One of the most significant advantages of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is that it allows users greater mobility. This means you can be anywhere and still ensure connection and communication flows.
Its flexibility allows you to link a residential or business number to have VoIP calls on mobile phones and be connected at any time.
In this blog post, we will review the advantages of VoIP on cell phones, how to set up some of the most popular softphones for Android and iOS systems, and how to troubleshoot the most common issues users face.
What are the Advantages of VoIP on Cell Phones and Softphones?
Whether on iOS or Android, VoIP allows users to make voice calls over the internet, bypassing traditional phone lines or cell networks. With the rapid proliferation of high-speed internet connectivity, this has become increasingly feasible even for mobile users.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Versatile and cost-saving solution
- Flexibility
- VoIP Features for Cell Phones
Versatile and cost-saving solution
Regardless of the operating system, VoIP-enabled apps on your cell phone provide a robust and versatile communication solution with significant cost-saving potential and great functionality.
Traditional voice calls often incur charges, especially for international or long-distance communication. In contrast, VoIP calls from your cell phone, whether to a local or international number, are much more affordable.
Flexibility
VoIP on mobile devices offers greater flexibility since users can make or receive a VoIP phone call anywhere with an internet connection.
This advantage makes VoIP helpful for today’s mobile workforce, students studying abroad, or anyone who wants to stay connected without worrying about roaming fees or network coverage— all while maintaining their original phone number!
VoIP Features for Cell Phones
Another significant benefit is the rich feature set offered by VoIP services. For example, did you know VoIP.ms offers over 70 features you can add to your communications system?
These add-ons go beyond standard voice calls, voicemail, and SMS messaging. They often include features like call routing, call forwarding, multi-device ring, and digital receptionist (IVR), typically associated with high-end business phone systems and often standard with VoIP services.
How does VoIP work on cell phones?
Regardless of whether you’re an iOS or Android user, the availability of mobile apps that allow you to use their VoIP services on a cell phone is vast, and they are a great tool to improve your communication experience.
As you know, these apps are commonly called softphones. Essentially, they are software applications installed on your device that allow you to use VoIP on cell phones to make and receive calls and texts.
VoIP.ms is compatible with many of them, and you can check the complete list on our Wiki page.
| LEARN MORE: Want to dive deeper into softphones and understand how they work? In this blog post, we explore that definition and how you can leverage softphones to your advantage, including to make international calls. |
VoIP App for iOS Devices
There are various softphones compatible with iOS, such as Bria Mobile and Acrobits Softphone. To illustrate the setup process, let’s take Acrobits Softphone as an example.
Acrobits is a popular softphone due to its ease of use, many features, and high degree of customization. Here’s a guide on how to configure and set up Acrobits Softphone on your iOS device with VoIP.ms:
- Open the Acrobits Softphone app, select ‘New SIP Account,’ and you will see a list of options; choose VoIP.ms.
- Enter Account Details: You will need to provide your VoIP.ms account details. The ‘Username’ and ‘Password’ will be your VoIP.ms SIP Main account or sub-account username and password, respectively. For the ‘Domain,’ you will enter one of VoIP.ms’ servers, choose the closest to your location.
- Save and Exit: Once you provide all the necessary information, save the settings and exit.
With these steps completed, your Acrobits Softphone is now configured and ready to use with VoIP.ms. For more information on Acrobits, please visit our Wiki page.
VoIP App for Android Devices
Just as iOS users can enjoy the benefits of VoIP communication, Android users can use softphone apps that are convenient, flexible, and cost-efficient telecommunication tools to use with your VoIP phone service.
Let’s illustrate how to do it with Zoiper, a renowned softphone for its user-friendly interface, various features, and excellent reliability. Here’s a guide to configuring Zoiper for VoIP.ms on your Android device:
- Open the app, and on the Account Setup page, input the username and password from your Main or Sub-Account, and select ‘Create Account.’
- Then, in the Host Screen, in the ‘Host’ field, enter the domain of the VoIP.ms server closest to you.
- Skip the Authentication step and select your account’s protocol: SIP TLS, SIP TCP, SIP UDP, or IAX UDP.
- Configure Codec Settings: Zoiper offers a range of codecs, which are technologies for compressing and decompressing digital audio. We suggest adjusting these in the ‘Codec Settings,’ enabling just “uLaw” and “GSM. ”
- Save and Exit: After completing these steps, your Android device is now equipped with the Zoiper softphone and configured to operate with VoIP.ms.
If you need more detailed information about this softphone, please consult our Wiki Page.
Troubleshooting and Extra Tips
Despite the conveniences and advantages of VoIP on cell phones, it’s not immune to occasional hiccups, like any technology. Thankfully, many common issues arising when making VoIP calls from mobile devices can be resolved easily. Here are some helpful tips to address these:
- Poor Call Quality: If you’re experiencing poor call quality, it may be due to a weak internet connection. Make sure you’re connected to a strong and stable Wi-Fi network. If you’re on a cellular network, check for adequate signal strength and data availability.
- Dropped Calls: If calls frequently drop out, this could also be a symptom of a slow internet connection. Again, checking your internet speed might help you identify if this is the cause.
- Echo or Delay: Echo or delay during calls could result from network latency or a slow internet connection. Try switching to a faster network or closing applications that consume significant bandwidth.
Need extra help with your incoming calls? Take a look at our tutorial on how to troubleshoot incoming calls and check out our YouTube channel for more step-by-step guides.
FAQ VoIP on cell phones
Don’t see a question you need answered? Ask it directly to our Sales Team!
1. Can I use my cell phone number for VoIP?
Yes, you can use your cell phone number for VoIP in many cases by porting it to a Voice over IP provider.
Porting allows you to transfer your existing mobile number into a VoIP service to make and receive calls over the internet instead of relying on traditional cellular networks.
This means you can keep the number your contacts already know while gaining the flexibility, cost savings, and advanced features that VoIP offers.
It’s important to check with your VoIP provider to confirm that your number is eligible for porting and understand the process involved.
2. What’s the difference between a cell phone and a VoIP phone?
A cell phone connects to a mobile network through a carrier’s towers to make calls, send texts, and access data, whereas a VoIP phone (or IP Phone) uses an internet connection to handle voice communications—it’s usually a desk phone, a device you have set on a physical location.
With a VoIP setup, you can use an app on your smartphone, a dedicated VoIP device, or even a computer to place calls. Essentially, the key difference is the technology behind the connection: cellular networks for traditional phones versus internet networks for VoIP phones, which often translates to more flexibility and lower costs with VoIP.
On a final note, you can also transform a traditional, analog telephone device into a VoIP phone by using an analog telephone adapter. These devices are connected to your traditional desk phone, ensuring they can send and receive the data packages necessary so that communication can happen via the internet.
3. What are the benefits of using VoIP on a cell phone?
Using VoIP on a cell phone offers several advantages, including lower calling costs, especially for international calls, and access to features like voicemail-to-email, text messaging, call forwarding, and multi-device ringing. With the right integrations (like a Microsoft Teams connector) you can even have video conferencing and everything else your business needs in the same place.
It also enables you to separate personal and business communications by using different numbers on the same device, and ensures you can stay connected as long as you have an internet connection, whether through Wi-Fi or mobile data. For businesses and frequent travellers, the flexibility and cost efficiency of mobile VoIP can be especially valuable.
4. How does VoIP work on mobile phones?
VoIP works on mobile phones by using a dedicated app or built-in support to route voice calls over an internet connection rather than a traditional phone line (also known as landline).
When you make a call, your voice is converted into data packets, transmitted over Wi-Fi or cellular data networks, and reassembled at the receiver’s end.
Popular VoIP apps allow you to call regular phone numbers, business phone numbers, or other VoIP users, and many VoIP providers offer mobile-friendly solutions that integrate seamlessly with your smartphone’s existing contacts and calling interface.
Join the VoIP revolution with VoIP.ms
As the world embraces digital technologies and internet connectivity becomes ever more accessible, we can only expect VoIP technology usage on mobile devices using softphones to grow even further.
If you are looking for a VoIP solution that you can customize to your residential needs or adapt and tailor to your business communication system, you’re in luck! VoIP.ms has served over 100,000 customers worldwide with a completely customizable VoIP phone system.
Add advanced features, virtual phone numbers and lower your communication costs with a VoIP service provider committed to keep you connected anywhere, anytime. Learn more by clicking below:
