Wi-Fi calling may drain your iPhone battery faster than a cellular connection

When you live in an area with limited or no cellular service, Wi-Fi calling can be a lifesaver. It keeps you connected for calls and texts when your phone is useless. However, some iPhone users have noticed that this feature seems to drain their battery more quickly than usual. Laura B. wrote to us asking:

“I live in a rural area with no cellular service, and it’s normal for my iPhone to be used with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi only. It seems to me that it uses more battery this way than it does when connected to cellular data. Is this possible?”

Laura’s question is a common one, and the short answer is yes, Wi-Fi calling can sometimes consume more battery power than a strong cellular connection. The reasons haven’t changed much in iOS 26, but Apple has added some tools that make it easier to understand and manage battery usage. And if you’re using Android, don’t worry; We’ll cover the steps for your phone as well, below.

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10 iOS 26 Tricks That Will Help You Get More Out of Your iPhone

Why Wi-Fi calling can use more power

Although Wi-Fi calling is designed to keep you connected, there are some reasons behind the scenes that could cause your iPhone battery to drain faster than expected.

1) Your phone is still searching for a file Cellular signal

Even when you don’t have service, your iPhone may periodically scan for constellations. This search drains energy unless you take steps to stop it.

2) Wi-Fi antenna + connections remain active

Wi-Fi calling requires the Wi-Fi radio to constantly remain on while additional background processes are also running to stabilize calls. This workload can use more power than just maintaining a strong LTE signal.

3) Weak or unstable Wi-Fi makes matters worse

If your Wi-Fi signal drops or fluctuates, your iPhone works hard to maintain connectivity. This extra voltage can cause the phone to warm up and corrode the battery.

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How to make Wi-Fi calling more battery friendly on iOS 26

These settings are tried and true and also work in iOS 26:

1) Stop your iPhone from scanning for constellations

• Go to Settings
• handle Airplane mode
• Turn it over on
• Then go back to Wifi In settings then convert Turn on Wi-Fi manually

This prevents your iPhone from wasting power searching for cell service that doesn’t exist.

2) Keep Wi-Fi calling enabled

• It opens Settings.
• Scroll down and click Applications.
• Click phone.
• handle Calls via Wi-Fi.
• Make sureWi-Fi calling on this iPhone” It has been replaced on me.

3) Reduce background activity

• Update apps in the background: Settings → general → Update apps in the background → Set to Wi-Fi service only Or convert it on For applications you don’t need.
• Bring mail: Settings → Applications →mail → the accounts → Fetch new data → Change to Manually Or set a longer time interval e.g Every 30 minutes or Every 15 minutes.

4) Cut off screen and drain system

• brightness: Settings → Display and brightness → Less brightness Or use auto brightness with Click on Automatic.
• Location services: Settings → Privacy and security → Location services → Stop applications Which you don’t need.

5) Maintain a strong Wi-Fi connection

• Put your phone down Closer to the router
• Consider upgrading to a Wi-Fi network system If your signal drops throughout the house

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What iOS 26 adds to the mix

Apple hasn’t changed how Wi-Fi calling itself works in iOS 26, but it has improved how it monitors and manages battery usage:

• Adaptive strength (On supported iPhones): This feature automatically adjusts things like screen brightness, refresh rates, and background tasks when your battery starts to drain faster than usual.
• New Battery Analytics: iOS 26 shows one average weekly view with clearer details of apps and processes using power. To check it: Open Settings → Scroll down and tap battery→ the Weekly view Average battery usage is shown by default → Tap bar to see app and process usage for a particular day → Scroll down and tap View all battery usage For display Active screen vs passive screen Time and charging history along with updated weekly statistics

These tools don’t eliminate the overhead of Wi-Fi calling, but they do give you better visibility and, in some cases, automatic adjustments to help stretch your charges.

How does Wi-Fi connectivity affect battery on Android

Android users face many of the same challenges as iPhone owners when it comes to Wi-Fi calling and battery drain. The underlying causes overlap; Additional operations, Wi-Fi radios remain active and signals are unstable. But Android also has some unique quirks and settings that are worth tweaking.

SSettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone

Your phone is still scanning for cell towers

Even when Wi-Fi calling is turned on, your Android device may continue to scan for mobile networks in the background. This continuous scanning consumes power unless you turn it off.

Fit: Enable Airplane mode, then manually turn Wi-Fi back on. To do this open Settingshandle Network and Internetand turn it on Airplane mode. Once it’s active, return to Wifiturn it on manually and reconnect to your network so that Wi-Fi calling keeps working without the phone constantly checking for cell towers.

Carrier settings vary

Not all carriers handle Wi-Fi calling the same way on Android. Some calls are routed differently, which may consume more power depending on the network.

Fit: Check your carrier’s Wi-Fi calling preferences Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → advanced → Calls via Wi-Fi.

Background apps can accumulate

Unlike iOS, many Android devices allow dozens of apps to continue running in the background. When your Wi-Fi connection is active, this extra load can be consumed faster.

Fit: Go to Settings → battery → Battery usage Then identify the apps that drain the most power Restrict background activity.

Adaptive battery and power saving modes

Most Android phones (Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, etc.) include adaptive battery or similar power saving tools. These features limit battery-hungry apps when Wi-Fi calling is active.

Fit: maybe Adaptive battery In Settings → battery → Adaptive preferencesor use Power saving mode If you notice faster draining during calls.

Strengthen your Wi-Fi signal

As with iPhones, poor Wi-Fi is the main culprit. A dropped or unstable Wi-Fi network forces your Android phone to work overtime to keep the call stable.

Fit: Stay close to your router or consider upgrading to a mesh Wi-Fi system.

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Key takeaways for Kurt

Wi-Fi calling is a lifesaver when you’re off the grid, but it comes with some compromises. It can use more power than a strong cellular connection, especially if your Wi-Fi signal is unstable. The good news is that iOS 26 gives you better battery insights and smarter tools to help manage power. With a few simple tweaks, like turning on Airplane mode when there’s no service, limiting background apps and maintaining a strong Wi-Fi network, you can reduce unnecessary drain.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced with your phone’s battery life, and how do you manage it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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