VoLTE: What it is in your phone, how to turn it on and off

Contents:

• What is this technology and why was it invented?
• How does VoLTE work?
• How to enable and disable VoLTE on iOS and Android.

Many modern smartphones display the VoLTE icon in the status bar. This voice communication technology provides high-quality sound and a consistently reliable connection, minimizing interference and interruptions. VoLTE, which stands for Voice over LTE, uses the 4G network to transmit voice calls, which significantly improves communication and makes it more comfortable for users.

VoLTE, or Voice over LTE, is a technology that allows voice calls to be made over the LTE network. This provides higher sound quality compared to traditional voice calls and also allows you to simultaneously use the mobile Internet during a call. If the VoLTE feature is not automatically activated on your phone, you can easily enable it in the device settings.

To activate VoLTE, go to your phone's settings, select "Network" or "Mobile", then find the "VoLTE" or "Voice over LTE" option. Make sure this feature is enabled. If you don't see this option, your carrier may not support VoLTE or may require additional configuration. In this case, we recommend contacting your carrier's support team for the necessary information and instructions.

Using VoLTE not only improves voice quality but also promotes more efficient use of network resources. This is especially important for users who frequently make calls while remaining online.

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• What is this technology and why was it invented?
• How does VoLTE work?
• How to enable VoLTE on iOS and Android?

What is this technology and why was it invented?

VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution) is a modern technology that provides voice calls over fourth-generation networks, which is an alternative to traditional cellular communications. The name VoLTE translates as "voice over LTE". This technology significantly improves the quality of voice calls, providing clearer sound and minimal delays. In addition, VoLTE allows for simultaneous voice calls and data transmission, which makes communication more convenient and efficient. Every year, more and more telecom operators are implementing VoLTE, making it available to users worldwide.

On 2G and 3G networks, voice calls are made over a separate, dedicated channel. This means that during a call, your smartphone can't fully utilize the mobile internet's capabilities. If you try to access a marketplace or send a photo via messenger during a call, your download may slow down or pause. This is due to the limitations of older data transfer technologies and can cause inconvenience for users accustomed to higher internet speeds. Upgrading to more modern networks, such as 4G and 5G, allows you to simultaneously make voice calls and use the mobile internet at high speeds, significantly improving the user experience.

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology converts voice signals into digital packets and transmits them using the same protocols as internet traffic. This ensures clearer calls and a stable connection, even in poor coverage areas, such as elevators or underground parking lots. With VoLTE, you can simultaneously use the internet at full speed, while only using up the minutes of your data plan. VoLTE not only improves the quality of voice communications but also optimizes mobile internet usage, making it an important aspect of modern communications technology.

In Russia, the first VoLTE call was made in 2014, thanks to the joint efforts of MTS and Nokia. In 2015, Beeline introduced this service in Moscow, and by 2021, MegaFon had successfully rolled out the technology nationwide. Today, VoLTE is available from all major telecom operators and is supported by most modern smartphones. This technology ensures high-quality voice communications and improves connection speeds, making it an important step in the development of mobile communications in the country.

In parallel with the development of the VoLTE standard, Russia is implementing VoNR (Voice over New Radio), which is designed for 5G networks. VoNR functions similarly to VoLTE, providing high-quality voice communications. With VoNR, users can simultaneously control smart devices and stream 4K video without delays or loss of connection quality. However, at the moment, in 2025, 5G coverage is limited to large cities, and VoLTE still remains the leading technology for providing high-quality voice communications in Russia.

How VoLTE Works

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology works through several key steps. First, a call is initiated, then network and device compatibility is checked. After this, the voice signal is encoded and transmitted, which ensures high-quality communication. Terminating the call is also an important part of the process. VoLTE significantly improves the quality of voice communication and allows for high-speed data transmission, making it a relevant choice for modern users.

When you initiate a call by pressing the call button, your smartphone sends a request to the network using the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), initiating a voice session. This request is sent to the operator's IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem), which establishes a connection with the other subscriber. Thus, the connection process between users occurs through a complex mechanism that ensures high-quality communication and reliable voice data transmission.

Compatibility testing is an important step in the VoLTE deployment process. At this stage, the IMS system checks whether both phones and the operator's network support the VoLTE function. For example, if you make a call from an iPhone 17 to an older Xiaomi phone or are in an area with insufficient 4G coverage, the call is automatically redirected to 2G or 3G networks. This ensures a stable connection even in conditions of limited coverage.

Voice encoding and transmission are key aspects of modern mobile communications. If your smartphone and network support VoLTE, the voice is converted into a digital signal using specialized codecs. This signal is then divided into small packets that are transmitted over the LTE network via the RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol). To ensure call continuity even under high load conditions, the operator sets higher priority for voice packets. This allows voice data to travel faster than other types of traffic, especially during peak hours when call volumes increase significantly. Thus, VoLTE ensures high call quality and reliability during calls.

A call is terminated when you drop the call. At this point, the IMS system closes the SIP session and sends a connection termination notification to both the operator's network and the devices of both parties. After this, voice packet transmission ceases, and the LTE network resources allocated for the call are freed up and become available to other operator subscribers. This ensures optimal network usage and improves connection quality for all users.

How to Enable and Disable VoLTE on iOS and Android

If you recently purchased a smartphone, VoLTE is likely enabled by default. This technology is available on most devices released after 2014. VoLTE, or Voice over LTE, provides high-quality voice communications over a 4G network, improving call quality and reducing connection times. VoLTE support is becoming standard for modern smartphones, making it an important feature. English: Make sure your carrier also supports this technology to get the best experience from your device.

• Apple: All models starting with iPhone 6.
• Samsung: Galaxy S6 and later, including the Note 5 series.
• Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco: Redmi Note 3 Pro, Mi 5, and other models released since 2016.
• Huawei and Honor: P8 Lite, P9, Mate 9, Nova 2, Honor 8 and later.
• Google Pixel: All phones starting with the first Pixel.

To use 4G networks, you need not only a suitable smartphone but also a SIM card that supports this standard. If your SIM card is outdated, we recommend contacting your carrier's store to replace it. The procedure is usually free and takes no more than 10 minutes. An updated SIM card will provide you with a stable connection and access to all the features of the new generation mobile internet.

If your phone and SIM card meet the requirements, but the VoLTE icon does not appear, you can activate this feature manually in the device settings.

You can disable VoLTE through your smartphone settings. This can be useful in situations with an unstable LTE signal, for example, when 4G coverage is poor indoors and calls are frequently dropped, or when traveling, when the network constantly switches between LTE and 3G. In such cases, using 3G will provide a more reliable connection, although the sound quality will be lower. Disabling VoLTE can improve call stability and help avoid annoying disconnects during a call.

Go to "Settings" on your device, then select "Cellular." Next, open "Settings" and find the "Voice & Data" section. In this menu, activate the VoLTE function to improve the quality of voice calls and quickly access mobile data during a call.

For Android devices, the VoLTE activation process is similar. Start by opening "Settings", then find the "Connections" or "Network & Internet" section and go to the "Mobile network" subsection. Depending on the smartphone model and operating system version, VoLTE activation may vary. In some cases, the feature may be enabled immediately, while in others, you will need to select a SIM card and activate the option in its settings.

Owners of some Xiaomi models may encounter VoLTE unavailability because the manufacturer has hidden its activation. If you encounter this issue, go to the dialer and enter the code: *#*#86583#*#*. After executing this command, the message "Volte carrier check was disabled" will appear at the bottom of the screen, indicating that the lock has been disabled. Now the VoLTE function will be available in your device settings.

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Read also:

• What is 5G Internet, where is it available in Russia, and should you be wary of it?
• What is Wi-Fi: explained in simple terms?
• What is the WWW, how does the World Wide Web work, and who invented it?

If you have a compatible phone and SIM card but the VoLTE icon is not displayed, you can activate this feature manually in the device settings. Check that your carrier supports VoLTE and go to your phone settings to enable this option.

You can disable VoLTE through your smartphone settings. This is useful in situations with an unstable LTE signal, for example, when the 4G connection is weak indoors and calls are dropped, or while traveling, when the device constantly switches between LTE and 3G. In such cases, the 3G connection will be more reliable, although the sound quality may be lower. Disabling VoLTE can improve call stability and reduce the likelihood of call drops in poor signal conditions.