How to stop Wifi calling preferences from getting automatically "Optimized" back to "cellular preferred" ?

[madbrain]

I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 22 Ultra. Originally T-Mobile, but it was unlocked and is now on US Mobile Lite speed (using T-Mobile network). This problem is carrier-independent.

I live on a hill, and there is very limited cell signal indoor. The phone often switches between 4G and 5G all on its own even when set stationary on my desk in my home office. If I move around the house, it will sometimes hit cell dead spots, too. Even when the phone has cell signal, data transfer speed (speedtest) is measured in kbps, not mbps. Incoming calls seldom get through when the phone is on cell signal. Texting usually does, but sometimes with a lag of several minutes. Outgoing texts often get stuck and need to be resent. Basically, the cell signal is useless. I have tried other carriers, and they are even worse. Between the terrain on the hills, and the very strong building materials in my mansion, it is akin to a Faraday cage. I tried installing cell booster/repeater before, but it did not help, because the signal outside is too weak, especially during inclement weather. The booster actually made things worse.

Because of this, I have a 6-AP Unifi mesh Wifi system. I set Wifi calling preferences to "Wifi preferred".  Obviously, I don't want cell to ever be the priority. Unfortunately, periodically, the phone shows the message "Wifi calling preferences have been optimized". And it resets the preference to "Cellular preferred". This happens every single day. How can I make the setting stick ?

The only workaround I can think of is to disable mobile data when I am at home, or put the phone in airplane mode, but that is not a great solution, as I may forget to turn it back on when I leave the house.

I found another thread about another user having the same issue on an S21 ultra. He solved it by disabling "switch to mobile data" under intelligent Wifi. Unfortunately, that setting was already off on mine. I just disabled all the other options under intelligent Wifi as well, but I doubt that will have the desired effect of locking the Wifi calling preferences.

[JacksonCampbell]

I remember back in the old Android days when WiFi calling had more definitive settings that stayed where the were set at. I wish they would bring that back.

[madbrain]

Yes, indeed. What's the point of even having a preference setting if it's just going to be ignored ?

Been an Android user since the T-Mobile G1. Although they didn't have Wifi calling back then. And I had a cell signal at my previous residence, also.

[JacksonCampbell]

At least you had WiFi calling. Apple only introduced it years after Samsung phones, much like many other features.

[madbrain]

Yes, that is true. Otherwise, I would probably be using call forwarding to my VoIP line, which works just fine on my property using a Panasonic DECT 6.0 cordless system, both indoors and outdoors, without any dead spots, unlike either cell or Wifi.

Maybe I need to look into an app that sets the call forwarding conditionally based on the phone location being at home. Not sure if it's technically possible or if one exists. But it wouldn't be necessary if Samsung would just implement the Wifi calling preference properly.

[realaud]

Interesting, I have T-Mobile and have my wi fi calling settings set to cellular preferred, but it always keeps me on wi fi calling when connected to any wi fi network. You can set a routine to put your phone in airplane mode (with wi-fi and BT on) when connected to your home network. This will automatically put you in airplane mode, keep Wi-Fi calling as you want it and turn it back to normal when you leave your home, so you don't have to remember to do it.

[madbrain]

Thank you very much ! I was not aware of the existence of routines. I just implemented this. I'll report on how it works. I still think this is not as good as having the Wifi calling preference honored. For example, when I venture outside, the Wifi signal will be present, but may not be quite strong enough for Wifi calls to go through. The cell signal is going to be improved, depending on where I am on my property - higher up on the deck is better in my experience, while ground level/front yard is awful. So, I would still prefer to have the fallback to cell signal in that case. Maybe it's possible to have a routine "fight" the automatic Wifi calling so-called  "optimization" so that it never puts cellular first. I will give it a try.

[realaud]

It is really weird.  As I said, I have cellular preferred on, but T-Mobile insists on keeping me on wi-fi calling when connected to any wi-fi network.  I don't care, as long as I can get and make calls.  The whole purpose of wi-fi calling is to protect against weak or unstable cellular connections, so I am puzzled as to why it would not stay on wi-fi calling even if cellular preferred is selected if your signal is so unstable.  I have a very strong and stable cellular connection where I am (and I have an unlimited plan), so there is no real reason for my calls to be going through wi-fi at all. 

I did not see anything in the routine options to force it into wi-fi calling mode, but you can experiment.  I used to think routines was an unnecessary feature, but I cannot begin to tell you how useful I have found the feature to be. I have a routine to keep my phone unlocked when connected to my wi-fi network; I created a mode to for when I am in a specific place/situation. Think of what processes you might want to automate and go for it.

[madbrain]

Thanks. I do care, because I often can't do calls/texts. It's the missed incoming ones that are the biggest the problem.

Too bad routines don't support setting Wifi calling preferences.

It looks like they don't support setting call forwarding, if I wanted to use my VoIP line with the Panasonic handset either. I have 6 handsets, but nearly 3 times as many rooms, plus outside.  Looks like DECT 6.0 products max at 12 handsets, anyway.

[realaud]

You can't set call forwarding in routines, but you can set call forwarding to forward to the voip number when your phone can't be reached. It's in the phone dialer settings under supplementary services.