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:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Select Mobile
  3. 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:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Select Messages
  3. Turn iMessage off
  4. Restart the phone
  5. Turn iMessage back on

For Android devices:

  1. Go to your phone’s calling app
  2. Select More or the three dots in the top right corner
  3. Select Settings
  4. 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:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Select Mobile
  3. 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:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Select Messages
  3. Turn iMessage off
  4. Restart the phone
  5. Turn iMessage back on

For Android devices:

  1. Go to your phone’s calling app
  2. Select More or the three dots in the top right corner
  3. Select Settings
  4. Turn on Wi-Fi Calling. This will also enable Wi-Fi SMS