What is the difference between VoWiFi and VoIP?

Information / Solution

VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) is a telephony service provided by your network operator. It means that your network operator provides a voice call service using Wi-Fi.

Note! To use VoWiFi or Wi-Fi Calling, your device needs operator-customised software and your subscription (incl. SIM card) must support Wi-Fi Calling for the device model you're using. To inquire if your subscription and SIM card support VoWiFi/Wi-Fi Calling, contact your mobile network operator.

To make a VoWiFi call you need the recipient’s phone number.

The following Xperia devices support VoWiFi:

• Xperia 5 II
• Xperia 1 II
• Xperia 10 II
• Xperia L4
• Xperia 5
• Xperia 1
• Xperia 10
• Xperia 10 Plus
• Xperia L1
• Xperia L2
• Xperia L3
• Xperia X/X Dual SIM
• Xperia X Compact
• Xperia X Performance/X Performance Dual SIM
• Xperia XA1
• Xperia XA1 Ultra
• Xperia XA1 Plus
• Xperia XA2
• Xperia XA2 Ultra
• Xperia XA2 Plus
• Xperia XZ Premium/XZ Premium Dual SIM
• Xperia XZ/XZ Dual SIM
• Xperia XZs/XZs Dual SIM
• Xperia XZ1
• Xperia XZ1 Compact
• Xperia XZ2
• Xperia XZ2 Compact
• Xperia XZ2 Premium
• Xperia XZ3
• Xperia Z5/Z5 Dual
• Xperia Z5 Compact
• Xperia Z5 Premium/Z5 Premium

Note! Your network operator decides if VoWiFi/Wi-Fi Calling is enabled or not in your device. (Network operators in the United States do not support Wi-Fi Calling on Xperia devices after the model Xperia XZ1 in 2017).

VoIP (Voice call over IP) is a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) call technology using IP packet data service, for example, Skype. To make a VoIP call, a SIM card is not required but you need an IP connection using Wi-Fi or mobile data to access internet. VoIP calls are not operator dependent.