Last September, Apple’s support document on Wi-Fi Calling announced Bell would also support the feature, after Rogers and Fido launched support with the release of iOS 9.
When Bell and Virgin announced Wi-Fi Calling a couple days later, they released the feature for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus users only “at this time”.
This morning, Bell pushed out a 23.1 carrier update to launch Wi-Fi Calling support for iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus customers, as you seen in the screenshots below, shared by iPhone in Canada reader Frederic.
The screenshot below is his iPhone 5s (identified by the model number ME299C/A), showing “Bell Wi-Fi” as the carrier logo, signifying Wi-Fi Calling is active:
This screenshot below is his iPhone 6 Plus showing the same (en francais):
Wi-Fi Calling allows users to make and receive calls and texts in areas of little to no cellular coverage. Apple says the feature works on an iPhone 5c or newer running iOS 9 (we have yet to have an iPhone 5c Bell customer acknowledge Wi-Fi Calling).
To enable Wi-Fi Calling on your iPhone, go to:
Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling > Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone > TOGGLE ON
Update: How to know if your plan supports Wi-Fi Calling? According to Bell, “An eligible consumer rate plan that offers unlimited nationwide calling” is required.
If you’re a Bell/Virgin iPhone customer, let us know if you’re seeing Wi-Fi Calling on your device!
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Wish Telus would start offering this service, too.
Telus has developed their own “App” rather than using the Apple iPhone wifi system. I got an invitation to try it and it didn’t work well at all. I don’t recommend even trying it. I’m hoping Telus dumps it and go with the Apple system. They’ve had this piece of crap since last fall. When I spoke to them last fall they said they had no plans to change.
I agree – this would help so much while traveling to the US.
iPhone 6 on iOS 9.3 beta 1.1 with Bell Carrier setting version 23.5.1 and I can’t enable wifi calling
Same phone and OS here. Virgin mobile. No wifi option.
you need a specific rate plan. so this is a ploy to get you to change your 6gb plan that you have from years back, and pay more for your same plan, and get wifi calling.
just an fyi.
I got the same issue. They can never force me to change my plan for anything never mind some wifi calling gizmo
Did the guy who makes the decisions on bell really thought we might change our $60/6gb plans just to get wi-fi calling?
Not compatible with the old Bell Fab 10 6 GB/$60 plans. This feature is nice but I’m not paying $30+ a month more to get it.
Bell’s requirements for Wi-Fi Calling:
“An eligible consumer rate plan that offers unlimited nationwide calling.”
My friend has the $10 unlimited nation wide prepaid add on and wi-fi calling does not work. She called Bell and they said wi-fi calling only works for post paid consumers with a post paid plan that includes unlimited nation wide calling. They asked her if she would like to switch and she laughed. She is only paying 25.75 a month on prepaid and gets 150 local minutes, unlimted text, unlimted nation wide. No data.
The carrier update installed fine on my girlfriend’s 5c as well. It says her plan doesn’t support it, but the toggle is definitely there. Strange because my plan supports it, and she’s an add-on to my shareable plan. Bell Logic at work.
Doh.. Her add on plan doesn’t include unlimited nation wide. I’ll try my SIM in her phone though and confirm it works.
Just tried my SIM – definitely working on a 5c.
Unfortunately it isn’t working on my 6 with 9.3 beta.
Working for unlocked (not bought from Virgin) iPhone 6 on Virgin Silver BYOD $55 Unlimited 2GB promo plan. Guess it isn’t JUST for platinum plans ????
Same here. Just activated it on my Virgin BYOD plan, with an unlocked iPhone 5s bought directly from Apple.