Calls on other devices ending?

[Plymouthbloke1]

Hi,

Recieved this earlier via text:

Hi,

We wanted to let you know that, from 09 December, you'll no longer be able to use your EE shared number service on MacBooks and iPads.

Watch functionality, along with the Apple-provided iCloud number-sharing function, won’t be affected.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this update.

I’m assuming this is the “Calls on other devices” feature? That’s really annoying as both an iPad and MacBook user. A really good and unique feature (I don’t think other networks offer this) being binned. Bravo EE, well done 👏 🙄

[Colstalex]

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@Infinion wrote:

The fact no one else offers "Smart Number" in the UK is ridiculous to comprehend, I have it first hand from Apple, they are desperate for this feature to be supported in the UK as it is in most of Europe and the US! 

To be expected these days I suppose, the UK at the back of the line, losing it's way, slipping off the radar.

Desperate days I am sorry to say. The only way to make EE listen is to leave and take all your family and friends with you, maybe then they may think on... but probably not.

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Looking at the list of networks that support it on Apple’s site, EE was the only non-US network

[Colstalex]

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@robwp wrote:

@domi40 I honestly don’t think EE know what is going to happen when they switch off this service! I’m more inclined to think it’s about WiFi Calling only working on other devices if your iPhone is switched on and nearby. Surely, if the telephone number that’s ringing is in your contacts, the Operating System has a way of linking the number ringing to the contact and will display the name? I can’t see why this would be reliant on the shared number service?

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This is the version of wifi calling that allowed calls to be made direct from an iPad or Mac without the phone being switched on or nearby. This will not affect ordinary WiFi calling or the version whereby calls can be made and received when the phone is nearby (the last service works on any network and does not require network support)

[kevdyas85]

Given it appears to have stopped working in iOS 18.0.1 and iOS 18.1 and these releases have been out for some time then EE haven’t given adequate notice that they are discontinuing the service. 

EE really aren’t offering anything above any other provider, in some cases less. Vodafone allows you to share your data with an iPad from your phone plan through eSIM - much less than I pay for an extra SIM only plan through EE

[Infinion]

It does seem that the EE UK was the only operator to offer 

• Wi-Fi Calling on supported iCloud-connected devices

This is confirmed as 'Add Wi-Fi calling for Other Devices' (Mac or iPad) even when your Iphone is not close by or switched off.

Default Wi-Fi calling is not affected and will work as normal on other devices as long as your iPhone is with you and enabled in settings.

Puzzling is Apple Tech implied emphatically that Wi-Fi calling on other devices with out the need to have your iPhone close or switched on was supported in most of Europe and the US, perhaps supported didn't mean utilised or enabled?

The menu option Add Wi-Fi calling for Other Devices will disappear soon if not already.

[Justmeee]

Hi guys,

Based on the information we received, I believe they will not disable calls to other devices(WiFi calling), as I think that is an Apple feature. However, what I interpret their statement to mean is that they will disable the future that enables you to make calls on other devices even when your phone is turned off (iCloud WiFi calling).

Could anyone verify this with EE? I have attempted to contact them, but the phone call wait time was excessively long, so hang up.

[Colstalex]

It doesn’t need confirming with EE and in my experience the call centres don’t know about the service. The iCloud wifi calling oils network dependent the other WiFi calling on other devices isn’t and just needs devices to be on the same network. The second type works on every network (I have used it)

[stevegroom]

Might be a good time to test the new remote control of your iPhone from your MacBook feature - you should be able to answer the phone via the new integration...

[Colstalex]

You don’t need to use that app. In your phone, in the phone app, in the calls on other devices section, allow calls on other devices and select your Mac. When a call comes in it will ring on your Mac so long as your phone and Mac are on the same WiFi. 

 

[Justmeee]

Yeah that’s what I thought.

So I think it’s just iCloud WiFi calling that is getting disabled on the 9th of Dec.

Wifi calling should still work.

whats confusing is they are talking about  “EE Shared numbers” which I’ve never heard of.

I’ve  heard of “EE smart numbers” which was WiFi iCloud calling. 

I am very confused with what they are talking about.

[esimreplacement]

I called EE tech support a few hours ago and confirmed that the service that is getting disabled on 9 December is iCloud Wi-Fi Calling (Smart Number). It just seems as if the person who wrote the text message that was sent to all users yesterday might not have been aware of EE having named the service “Smart Number”, and instead they opted for making up a new confusing term: “shared numbers”.  

The tech support agent was actually very knowledgeable, and he knew immediately what I was referring to. I did ask if he knew anything about why they have decided to disable iCloud Wi-Fi calling, and why it has already stopped working for those who have upgraded to iOS 18, 18.1, and 18.2, but unfortunately he wasn’t able to answer that.