Skip to main content

No reception, no problem! Sprint, EE customers get Wi-Fi calling in iOS 8.3 update

iOS 8 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Incremental updates to iOS 8 have mainly been about fixing bugs and adding support for the Apple Watch, and yesterday’s iOS 8.3 update did indeed address both of these, but it also added a major feature for users on two carriers: Wi-Fi calling.

Apple added support for Wi-Fi calling to the iPhone with the introduction of iOS 8, but until now the only carrier to take advantage of the feature was T-Mobile, who has been supporting Wi-Fi calling on various devices for years. Both Sprint in the U.S. and EE in the U.K. have confirmed that customers on their networks will now have access to the feature as well.

Recommended Videos

Many carriers have reluctantly provided femtocells to customers, which use your home internet connection to improve wireless reception, but Wi-Fi calls are much simpler in execution. More importantly, Wi-Fi calling doesn’t use voice minutes. After updating to iOS 8.3, a new carrier settings profile is downloaded and pops up, allowing customers to activate the feature.

While for now the number of carriers supporting Wi-Fi calling on the iPhone has only grown to a grand total of three, AT&T and Verizon have said that the feature is coming to their customers this year, as The Verge points out.

The iOS 8.3 update also brought a slew of new emoji and added languages to Siri, allowing users in more countries to use the personal assistant. Siri can now also make calls on speakerphone from the very start. The update also tweaks the keyboard for iPhone 6 Plus users, allowing them to report junk messages in the Messages app, and including the standard bevy of bug fixes.

If you haven’t yet downloaded and installed the update, you can manually start the upgrade process in the “Software Update” section of the “General” area in your iPhone’s settings.

Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
Apple just launched the iOS 18.1 public beta. Here’s how it’ll change your iPhone
Someone holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max outside on a patio, showing the back of the Natural Titanium color.

This week is quickly shaping up to be a huge one for Apple fans. On Monday, Apple officially released iOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS 15 to the general public. Tomorrow, regular sales begin for the new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and Apple Watch Series 10. As if that weren't enough, Apple is now rolling out its first public betas with Apple Intelligence features.

Starting today, September 19, the public betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 are available for anyone to download. The main draw to these public betas is that they all include Apple Intelligence features, which were previously locked to the developer betas for these software versions.

Read more
iOS 18 gives your iPhone a super-handy charging feature. Here’s how it works
The display on the iPhone 16 Pro.

Now that iOS 18 is rolling out, we're finding new features that are even more exciting than some of the larger-scale changes -- like a new setting that alerts you if you're using a slow charger on your iPhone.

If you're anything like me, you probably have a lot of old charging cables and bricks around the house. You might not realize that some of those are dated and aren't capable of supporting fast charging, especially if you tend to power your phone up in the evenings while you sleep.

Read more
Apple’s big iOS 18 update is now available for your iPhone
Siri being shown on an iPhone 15 Pro on iOS 18.

The wait is finally over -- iOS 18 is here. If you have a compatible iPhone (and the list is expansive), make sure to grab it now by simply going to Settings > General > Software Update. If you don’t see it just yet, keep checking as it continues to roll out for everyone.

iOS 18 is a big update for the iPhone, as it finally catches Apple up to competitors with Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI-powered tools. However, because of processing power, Apple Intelligence features require at least an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max. All iPhone 16 devices, which will launch on Friday, will have access to Apple Intelligence. However, Apple has said that Apple Intelligence isn’t officially launching until iOS 18.1, which will be released in October.

Read more