstart=0

      Don’t believe me? Go ahead and turn on wifi-calling and talk away, then look at your next month’s bill. T-Mobile usually removes the charges as a one-time courtesy.

  20. Coleman Crooks - 10 years ago

    I love this! I live in an area so remote no one has cell reception here at all! Cant even go to a window! I have T-Mobile which will prob be the last to ever get a tower here but with iOS 8 and T-Mobile’s wifi calling feature I can now send a SMS instead of relying on iMessage 24/7 plus I can receive and make phone calls! So yeah basically now I have reception and everyone else who PAYS MORE to people like VERIZON & AT&T can’t do what I do! :P I will be with T-Mobile for life! and oh yeah…When the iPhone Air, 6 comes out in September I will be able to get it, and prob $0 down and my Verizon and AT&T friends who pay more CANT! It’s hilarious! Why wouldn’t you switch to T-Mobile?

    • Alan Aurmont - 10 years ago

      Eww, your comment sounds like a cheesy advertisement. Makes me want to switch from T-mobile.

  21. Belinda Smith Rhodenizer - 10 years ago

    I am curious what KennyKen Kent has to say about why his posts in July said the iPhone 5 would be supported when ios 8 was released and AFTER the release on Sept 18th he said only 5c and above would be supported. It’s ok, my local retail store said the same thing. But, I am VERY upset that neither TMo or Apple wants to take any ownership in this sham whose obvious intent is to force their customers to upgrade. I have provided feedback to TMo and to Apple and imagine that many others will as well, in hopes of receiving a quick satisfactory solution. Signed…a VERY frustrated, previous employee of 8 years and customer of 14years.