PLEASE enable Force WiFi Calling as preferred.. not just for roaming!

[Phoenix125]

I scrolled through hundreds of threads and BY FAR the ones with the most views are "Why can't I force WiFi Calling?"
- Why won't Verizon allow us to use WiFi as the preferred calling option, even when not roaming?  Customers have been asking for it for years.

I provide support for surgeons and need a reliable network. Google-Fi worked perfect but I wanted unlimited data, so I switched to Verizon... what a mistake! In my office, I get 1-2 bars, but my calls often have poor "digital" quality sound and we have a hard time understanding each other.

When I switch to airplane mode and turn on Wifi, my calls sounds amazing, but I often need to leave my office in a rush and have forgotten to turn off airplane mode.  The airplane mode trick is an unnecessary hassle when the WiFi calling option exists and works great, but is disabled for normal use.

Bottom line: If not resolved soon, I'll be forced to cancel my family plan and go back to Google Fi. 

[Phoenix125]

I should add:
- When I'm in my office, there seems to be a 50/50 chance that my Samsung Galaxy S10e (latest Android 10) will default to WiFi, but the other half, it will use the Verizon network and I end up missing calls occasionally.
- I have WiFi Calling enabled, HD Voice, and WiFi preferred when roaming. There is no option for WiFi preferred (when not roaming).
Thanks!

[vzw_customer_support]

Phoenix125, being connected nowadays is essential. Especially if you're working with or on the medical field. We're sorry to see you're having such a bad issue with your service, and we would love to check up on this as well, at your most convenient time. However, we want to clear the air about Wi-Fi Calling. This is an exceptional feature that we recommend, particularly if you're indoors and have issues with your service. This feature is absolutely free of charge, but we do need to set it up on the account before it can be used. This process is very simple, since it's a feature we just need to add, and you can activate it as long as you have a connection with our service. Here's a link with our Wi-Fi Calling FAQs: https://www.verizon.com/support/wifi-calling-faqs/ Please send us a private note, if you would like for us to check on your account and make sure the feature is on your account. We will be standing by. 

IvoneA_VZW

[Phoenix125]

Thank you for your reply.

I have WiFi calling enabled but the phone reverts back to cellular network and I lose phone calls or cannot understand conversation due to poor digital quality sound.

The simple obvious fix is to allow WiFi calling as the primary/default connection with cellular as the backup for all calls.. not just roaming.  Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Google-Fi, etc all have it. Android does this by default but Verizon purposely disables WiFi calling as the preferred connection method. It seems foolish since this is a high demand feature requested by customers.

As stated, my cell reception in my office gets 1-2 bars. I kept my phone in same spot on my desk. Today, my phone defaulted to Cellular calling for my first (outgoing) call. I hung up, turned on Airplane mode, then WiFi.  My call sounded great.

For testing, I turn off Airplane mode. My next two calls remained on WiFi and sounded great.

The next call reverted back to the cell network.  I noticed immediately because the conversation had digital garbage sound and I lost audio occasionally.  I had to hang up and reconnect after doign the airplane mode workaround.

My biggest concern was a missed call because the cell reception wasn't good enough for the call to go through, but not poor enough for the WiFi calling to kick in.

Other than this issue, I am happy so far with Verizon.  But I need a reliable connection. I had that with Google Fi's WiFi calling. I COULD have it with Verizon, but your company disables the one thing that would resolve my connection issue.

[vzw_customer_support]

Let's take a closer look in to this issue for you. To authenticate your account please confirm your first and last name, review the following, and then click the link after "Authenticate here":

If you use Messenger or Direct Message to chat with Verizon, your questions and our responses may include info about your account, including Customer Proprietary Network Information (“CPNI”), which is visible to Facebook/Twitter and may be used for their own purposes per their privacy policies (http://spr.ly/6608Gwfky / http://spr.ly/6609GwfkJ).

CPNI is info available to Verizon solely by virtue of our relationship with you that relates to the type, quantity, destination, technical configuration, location, and amount of use of the telecommunications and interconnected VoIP services you purchase from us, and related billing info.

Verizon protects your info and does not share info that identifies you personally outside of Verizon except with your consent and as otherwise disclosed in our privacy policy. Your choice here does not affect your Verizon services. To learn more, visit our information collection and privacy policy at http://spr.ly/6600GwfkK.

By clicking the link to continue, you agree to allow us to share your info, including CPNI, in Messenger and Direct Message. To stop sharing info including CPNI, stop using Messenger and Direct Message to chat with us. Contact Facebook and Twitter about your rights, if any, to delete info that was previously shared.

Authenticate here: http://spr.ly/6002GwfX2.  CassieG_VZW

[Phoenix125]

By the time I tried the link, it expired.

Update: The phone seems to remember my last preference. If I do the Airplane mode then enable Wifi work-around, it seems to retain that preference until it connects to a Wifi that requires logging in via a web page, such as at some restaurants, therefore making the Wifi connection unusable until I log in.

Although I'd prefer full control over Wifi calling, I am OK with this. My Samsung Galaxy S10e seems to use the Wifi calling at work and home now until I visit the same restaurant that required logging in via the web page.  Afterward, I just have to redo the Airplane mode/enable work-around Wifi at home and at work.

Thank you.

[Carm-0]

I am going to shed some light on this problem as I too have this problem and there are ZERO solutions from any Verizon customer service rep because they are left in the dark on the matter and upper management thinks it is fun to have customers jump through a bunch of nonsense hoops for a problem they are creating for their users and do not want to admit they are causing and wasting their customers time.

What I do not want some CS rep telling me how important it is to stay connected, or lets look at your account garbage. THERE IS NOTHING they can do.

This is a Network policy that Verizon Wireless forces out to ALL their customers. In a nut shell it says as long as you have any cell signal DO NOT USE WIFI CALLING. This is even to the point of barely registering  any cell signal. This is nothing more than a draconian policy designed to be anti-customer friendly. The do not tell the customer service reps about it. They are 100% in the dark.

There was an adb ( android command line ) that could enable it and I have used it, however Verizon Wireless requested Google to disable it in Android Pie( there is an XDA post about this somewhere with a commit in the google code stating this).

If you pop another SIM card in for TMO for example then you have the option.

By the way this goes not only for Calls but text messages as well that you might not be able to send as I have been experiencing. There is NOTHING ANY tier one or two level REP can do , and I doubt anything Level three would do since this is some draconian policy that they push out for some reason. I nor anyone else has been able to git a clear answer as to why Verizon Wireless hurts their customers experience like this. The only thing that makes any since is that giving the customer the option of using WiFi preferred makes it seen their network terrible which as far as coverage area it does not.

The second half of the problem is phone manufacturer caving into these companies allowing them to control these features that are trivial at best.

I am going to write my congressman as that would be the only way to force Verizon to provide an answer. The other thing is just to have people hound them as to why they are forcing this network policy, or a class action. I do not have some of the XDA posts on this but the reddit one speaks loud

https://www.reddit.com/r/verizon/comments/9at4ea/why_why_why_verizon_why_is_wifi_calling_so_elusive/

[vzw_customer_support]

I am sorry to hear all you been through as it relates to your signal issues and your Wi-Fi calling problem, Carm-0 I want to do my best to help out based on what you shared. However, I need to gather more information as I am sure what exact troubleshooting steps you've tried to work on this issues. What is the make and model of your device? What is your city, zip code and closest intersection?  We can check the area with our coverage map and check if there are any known service issues being reported. As far as Wi-Fi Calling, did you set up and initially being on our network? This is a good option If you're indoors and have issues with your service. This feature is absolutely free of charge, but we do need to set it up on the account before it can be used. You can activate it as long as you have a connection with our service. Here's a link with our Wi-Fi Calling FAQs: https://www.verizon.com/support/wifi-calling-faqs/ . 

Thanks,

Edwin_W 

[jdidy]

This is exactly the kind of issue the others are saying about Verizon Support on this thread. Your response was completely unhelpful! I looked at that link you gave. There is nothing helpful there. We have wifi calling set up already. That's NOT THE PROBLEM! 

The problem is that we are dealing with a weak cellular signal that sometimes allows calls to go through, but there are problems with those calls. Either the other person can't hear you or the audio is garbled.

Verizon seems to think that any signal is a good signal. That's not the case. My iPhone will not allow me to force WIFI calling if there is any version signal at all. To further illustrate my point, there are times when I have no bars in my house and times when I have full bars and this entirely depends on the weather which I can't control. BUT IF I COULD CONTROL how my phone makes calls, it would all be ok. Wake up Verizon!

[vzw_customer_support]

It is understandable that you want to have the option to set Wi-Fi calling as a default when you are at home, jdidy. You have mentioned that other links we have sent were not helpful, and we are sorry for that. I found this discussion http://spr.ly/6605z0AsS on Apple's site. The replies offer explanation and suggestions that speak to your concern. I will also let the device team know that you (and others) are asking to incorporate an option to choose the preferred call method at all times, not just when roaming. Please let us know if this discussion is helpful.

-George

[luvxlr8tn]

I 100% have had this same issue for more than 5 years.  I actually bought the VZW Samsung Femtocell to try to combat it but to no avail.

My house has had for, 17 years, awful cell service; but I have amazing service through Xfinity broadband and Wifi.  Every time our phones (android or apple) see ANY signal from VZW 4g/5g, the phones drop the IKE/4500 tunnel to VZW.  My apple phones will reattempt; but Samsungs will not.  This leaves the Samsung phones without any connection to VZW until the phone is restarted.  This happens several times a day as I move closer or away from the window that is nearest the crappiest cell signal.

Verizon MUST implement either a "Strongest Signal" policy OR let me choose and shut down the attempts to connect to the 4g/5g network.  We're all in the same hostage situation where we MUST use the -100db cell signal at all costs.

[vzw_customer_support]

You make a great point about being able to set the phone so it works best for you without bouncing around for signal. This is the right place for some answers. To turn mobile data off on your Samsung devices, follow these steps: http://spr.ly/6605MPCBU . To do the same on an Apple device, follow these steps: http://spr.ly/6607MPCBS. Note in particular that, for your situation, we would recommend having "Wi-Fi assist" turned off. Please let us know if changing these settings helps you stay connected to that Wi-Fi in your home.

-George

[Matt1985]

I have the same problem. The house I recently moved into has just barely a cell signal but not enough to have a proper conversation without dropping the call. I'm familiar with the workaround of disabling Verizon cellular service to force wifi calling but I go walk my dog 3x/day and it's too much to toggle on/off every time I leave the house. So I usually leave it off and wonder why I'm paying for cell service just to turn it off most of the time.

Verizon, please allow your customers to have the Android setting to prefer wifi calling. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello Matt1985, provide the best services is our highest priority, we can definitely help you with your account, because this is a public channel we need to review more detailed your account information. In regards this situation, please feel free to get in touch directly in the next phone number, so we can provide the correct solution for this situation 800 256 4646.

>Angel

[jcalabria]

Exactly this!  My house has barely acceptable reception outdoors, marginal indoors and almost non-existent in my basement office (where I work full time).  Normally, the phone will be in Wi-Fi calling mode when I'm in the office, but occasionally it will get a whiff signal and revert to 4G calling.  If the phone rings while it's in 4G mode and I pick up the call, the call will either be dropped or the call quality will be unacceptable once the phone is moved even a few inches. 

On my S8, I was able to consistently force wi-fi calling by turning off mobile data when I was at home, but this brought on additional issues such as no voice mail retrieval when in Wi-Fi mode as well as needing to remember to turn mobile data back on when I leave the house. 

On my new S21 5G, I have a new additional problem in that WiFi calling will not activate by turning off mobile data as it did in the S8... it essentially leaves the phone with no phone service until you reboot the phone while mobile data is deactivated, in which case WiFi calling will then work.

It's absolutely unacceptable that WiFi calling cannot be forced as preferred mode when in marginal signal conditions.

[vzw_customer_support]

To ensure the right settings are in place, jcalabria, in Settings > Connections > tap Wi-Fi Calling. What is Roaming network preference set to at the moment? 

[jcalabria]

It is set for "WiFi Preferred"

[vzw_customer_support]

jcalabria, we are definitely here to help you out. I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to. You have the ability to set your device to Wi-Fi calling if you like. 

[jdidy]

Did you ever get this figured out?  I've been pulling my hair out with this issue. 

[Macpre]

If your Personal Hotspot is turned on, try turning that off. I have an iPhone 13 Pro with Wi-Fi calling on. Even with two or three cellular bars, my calls default to Wi-Fi calling. In fact, the top left hand corner (when you swipe downwards) says VZW Wi-Fi. That’s how you know it is defaulting to Wi-Fi. 

[jdidy]

We are trying to tell you the restrictions Verizon is placing on WIFI calling on our phones is causing a lot of problems for customers. Let us decide how our phones should handle calls. Your configuration is flawed due to the reasons previously stated by others.