
Is Wi-Fi calling free internationally? Complete guide
Wi-Fi calling is a great option for lowering data usage and staying connected with your friends and family all over the world, but is Wi-Fi calling free internationally? Yes and no. The price depends on your mobile carrier, who you’re calling, and other factors. Read on to get a full explanation of Wi-Fi calling international rates and the best ways to keep in touch with your loved ones, no matter where you are.

Table of Contents
- What is Wi-Fi calling?
- How does international Wi-Fi calling work?
- Is international Wi-Fi calling free?
- Verizon international Wi-Fi call costs
- T-Mobile international Wi-Fi call costs
- AT&T international Wi-Fi call costs
- How can you make international calls over Wi-Fi?
- Enable Wi-Fi calling on an iPhone
- Enable Wi-Fi calling on an Android phone
- How to avoid potential charges for Wi-Fi calls when traveling abroad
What is Wi-Fi calling?
Wi-Fi calling is a smartphone feature that allows users to make and receive calls, as well as text messages, using Wi-Fi instead of cellular data. It’s a great option when you’re somewhere with unreliable cellular service or want to avoid roaming charges.
However, using your phone for Wi-Fi calling is different from Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or Skype. These apps handle your calls over Wi-Fi automatically, which is why Facetime is free internationally. Wi-Fi calling on your phone uses VoIP technology, but it still goes through your mobile carrier, not a third-party app.
How does international Wi-Fi calling work?
International Wi-Fi calling works by using a Wi-Fi network to transfer voice data. If your device is connected to Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi calling is enabled, you’ll be able to make a Wi-Fi call.
International Wi-Fi calling uses VoIP technology to convert voice data into digital signals that can travel through the internet to your mobile carrier. Then, your mobile carrier converts the digital signals to cellular and sends them to the recipient. While this may sound complicated, it takes just seconds for it to happen!
Is international Wi-Fi calling free?
The cost of international Wi-Fi calling varies between different carriers. Often, Wi-Fi calls to your home country are free, but if you call other countries, you’ll likely encounter fees, even if you use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data.
Verizon international Wi-Fi call costs
Verizon offers free international Wi-Fi calling and texts to US numbers. However, if you make a Wi-Fi call to an international phone number, you’ll be billed according to your plan’s long distance charges. If you don’t have long distance, you’ll be charged pay-as-you-go rates for calls to international numbers, which can get very expensive very quickly. For example, international Wi-Fi calls from the UK can cost $1.49 per minute.
T-Mobile international Wi-Fi call costs
The cost of international Wi-Fi calls for T-Mobile customers depends on your plan. If you have an unlimited plan, you’ll receive no charges for any incoming Wi-Fi calls (regardless of the country the call originated from) or outgoing Wi-Fi calls to American numbers. Customers without unlimited plans still won’t have to deal with extra fees for Wi-Fi calls to the US, but the minutes will count toward your monthly plan limits.
T-Mobile bills Wi-Fi calls to international phone numbers at their long distance rates, which can be as little as $0.25 per minute for over 215 countries. If you opt into the International Talk add-on for $15 per month, you can also get discounted rates on calls to international numbers. If you’re on a cruise ship, in an airport, or in other countries not included in the plan, you’ll be charged World Class rates for Wi-Fi calls and $0.50 per message for Wi-Fi texts.
AT&T international Wi-Fi call costs
Like Verizon, AT&T offers free Wi-Fi calls to US numbers. However, to reach other countries over Wi-Fi, you’ll have a few options:
The International Day Pass, which includes Wi-Fi calling for a flat rate of approximately $10/day.
The AT&T Passport bills Wi-Fi calls at the lowest per-minute rate available.
The AT&T Cruise package, which can cost between $60-$100, counts Wi-Fi calls towards your calling allowance.
If you don’t have international roaming included in your plan, you’ll be billed per minute at international long distance rates.
How can you make international calls over Wi-Fi?
Making international calls over Wi-Fi is simple! Most modern smartphones have a built-in Wi-Fi calling feature to help improve call consistency, whether you’re at home or abroad. So, all you have to do is enable Wi-Fi calling, dial a number, and make the call!
Enable Wi-Fi calling on an iPhone
To enable Wi-Fi calling on an iPhone:
Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
Open “Settings.”
Click “Apps.”
Scroll down to P and open “Phone.”
Tap “Wi-Fi calling.”
Toggle on “Wi-Fi calling on this iPhone.”
With that, you’re ready to use your iPhone internationally and make Wi-Fi calls.
Enable Wi-Fi calling on an Android phone
To enable Wi-Fi calling on an Android phone:
Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
Open “Settings.”
Click “Connections.” If you don’t see “Connections,” look for a “Voice networks” or “Calls” heading because the specific heading may vary across different Android devices.
Tap “Wi-Fi calling.”
How to avoid potential charges for Wi-Fi calls when traveling abroad
To avoid potential charges for Wi-Fi calls when traveling abroad, use a VoIP app like WhatsApp, Messenger, Facetime, or Skype. These applications use the internet for voice and video calling. Instead of routing the data to your mobile carrier to be converted to cellular, your call remains a digital signal. All of these apps offer free calling and texting when you’re connected to the internet, either via Wi-Fi or data.
However, relying on Wi-Fi in other countries can be risky. You have no guarantee that you’ll be able to find a Wi-Fi network when you need it, and Wi-Fi speeds can vary greatly depending on network traffic — resulting in dropped calls.
Thankfully, you have a more reliable and convenient option for accessing the internet in other countries: an eSIM. eSIMs are a virtual alternative to physical SIM cards. Most modern smartphones come pre-installed with an eSIM. You simply need to buy an eSIM plan to activate it! Then, your eSIM carrier will give you access to reliable, high-speed data — allowing you to make calls and texts on internet-based communication applications with ease. Download an eSIM to stay connected while traveling
FAQ


Ugnė thrives on exploring new places and capturing moments on the go, so it’s no surprise her social media comes back to life whenever she’s abroad. An avid traveler, she believes staying connected with an eSIM is as essential as packing a passport, ensuring seamless adventures wherever she roams.