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.

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’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
When will my iPhone get iOS 18? Here’s everything we know
Someone holding an iPhone 14 with the display turned on.

At Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 keynote, the company revealed the next major iteration of iOS for your iPhone. The company's iOS 18 update is one of the most significant in years, and it has cool new features like more home screen and control center customizations, RCS support in Messages, scheduled messages, and a slew of features powered by the all-new Apple Intelligence.

At the "it's Glowtime" event, Apple announced the iPhone 16 series and finally told us when others can download iOS 18 on their supported phones.

Read more
Will my iPhone get iOS 18? Here’s every supported model
Safari website homepage in iOS 18.

Apple has released iOS 18 to the general public. First announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, the iPhone update features various new features, including a customizable home screen, a revamped Control Center, and changes to first-party apps.

There’s a lot to like here, so you might wonder whether your iPhone qualifies for the update.
Which iPhone models can download iOS 18?
The iPhone 14 Plus (left) and iPhone 15 Plus Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more