If you’re outside of a mobile coverage area, there’s still a way for you to make and receive calls, and send SMS messages back and forth over your Wi-Fi network. Here’s how to do it.
What is Telstra SMS over Wi-Fi?
SMS over Wi-Fi allows you to send and receive SMS messages on via your fixed Wi-Fi network.
Instead of sending the SMS using mobile signal, modern smartphones use the connectivity found via the Fixed Wi-Fi network at your home or business to get the message out.
To be able to use Wi-Fi SMS, you need to:
- Have a Telstra approved Wi-Fi SMS compatible device
- Have VoLTE enabled on your device
- Have updated to the latest device OS software
- Turn on Wi-Fi calling on your device
It takes a few steps to enable, which you can find below.
How to enable Telstra SMS over Wi-Fi
First, you need a compatible device. You can check to see which devices are compatible on our regularly updated Support Centre.
For iPhone:
- Go to Settings
- Select Mobile
- Turn on Wi-Fi calling. This will also enable Wi-Fi SMS
To enable Wi-Fi SMS, you’ll also need to disable and re-enable iMessage if it’s already turned on:
- Go to Settings
- Select Messages
- Turn iMessage off
- Restart the phone
- Turn iMessage back on
For Android devices:
- Go to your phone’s calling app
- Select More or the three dots in the top right corner
- Select Settings
- Turn on Wi-Fi Calling. This will also enable Wi-Fi SMS
What is Wi-Fi Calling?
Wi-Fi calling enables you to make calls using a fixed broadband Wi-Fi connection from your compatible Telstra mobile when you can’t connect to the mobile network.
Your mobile simply uses your Wi-Fi network instead of the mobile network, so you can make and receive calls as you would normally.
Plus when roaming overseas and connected to Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Calling allows you to make and receive calls back to Australia at no additional charge.
Calls to destinations other than Australia over Wi-Fi Calling when roaming overseas are not enabled and will need to be made over the mobile network. Standard charges apply.
To use Wi-Fi calling, you need to:
- Have a Wi-Fi calling compatible smartphone or tablet. This includes:
- Apple iPhone 6 onwards, Apple Watch 3 onwards
- Samsung Galaxy devices, S7 onwards, Note 5 onwards
- Google Pixel 2 devices onwards
- LG devices G6 onwards
- Have 4G voice calls enabled
- Have up-to-date software
- Turn on Wi-Fi calling
How to enable Wi-Fi Calling on Telstra
For iPhone:
- Go to Settings
- Select Mobile
- Turn on Wi-Fi calling. This will also enable Wi-Fi SMS
To enable Wi-Fi SMS, you’ll also need to disable and re-enable iMessage if it’s already turned on:
- Go to Settings
- Select Messages
- Turn iMessage off
- Restart the phone
- Turn iMessage back on
For Android devices:
- Go to your phone’s calling app
- Select More or the three dots in the top right corner
- Select Settings
- Turn on Wi-Fi Calling. This will also enable Wi-Fi SMS