What is the difference between VoWiFi and VoIP?

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check the Applicable Products and Categories section of this article before starting these steps.

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.

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.