Forum Discussion
WIFI Calling Preferences Being Forced to Cellular Preferred
I am experiencing my WIFI Calling Preferences always being forced to "cellular preferred", as are others. I live in an area with poor T-mobile mobile data signal and this recent behavior makes my phone unable to make and receive calls and text messages. I believe the problem only started happening after the next to last T-Mobile software update. Everything was fine for my first 5 months of ownership. A Google search shows posts of other users experiencing the same issue, but no options other than a tedious workaround of manually switching the phone to Airplane mode and changing the WIFI calling preferences back to "WIFI preferred". I have to do this kind of process each time I enter and leave my home, and sometimes have to reboot my phone as well. The times I've forgotten, I've missed package deliveries and went to a doctor appointment when the doctor had left a message that he was out sick. This appears to be a carrier specific issue as far as I can see. I even tried replacing my rock solid Netgear R6400 router with an ASUS AX3000 router with no resulting changes. I'm in a small apartment only 10 feet from the router, with a very strong WIFI signal. I have two Samsung Galaxy S20 phones (March 2020) which both exhibit the exact same behavior. I spoke with T-Mobile Tech support which appeared to be clueless about this issue other than to send me two new S20 phones under warranty to my T-Mobile store. I do not have high confidence in this approach but will try the new phones and report back.
Does anyone know anything more? I am not aware of T-Mobile publicly acknowledging this issue.
I have this same problem with my Samsung 13 5G. I called T-Mobile's 'technical' support line, and they had the audacity to say that wifi calling is only supported on the iPhone. This was idiotic, and I vainly tried to argue with them that they were mistaken, but, for the technical support agent on the phone, 'the script is always right'.
Very frustrating.
I know that this is an old thread. However, they ARE STILL DOING THIS. It is hard to understand why. I don't know what it "buys" them, except a lot of customer annoyance.
I live in an area with bad cellular service, but I have great Wi-Fi and I still have this issue all the time. It is so frustrating that I'm considering leaving TMobile because of it. I assume this is still an issue for others and no fix from TMobile?
This problem seems to have started after a recent T-Mobile software update and is affecting your ability to make and receive calls and text messages due to poor mobile data signal in your area. You've already tried several troubleshooting steps, including changing routers and contacting T-Mobile tech support, but the issue persists.
Here are some additional steps you might consider:
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Software Update Check: Ensure both of your Samsung Galaxy S20 phones have the latest software updates installed. Sometimes subsequent updates can fix bugs introduced in previous versions.
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Configuración de llamadas Wi-Fi: Double-check the Wi-Fi Calling settings on both phones:
- Visita Configuración > Conexiones > Llamadas wifi.
- Ensure Wi-Fi Calling is turned on.
- Set the "Calling preference" to "Wi-Fi preferred".
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Carrier Settings Update: Sometimes carrier settings need to be updated separately from the phone's software. This can usually be done via:
- Configuración > Administración general > Restablecer > Restablecer configuración de redes.
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Network Reset: This step can often resolve connectivity issues:
- Configuración > Administración general > Restablecer > Restablecer configuración de redes.
- Note that this will reset your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other network settings, so you will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and pair Bluetooth devices again.
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Contact T-Mobile Again: Since this issue might be more widespread, consider asking T-Mobile if they are aware of any ongoing issues with Wi-Fi Calling preferences and if there are any patches or fixes planned for an upcoming software update.
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Asistencia de Samsung: Reach out to Samsung support to report the issue. They may have additional insights or solutions.
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Foros comunitarios: Continue to monitor and participate in forums and discussion boards. Sometimes, other users or unofficial support channels might provide solutions or workarounds that are not yet widely known.
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Replacement Phones: Since T-Mobile has offered you two new S20 phones under warranty, go ahead and try them. If the issue persists with the new devices, it further indicates a software or carrier issue rather than a hardware problem.
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Alternative Solutions: In the meantime, continue using the workaround of switching to Airplane mode and manually changing the Wi-Fi Calling preference when necessary. Although tedious, it might be the most reliable interim solution until a permanent fix is available.
Given your situation, it's understandable how this issue impacts your daily life. Hopefully, T-Mobile or Samsung will acknowledge and address this problem soon. Keep documenting your interactions with support for reference and potential follow-ups.
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The last I knew this was not a problem with Verizon (and XFinity Mobile and other Verizon offshoots). TM is still not willing to admit that they are the source of the problem.
However, if you complain enough they will provide you with one of their pico cell devices. There is a $20 deposit for that. That way you don't need to worry about cell connections (and this setting) at least in the house.
I have yet to figure out why TM is doing this. Probably just incompetence and/or laziness.
I called TM yesterday to inquiry about this. The rep treated me like I was stupid. Kept telling me there is no service at my adddress when the entire issue is why is my
phone switching to cellular service and staying on cellular. He also suggested that I contact Apple because it could be an issue with my phone. After I told the guy repeatedly this is a known issue with TM. I even told him to go look in the community forum. He more or less ignored the issue.
