Wi-Fi calling with US Cellular

[JustRay]

I have a new Galaxy A50
Nice phone.
Android version 9
Kernel 4.14.62-17605006
With all available software updates applied.

I can't seem to figure out how to enable Wi-Fi calling.

Here's a US Cellular web site that indicates it is available for Android phones.
https://www.uscellular.com/plans/wifi-calling

Does anyone have a (US Cellular) Galaxy A50 running Android 9.0 that has Wi-Fi calling working ?
If so, how did you enable it ?

Thanks for any replies.

[@TheRealDanny]

I don’t use US Cellular but normally for Samsung’s you can enable WiFi calling from the handset by doing the following:

https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00077652/

Navigate to and open the Phone app. Tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap Settings. Tap Wi-Fi Calling and then tap the switch to turn the feature on. If you receive a popup asking you to enter your address, review and enter the requested information, and then tap Save. Wi-Fi calls will now be enabled. To turn Wi-Fi Calling off, just tap the switch again.

You can also enable Wi-Fi Calling from the Quick settings panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen using two fingers, and then tap the Wi-Fi Calling icon to turn it on.

[Parker5011]

I have a new Galaxy A50
Nice phone.
Android version 9
Kernel 4.14.62-17605006
With all available software updates applied.

I can't seem to figure out how to enable Wi-Fi calling.

Here's a US Cellular web site that indicates it is available for Android phones.
https://www.uscellular.com/plans/wifi-calling

Does anyone have a (US Cellular) Galaxy A50 running Android 9.0 that has Wi-Fi calling working ?
If so, how did you enable it ?

Thanks for any replies.

US Cellular does not have WiFi calling as part of their service. It’s very frustrating because it’s the best where I live but I need WiFi calling in the house so now I’m stuck with Verizon.


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[JustRay]

Thanks for the replies.

Curses !

Cell reception is really bad inside my home.
I frequently need to stand outside my house to make important calls.
Or else they will simply drop.
That gets kind of old during the winter, rain and at night.

Anyway, what confuses me (and gave me some hope) is this US Cellular site, https://www.uscellular.com/plans/wifi-calling, that indicates WiFi calling is available for both iPhones and Android.

I don't see any setting at all on my A50 which would allow me to enable WiFi calling.
My wife has a brand spanking new Galaxy S10 from US Cellular running Android version 10 and it doesn't seem to have WiFi calling settings either.

I wonder if the web site (above) is new and might be a sign of things to come.

Thanks once again for the replies.

[Haas_Dave]

In general, Android support is dependant on OEM and isn't consistent. The OEM has to implement carrier support in the OS. So in order for Samsung to support WiFi calling, it would have to implement US Cellular's version.

US Cellular might allow only certain devices they carry to have WiFi Calling, and/or the OEMs haven't chosen to implement support USCC's IMS carrier profile. IMS is also used for VoLTE (Enhanced Calling in US Cellular terms), and OEMs are still slow to support that on US Cellular.

iPhone is unique in that iOS firmware can carry multiple carrier profiles at once and can update carrier profiles easily OTA (they can do so even with a major OS update). That is why WiFi Calling tends to be universally supported.

Also, you might have to confirm your account has the required features provisioned. Other carriers (Verizon and AT&T for example) tend to require certain features enabled, such as HD Voice or Advanced/Enhanced Calling.
Prepaid is going to be more restricted than Postpaid in enabled features like these.

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[JustRay]

Good stuff.
I will contact US Cellular next. to learn what I can.

I thank you for reply.
It is GREATLY appreciated.

[kyleuww]

US Cellular does not have WiFi calling as part of their service. It’s very frustrating because it’s the best where I live but I need WiFi calling in the house so now I’m stuck with Verizon.


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Well, they do, for iPhones only.


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[JustRay]

Thanks once again for the replies.

For those with an interest ......

I just finished a chat session with US Cellular support.
I am told USC is currently testing WiFi calling and 4G service in my area and it will be available by the end of this calendar year.
When it is made available, both my Galaxy A50 and S10, will automatically update and I will then "see" WiFi calling configuration options.

That "sounds" like good news.

We shall see.

Ray in Wisconsin

[Parker5011]

Well, they do, for iPhones only.


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I went to the USC store a month ago and asked them about WiFi calling. They told me it wasn’t available. I guess that means not in my area?


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[kyleuww]

I went to the USC store a month ago and asked them about WiFi calling. They told me it wasn’t available. I guess that means not in my area?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s available for iPhone users as of February 14th - it’s best if you’re in a VoLTE market but VoLTE isn’t a requirement for WiFi calling.


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[kyleuww]

Thanks once again for the replies.

For those with an interest ......

I just finished a chat session with US Cellular support.
I am told USC is currently testing WiFi calling and 4G service in my area and it will be available by the end of this calendar year.
When it is made available, both my Galaxy A50 and S10, will automatically update and I will then "see" WiFi calling configuration options.

That "sounds" like good news.

We shall see.

Ray in Wisconsin

What area are you in?


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[JustRay]

I'm in Southeast Wisconsin
Area codes 414 and 262

Ray in Wisconsin

[hwertz]

iPhone is unique in that iOS firmware can carry multiple carrier profiles at once and can update carrier profiles easily OTA (they can do so even with a major OS update). That is why WiFi Calling tends to be universally supported.

Not unique; Android carrier services (which has been out for last several years, my phone has Android 7 and has it) lets Google push out these settings, rather than just having whatever canned settings the phone shipped with (and that's that once your manufacturer quits putting out firmware updates).

They want to make it sound exciting, so they aren't very technical in listing what's actually in there and I've not looked into it. But they specifically mention messaging settings (RCS, which is some modernized SMS/MMS standard, is set up via carrier settings), wifi calling, and "battery optimizations" (... just guessing... 2G/3G had a setting when idle to only listen for incoming calls, texts,. etc. anywhere from like every 1/10th of second out to something like once per 5 seconds; also I think there's settings to set what order to scan bands when it's searching for service, so it can scan the bands your carrier is more likely to actually be using first.)

[JustRay]

In June, a USC chat rep., told me it would be available by the end of the calendar year. I can't tell anyone with an interest it has NOT yet been implemented.
Unfortunate because I need to leave the building I'm in in order to acquire a strong enough signal to make or sustain a phone call.
Not so nice if I need to call 911 or someone is trying to break into my home.
I guess I would have to go outside of my building and join the perp so that I could call 911.

That's silly of course, but methinks you get the picture.

I usually use my laptop and Google voice to make and receive calls cuz THAT uses WiFi.
It works fine except that my Google telephone number appears to people I am calling.
And since I'm paying for telephone service, I kinda sorta would like to take advantage of it when at home.

Or well, if Covid doesn't slow things down, perhaps USC WiFi calling will be available in a few months.

[GPz1100]

Port your # to google voice, then use the gv app to make calls over wifi. Forward calls to the carrier number when not on wifi. Carrier number becomes insignificant. Outbound calls over the carrier number carry your google voice number.