Having no communication with the outside world can leave you high and dry from reaching out to friends, family, clients, and co-workers. Making sure that you can connect with the important people in your life is crucial in the digital age.
Thanks to digital phone book technology, there are a plethora of ways to make a call, even without cellular service. As long as you have Wifi (on any device) or can find WiFi, it is easy to make a call. Additionally, if you have an issue with poor signal, (and have no access to WiFi) there are techniques that can strengthen your signal.
We've compiled the complete guide to help you make a call wherever you are, no matter what your situation.
In This Article:
Enabling WiFi Calling
If you are around an area where you can access WiFi, it's easy to make calls. It's an advantage to make WiFi calls if you are in an area with no reception, spotty reception or if you have limited cell phone data.
Wifi Calling is built in directly into your phone, so you do not need to open any apps in order to make a WiFi call if this feature is available to you. All major phone carriers have this feature. (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint.)
Search Tip: Check out our guide on locating a Verizon cell phone number.
If you don't have any of these carriers, you will need to check into what phone and carrier you have to see if you get WiFi calling. If you don't have the option built in your phone, there are many apps that you can use to make a call on WiFi.
Extra Fees For WiFi Calling
Most phone carriers charge a fee for international calls made over WiFi.
However, apps charge a much smaller fee to make international calls, and some even allow calls outside of the United States for free depending on where you are calling. Many of these apps have free international texts.
Free WiFi Calling Apps
There are many apps that let you make free calls, some have restrictions on where to call, some charge extra for international calls and some provide free international calls.
Please keep in mind that there might be data charges that apply to these calls. Additionally, many of these apps don’s support emergency calls.
Skype
Rated: 4.3 on the App Store.
Skype to Skype calls are always free, even internationally. However, if you aren’t making a call to another Skype user, you will need to pay a fee.
Unless you know the person you are calling also is using Skype, this might not be the best option.
However, if you are making calls internationally, you may want to request the person you are calling to download the app as international calls can be pricey (Skype is the most popular WiFi calling application and Skype to Skype calls are free).
Talkatone
Rated: 3.2 on the App Store.
With Talkatone, you can make calls for free to the United States and Canada when you are connected to WiFi.
You can also make cheap international calls outside of the United States and Canada.
WhatsApp
Rated: 4.7 on the App Store.
WhatsApp lets you make calls nationally and internationally for free.
However, you can only call other WhatsApp users, even if it is just a local call.
TalkU
Rated: 4.6 on the App Store
Free calling and texting, even internationally as long as you are talking or texting another TalkU user.
Making Calls From Your Computer
If you want to make a call from your computer, first make sure that your speakers are turned on and that they are of good quality.
Once you ensure that you have working speakers, I would suggest heading over to your Gmail account, or to make a Gmail account if you don't have one.
Making calls through a Gmail account is the easiest and most reliable way to call someone via a computer.
Making Calls From Your Gmail Account
The easiest way to make a call from your computer is if you have a Gmail account. Once you are logged into your Gmail account, you simply go to the bottom left of your screen, click the phone button and enter in a number. Of course, you will need to install the Google Hangouts Dialer before doing so.
Calls to phone numbers in the United States and Canada are free. Calls outside of the United States will cost pennies (or even a penny) per minute depending on where you call.
For example, If you make a call from the United States to India, the cost is 1 cent per minute if you call a landline. To make a call to a landline in Zambia from the United States, it will cost you 32 cents a minute.
These prices can change. Click here to see the current pricing for all Google Voice pricing rates. Additionally, you can just type in the number you want to call and the charge per minute for the call will pop up. As I stated earlier, they make the process super simple.
Pro Tip: Check our complete guide on how to send text messages through email.
I Want To Learn More About Google Hangouts
Since you already have to install Google Hangouts to use their calling feature, here are a few other communication tools you can use after installing the plugin:
- Video Conferencing
- Group Chat
- Webcasting
- Screen Sharing
- File Sharing
And a few other awesome features, which can be browsed at here.
Making Calls When You Lose Cell Signal (Outside of the home)
If you have poor service or no service at all and you are away from home, there are tricks you can do to help you boost cell signal.
There are also methods that allow you to make calls when you don’t have any signal at all.
To try to find a stronger signal, start by turning your phone on and off. If that doesn't work, turn the Airplane mode on and then off so your phone has to search for service.
If you still can't find service, it may be a good time to try to find a place with WiFi. Most McDonald’s have free WiFi, as well as coffee shops and some public buildings such as libraries. Once you connect to WiFi, you can make WiFi calls straight from your phone or through an app on your phone.
Search Tip: Check out our recent study on How to use Google to Lookup Phone Numbers.
Car And Home Cell Signal Boosters
If you lose cell signal often; there are two options. One, you can get a cell signal booster for your car and/or home (depending on where you have the issue) or you find a new cell phone carrier.
Most phone companies offer cell phone boosters for your home. Some require you to pay for them, check with your phone company to see their policy. If you want a booster for your car, you will more than likely have to pay for one.
The Most Reliable Cell Phone Networks
If I could recommend any cell phone service provider to you, my best bet would be Verizon. Although they are on the expensive side, their cell phone coverage is above-par.
Not only are they known for their good coverage, but also their speed and reliability. They have been the #1 overall network in the United States NINE YEARS IN A ROW.
To check out Verizon's coverage, click here.
To Sum It All Up
An important tip to remember is that it’s easy to make free calls if you have access to WiFi. It’s also important to note that if you constantly have issues with your cell signal, it may be time to switch to a new cellular network.
There are plenty of ways to give a person a call. If you need to get in touch with someone (and fast) this guide has plenty of techniques to get in touch with anyone in your address book.
Furthermore, if you need to access someone’s number before making a call, you can do so by performing a people search by name for free!
Our advanced cell phone directory can connect you with almost anyone.