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 👏 🙄

[gerrygooner]

Wifi calling on other devices is being removed in iOS 18.2, the beta has already removed the option and EE have already shipped an updated services update. The date is significant as it’s the rumoured public release date for 18.2.

[MaR86UK]

Just caught this on Macrumours and notice everyone had texts days ago from EE about this change but I haven’t had any text regarding this so maybe its dependent on your plan? 

im on the full works plan for iPhone which I upgraded too when the 16 Pro Max came out so a relatively new plan! 

hopefully it’s not something I lose access too as I use this feature on my Mac and the EE coverage in my area isn’t the greatest! Fingers crossed! 

[Colstalex]

This is the wifi calling on connected devices. This allowed iPads to make calls even if the phone was off/not on the WiFi network. The removal of this means your phone must now be powered on and on the same WiFi network for you to make a call from an iPad/Mac etc. 

[domi40]

I was told that by EE customer service, that it was Apple removing this feature, probably because they're not selling enough iPads with cellular, they're thinking of introducing the cellular version to the MacBooks and I haven't tried it, but probably because we have iPhone mirroring on the Mac's now

[esimreplacement]

I have seen this mentioned a couple of times. I have tried to search for sources confirming this, but the only ones I’ve found are from MacRumors and some other websites. From what I can tell, all websites that have reported that iCloud Wi-Fi Calling is being removed in iOS 18.2 seem to reference EE’s community forum (this thread) as their source of information.

I am using iOS 18.2, and can confirm that iCloud Wi-Fi calling has been disabled (disappeared from settings on both iPhone and MacBook), but to me I’ve yet to find any information that would indicate that this is a new limitation of iOS 18.2 which would affect all operators and not just EE. 

I have chatted with/called Apple support (senior tech support advisor) as well, and they have not been able to confirm that iCloud Wi-Fi Calling is being removed in iOS 18.2 (or 18.01 / 18.1, which someone mentioned in this thread a few days ago).

[Colstalex]

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@domi40 wrote:

I was told that by EE customer service, that it was Apple removing this feature, probably because they're not selling enough iPads with cellular, they're thinking of introducing the cellular version to the MacBooks and I haven't tried it, but probably because we have iPhone mirroring on the Mac's now

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I really doubt this. EE was the only non-US network offering this and even in the US only handful offered it. I suspect there are costs maintaining the service and as we can witness here (with the confusion about what the service is)  it wasn’t worth maintaining it. Cellular iPads can’t make calls or send SMS directly with the sim they use so that excuse doesn’t hold water.

[domi40]

It's not dependent on your plan, it's a feature that Apple have deleted from 18.2, hence the date of 9th of December.

EE have just made a meal of announcing it.

[esimreplacement]

I’ve tried to find a source confirming that this is being removed from iOS 18.2. Have you been able to find a source (which doesn’t simply just point back to this community forum)?

[esimreplacement]

I think it is also available in Hong Kong, and Puerto Rico.  But other than that it seems to be limited to the US (and UK, which will end soon).

[domi40]

Whatever the actual truth is, it's a fact that the feature is not available in 18.2 beta.

I was also told by EE that the feature wasn't used enough, (I used it 3/4 times in the last 2 years) which is not surprising as it was only used when your iPhone wasn't near you or switched off, maybe the networks pressured Apple into getting rid of it?

We're all guessing as to why, however it's a fact that it will be gone, after the 9th