Wi-fi calling for SIM free phones

[pipcart]

I am buying a new SIM free phone that needs to work with wi-fi calling on my Virgin network at home and the EE network at work. I read that some phones are not supported by EE for wi-fi calling. How can I make sure the phone will work with EE wi-fi calling before I buy it, please?

[Chris_B]

@pipcart   What device is it ?  

[Kirigaya_Kazuto]

If it's an Android phone you may have issues (Samsung phones in previous years had to be running an EE android build for Wifi calling and VoLTE to work) this was the case with my last Samsung device (Galaxy S10+), I cannot speak for other manufacturers

iPhones do not have this issue. I am not sure why it was specific to Samsung 

[pipcart]

I'm not certain, but I'll probably get a Moto G62 or G62s.

Anyone know of a list of supported phones, please?

[bristolian]

The only official source of that detail will be on the individual phone's spec on the EE shop pages.

In practice, if you purchase a phone SIM-free that EE also sell, you should be fine for WiFi-calling

However, if you're wanting a 100% guarantee of that, you will only obtain that by trying your SIM in your chosen phone. Purchasing from an online/telesales outlet and having the backup of the 14day statutory rights of return is potentially the best way of doing that.

[pipcart]

Thanks about Android. I don't have any problems with my current Moto G7,
but it seems that is no guarantee for an upgrade working with wi-fi
calling. Very confusing/frustrating

[bristolian]

---

@pipcart wrote:
it seems that is no guarantee for an upgrade working with wi-fi
calling.

---

If you're purchasing an upgrade from EE directly, then that comes with the guarantee from the spec pages that you're looking for.

Strictly speaking, EE would likely argue that an "upgrade" has to be purchased from them directly - and a SIM-free purchase is something you've done independently of the network operator.

[pipcart]

Thanks @bristolian. I guess that's how they get you hooked!

[wardi]

If it helps.. I bought a refurbished Samsung galaxy S10 plus from a separate retailer.  The WiFi calling works fine with an EE sim.  

[Kirigaya_Kazuto]

Happy to see EE may have reserved that lock, for me with the S10+, wifi calling did not work on the stock rom, had to be an EE branded rom (still stock firmware)