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Are SMS messages also transferred over WiFi when VoWiFi is selected and active?

  • August 20, 2025
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HiggsMechanism
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I’m in an area with poor indoor reception. New phone has VoWiFi option and this appears to work. The main problem with the intermittent access though is with SMS messages, given the number of organizations using it as a second factor for secure authentication. Does reliable VoWiFi imply reliable SMS delivery?

 

Best answer by WelshPaul

Wi-Fi Calling, as it’s commonly known, allows SMS to be sent using this method.

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    WelshPaul
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    • WelshPaul
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    • August 20, 2025

    Wi-Fi Calling, as it’s commonly known, allows SMS to be sent using this method.

    I have no affiliation whatsoever with iD Mobile or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.
    HiggsMechanism
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    • HiggsMechanism
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    • August 21, 2025

    OK, sounds good.

    Although the VoLTE spec says that SMS over IP must be implemented, it was always possible that this wasn’t carried through to VoWiFi.

     

    Tyler C
    iD Mobile Employee
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    • Tyler C
    • iD Mobile Employee
    • August 25, 2025

    Hey there ​@HiggsMechanism, I believe as ​@WelshPaul has suggested, with Wi-Fi calling enabled, SMS should be received the same way. However, you will need to check with the manufacturer of the VoWiFi as to whether this is capable of doing so and how to set this up.

     

    Thanks,

    Tyler

    Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.
    HiggsMechanism
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    • HiggsMechanism
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    • August 25, 2025

    SMS in VoWiFi working fine…

     

    As a test I:

    1. Went into Airplane mode
    2. Enabled WiFi. This forced the phone into VoWiFi mode as indicated by the appropriate icon in the status bar
    3. Sent a text. This was received as expected.
    4. While in VoWiFi mode, sent a text from another phone. This was also received.

    Texts were sent/received in SMS mode not RCS. For me, step (4) is the important point as it suggests I can now reliably receive SMS messages (typically second-factor confirmations) while at home where mobile reception is poor at best.

     

    Tyler C
    iD Mobile Employee
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    • Tyler C
    • iD Mobile Employee
    • August 27, 2025

    Hey there ​@HiggsMechanism, thank you for letting us know.

     

    Please let us know if any further questions.

     

    Thanks,

    Tyler

    Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.

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