Sprint Announces Enhanced Wi-Fi Calling Feature for iOS 9.1 Users - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Sprint Announces Enhanced Wi-Fi Calling Feature for iOS 9.1 Users

by

wificallingsprintAlongside the launch of iOS 9.1, Sprint has implemented an enhanced Wi-Fi calling feature for its users, allowing them to make and receive calls on multiple iOS and Mac devices over Wi-Fi or a cellular connection.

Prior to today, it was possible for Sprint users to make and receive calls from iPads and Macs using an iPhone's cellular connection, but that functionality did not extend to calls placed over Wi-Fi when cellular signal was low.

The iOS call forwarding feature implemented with iOS 8 that allowed users to make and receive calls from multiple devices required Wi-Fi calling to be turned off, but that is no longer the case. Calls placed or received on devices other than an iPhone will now work over a cellular connection and when connected to Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi calling in use.

Receiving calls on multiple devices with the call forwarding feature also required devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network as an iPhone, but with enhanced Wi-Fi calling, that's no longer necessary. In fact, an iPad or a Mac can still receive a call when an iPhone is in another location entirely or turned off.

Sprint users can access the new enhanced Wi-Fi calling feature by downloading iOS 9.1, watchOS 2, or OS X 10.11.1 on their devices and making sure Wi-Fi calling is enabled on an iPhone by going to Settings --> Phone --> Wi-Fi Calling. Other devices can be set up to receive calls by going to Settings --> FaceTime --> Calls from iPhone. All devices must use the same Apple ID and they must be signed into iCloud.

These advanced Wi-Fi calling features, which are outlined in an updated Apple Support document on Wi-Fi calling, are also available to T-Mobile users in the United States. While AT&T and several other international carriers have implemented support for Wi-Fi calling, it does not extend to the enhanced Wi-Fi calling feature available to Sprint and T-Mobile users.

Top Rated Comments

dannyyankou Avatar
139 months ago
Hurry up Verizon!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
avanpelt Avatar
139 months ago
Sprint is now able to allow users to make a regular phone call from a Mac or an iPad even when the iPhone is turned off? How'd they manage to do that?

Oh wait, I get it. The calls hardly go through with the phone so if you just turn the phone off, you have the same experience on your iPad and Mac, as well. ;)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
139 months ago
C'mon EE!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
139 months ago
Good call on that.

Knowing Sprint I wouldn't expect much in the way of anything retroactive

Do you mean this article or an actual FAQ/Specs on an Apple help page?

If it's on Apples actual site again I say odd and get your head in the game Apple...
Sorry, yes specs on Apple support page says 5c or higher is capable but they leave it up to the carrier
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203032 reads
To place a Wi-Fi call, you need an iPhone on one of these carriers:


* Canada: Bell, Rogers
* Hong Kong: 3, SmarTone
* United Kingdom: EE, Vodafone
* United States: AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint
* Saudi Arabia: Zain
* Switzerland: SALT, Swisscom

iPhone 5c and later are capable of Wi-Fi Calling. Check with your carrier on which models are supported.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iOSFangirl6001 Avatar
139 months ago
If so, it's a bit funny that Apple list these phones as capable.
It should specify something along the lines of "Based on carrier compatility" or actually list what is compatible with what carrier if not Apple dropped the ball as far as updating goes.

It shouldn't be as if Apple doesn't know the compatility or lack thereof

5 = Minimal WiFi Calling on T-Mobile
( based solely on some people claiming they've gotten it to work with some difficulty )


5S/5C = Pretty Solid TMO some Sprint Support


6/6P/6S/6SP =
Pretty universal and all around solid WiFi calling support for carriers currently offering/supporting WFC
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kagharaht Avatar
139 months ago
This has been explained several times in multiple threads relating to iOS 9 and WiFi Calling topics.

5 5C 5S and older lack the sufficient hardware and software combo needed to function flawlessly and precisely as intended with the way ATT has their WiFi Calling feature set up.


It requires use of HD Voice or VoLTE typically which the 5 5C 5S and older DO NOT Fully support.

Attempting to offer it on 5 5C 5S would kill the handoff function and result in steep increases in dropped calls which in turn would reflect far more poor on AT&T than simply saying they can't/won't do backwards compatibility beyond the 6/6P
If so, it's a bit funny that Apple list these phones as capable.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Thursday May 21, 2026 11:53 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...
iphone 18 pro blue%402x

iPhone 18 Pro: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, and Dark Gray Chassis Leaked [Update]

Thursday June 4, 2026 5:18 am PDT by
Update: Since publication, new information has come to light suggesting the images have been AI-manipulated and are not in fact iPhone 18 Pro chassis parts. The original article follows. The color options Apple is reportedly planning for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max have appeared online today in the form of images of chassis parts of unknown authenticity....
iOS 27 All the New App Features

iOS 27: All the Rumored App Features

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:48 pm PDT by
Siri is getting a major overhaul in iOS 27, but Apple also has some big updates planned for apps like Camera, Photos, and Wallet. There are multiple new AI features in the works, plus some non-AI upgrades. Camera Apple is moving Visual Intelligence from the Camera Control button to the Camera app in iOS 27, according to Bloomberg. There will be a Siri mode that will be available alongside...