How to Activate BSNL VoWiFi on Any Smartphone (Step-by-Step Guide)

Indoor coverage has always been a weak point for BSNL. In many homes and offices, especially concrete buildings, signal strength drops sharply once inside. Calls break mid-conversation or fail to connect altogether, even when the phone shows usable signal outdoors.

BSNL VoWiFi, also known as Wi-Fi Calling, addresses this specific problem. Instead of relying on nearby towers, calls are routed through a Wi-Fi connection and authenticated on BSNL’s core network. The experience is similar to a normal voice call, but without depending on indoor signal strength.

Earlier, VoWiFi availability was limited to select circles. That changed after BSNL completed its nationwide rollout in January 2026, following its VoLTE network expansion. Support now exists across all circles, provided the device and SIM are compatible.

This guide explains how to enable BSNL VoWiFi across major Android brands and iPhones, how to confirm it is working, and what usually goes wrong in real-world use.

Prerequisites for BSNL Wi-Fi Calling–

Before checking settings, a few conditions must be met.

• Active BSNL 4G SIM (uSIM)
  Older SIMs issued before BSNL’s VoLTE rollout may not support VoWiFi properly.
• VoWiFi-compatible smartphone
  Most phones launched after 2020 support Wi-Fi Calling at the hardware level, though software support varies by brand.
• Stable Wi-Fi connection
  Any ISP works. Calls authenticate through BSNL’s network, not the broadband provider. Airtel Fiber, JioFiber, local cable ISPs and BSNL FTTH all work.
• Updated firmware and carrier settings
  Many phones hide VoWiFi until the correct firmware or carrier profile is installed.

How to Activate BSNL VoWiFi on Android (Brand-Wise)

Samsung Galaxy Devices

Path:
Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling > Toggle ON

Samsung exposes the feature clearly once BSNL enables it for the circle.

Additional setting:
Set Calling Preference to Wi-Fi Preferred. This forces Wi-Fi Calling indoors even if weak cellular signal is present.

Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO

Standard path:
Settings > SIM Cards & Mobile Networks > BSNL > Make calls using Wi-Fi

On many MIUI and HyperOS builds, this option remains hidden even on supported phones.

Why this happens:
Xiaomi validates VoWiFi using a carrier whitelist. BSNL profiles often lag behind global carrier updates, so the feature is disabled at the software layer.

Workaround:

Open the dialer and enter:
*#*#869434#*#*

This disables the carrier check. Restart the phone and check the menu again. On most Redmi and POCO models, the toggle appears after this step.

Realme / OPPO Devices

Path:
Settings > Mobile Network > Select SIM (BSNL) > Wi-Fi Calling > ON

If the option does not appear, updating the phone software usually resolves it.

OnePlus (OxygenOS)

Path:
Settings > Mobile Network > SIM 1 (BSNL) > Wi-Fi Calling

On older OnePlus models, VoWiFi works more reliably when BSNL is placed in SIM Slot 1.

Vivo / iQOO

Path:
Settings > Network & Internet > SIM Card (BSNL) > Wi-Fi Calling > ON

Menu names vary slightly between Funtouch OS versions, but the option is usually present once firmware is updated.

How to Enable BSNL VoWiFi on iPhone (iOS)

Path:
Settings > Mobile Data > Wi-Fi Calling > Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone

If the toggle is missing:

• Update iOS.
• Open Settings > General > About and wait for the carrier settings update prompt.

On iPhones, VoWiFi generally activates without additional work once carrier settings are current.

How Do You Know It’s Working?

VoWiFi does not always activate immediately after enabling the toggle.

• Android:
  The status bar shows a phone icon with Wi-Fi waves or text such as “VoWiFi” or “BSNL Wi-Fi”. On some phones, the icon appears only after the first successful call.
• iPhone:
  The carrier name changes from “BSNL Mobile” to “BSNL Wi-Fi”.

A practical check is to enable airplane mode, turn on Wi-Fi, and place a call. If it connects, VoWiFi is active.

Common BSNL VoWiFi Issues

Issue 1 – Toggle is ON but no VoWiFi icon

• Restart the phone and Wi-Fi router.
• Toggle airplane mode once and retry.
• Ensure BSNL SIM is in Slot 1 on older dual-SIM phones.
• Confirm Wi-Fi Calling is set as the preferred mode where available.

Issue 2 – Call drops when moving outside

VoWiFi hands over to VoLTE only if usable 4G coverage exists. If the phone drops to 2G or 3G outdoors, the call disconnects. This is a network limitation rather than a phone issue.

Issue 3 – “Emergency Calls Only”

This usually indicates one of the following:

• No active voice recharge.
• Incomplete carrier profile update.
• On iPhone, missing E911 address information.

Resetting network settings should be a last resort.

BSNL VoWiFi vs Jio and Airtel

Aspect	BSNL VoWiFi	Jio Wi-Fi Calling	Airtel Wi-Fi Calling
Nationwide availability	Yes	Yes	Yes
Extra charges	No	No	No
Works on any Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes	Yes
Indoor call stability	Improved	Consistent	Consistent
Call handover	Depends on 4G	Smooth	Smooth

BSNL’s implementation is newer and still improving, but for indoor calling it closes a long-standing gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BSNL VoWiFi free?
Yes. Calls deduct from the active voice plan. There is no separate charge.

Does it consume Wi-Fi data?
Yes, but usage is minimal. Voice packets consume very little bandwidth.

Can BSNL VoWiFi be used on international roaming?
In most cases, no. Calls are usually restricted to Indian IP addresses due to regulatory requirements. Some connections may work briefly before being blocked.

Is BSNL broadband required?
No. Any stable Wi-Fi connection works.

Conclusion

For BSNL users dealing with weak indoor coverage, VoWiFi changes day-to-day usability more than any minor signal improvement. With nationwide availability now in place, the limiting factors are mostly device firmware and correct settings rather than network access. Where it activates properly, indoor calling becomes predictable instead of hit-or-miss.