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I have seen several answers to this question in different places, so I apologize for asking it again.
I am about to buy a new phone. I need Wi-Fi calling to work on it. Will an Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (or S21+ or S21) be able to use Wi-Fi calling on Verizon's network? Or do I have to buy the phone through Verizon to use Wi-Fi calling?
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Verizon Wireless exclusive features such as Wi-Fi calling are not guaranteed to work with SIM unlocked phones..
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
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It's definitely good to have all the necessary information when it comes to your device. I'm here to help in any way I can. Tell me, do you already have the device? If so, you can check the WiFi Calling availability by clicking this link and following the steps: http://spr.ly/6605yFBLl;
-Jordan
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Hi Jordan,
Thanks very much for your note. I haven't bought it yet, though I would like to. Is it not certain whether this will work or not?
Luke
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No problem, here is a link to check and see if the device is compatible. https://www.verizon.com/onesearch/search?q=Bring%20your%20own%20device&lid=sayt&sayt=bring*&src=wire...
-Dolores
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@vzw_customer_support wrote:No problem, here is a link to check and see if the device is compatible. https://www.verizon.com/onesearch/search?q=Bring%20your%20own%20device&lid=sayt&sayt=bring*&src=wire...
-Dolores
They don't have the phone yet, so how can they enter the IMEI to do the check!
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Dead link- great customer support. Typical for Verizon.
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My apologies, menzo-frost. Sending you a bad link was never our intent. Are you still having issues with your Wi-Fi Calling?-Dia
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I am having the issue that I don't know whether I can buy an unlocked phone or not. Galaxy S21 Ultras that are specific to Verizon's network have been sold out for a month. I can buy an unlocked phone, but if I can't use wifi calling, it will be no use to me.
Why is this difficult? Just answer whether an unlocked Galaxy S21 Ultra will have wifi calling or not. Simple.
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Read the 2nd post by Ann154, that is the correct answer. Not all of Verizon features work on unlocked phones.
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@acraftylady2 wrote:Read the 2nd post by Ann154, that is the correct answer. Not all of Verizon features work on unlocked phones.
I'm not entirely sure if Wi-Fi calling will work reliably on VZW branded phones. Both of my Pixel phones purchased from VZW should have Wi-Fi calling support, but I have yet to get it to work properly in the four + years I owned either Pixel phone. It isn't that important for me to figure out why, but it does annoy me that I haven't figured out how it should work.
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
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@acraftylady2 wrote:Read the 2nd post by Ann154, that is the correct answer. Not all of Verizon features work on unlocked phones.
Right, but it's not random magic on an individual handset either. Just as, in general, all Verizon Brand model X phones support wifi calling, it's going to be the case that all manufacturer unlocked model Ys will and all manufacturer unlocked model Zs won't.
As in my earlier message, AT&T produces a list of at least the more popular models, and it is surprising that Verizon cannot provide the info for phones as popular as the S21 series
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@silver6055 wrote:
@acraftylady2 wrote:Read the 2nd post by Ann154, that is the correct answer. Not all of Verizon features work on unlocked phones.
Right, but it's not random magic on an individual handset either. Just as, in general, all Verizon Brand model X phones support wifi calling, it's going to be the case that all manufacturer unlocked model Ys will and all manufacturer unlocked model Zs won't.
As in my earlier message, AT&T produces a list of at least the more popular models, and it is surprising that Verizon cannot provide the info for phones as popular as the S21 series
There is a list of certified BYOD devices on the wireless community forum, but it hasn't been updated for a while now. I agree there should be an official list on the Verizon Wireless support site that is constantly being updated and includes the necessary disclaimers stating what features are Verizon Wireless exclusive that most likely won't work on the unlocked models.
Unfortunately wishing for a unicorn doesn't make it possible.
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
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@Ann154 wrote:
Unfortunately wishing for a unicorn doesn't make it possible.
No, but if a major competitor can do it (they seem to update once a month) it IS possible!
The question is whether it is worth it to the company. I can certainly imagine that not many people have or are considering an unlocked phone, and then plan to choose a network based on who will support the features. Much more common would be the case here, where someone is somewhat committed to the carrier and is just determining whether to use an available unlocked or wait for the branded version to be back in stock. And of course the company prefers you buy phones from them.
But it would be a nice good faith feature from a carrier who claims to support BYOD!
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I get what you mean and I agree with it. I think comparison between VZW and AT&T or even T-Mobile is rooted in the fact AT&T and T-Mobile have been GSM networks for a lot longer than VZW when VZW added their LTE and VoLTE network. AT&T and T-Mobile have dealt with more unlocked phones on the network just from the nature of their network. VZW has to catch up with the other two for how to handle unlocked phones and making sure the connection to their network is as seamless as possible.
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
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@rambobender wrote:I am having the issue that I don't know whether I can buy an unlocked phone or not. Galaxy S21 Ultras that are specific to Verizon's network have been sold out for a month. I can buy an unlocked phone, but if I can't use wifi calling, it will be no use to me.
Why is this difficult? Just answer whether an unlocked Galaxy S21 Ultra will have wifi calling or not. Simple.
Yes, don't know why the don't have a simple chart like Service Capabilities for your Unlocked Device (att.com), which shows unlocked S21 Ultra does have wifi calling on AT&T, and it also works on T-Mobile (my experience) So while that appears hopeful, it may not be enough to guarantee on Verizon.
The insistence on checking IMEI seems unnecessary if you assume, for example, the AT&T list means standard unlocked US version.
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Verizon wifi calling is insanely unreliable. On 4 different phones I've had the same issue no matter what wifi network I'm connected to.
Ill be talking and suddenly the person can't hear me but I can hear them clear as day.
IF i can shut wifi off fast enough (before they hang up) then they can hear me again...but that defeats the entire purpose.

